By CALVIN WOODWARD
WASHINGTON - A split decision written across a vast electoral map has locked Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton in a protracted struggle for the Democratic presidential nomination, while John McCain goes forward as the clear favorite of the Republican race.
McCain, whose campaign once verged on collapse, piled up more delegates than his two rivals combined, pushing over the halfway mark on what's needed to clinch the nomination. His victories stretched from New York to California, the biggest prize. Still, Mitt Romney in the West and Mike Huckabee in the South proved to be go-to candidates for conservatives, and they vowed to press forward.
Clarity of any sort eluded the Democrats as campaigns turned to the next rounds. On Saturday, Louisiana and Washington state hold two-party contests while Nebraska Democrats and Kansas Republicans make their picks. Then comes a larger series of two-party primaries in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia on Tuesday.
More than 168 Democratic delegates are at stake Tuesday, a sizable prize in two states and a district that are normally afterthoughts in nomination contests. Clinton, who plans to campaign in Virginia on Thursday, has been endorsed in Maryland by Gov. Martin O'Malley and Sen. Barbara Mikulski; Obama is backed by Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, and is expected to do well in largely black D.C.
"Senator Clinton has a lot of friends in Virginia," Kaine said in an interview, but "we're feeling pretty good" about Obama's Virginia chances. Republicans will award 116 delegates in the trio of races dubbed the Potomac Primary.
Exit polling indicated Obama and Clinton were each getting support from almost half of white men, marking a big improvement for the Illinois senator. Former Sen. John Edwards' departure from the Democratic race last week may have helped Obama with white males, who made up more than a quarter of Tuesday's Democratic voters from coast to coast.
More than four in 10 women and about the same number of whites also were supporting Obama. That represented a gain for him from most previous Democratic nominating contests this year, although he still trailed Clinton by more than 10 percentage points in both categories, a significant gap in a two-person race.
Democrats celebrated heavy turnout in several of their races and hoped they could bottle that electricity until the presidential campaign in the fall. As one measure, Clinton managed to get more votes in Minnesota than all that were cast in the 2004 Democratic caucuses in that state, despite her running a distant second to Obama.
Huckabee, who posted five Southern victories after being practically counted out of the contest, demurred when asked Wednesday if he'd be an irresistible running mate for McCain, the opponent he likes. "I still want to be the irresistible choice to be the president," he said on CBS' "The Early Show."
Despite his strong night, Huckabee trails both McCain and Romney in the delegate count.
Obama won 13 Super Tuesday states; Clinton, eight plus American Samoa. Clinton scored the advantage in delegates, bring her total to 845 to Obama's 765, by the latest accounting. The road ahead was long for the Democrats: It takes 2,025 delegates to claim their nomination.
Delegate tabulations continued Wednesday, possibly longer, and the victor in one race remained unsettled — the Democratic caucuses in New Mexico.
Clinton won the biggest state, California, capitalizing on backing from Hispanic voters. Obama scored victories in Alabama and Georgia on the strength of black support, and won a nail-biter in bellwether Missouri.
McCain's own victory in California dealt a crushing blow to his closest pursuer, Romney, a former Massachusetts governor.
"We've won some of the biggest states in the country," the Arizona senator told cheering supporters at a rally in Phoenix, hours before California fell his way. An underdog for months, he proclaimed himself the front-runner at last, and added. "I don't really mind it one bit."
In the competition that counted the most, the Arizona senator had 613 delegates, to 269 for Romney and 190 for Huckabee in incomplete counting. It takes 1,191 to win the GOP nomination.
Neither Democrat could plausibly claim an overall victory and didn't try.
"I look forward to continuing our campaign and our debate about how to leave this country better off for the next generation," Clinton said.
Obama told a boisterous election night rally in Chicago, "Our time has come. Our movement is real. And change is coming to America."
Polling place interviews with voters suggested subtle shifts in the political landscape.
For the first time this year, McCain ran first in a few states among self-identified Republicans. As usual, he was running strongly among independents. Romney was getting the votes of about four in 10 people who described themselves as conservative. McCain was winning about one-third of that group, and Huckabee about one in five.
Overall, Clinton was winning only a slight edge among women and white voters, groups that she had won handily in earlier contests, according to preliminary results from interviews with voters in 16 states leaving polling places.
Obama was collecting the overwhelming majority of votes cast by blacks — a factor in victories in Alabama and Georgia.
Clinton's continued strong appeal among Hispanics — she was winning nearly six in 10 of their votes — was a big factor in her California triumph, and in her victory in Arizona, too.
McCain, the early Republican front-runner whose campaign nearly unraveled six months ago, won in California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Missouri, Delaware and his home state of Arizona — each of them winner-take-all primaries. He also pocketed victories in Oklahoma and Illinois.
Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, won a series of Bible Belt victories, in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee as well as his own home state. He also triumphed at the Republican West Virginia convention, and told The Associated Press in an interview he would campaign on. "The one way you can't win a race is to quit it, and until somebody beats me, I'm going to answer the bell for every round of this fight," he said.
Romney won a home state victory in Massachusetts. He also took Utah, where fellow Mormons supported his candidacy. His superior organization produced caucus victories in North Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, Alaska and Colorado, and he, too, breathed defiance. "We're going to go all the way to the convention. We're going to win this thing," he told supporters in Boston.
