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Clinton trounces Obama in West Virginia
Associated Press
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., acknowledges supporters during her West Virginia Primary night rally Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at the Charleston Civic Center in Charleston, W.Va. Clinton won the primary and says she's more determined than ever to press ahead with her campaign.
AP VIDEOS
- • Clinton scores landslide in West Virginia: Hillary Clinton coasted to a large but largely symbolic victory in working-class West Virginia on Tuesday, handing Barack Obama one of the worst defeats of the campaign. (May 13)
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Hillary Rodham Clinton coasted to a large but largely symbolic victory in working-class West Virginia on Tuesday, handing Barack Obama one of the worst defeats of the campaign yet scarcely slowing his march toward the Democratic presidential nomination.
"The White House is won in the swing states. And I am winning the swing states," Clinton told cheering supporters at a victory rally.
She coupled praise for Obama with a pledge to persevere in a campaign in which she has become the decided underdog. "This race isn't over yet," she said. "Neither of us has the total delegates it takes to win."
Obama looked ahead to the Oregon primary later in the month and to the general election campaign against Republican John McCain, but the West Virginia defeat underscored his weakness among blue collar voters who will be pivotal in the fall.
"This is our chance to build a new majority of Democrats and independents and Republicans who know that four more years of George Bush just won't do," Obama said in Missouri, which looms as a battleground state in November.
"This is our moment to turn the page on the divisions and distractions that pass for politics in Washington," added the man seeking to become the first black presidential nominee of a major party.
With votes from 69 percent of West Virginia's precincts counted, Clinton was winning 66 percent of the vote, to 27 percent for Obama.
Clinton's triumph approached the 70 percent of the vote she gained in Arkansas, her best state to date. It came courtesy of an overwhelmingly white electorate comprised of the kinds of voters who have favored her throughout the primaries. Nearly a quarter were 60 or older, and a similar number had no education beyond high school. More than half were in families with incomes of $50,000 or less, and the former first lady was wining a whopping 69 percent of their votes.
Clinton won at least 16 of the 28 delegates at stake in West Virginia, to seven for Obama, with 5 more to be allocated.
That left Obama with 1,875.5 delegates to 1,712 for Clinton. It takes 2,026 to clinch the nomination at the party convention in Denver this summer, a total raised by one to reflect the election of Democrat Travis Childers to Congress in a special election in Mississippi during the evening.
Clinton's aides contended that her strength with blue-collar voters — already demonstrated in primaries in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana — makes her the more electable candidate in the fall.
In her remarks, Clinton said, "I deeply admire Sen. Obama," but she added, "our case is stronger." She said she had won roughly 17 million votes in the primaries and caucuses to date.
The two rivals also vied in a close, nonbinding primary in Nebraska. Obama won the state's caucuses earlier in the year, and with them, a majority of its delegates.
Clinton arranged a meeting with superdelegates for Wednesday. About 250 of them remain publicly uncommitted.
The delegate tally aside, the former first lady struggled to overcome an emerging Democratic consensus that Obama effectively wrapped up the nomination last week with a victory in the North Carolina primary and a narrow loss in Indiana.
He picked up four superdelegates during the day, including Roy Romer, former Democratic Party chairman.
"This race, I believe, is over," Romer told reporters on a conference call. He said only Clinton can decide when to withdraw, but he added: "There is a time we need to end it and direct ourselves to the general election. I think that time is now."
Only five more primaries remain on the calendar, beginning next week in Kentucky and Oregon, then Puerto Rico on June 1 and Montana and South Dakota two days later.
There's another important date on the calendar, though, the May 31 meeting of a convention committee that will hear Clinton's appeal to seat the delegations from disputed primaries in Florida and Michigan.
Clinton has long argued to have the delegates seated — a decision that would cut into Obama's delegate advantage — even though the primaries were held so early in the year that they violated Democratic party rules.
In recent weeks, Obama has signaled a willingness to compromise on the issue as he has become more confident of his ultimate victory in the fight for the nomination.
Clinton and Obama briefly shook hands on the Senate floor Tuesday after interrupting their campaigns for a few hours to vote on energy-related bills.
In the days since, close to 30 superdelegates have swung behind Obama, evidence that party officials are beginning to coalesce around the first-term Illinois senator who is seeking to become the first black to win a major party presidential nomination. Three of his new supporters formerly backed Clinton, who surrendered her lead in superdelegates late last week for the first time since the campaign began.
