In a little more than two months, Pennsylvanians will finally get their say in the presidential race.

For months, the grumbling was that it would be too late, that the Keystone State would be anything but, that both races likely would be decided by then.

That certainly seems the case on the Republican side. The Delco GOP likely will have very little at stake on April 22 as Sen. John McCain appears a lock to be their nominee.

Then there’s the Democrats.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are engaging in hand-to-hand combat. Obama, pushing a message of hope and change, has reeled off eight straight wins, and in the process left the Clinton campaign reeling.

On Tuesday, Hillary will be looking to derail Obama-mania in Wisconsin. If she can do that, then hold onto leads in Texas and Ohio, then we’re looking at six weeks of a full-court press for the Pennsylvania vote.

If she can hold back the Obama tide, it now appears Clinton will have to fend for votes in Delaware County, one of the key suburban counties that have fueled four straight Democratic presidential wins, without the support of the Delco party leaders.

County boss Cliff Wilson and newly elected state Rep. Bryan Lentz have announced they will push the rest of the county Dem leaders to back Obama.

Also in the Obama camp are First Chair Tony Campisi, Democratic leader in Marple Newtown, who will serve as county regional campaign leader for Obama, Vice Chair Don Mix, leader of the Mid-County Democrats, and county party secretary Mike Shaw.
Come November, it’s not just the presidential race that will be on the ballot. The 7th District Congressional seat also will be up for grabs again.

Which will provide an interesting dilemma for first-term Congressman Joe Sestak, D-7. The man who stunned the county GOP two years ago by dethroning longtime Rep. Curt Weldon, will face W. Craig Williams, a former assistant U.S. attorney, in a race that could be more interesting than first thought.

Now it will be interesting for a whole new reason. As a congressman, Sestak is one of the so-called superdelegates who are not committed to the result of the popular vote.

Sestak has already indicated he’s backing Clinton. He served in her husband Bill’s administration.

That will put him at odds with most of the county party.
If the race remains undecided heading to the convention, things could get even more interesting.

Brace yourself. What was once thought of as an afterthought in the Pennsylvania Primary now looks like it could be a barn-burner.

And Delaware County Democrats could find themselves as a prize catch.