White men can jump -- to Obama
By Steve Benen Tuesday Feb 19, 2008 7:39amIt’s not just that Barack Obama keeps winning primaries and caucuses. And it’s not just the sizable margins of his victories. What’s really disconcerting for the Clinton campaign right now is how — and with whom — Obama is getting ahead.
Obama won the Wisconsin primary by stealing support from blue-collar workers, previously a key Clinton bloc.
If Clinton was to survive the string of February losses, it was going to be by holding on to what her chief strategist, Mark Penn, has called her “durable coalition.” White women, Latinos, and older voters would be unmoved by Obama’s flash. No group was more crucial to the Penn argument than blue-collar voters. Clinton aides argued that not only were bedrock Democratic voters for Clinton, but they had an aversion to Obama. “How can the Democratic nominee win without working people?” asked a top Clinton adviser recently.
In Wisconsin, according to exit polls, Obama placed ahead of Clinton among those who make less than $50,000 a year and among those with less than a college education. He has now won working-class white men in Wisconsin, Missouri, New Hampshire, California, Maryland, and Virginia. Obama also ate into Clinton’s usual margin with white women voters.
Any reasonable comeback scenario for Clinton includes a very strong showing among blue-collar voters. In fact, the same way Texas and Ohio are firewall states for Clinton, this is a firewall constituency for her. And yet, it looks like a firewall that is slowly starting to crumble.
Other items of interest from the exit polls:
He split white women, marking about a 10-point improvement since early February. He also won half of married women, and even won single women. Obama took six in ten white men, a demographic that has shifted between the two candidates throughout the race. His white male support also marked about a 10-point improvement since Super Tuesday.
Regionally, the news was no better for Clinton. Obama won a majority of suburban voters, something Clinton did on Super Tuesday. He split rural voters, whom Clinton had won by about 20 points two weeks ago. Clinton also had won a slight majority of urban voters then. Obama won Wisconsin city dwellers by about a two to one ratio. […]
Obama won independents by a two to one ratio, which amounted to one in four voters. Obama won every philosophical persuasion of Democrat. Those who identified as “very liberal” to “somewhat conservative” voted for the Illinois senator. Half the electorate were liberal and Obama won them by double digits. The largest share of voters, though, identified as moderates. And Obama won a clear majority of their support.
The lone bright spot for the New York senator? She won seniors, again, who have become her most reliable backers.
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This may sound heretical, but Barack (or Hillary) Should Just Say NO, To Public Financing!
Bring on Texas, Ohio, yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehaah, oh, wait a sec......
You just totally "plagiarized" MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell.
After viewing last night's speeches, it is becoming painfully obvious that Hillary Clinton must dredge up some grace and humility soon toward Senator Obama, or she will become the political equivalent of an ingrown toenail. I was looking forward to feeling pride for a woman candidate, but if she is this discourteous toward a fellow Democrat, how will her lack of diplomacy translate to rectifying American foreign policy?
Meanwhile, Senator Obama is looking more and more like the one who can unite the country and restore habeas corpus, end torture, and promote the rights of working families.
Clinton + Presidency = NAFTA
Blue Collar Jobs ÷ NAFTA= Obama Votes
Don Davis @ 1:
McCain is setting a trap if Obama accepts. There is no guarantee that Swift Boat adds, or outsider adds would be off limits or not, leaving Obama cash strapped for defend against swift boating.
Obamamania @ 2:
Yay, you got it!
But seriously, I don't see much movement for Clinton here in TX. The only thing I see going for her are her TV ads.
But that's of course among the young, college-aged crowd.
I'm sorry but NAFTA came back to bite her in the ass. Doesn't matter if it was her husband who pushed it through, either. It also doesn't matter if she was against NAFTA - in her "35 years of experience" she has shown she is the ultimate corporate lackey and if anyone would have been moved by her experience, it would have been people in Wisconsin.
I think Ohio gets stolen again...but Texas may be another story.
I don't care who gets nominated. I'll vote for either, gladly. On March 4th, I'll flip a coin. Whatever. My concern is for the Supreme Court and it should be a big concern for people, instead of this sports team mentality that I've seen on both sides of this race. I'm sick of the petulant breath-holding.
McCain knows he has to sell his image to non white, non wealthy voters who believe that further tax reductions for his white-wealthy constituents is the answer to all of our economic problems.
