by Mark Silva
Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois has carried the North Carolina Democratic primary election in a two-state contest with Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York that was still undetermined in Indiana soon after the polls' closings tonight.
Regardless of the results, the outcome of these contests in North Carolina and Indiana would be a continuing contest between Obama and Clinton, carrying their fight to the remaining several party primaries ending on June 3 and ultimately to a battle for the backing of the party's "super-delegates'' who will settle the protracted contest between the candidates.
A two-front primary contest between Clinton and Obama played out today in two states that the GOP hopes to include in its winning columns in November. And in both places, Clinton and Obama had fought for the rural and working-class Democratic voters whom their party hopes to court in a heated fall contest with Sen. John McCain of Arizona.
In Indiana in particular, the two Democrats fought over a federal gas tax that Congress appears unlikely to suspend this summer.
Clinton played her support for a "gas-tax holiday'' from the 18.4-cent-per-gallon federal levy as a matter of sympathy for working-class voters facing soaring gas prices, and Obama dismissed the plan as another Washington "gimmick'' that won't really alleviate gas prices.
"What's happened to Barack Obama,'' the narrator of a Clinton campaign ad asked. "He's attacking Hillary's plan to give you a break on gas prices... because he doesn't have one... Barack Obama wants you to keep paying, $8 billion in all... Hillary is the one who gets it.''
"Hillary Clinton, pandering for votes, and not telling the truth,'' replied the narrator of an Obama-supporting ad run by Friends of Earth Action. "Clinton's siding with John McCain on a gas tax plan that will do nothing to lower the cost of gas... On Tuesday it's time for a change.''
Yet the attempt to paint Obama as elitist and out-of-touch may not have played well. Exit surveys of voters leaving the polling places in Indiana found when people were asked if the candidates share their values:
n 62 percent said Clinton does, and 37 percent said she does not.
n 65 percent said Obama does, and 33 percent said he does not.
Obama admitted to a tough fight for that blue-collar vote.
"It's really a mixed bag,'' the senator from Illinois said. "There've been some states where we have won the blue collar vote. Wisconsin. We won it in Iowa. We won it in Minnesota. Then there are other states where we've not done so well, mainly because people are much more familiar with Sen. Clinton and President Clinton and their track record.
"You have to give them credit," Obama said of his opponent, and her husband, the former president who has campaigned tirelessly for her.
"They're the best established brand name in Democratic politics, maybe in politics overall,'' Obama, a first-term senator, said. "They've been on the scene for 20 years. They're not going to go down easy."
Indeed, Clinton has suggested that the finish line for this contest remains a little further down the road - with a delegate-count for claiming the party's nomination that includes Florida and Michigan alike.
With 2,025 delegates needed to claim the nomination among delegations whom the party plans to seat in Denver this summer, Obama has cornered 1,745 and Clinton 1,602.
The Democrats still face several remaining several primaries in Nebraska and West Virginia (May 13), Kentucky and Oregon (May 20), Idaho (May 27) and Montana, New Mexico and South Dakota (June 3.)
There were 187 pledged delegates at stake today - with 72 in Indiana and 115 in North Carolina. There are another 217 at stake through June 3.
Yet 366 still are in dispute in Florida and Michigan, penalized for holding their parties in January contrary to party rules. And the senator from New York is signaling that she will include those delegates in the ultimate count of what's needed to secure her party's presidential nomination.
Obama, leading in the popular vote of the undisputed primaries and holding a nearly 150 lead over Clinton in pledged delegates, is attempting to make the same case that Clinton is making to the party "super-delegates'' who ultimately settle the contest: He, or she, is the electable one.
"I think it's 2,209," Clinton said of the winning number.
And signaling that her campaign does not stop here, she said: "I think that it's going to be the rest of these contests, which are very significant.
"And then in June, if we haven't done it already, we're going to have to resolve Florida and Michigan," Clinton said. ""nd they were legitimate elections. People came out and voted
"If you count them, I'm ahead in the number of people who voted. It's a close delegate race. It's a close vote total and we're going to have to figure out how we fulfill the wishes of the voters in those two important states."
