Obama's Challenge

Having lost the luster of invincibility borne out by 12 consecutive victories, Barack Obama finds his momentum stymied - at least temporarily - by Hillary Clinton's victories in Ohio, Texas, and Rhode Island. And largely because of Clinton's willingness to go negative, Obama's readiness to assume the mantle of commander in chief has emerged front and center as an issue in this seemingly interminable campaign. So the challenge for Obama as the campaign turns toward the Pennsylvania primary in April is how "he faces questions about his toughness and vulnerabilities." Judging from his first comments since Tuesday, it seems that Obama finally got the message that he cannot afford to let Clinton's attacks go unanswered. On a plane heading back to Washington, Obama told reporters: "She's made the argument that she's thoroughly vetted, in contrast to me. I think it's important to examine that argument." That examination must be focused and unrelenting because his rival will stop at absolutely nothing to wrest the Democratic presidential nomination from him.