In his appearance in Cape Girardeau, Mo., Obama sketched the case against McCain. "For two decades, he has supported policies that have shifted the burden onto working people. And his only answer to the problems created by George Bush's policies is to give them another four years to fail," he said.
Tucker Bounds, a spokesman for McCain, said in response that Obama's rhetoric showed "more of the same negative, partisan politics that have paralyzed Washington for too long. Barack Obama talks about change and bipartisanship, but he has never showed the leadership needed to bridge party divides."
Clinton had spent parts of several days campaigning in West Virginia in search of victory.
She refrained from criticizing Obama directly, but had a cautionary word nonetheless for party leaders who seemed eager to pivot to the fall campaign. "I keep telling people, no Democrat has won the White House since 1916 without winning West Virginia," she said at Tudor's Biscuit World in the state's capital city.
Obama was in the state on Monday, but it was clear he was looking beyond the primary.
He said several days ago he expected Clinton to win by significant margins in West Virginia and then in Kentucky, which holds its primary next week. He devoted more time to Oregon, which also holds a primary next week, and announced plans to campaign in several other states that loom as battlegrounds in the fall against McCain.
Among them are Florida and Michigan, two states that held early primaries in defiance of national Democratic Party rules. The two combined have 44 of the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House, and Obama has not yet campaigned in either.
Obama also broke from his usual practice by wearing a flag pin on his suit jacket. He told several thousand people at the Charleston Civic Center that patriotism means more than saluting flags and holding parades.
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Let Mrs. Bill Clinton keep winning, that way NEITHER will get the nomination outright and it will split the democRATs.
And John McCain will take the White House.
#1 Posted by RockfordGrad on May 14, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I actually view this is a victory for Obama when one considers that a large number of the population of West Virginia have not even completed high school.This does not speak well of their perceived intelligence. Hence, they voted for Hillary rather than Obama. One can postulate that the mentally challenged would vote for the less qualified of the two candidates. Thankfully, insane McCain is not a Democrat and running in that primary.
#2 Posted by thelight on May 14, 2008 at 8:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It would be nice for change to have the Dem's get their act together. How can they run the country when they can't follow the rules for nominating a candidate. They're gonna blow it again.
#3 Posted by trehuger on May 14, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This so called "mentally challenged" state is credited for putting JFK on the road to victory in 1960. WV is an indicator state having voted for Bill Clinton twice and George Bush in the last two elections. No democrat has been elected President, since 1916, without the vote of WV...These people may not have as many paper degrees, but apparently they have some type of wisdom that other states don't possess.
#4 Posted by thinker on May 14, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good. I'm glad she beat him. West Virginians may not be very educated, but throught history they have proven to be very patriotic and know what's best for this country (certainly not Obama). Although we all know my man McCain is going to take it all at the end.
#5 Posted by ryersongirl on May 14, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
West Virginia was won by Hillary and congratulations to her. However, the race is over and we'll see Mr. McBUSH in the FALL.
OBAMA 2008!
#6 Posted by Brother_n_239 on May 14, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
thelight,
If you are the measure of an "intelligent voter" I would prefer to be mentally challenged. I find it amusing you call Hillary less qualified since Obama is nowhere near qualified to be President.
Do you honestly believe Obama is qualified? Please list his accomplishments and please also include all the bills that he has not voted on because he chose to be "present" to avoid taking a stand that would endanger his presidency. He has no substance, no clear direction. Its all rhetoric and nice speeches. He offers nothing new other than taking your hard earned money from your pocket. He is so liberal, he makes Kennedy look like Ronald Reagan.
By the way, us mentally challenged voters who care about this country will vote for someone who is qualified to be President which is McCain.
#7 Posted by Sanity on May 14, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thinker: "These people may not have as many paper degrees, but apparently they have some type of wisdom that other states don't possess."
It's either homegrown common sense or doing your own thinking (as opposed to letting the national media decide for you).
#8 Posted by marcoislandgal on May 14, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Go Hill! Get that nomination, destroy the democrat party. Please. This is great!
#9 Posted by DinNaples on May 14, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hillary was rated around the 16th most liberal senator in office today. Obama was the most. She couldn't even get her health care plan passed when the Democrats owned both the House/Senate AND the White House.
