Because of the last month of total slime warfare against Obama. Nagourney:
For Mr. Obama, the outcome came after a brutal period in which he was on the defensive over the inflammatory comments of his former pastor. That he was able, at a minimum, to hold his own under those circumstances should allow him to make a case that he has proved his resilience in the face of questions about race, values and patriotism — the very kinds of issues that the Clinton campaign has suggested would leave him vulnerable in the general election.
Wright is a grenade that will fizzle. The right will try other gambits – the Ayers crap and if that doesn’t work, look for them to take aim at Obama’s wife. But Obama’s survival – or rather the voters’ refusal to make this election about the Freak Show – suggests that Newt is right. This will not work this year.
The Dish 