Asked if she could remain in the race regardless of the outcome of the remaining voting, Clinton said she is "interested in finding out what the voters actually think because there's all kinds of speculation."
"It would be like predicting who's going to win the Indy 500 before it even started. We don't know," said Clinton, who campaigned with Indy race car driver Sarah Fisher in the home-stretch for the Indiana primary.
"Just so you know," said Fisher, who gave the candidate a tour of her $1-million racing machine, "we don't have reverse in this car."
The Indiana primary, in particular, tested the sentiments of voters who could easily cross party lines in an open primary.
And the Indianapolis Star has found Republicans voting Democratic, some with a sense of mischief, some a sense of adventure.
Among them was Meghan Ward-Bopp, 24, who bucked family tradition and asked for a Democratic ballot so she could vote for Barack Obama, though she plans to vote for Republican John McCain in November.
"I'm a hardcore Republican," she said, "but it's about who I wanted in second place in case McCain doesn't make it. ... I don't like the way this country's been run in the last 20 years. I'm sick of the dynasty (of two families) that's been running things."
Jim Adams, 36, voted for Clinton "to keep the race going beyond Indiana,'' the Star reported. "He's a McCain backer and enjoys watching the Democrats fight.... In the end, I think McCain is going to win.''
Kate Hayward wore a T-shirt: "Another Mama for Obama." Her husband, a Republican, also voted for Obama, she said.
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Comments
Here’s a good summary of some reasons to consider supporting Obama.
Worth sharing with anyone you know who’s still undecided.
http://acropolisreview.com/2008/04/top-reasons-to-give-barack-obama-your.html
Posted by: Tina | May 6, 2008 8:00 PM
God Bless America!!! Obama for president 2008.
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | May 6, 2008 8:24 PM
Yes!!!!...and another victory.
Obama/Webb 2008.
Posted by: PaigeinPhilly | May 6, 2008 8:46 PM
THANK YOU NORTH CAROLINA!!! For your reasoned effort, for your ability to look past the media hype and look at the man, for your capacity to separate the man from the words of an associate, and for your intelligent understanding that winning by playing a fair game is so much more honorable a trait for president, than winning by default and cheating. THANK YOU NORTH CAROLINA!
Posted by: tony | May 6, 2008 9:08 PM
It's OVER!
All Obama has to do now is run out the clock on Billary Clinton.
Posted by: John E | May 6, 2008 9:23 PM
I notice the Clinton supporters are noticeably absent from this discussion board.
Posted by: Green | May 6, 2008 9:55 PM
Hey Green, thanks for spelling noticeable correctly! You must be for Obama, eh? Good for you! We need good spellers, good thinkers, good negotiators, and good inspirers to lead this country!
Posted by: tony | May 6, 2008 10:15 PM
Here's one, Green. Just because people are uninformed or crazy doesn't mean there right. This mindless love and adoration of Obama who has indicated nothing that he would do for the country but promote platitudes as discourse is even more bewildering. Check his record, check his associations. Not only three, yes, three, crazy so-called spiritual mentors, but also a motley group of slum lords, unrepentant domestic terrorists, Iraqi regime criminals, and the latest news that he is possibly involved in fraud and money laundering. Complete hearsay, but there are rumors in the gay community that he is a bisexual crackhead to boot. Half of this may not be true, but the point is that Clinton has been vetted. To be overawed by an undoubtedly charismatic orator who has not been vetted is a level of mindlessness that brought Hitler to power. Another charismatic orator who caused women to faint at his very word, and who even Churchill admired. Yes, Churchill, in the early thirties said "if only we had men like him in Britain, it would be a greater country". But mindless still, even for Churchill, for like Obama, Hitler's autobiography was available, and like the Germans, how many of you have read his first autobiography? If you had, and you have the insight and discernment to read between the lines, it would be clear to you that he is an extreme left wing black racist that could easily adopt black liberation theology, and cause some serious havoc in the country. He even writes how he manipulated his mother and how he cultivated his smile for whitey. Get real and reflect on your idealism. Obama offers nothing but false hope, pretty platitudes and an eventual escape to a place of cynical disappointment. But don't worry, we'll be informed. By November we'll be informed, but then for us self-destructive Democrats, it will be to late.
