By Lisa Anderson
COLUMBIA, SC--Primary Day dawned misty here in the state capitol, but the weatherman promises sunny skies and temps in the low 50's for most of the state today.
That's a far better scenario than the sleet, snow and rain that greeted Republican voters going to their primary polls a week ago and served to depress turnout 22 percent from the all-time high of 573,000 in 2000.
The last time the Democrats had a primary vote was in 2004, when about 290,000 people voted. Although voters are not registered by party, it's estimated that Republicans outnumber Democrats by about two to one.
But, given the historic candidacies of Obama and Clinton in this race, enthusiasm is running high on the Democratic side and state party officials say there could be a record turnout of as many as 350,000 voters.
Another sign of interest: state election officials report that 32,000 absentee ballots have been issued in the state for today's primary compared to about 22,000 issued for the GOP contest on Jan. 19.
With African Americans expected to make up at least half of primary voters, a heavy turnout could boost Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, who has been gaining strength in that community.
On the other hand, women, both black and white, are among the most reliable of primary voters and a strong turnout among them could favor New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, who has seen her African American support drop in recent days, even as she gained among white voters.
The polls opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m.
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Comments
Bottom Line:
Like all of you. I know that health care is the most critical, and important issue facing the American people. Now, and in the coming elections. And like the vast majority of the American people, I want HR 676 (Medicare For All) passed into law NOW! "Single payer, Tax Supported, Not For Profit, True Universal Health Care" free for all as a right. Like every other developed country in the world has. See: http://www.house.gov/conyers/news_hr676.htm
“HR 676:
For church goers: less money to insur. companies and more to the church- lots more.
Srs on Medicare: save way over $100/wk. Because no more medigap, long term care & dental insur. needed. No more drug bills.”
But if we the American people fail to bring enough pressure on our current politicians to get HR 676 passed into law before the elections. We will have to identify, and replace all the politicians standing in the way of passage of HR 676. And, I think the best first place to start is with the politicians that blocked the bipartisan SCHIP bills for the kids. Passed by congress twice.
But what about the President. It was Bush after all that blocked the bipartisan SCHIP bill passed by congress to assure more health coverage for Americas kids. So which of the presidential hopefuls do I think will be most supportive of implementing the demand of the majority of the American people to have HR 676 (Medicare For All) passed into law immediately!
We have some very fine presidential candidates who would make good presidents. But none of the top Presidential candidates directly support HR 676, the only true Universal Health Care plan. So I am supporting Hillary Clinton. She is the only top candidate that has ever actually fought for universal health care before.
I have enormous admiration, and respect for Hillary Clinton. She fought a pitched battle against overwhelming odds back in 1993. To prevent this disastrous health care crisis that is now devastating the American people, and America. She fought so hard for the American people that she risk almost completely destroying her husbands presidency. I haven't forgotten her heroic effort. If any Presidential hopeful for universal health care deserves my support, it's her.
Also, if we the American people fail to bring enough pressure on our government to give us HR 676 which we all so desperately need NOW! Then we will need the most skilled politician we can get on our side to broker the best health care plan for the American people that we can get. Though it will be less than we need, and less than we deserve. The politician I think to best do this is Hillary Clinton. The Clinton's are probably the most skilled politicians in American history.
The insurance industry, and medical industry that has been ripping you off, and killing you has given Hillary Clinton so much money because they fear her. They have also given Barack Obama so much money because they fear Hillary Clinton. They think they can manipulate Barack Obama against the best interest of the American people better than they can manipulate Hillary Clinton. There is no race issue with Hillary Clinton. The Clinton's are the poster family for how African Americans want white people to be towards African Americans.
As always, African Americans are suffering, and dieing in this health care crisis at a much higher rate than any other group in America. The last time there was any significant drop in the African American death rate was when Bill Clinton was president.
My fellow Americans, you are dieing needlessly at an astounding rate. In higher numbers than any other people in the developed world. Rich, and poor a like. Insured, and uninsured. Men, women, children, and babies. And we the American people must stop it. And fix it NOW! Keep Fighting!!! Never! give up hope. There are millions of lives at stake. Bless you all... You are doing great!
Posted by: jacksmith | January 26, 2008 11:17 AM
Here's how the press will report it:
If Obama wins, it's because of the black vote.
If Hillary wins, it will be because the black voter did not support Obama sufficiently.
If half the voters are white, why isn't the emphasis on their preference and turnout? Why is the SC primary about the black voter?
Answer: because the media wants to portray the black voter as a "given" for Obama.
The truth is, the white voter is a "given" for Hillary and that's been playing out since the IA caucus.
Yet the press lately has been making the black SC voter as the "prejudiced,"
"automatic" vote.
Racism is alive and well in America.
Posted by: Bud McFarlin | January 26, 2008 3:04 PM
Why is it when Latinos voted solidly for Clinton in NV the press and Obama implied that it was racist? Why is it that when white women voted for Clinton in NH the press and Obama shouted "Tom Bradley"? I ask because blacks voting along racial lines in SC does not seem to be so bad, according to the media and Obama...
Posted by: FJ Stratford | January 27, 2008 2:12 AM