Throughout the Chesapeake region, Barack Obama was the choice. Hands down and not of just latte liberals and YouTube enthusiasts. Whites, blacks, women, seniors, affluent suburbanites and blue-collar city dwellers from Baltimore to Norfolk voted overwhelmingly for change, putting the Illinois senator in an enviable position - in the lead and with momentum. And now, he should be ready for a none-too-gentle grilling on the issues. Mr. Obama needs to explain just what kind of change agent he intends to be.
Voters should demand as much of Mr. Obama, whose ability to charm a crowd and energize a once lethargic electorate has propelled him past his chief Democratic rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York. Results from last night's primaries in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia had Mr. Obama beating Mrs. Clinton in nearly every demographic group. As the race moves to Wisconsin, Mrs. Clinton must mount a determined defense if she hopes to slow Mr. Obama long enough to win enough delegates to capture the Democratic nomination.
In Maryland, personality, style and charisma trumped big-name endorsements, union support and the other traditional political assets. The crowds at the University of Maryland, College Park and the line outside the 1st Mariner Arena where Mr. Obama spoke Monday confirmed the power of his appeal.
Even before the Chesapeake sweep, Mrs. Clinton's vulnerability was apparent. She changed her campaign manager, dipped into her finances, which she quickly paid back, and personally called key supporters to reassure them that she was confident of victory. Mrs. Clinton can put on a good game face, but she should be worried now that supporters in Ohio and Texas, two delegate-rich states, will waver because of Mr. Obama's success. She must win decisively there on March 4 to counter the scale of Mr. Obama's victories here.
People are hungry for a leader they can believe in, someone who hasn't succumbed to the cynical habits of Washington and who can restore America's standing in the world. Thus far, Mr. Obama exudes a confident optimism that challenges the need to pin him down on substantive issues or his brand of change. Still voters should press him on the goals and shape of an Obama administration.
Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona won all three winner-take-all-delegate primaries in the Chesapeake region. By the time polls closed in Maryland last night, Mr. Obama was already in Madison, Wis., rallying voters and distinguishing himself not from Mrs. Clinton but from the likely Republican nominee.