Posted by: Joe | May 6, 2008 10:27 PM
North Carolina, You ROCK!!!
This was an edge of the seat evening everywhere in America and the support and unwavering voters is astounding!
Obama 08!
Posted by: Shannon | May 6, 2008 10:40 PM
You're right, John, it's over. Hillary has won. She got the split she needed tonight and that ends Howard Dean's dream of a nominee by June. Whether Lake County and the corrupt chicago political machine that controls Gary wants to admit it or not they won't overcome a 41,000 vote lead with one county. All Hillary needs to do now is split West Virginia and Kentucky (she won't have a problem winning WV) and run strong in Oregon and PR and then she'll go nuclear. With Florida and Michigan seated like Howard wants she'll have a 55-vote lead.
It's over, and as usual the Clintons have won. Enjoy your North Carolina win tonight Obamabots for you've won the battle but lost the war.
Posted by: Jeff | May 6, 2008 10:40 PM
Hey Joe, did you mean "their" instead of "there?" in your very first sentence???
Posted by: tony | May 6, 2008 11:13 PM
It's over, and as usual the Clintons have won. Enjoy your North Carolina win tonight Obamabots for you've won the battle but lost the war.
Posted by: Jeff | May 6, 2008 10:40 PM
Still scared to death of running old man McCain against Obama this fall, huh Jeffy?
Posted by: John E | May 6, 2008 11:29 PM
Green, Hillary supporter's comments are being BLOCKED by this blog. Obamaniacs are allow to froth unchecked, but our comments are being buried by the sexist jerks editing this blog.
Don't know why I am bothering to post, when this won't see the light of day EITHER.
Shame on you.
Posted by: jpsyche | May 6, 2008 11:32 PM
I love listening to these Clinton cheerleaders ("Joe" "Jeff") and their delusions of gradeur.
Yep, Billary can still win...and Elvis is still alive and living in a van down by the river.
Posted by: John E | May 6, 2008 11:43 PM
No, "jpsyche," we are not blocking the comments of Clinton supporters. We did block your ridiculous post calling us sexist for calling North Carolina for Obama, where the margin was about 15 points, and exit polling made the results perfectly clear, and for not calling Indiana, where even now, close to midnight, it's too close to call because of delayed vote-counts --- and exit polling could not overcome the closeness of the race. No sexism. Just good news judgment: We call races when they can be called.
Posted by: Mark Silva | May 6, 2008 11:47 PM
No John, I'd actually prefer to run against Obama and his spiritual advisor. The Clintons scare me and SHOULD scare every American who has to know by now how they crave power and what they'll do with it once they have it.
There's nothing I'd love more than a McCain/America - Obama/Wright matchup. Believe me, I hope he puts her away tonight. I just don't see it happening. This delay isn't doing anything to lend legitimacy to the north Indiana/Chicago style of vote counting going on now, either.
Posted by: Jeff | May 7, 2008 12:13 AM
I love how "Tony" could not manage to correct "they're" properly. That was priceless. I voted for Hilary Clinton. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely detest Clinton, Obama, and McCain. However, at this point in the race, there is no longer room for ideological sentiment. When it comes down to it, nothing is really going to change in this country, regardless of who gets elected, except in one case. I firmly believe a Democratic President will make a planned withrdawal of troops from Iraq in 2009. This is the single most detrimental event in the past decade to the United States and the War continues to damage our country. Everything else the candidates talk about is all fake. Nothing will change. Thus, I voted for Clinton because I believe she would be more capable of taking on McCain in November. We need a Democrat... and she's much more suited than Obama.
Posted by: Lucas | May 7, 2008 12:58 AM
I heart Mark Silva. Great post.
Posted by: Jeff | May 7, 2008 1:03 AM
Believe me, I hope he puts her away tonight. I just don't see it happening. This delay isn't doing anything to lend legitimacy to the north Indiana/Chicago style of vote counting going on now, either.
Posted by: Jeff | May 7, 2008 12:13 AM
Yeah, John Hagee and Rod Parsley (McCain) won't matter at all, eh?
I've got news for you clown boy, the Rethugs (you) aren't going to win this election on pastors and flag-pins.