#10 Posted by pauls on May 14, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree DinNaples, I'd love to see Hills get it and make the Dem's look like a bunch of morons again. Unfortunately they dont need her help in doing that
#11 Posted by trehuger on May 14, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"West Virginians may not be very educated, but throught [sic] history they have proven to be very patriotic and know what's best for this country." -ryersongirl
Isn't this why Republicans win elections? Too much patriotism, not enough smarts.
Of course, "patriotism" consists of blindly following the proven liars in the White House without question, signing away the bill of rights that our forefathers, the REAL patriots, fought so hard to earn, all in the name of "security."
"Patriotism" consists of driving the most fuel-inefficient vehicles you can afford, ruining the environment that sustains our lives, wishing death to all those who are Muslim or otherwise different, wishing for 100 years of war in Iraq, wanting to attack Iran so Cheney's pals can sell more faulty body armor to the poor, destitute men and women who are forced to join the Army because their jobs have been outsourced overseas...
The lack of education is why we have the modern Republican party. And Hillary's just a Republican in drag, we all know. So was Bill.
The elite party leadership have found a way to make a reliable base out of the Christian fundamentalists praying for the apocalypse, the NASCAR wife-beaters, the xenophobes, the anti-environmentalists, the polluters and over-consumers, and all the middle-American stubborn and stupid groups I don't have room to list.
Mr. Rove knows who you are, and he knows you're too dumb to recognize what his real objective may be.
#12 Posted by leftovers on May 14, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Are there no blue-collar, white-working class people in Iowa, Maryland, Virginia, Vermont, Kansas, Washington, Delaware, and the 30+ states that Barack won?
Or, in these 30+ states that Barack won, are there only high-class, surburbanite people of leisure, college graduates and African-Americans?
And, is that what someone wants us to believe — that in the 30+ states Barack has won, that there are no blue-collar, white-working class people in any of those states? I thought that white people were a majority in America, not a minority. I don't think we should allow ourselves to be fooled again because the more "they" make this about race, the more it will become about race and undo the unity that Barack envisions and has always hoped to achieve! We can build on our common grounds or allow others to exploit our "alleged" differences for their own gain.
#13 Posted by Lemme on May 14, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Barack Obama will be our next president. he deserves it and that's why i endorsed him. I don't want neither Mc Cain nor Hillary
#14 Posted by paulmoral on May 14, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Lemme - White people haven't been a majority in America for quite some time now.
#15 Posted by GatorHater07 on May 14, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
29 republicans have looked at the upcomming races and decided to retire. Republicans suffered stunning special election defeats in former House Speaker Dennis Hastert's seat in Ill. The "fat lady" is just warmin up and it'll all be over in Nov. I don't expect any redneck from Floraduh to understand...hell we can't even get our primary votes counted as the rest of the country points their fingers at Fla and snickers at our stupidity here in the banana republic.
#16 Posted by outsidethebox240 on May 14, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What it means to be a patriot.
Defend the constitution. Be responsible for your actions and speech. Uphold this nation and question those who govern you when they take you down roads that lead you towards a dead end.
I look towards Barack Obama as the next leader that can bring sweeping reform in our government. His eloquent speeches are moving and inspiring.
However, Goerge W. Bush also spoke of unity and change before he was elected in 2000.
Let all of us not be fooled by short term memory because of endless propoganda and a constant stream of media fueled empty suit rhetoric.
It is up to us to ensure that all promises are upheld. We are the ones that have to understand that the United States is the most advanced and gifted nation on the planet and we can not compare ourselves to third world nations.
We have to hold ourselves to higher standards and by that hold our government and our leaders to those same standards.
The promises offered must be executed. That can only happen by the citizens putting pressure on the leadership. That can happen if we ignore outside influinces and go directly to the source.
McCain, Clinton, Obama
It only matters what issues we want pressed foward.
If the constituancy does not do anything to press issues. Nothing will happen. And if we let the government fool us. We will have the Patriot Act I and II.
I speak from the soul.
#17 Posted by NaplesTaco on May 14, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What it means to be a patriot.
Defend the constitution. Be responsible for your actions and speech. Uphold this nation and question those who govern you when they take you down roads that lead you towards a dead end.
I look towards Barack Obama as the next leader that can bring sweeping reform in our government. His eloquent speeches are moving and inspiring.
However, Goerge W. Bush also spoke of unity and change before he was elected in 2000.