Senator,you might want to try an all you can eat buffet, because the people that you need are really truly hurting, and a free meal may be the only good thing to happen to a family living on the edge of despair and ruin.
kablooie @ 4:
Those are my thoughts exactly. I'm still split, but noticing her criticism as well. As well as Obama's "unity" factor.
Also what Kablooie said - she's being really ungracious and it's her own fault for thinking that she was entitled to the Presidency because her last name is Clinton.
How dare that uppity Negro get out of his place and actually make her have to fight for the nomination. /snark
She should have fired Mark Penn when he screwed her over in Iowa - but then again, this guy's connected to the DLC leadership; and they always find or create ways to lose campaigns they should be winning.
If Hillary doesn't do something fast, she is about to become the Democrats, Huckabee.
I think she has all her chips on the table for this next debate. Maybe she can find one more bunny to pull out of her hat, if she doesn't, it's time to bow out with grace and honor.
It would also be nice if when Obama wins a state, she would congratulate him in her speech. It seems it's the right thing to do.
McCain's speech last night was pitiful. As far as speakers go, he's just the opposite of Obama.
Karla @ 9:
Amen! Amen!
Weee! Just felt the sonic boom as the space shuttle returns to earth. One of the cheap thrills of living in Florida.
Texas is too macho for Hillary.
Men like women who are poised, objective and open to diaolog without sounding patronizing. . Sadly Hillary is not one of those women, she is smart and she knows her policies, but her code of conduct is shrilly. Refusing to give a concession speech to Obama for two straight nights of losses is considered verry unsportsman-like and it is a side of her character that is not liked. Playing dirty does not help her image.
Some people will get mad at my comment, but macho men are a reality and the Democrat ones are chosing Obama 2 to 1.
sorry...but I feel very strongly that the Dems will lose if Obama is the nominee....think many of these "white guys' voting for him are crossovers from the Repugs....same with the young people, while it's great to see them engaged have a very strong feeling when November comes around they will "have other things to do"....this very eerily reminds me of the massive anti-war vote that McGovern got in the nomination process but we lost heavily in the general........
I'm like everyone above said..it's NAFTA
but I will vote for whomever is the Dem nominee..........
Time to go, Hillary. You had your chance and you blew it with your targeted strategy and your feelings of "inevitability."
For the good of the party, step aside and let Obama run.
"I love the smell of napalm in the morning."
Maybe they should've called it " Hawaii 10-0," as Sen. Barack Obama now has ten straight wins after besting Sen. Hillary Clinton in Tuesday's Hawaii caucuses.
I love how she uses speeches to convince us that speeches don't matter. Won't anyone on her staff tell her that that's moronic.
At the debate, she's probably say "Thanks for having this debate, finally, Barack. Now I can say what I've wanted to say for weeks: Talk is cheap"
Her campaign people are idiots.
Let's go Texas and end this nonsense!
Hooray!
i wouldn't actually count hillary out until AFTER a cuple more large primaries like texas and ohio.
if she doesn't at least win them then ya shes toast
I think Hillary may have to start talking about "hope" in her speeches, because it is starting to look like that is all she has left.
After the Potomic Primary I said Clinton would be finished by March 4th. My prediction is becoming more evident. Obama is aleady even in Texas and I don't think she has ever beaten him in a race this close.
There isn't much Clinton can do now. She reinvented herself too many times to know what she stands for and she, and the Obamentum has snowballed all across the country.
My next prediction will be by next week Obama will be up 10 points in the national polls.
pissed off patricia @ 15:
What the heck? Lucky...
grochi harzep @ 22:
Don't worry, got it covered :)
White moderate/conservative men, in the north and south alike, voting for a black man? No big surprise there.
When Obama takes the White House, hopefully this will once and for all expose race-baiting party activists for the destructive, manipulative scumbags they truly are. And that goes for both sides of the aisle!
NAFTA won't go away, no matter who is the nominee, nobody will get rid of NAFTA.The biggest fairy tale on the campaign trail.
No Democrat, no Republican will get rid of NAFTA.
Tweety finally asked the question;What are his accomplishments? Exactly what bills that he authored,have passed.I know he introduced quite a few but which ones passed?Don't get me wrong,I like both candidates.And will be very happy with either one.But,We should be asking this question ..........Exactly,what are his accomplishments?
And I ask the very same question of HRC as well.