Posted by: John E | May 7, 2008 1:05 AM
I firmly believe a Democratic President will make a planned withrdawal of troops from Iraq in 2009. This is the single most detrimental event in the past decade to the United States and the War continues to damage our country. Everything else the candidates talk about is all fake. Nothing will change. Thus, I voted for Clinton because I believe she would be more capable of taking on McCain in November. We need a Democrat... and she's much more suited than Obama.
Posted by: Lucas | May 7, 2008 12:58 AM
Luke SkyWalker,
If you think staying in Iraq for 100 years (McCain) is going to be a winning strategy for the Rethugs this fall then I've got some swamp land I'd like to sell you.
Posted by: John E | May 7, 2008 1:10 AM
Tony,
I will admit I'm not a great speller.
I'm actually not for Obama. I'm undecided, but very pleased to learn that those in the Clinton camp will attack my intelligence based on a typo. I do believe in making informed decisions.
Green
Posted by: Green | May 7, 2008 1:11 AM
Lucas--we could begin withdrawing them this summer--no?
Why can't Hillary and Barack team up as prez and veep NOW and go into the Senate and open a can of whup ass on the Repugs? Didn't we just win an extra seat?
They'll sew up the nomination by teaming up together. Obama and Bill and Hillary MIGHT be able to take North Carolina in THE BIG SHOW IN FALL (this is like the state beauty pageant, right?)--but together---they can win. I do think both candidates needs the other and that's what;s becoming very clear.
I hope people won't get distracted by "well some thugs stole Gary" Gaaa! I HOPE so!
How nice to have the nicer side of the industrial military complex back in power for a bit.
Posted by: Why Must We Wait til 2009? | May 7, 2008 1:13 AM
Alright, earlier I commented that there were no posts from Clinton supporters. At the time they weren't and I believed they didn't want to discuss the issue.
Now I'm getting yelled at for being a mindless, idealistic, sexist, uninformed, Obama fanatic.
To clarify, I'm actually undecided. Generally I'm more conservative but I honestly don't like anyone running. One thing's for certain, the responders here haven't endeared me to her. Taking a leaf out of Wright's book someone?
Posted by: Green | May 7, 2008 1:24 AM
To John E,
Although staying in Iraq is not exactly a "winning" strategy, John McCain has stated that he believes in the "mission" in Iraq and will continue to "stay the course."
To Why Wait,
I agree, there is no reason why the funding couldn't have been cut in 2006 when the Democrats gained the majority in Congress. I also agree that it would an incredible team if Obama and Clinton did go together (although, I doubt either will bow down as VP at this point) In fact, if they don't come together at some point, in some way, it's going to seriously damage the Democrats chances in November. However, as far as cutting the funding in Congress goes, there still aren't enough votes to do it. However, as President a Democrat will have the ability to control military action without Congressional approvals. Perhaps Democrats have put off dealing with this issue until Nov 2008 to use as leverage... who knows? In the end, however, a Democratic President will make a plan to conclude this ongoing conflict. I'm sad to say it, in some sense, but Clintion '08.
P.S. I was a Kucinich campaigner/supporter up until he threw in the towel.
Posted by: Lucas | May 7, 2008 1:52 AM
come on super d choose a side and end this by the end of the week one way or the other let s go after mcsenile and get er done
Posted by: show me | May 7, 2008 6:36 AM
No, Parsley and Hagee won't matter as they largely haven't to this point. McCain didn't sit in either of their churches for 20 years, put them in the acknowledgements of either of his books, have any of his children baptized by them or been married by either of them. Obama did all those things with Wright and then expected the voters to believe he was shocked, just shocked, to discover that Wright loves to spew racist rhetoric.
Posted by: Jeff | May 7, 2008 8:38 AM
Lucas and Green: I apologize for my rash response to Green's misspelled word, and it made me realize I also read Green's comments so fast that I in my haste also "corrected" him incorrectly. I slowed down this morning, went back and read Green's comments more carefully, and Lucas is right. You both made me realize that when we are eager to jump on others' arguments, we make our own mistakes. Thanks
Posted by: tony | May 7, 2008 8:52 AM