Let all of us not be fooled by short term memory because of endless propoganda and a constant stream of media fueled empty suit rhetoric.
It is up to us to ensure that all promises are upheld. We are the ones that have to understand that the United States is the most advanced and gifted nation on the planet and we can not compare ourselves to third world nations.
We have to hold ourselves to higher standards and by that hold our government and our leaders to those same standards.
The promises offered must be executed. That can only happen by the citizens putting pressure on the leadership. That can happen if we ignore outside influinces and go directly to the source.
McCain, Clinton, Obama
It only matters what issues we want pressed foward.
If the constituancy does not do anything to press issues. Nothing will happen. And if we let the government fool us. We will have the Patriot Act I and II.
I speak from the soul.
#18 Posted by NaplesTaco on May 14, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ok jagged.
Let us take our leaders for what they say at face value. Believe in our government completely because a true democracy only works when few have the power and the many follow.
We should look at 3rd world countries and say "boy we are doing better than them" but never look to other industrialized nations for progress.
And ideas that offer proggress are labled progressive and liberal in order to supress change and keep the same people in power.
does that feel better.
i speak to your headphones.
#19 Posted by NaplesTaco on May 14, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
#14: Why does Obama "deserve it"?
#20 Posted by pauls on May 14, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
leftovers,
While rushing to post I mispelled "throughout"...oops, I guess it just proves your point that Republicans, Independents, anybody that is not a democrat or a liberal is ignorant. Did it ever occur to you that maybe, just maybe that could be the reason why the democrats are so divided? Instead of working together, they each believe (without a doubt) that they are absolutely correct and they know exactly what's right for the country. There is no room for anybody in the middle. It's their way or no way at all. No inbetween. Interesting, after reading your post, I guess you feel the same way. You're correct and know what's best and everybody else is ignorant.
#21 Posted by ryersongirl on May 14, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"The political atmosphere facing republicans this November is the worst since Watergate and far more toxic than the fall of 2006."
Tom Davis RNCC Leadership Chairman.
"The Republican brand name is so bad that if it were dog food they would take it off the shelves."
Tom Davis RNCC Leadership Chairman
"Bloodbath in November" Your words Tom not ours.
#22 Posted by outsidethebox240 on May 14, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ATTENTION "PAULS" IN # 21
He deserves it because of his courage and ambition. He lost a bid to become a member of the house of representatives, then 4 years later he was elected in the united states senate, now he is showing that he can become our commander in chief after only 4 years in the U.S senate. he deserves it. besides of making history he'll become the first senator in office to become president these days. we keep getting vice president and governors all the time. let's try something new and fresh now. then after his 8 years we'll try hillary
#23 Posted by paulmoral on May 14, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We dont need nor want 4 more years of McBush..as for Billary...two crooks for the price of one...go Obama
#24 Posted by coolkraft on May 14, 2008 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
THEY BOTH ARE WASTING THEIR TIME... THEY ARE JUST HAVING THEIR MOMENT OF FAME. NEITHER ONE WILL WIN. NEITHER ONE WILL BE MAN ENOUGH TO RUN THIS COUNTRY. FOR STARTERS, SHE HAS ALREADY PROVEN SHE CAN NOT DO THE "HEAD JOB" OF THE OVAL OFFICE. :-) AS FAR AS OBAMA, LOOK AT HIS PAST. HE DOES NOT DESERVE TO EVEN BE AN OPTION. THE REPUBLICIAN PARTY WILL WIN ONCE MORE. GO McCAIN.
#25 Posted by PROUD_TO_BE_AN_AMERICAN on May 14, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Again, why does he "deserve it"? To me that sounds like it should just be given to him. He can try for it but he has to EARN it with votes. He lost his attempt to be a representative? I think I can safely say I was as successful as he was and I didn't even run. His senate record shows he can certainly vote "Present" and he's still on his first term. What history has be made? Being the first black candidate to make it to the convention? I don't care what his race is. Race/gender/nationality fixation is for Democrats.
On the subject of Senators vs. Governors, I heard an interesting analysis of this back in the 2004 campaign. Governors are used to being the decision-makers and policy-setters in their states while Senators are one voice in a chorus. While this alone may not make a vast difference it does say something about which path can offer better preparation for the office of President.
#26 Posted by pauls on May 14, 2008 at 5:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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