Fil @ 28:
Not even Ron Paul? LOLz.
grumpyoldvet @ 17:
I appreciate your point-of-view and experience, but I have to disagree. Hillary vs. McCain would be like Kerry vs. Bush in 2004. The key issue for our time is Iraq and Hillary is in the same difficult position Kerry was. Plus, can you imagine Obama vs. McCain in debates? Obama would eviscerate him!
In 2000 rightwingers voted for Bush because you would like to have a beer with him and Gore was to elitist.
In 2008 democrats want Obama to be the democratic nominee because he "inspires so much" and Hillary is uncool.
Different group of voters, but same mindset.
grumpyoldvet@17: Big differance from then and now. McGovern voters where the left end of the democratic party and we never had the middle of the party. Whats happening today is very differant. Obama is reaching all ends of the party and indepentants. Apples and oranges.
Obama is even converting mild Republicans into Obamicans. Something Hillary cannot do, she does the opposite, she pushes Reagan Democrats to McCain.
On this mornings Carpetbagger Report Steve cross posted the Amendment 4882 Vote story from Liberal Nation.
The vote was an issue of substance and offers contrast in the Candidates on many levels.
Background analysis of this story would be helpful.
grumpyoldvet @ 17:
yes your right! ive got an old korean war shipmate from arkansaw, hes an old die hard republican, we email some! and hes told me many repigs are voteing for obama in the primarys, but are going with mccsnain in the general, i dont see obama or mccsnoodle winning the national election , if its not diebold that screws us it will be voter registration fraud , and when that voters in the voteing booth even if he said he was for obama , he,ll be scared of what influence the blacks will have in this country, face it americas not that far from the days of black and whites drinking fountains at the grayhound bus station, and clintons just a corporate clone!
AshWilliams @ 26:
Atta boy AshWillims jump in with both feet!
sorry i meant clinton when i said mccsnoodel
AshWilliams @ 30:
A clear reference was made to "nominee."
Like Dennis "Department of Peace" Kucinich, Ron "The Isolationist" Paul has good intentions, but is way too quirky to ever get elected president, much less secure a party nomination.
mudshark @ 29:
A big Obama accomplishment is the commitment not to take money from lobbyists. How many have been willing to do that?
He is committed to lobbying and ethics reform, perhaps the biggest issue of all in Washington.
Honest Leadership and Open Government Act
The Congressional Ethics Enforcement Commission Act
The Transparency and Integrity in Earmarks Act
The Curtailing Lobbyist Effectiveness through Advance Notification, Updates, and Posting Act (The CLEAN UP Act)
But I guess Tweety doesn't give much weight to that kind of work.
kablooie @ 4:
Gee, ya think? Where have you been. Hillary doesn't even inspire her own husband. Chelsea looked like the typical tourist in Hawaii yesterday. The same kind of "puritan" that came off the Mayflower and cleansed all the natives. Not gonna' work.
Obama's website claims they have just had their 500,000th YTD 2008 donation.
And I went to CNN's election site and tallied up the state-by-state vote counts - I would ask someone to verify my math unless I added it up wrong - but I came to a figure of over 10 million votes cast for Obama in the primaries to date.
10 million. Yes we can.
Surprise. The Democrats have found a way to throw another Presidential contest.
Run the Most Liberal Member of the Senate who has No Accomplishments, No Experience, and a Creey Cultic Appeal to Moonbat Leftists against an Establishment Moderate who has been a Media Darling for twenty years.
I thank you, and President McCain thanks you.
Fil @ 34:
Of course hindsight is always 20-20, but Hillary's high negatives (even before the first primary) foretold what is unfolding before us now.
The first 100 days
Universal Healthcare
Take the earnings cap off of Social Security
Exile all Republicans to Elba
Mike Meyer @ 32:
I don't think I'll ever understand the criticism of his message. Inspiration and hope are now something to be taken sparingly or with a grain of salt?
And as far as the "Hillary is uncool" thing goes, for me it's not so much as she's "uncool" as acting "uncool". Constant negative campaigning isn't winning my vote.
peaceful easy feeling @ 39:
Hehe, sorry didn't see that.
CalGeorge @ 40:
Thank you for that,but did they pass?.....
Cal Worthington?
Floridiot @ 45:
Can't happen soon enough.
It looks like Obama has the nomination wrapped up. It will be interesting to see how he handles the Republican attack machine, which will be a hundred times worse than anything Hillary has thrown at him. Of course, the so-called liberal media will begin to tear him apart with the same zeal they used to build him up. His trial by fire has yet to begin.
