Clinton vs. Obama: What next?

Uh-oh.

Boiled to its essence, that's how Minnesota DFLers assessed their party's presidential race Wednesday, the day after it was plunged into deeper uncertainty than ever.

"I'm all a-flustered by what's going on in the campaign right now," said Barbara Scottford of Minneapolis, capturing the mood.

In interviews, supporters of both Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama worried about the prospect of a nasty, prolonged fight for the nomination that could, in Scottford's words, "become what I've heard people call a kind of murder-suicide."

Widely written off as on the ropes and about to be knocked out of the race, Clinton came back swinging in Tuesday's key primaries, besting Obama in Texas, Ohio and Rhode Island and claiming renewed momentum on the campaign trail Wednesday, heading toward the next big showdown contest seven weeks from now in Pennsylvania.

Minnesota DFLers on Wednesday fretted that continued struggle could fracture their party and wound the eventual winner, to the advantage of Republican John McCain. McCain clinched the GOP nomination Tuesday and was anointed by President Bush on Wednesday.

Those events took place just as resolution of the Democratic contest receded further into the year.

Minnesota DFLers appear intrigued by the possibility of an Obama/Clinton -- or Clinton/Obama -- ticket, but dubious it will ever happen.

Scottford, 56, is a computer professional who originally supported Clinton and now is wavering. "I realized a few days ago, I was going to be disappointed if Obama lost, and I'd be disappointed if Clinton lost," she said. "I'm in a quandry -- torn. I'm a lot more on the fence than I was a month ago.

"I wanted something clearer by now. But at this point, they're going to have to keep beating each other up. I hope they can make friends and maybe end up on the same ticket, though I don't think Hillary would put up with being anyone's vice president."

Joel Bergstrom, 34, a private development fundraiser from Minneapolis who supports Obama, is more optimistic. "I think things are OK now," he said. "What's important is how they handle the next seven weeks [until the Pennsylvania primary]. My concern is that it stays fractious all the way to the convention because all that will do is [test drive] John McCain's ads and attacks.

"My biggest concern is how the nomination finally gets decided, whether it's perceived that [Clinton] wins it by some funny business or backroom deal. That could turn off an entire generation of new voters."

Too much bickering

Pamela Marentette, 31, a law student from St. Paul who volunteers at party caucuses, thinks the strength of the candidates will produce unity.

"I'm happy with both of them because they're really exciting, amazing candidates," she said. "I know there's a lot of talk about how this is going to get ugly, that it could leave people with a bad taste if they feel the nominee's chosen by a bunch of insiders. But Democrats always come together in the end.

"We had tons of new people at our caucus, lots of young people and people of color, and it remains to be seen if those folks will come out if Hillary Clinton is chosen. I think there's no chance Obama would choose her as his running mate because of all the baggage the Clintons have. But a lot of Democrats would be thrilled if she ended up picking Obama."

Erinn Letts, 32, a stay-at-home mother from St. Paul, supports Clinton while her husband backs Obama. But they agree the party is in a pickle.

"We're both frustrated because the party looks so divided. It's pretty clear Hillary won't have the delegates, but it's understandable she's still going to continue. But it all seems fatalistic, both for her and the party, and all this bickering is probably going to turn off a lot of in-between swing voters. That's not good for the party because we really need this election.

"I think Clinton's team needs to look at what's good for the country and the party -- not just what's good for them. Obama/Clinton would be really great because the reason a lot of us are so frustrated and divided is that these are both wonderful candidates."

Young voters turned off?

While local Democrats worried, some on the other side enjoyed the turn of events.

"Once Obama starts being treated as a normal politician, as happened for the first time with the press corps just a few days ago, it's hard to say what will become of the Obama craze," says the local conservative blog Power Line. "At some point, will young women start to feel silly about fainting at Obama rallies? One would hope so."

Even some DFLers wondered what Clinton's resurgence means.

"I'm surprised there's been no discussion between Obama and Clinton about joining up on a ticket because they're both pretty impressive," said Charles Arnold, 64, a retired teacher from Prior Lake who supports Obama. "I just don't know anymore who should be on the top of it. Is he starting to fade as a candidate?

"Whoever wins I'm going to support even though they're going to keep beating on each other. I'm surprised how negative it's gotten already. That's going to hurt somewhat because it's just giving ammunition to McCain. And if Obama ends up winning, McCain's just going to take over where Hillary left off."

Others worry about the response of particular groups of voters inspired by Obama.

"I don't see a prolonged rift in the party because yesterday really wasn't much of a game-changer," said Adam Hennings, 19, a University of Minnesota undergraduate from White Bear Lake who heads a student group backing Obama. "My biggest concern is what happens to the youth vote if Obama isn't the nominee. When you look at the amazing turnout we had here, there could be a pretty negative reaction.

"I was shocked to hear Hillary talking about [a shared ticket] already today. It'd be kind of a dream ticket, but the party has to have balance, a Southerner, a governor. So I don't think it'll happen."

But even with a long and hazardous duel assured as of Wednesday, DFLers seemed focused on the November general election.

"I've got no crystal ball, but it looks like this is going to be decided at the convention," said Norbert Gernes, 70, a Hennepin County corrections employee from Eden Prairie, who declined to say which candidate he supports.

"As far as I know, we've got two good candidates, either of which could beat John McCain."

Bob von Sternberg • 612-673-7184