“The New York delegation had long been the envy of other states. Loaded with national figures. But it’s fallen into a period of decline,” warned a senior Democrat closely watching the race, and eager to send a message to local officials. “This primary outcome might represent hope for the future or painfully make clear that the caucus has utterly lost it’s way.

“Jeffries shouts star potential. Barron is a reckless clown who would sow division and embarrass the body. There’s only one desirable outcome here.”

A second senior Democrat, who is close to the White House, noted that the Administration had quietly sent its own message: Jeffries, a lawyer who has drawn union opposition for his support for charter schools, was invited to a fundraiser for President Obama at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City two weeks ago, to have his photograph taken with Obama and Clinton — a valuable piece of campaign literature in a heavily African-American district.