Republican Poster @ 43:
Yeah right. I wish...
charles @ 35:
This blog post is a good start. Basically Hillary is all for clusterbombing civilians. Wouldn't want to look soft on terror, now.
Republican Poster @ 43:
thanks for the last 8 years,you guys really know how to screw up a country.
Wow, Democrats are so stupid they think "not taking money from lobbyists" is a legislative accomplishment!
And Obama got $100 million from the tooth fairy!
For those who think a black man can't get enough votes because of racism. You are correct that there is a lot of racism but you forget that people are more than willing to overlook a general racism for a specific person who they think can help them or entertains them (think the devotion shown to certain sports figures). And I think enough people now think the country is in bad enough shape that Obama could get votes if people think he can really help.
Much to my amusement I read in Louis Armstrong's journals about how much he HATED white people who would come up to him and say things like "I don't generally like black people, but you're the best!"
So racist people could vote for Obama if they think he can turn the country around.
My advice to Obama: Start using a lot of sports metaphors.
What this shows is.....white men can't accept a woman as president. They are so wrapped up in the idea that MEN ARE THE MASTER RACE they can't show that a man CAN support a strong woman, or they weren't much of a man in the first place. PERIOD.
Ozymandias @ 31:
Obama's vote has been the same as Hillary....his non-vote when he was a State Senator does not count.....the pressure on everybody was huge and while I was disappointed with all Dems who voted for the AUMF, wonder what Obama would have done had he had a similiar decision.......My main disagreement with Obama is his Health Care proposal, I don't feel he is committed to Universal Health Care...also hsi "working together with the other side"....do anyone rweally believe that or is that code for "I'll give in"
Republican Poster @ 53:
Hot dang! The sun must've hit the cave just right this morning. You trollz are up early!
I'm white I jumped.
porkchop @ 42:
Whether it's Obama or Hillary on the ticket, keep in mind the mere historic nature of this election will bring people out in droves. Democratic Party operatives who are salivating over the specter of a low Republican turnout will have some surprises in store come November.
Marge @ 55:
Watch what happens when I rephrase your post to reflect people who don't vote for Obama:
What this shows is.....whites can't accept a black man as president. They are so wrapped up in the idea that WHITES ARE THE MASTER RACE they can't show that a white person CAN support a strong black man, or they weren't much of a white person in the first place. PERIOD.
Do you see how ugly that type of thinking is?
mudshark @ 52:
Lol its true, if a black man or a woman wins the presidency it'll be because a republican prez & congress screwed up so bad even klansmen are willing to vote dem.
please notice the troll up there and her technique. Insults,more and more insults.That's all they know, condescending insulting behavior. That's why they're gonna lose this Nov.People are tired of their behavior.
mudshark @ 47:
YES - Honest Leadership and Open Government Act - introduced by Reid
NO - Congressional Ethics Enforcement Commission Act
NO - Transparency and Integrity in Earmarks Act
NO - Curtailing Lobbyist Effectiveness through Advance Notification, Updates, and Posting Act
Gee, I wonder why so few in Congress wants to join him in this effort?
Mudshark:
"thanks for the last 8 years,you guys really know how to screw up a country"
You guys know how to sit on the sidelines, whine and stamp your feet, and vote for whatever it is you're whining about.
Democrats hate accomplishment. Look how the Obama cult bashes the Clintons, because they failed to hand them their socialist dream. At least the Clintons know how to do something - win elections by any means possible. But you guys hate that. You hate accomplishment. It's too messy for your utopian visions. You'd rather pin your "hope" on beautiful losers.
After Kerry, Gore, Dukakis, you come up with a guy who cries "yes, we can?" No, you can't, and he hasn't, ever. Nobody even knows how many delegates Obama has. You can't even run a primary system that makes sense. You guys want to run the country?
Marge @ 55:
You'd be right if you were able to show that HRC is unarguably the better of the two candidates. Considering the number of women who have also voted for Obama I think you'd have hard time doing that.
What your post shows, by your logic is that You can't accept a black man as president. You are so wrapped up in the idea that WHITE PEOPLE ARE THE MASTER RACE you can't show that a white person CAN support a strong black man, or you weren't much of an open-minded person in the first place. PERIOD.
CalGeorge @ 63:
so he hasn't introduced a single bill that has passed?
Obama all the way!
Obama = the first progressive president.
Republican Poster @ 64:
Rush, is that you? Sean? Michael?
AshWilliams @ 46:
An inspirational President is great. But Inspiration is only an add-on. Most Obama voters are voting him almost solely because of his charisma.
And it is questionable of "acting uncool" is a major flaw in a president or if substance is more valuable.
I have nothing against Obama (because I do not know him and doubt anybody knows him). He might become a great president. But the Obama voters are bugging the hell out of me because of the reasons they vote for him.
The Democrats had plenty of great Hillary contenders: Edwards, Richardson, Biden, maybe (though not electable) even Kucinich. Every one of them would have been voted for because of his past actions or because of their platform. People are neither voting for Obama because of his platform or his past, but because of his shininess.
seele @ 68:
Uhm...FDR?
Republican Poster @ 64:
Nixon,Reagan,Bush and his nit wit son.you got some balls.
[deleted - see the commenting policy.]
Republican Poster @ 64:
You had tour chances, you messed thing up bad, now STFU.
I’m a Hillary supporter that will be voting for McCain if Obama gets the nomination.
!!!!SORRY!!!
Republican Poster @ 43:
McCain is a Keating 5 crook who's been in DC forever, and has only enriched himself and his buddies.
If you send the same people back to Washington just to sit in different chairs, nothing will happen, as your better candidate once said correctly.
Senator Mccain will be crying in his soiled granny diapers, begging for a wipe, once this thing is all over.
Mudshark:
"you got some balls"
Revealing that you say that like it's a bad thing, isn't it?
Republican Poster @ 76:
it helps to be right.nevermind,I can see that went over your head.have a nice day.
The Great Unified Political Football Field
lopaloo102
"If you send the same people back to Washington just to sit in different chairs...."
No, there's only one chair. The one you guys so seldom seem interested in capturing.
Ron @ 74:
'06 ring a bell?
Mike Meyer @ 70:
Ah, gotchya. Yeah I tend to agree to a point.
And it's a shame Edwards isn't here still.
Republican Poster @ 64:
This election won't be decided by republicans or democrats.....
the independents will decide.
and no independent will vote for a man who's had his nose up bush's ass for 8 years, and has been squirrelling and squandering away money in DC for the last 30, barely avoiding getting booted out of the senate in the Keating 5 scandal.
Independents will flush this idiot.
Seems race has little to do with it after all. All those mindless pundits without a clue...
Speaking from an independent perspective, Obama will win over moderate republicans and independents and take those away from McCain whereas Hillary will have moderate democrats and repulicans and independents voting against her and not necessarily for McCain. I have no party loyalty (niether party speaks for me - they both have it wrong) and will vote for Obama over McCain but I will vote against Hillary.
Mike Meyer @ 32:
Not really, hillary represents the status quo for many of us but would be a major upgrade from our current President. With Obama not only will it HELP bridge a crevasse among our racial divide he will present a new, articulate, thoughtful image abroad.
Thsi is a chance in a lifetime.
Clinton's problem is she is pisses people off, she is too pointedly sharp. If she had taken notes from Bill she would swept this thing but she can't escape who she is.
I'd rather have Clinton as the nominee but I'm looking forward to seeing the Democratic candidacy resolved ASAP and it looks very much like Obama will be it. And if he gets to be President instead of Hillary it won't do any good for Clinton supporters such as myself to then start complaining about how , if Hillary had won, issue x or issue would have been handled "better" by her rather than Obama. The Oval Office can change a candidate and much also depends on the Congress. The sooner the Dem nomination is decided, the sooner we can turn our attention to the congressional races, reduce the Republicans and exchange the blue dogs for more progressive representatives and delver the next Demoncratic president with a House and Senate that has the strength in numbers, brains and commitment to pull this country out of the ditch it's in.
Well, its nice to see the trolls coming over here, trying to make us feel bad. They must not be feeling to well, considering they have a guy who will be running on, more war, more tax cuts for the rich, more corp tax breaks and more waterboarding. McBain will run on his senate record, and congress's poll ratings are lower then bushes. Wow! no wonder the trolls aren't feeling to well this morning. A wave is comming, and you don't want to be in front of it.
lopaloo102
"the independents will decide"
Yes, and independents will be treated to a man who has decades of legislative experience, sponored major bi-partisan legislation, and repeatedly bucked the party for the good of the party against....Yes, we can! Yes, we can!
And now, we are patching up our differences to stand behind our strongest candidate, while you are in a bitter fight that will end in your nominating the weakest.
Say it again: Yes, we can! We believe in hope! We are hope! Hope R Us!