Democrats played out a historic struggle between two senators: Clinton, seeking to become the first female president, and Obama, hoping to become the first black to win the White House.
Clinton won at home in New York as well as in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Arizona and Arkansas, where she was first lady for more than a decade. She also won the caucuses in American Samoa.
Obama won Connecticut, Georgia, Alabama, Delaware, Utah and his home state of Illinois. He prevailed in caucuses in North Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas, Idaho, Alaska and Colorado. His Missouri victory was so close in the vote total that there was no telling whether he or Clinton would end up with a majority of the state's 72 delegates.
New Mexico shut its vote counting operation until 11 a.m. EST, the Democratic race too close to know the winner.
The allocation of delegates lagged the vote count by hours. That was particularly true for the Democrats, who divided theirs roughly in proportion to the popular vote.
Nine of the Republican contests were winner take all, and that was where McCain piled up his lead.
Alabama and Georgia gave Obama three straight Southern triumphs. Like last month's win in South Carolina, they were powered by black votes.
Democrats and Republicans alike said in exit polls that the economy was their most important issue. Democrats said the war in Iraq ranked second and health care third. Republican primary voters said immigration was second most important after the economy, followed by the war in Iraq.
The survey was conducted in 16 states by Edison Media Research and Mitofsky International for The Associated Press and television networks.
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Well then
I am educated. I have nevr lived in a trailer. Regardless of where you live people have issues and will bash their local community.Feel free to point your car in another direction Mr. Buckley. That is unless you are chained to the ground here. Adios.
Backwater?
WFB... stop calling those in Northern Virginia third world trailer park dewellers, unless of course you are referring to yourself. And Hillary's biggest problem is her six foot court jester mouthpiece. That and she'll say anything to get elected. Like all attorney's, how can you tell that they are lying...their lips are moving. But do cast your vote for her, I will during the primary, then against her in the national election where it counts.
Actually....
D.C. is practically in Northern Virginia which shares only half of its name with Southern Virginia. It's like two different countries: one affluent and educated - the other more like a third world trailer park.
Maybe
It could be because DC is practically in Virginia.
Liars and fools
Hillary's biggest problem is the large number of liars and fools who will believe anything they read on a right wing blog or hear on Fox. The Clinton - military uniforms story that you recall was exposed for a lie long ago. Please check this link if you have any interest in the truth:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200708100002
Why Hillary would waste any time in this uneducated backwater is beyond my abilty to comprehend.
Speaking of sheep
"Thanks to Ann and Rush for making my decision for me and I hope that many moderate republicans feel the same."
This may be the saddest political statement I have ever read. Think for yourself.
A new day yet
Still no answer? No one can tell us what Obama actually has to offer? Anything specific? Please, I am begging for something of substance. Those who say that others should vote for him becasue they feel he can win or his promise of "change" and "hope" are forgetting why you should elect a president: qualifications. We need someone who can get the job done. C'mon, show me!
Republicans are hoping Hillary beats Barrack
If the Dems nominate Clinton, there will be the largest turnout of Republican voters ever in November. I am also sure many young people who are undecided and currently voting for Obama will vote for McCain. There is not a doubt in my mind that McCain would beat Clinton, but against Obama, he is even money.
Not Hillary
I normally vote republican, but I see the possibility that our next president may be one from the Democratic party. I recall Hillary banning the wearing of military uniforms in the white house - an obvious display of contempt for the military, and a total disregard of the honor and tradition that should be bestowed on the personnel in our armed forces. I also don't want Bill Clinton back in the white house who once stained the virtue of such an important American establishment - remember Monica? With that in mind I am looking closely at Clinton and Obama and have opted to vote for Obama to do my part in keeping her out of the white house.
Very interesting comments
With the election 9 months away I think it is great to have a place like PilotOnline for all of us to post comments, debate, fuss, etc. I wish we could ask questions of the candidates about specific issues on this post and discuss their answers, positions and voting records. Without so many negative comments this could be a very productive forum for discussion.
As of today, it becomes clear.....
As a Republican I've been a little foggy over who I wanted to vote for for weeks now. It was said today that Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh said that they would boycott McCain if he got the nomination. Anyone these two yahoos are against has to be the right candidate. Thanks to Ann and Rush for making my decision for me and I hope that many moderate republicans feel the same.
Sheep....
Sheep need control, Americans do not need bigger gov't, but a smaller more responsible gov't. Maybe you, Mr. Fabulous need someone to keep you under thumb, tell you what to do, how to work, how to enjoy yourself, what to read, when to read, what to eat, how to eat, when to speak, what not to say... I do know most Americans reject the idea of big Gov't controlling their lives.
Orion
Lighten up, Francis. I admit I enjoy a bit of healthy antagonizing. Thicken that skin up a bit and you'll be just fine.
As for Libertarians, I think I get the general idea. What Jefferson proposed 230 years ago cannot work in a society of 300 million. I'm not knocking Jefferson, mind you. He is my fav F.F. but a healthy dose of gov't control is needed to keep the peeps in line. Live and let live just doesn't work.
Send my regards to the compound. Best of luck in the coming apocalypse. :)
Tough choice....
VP/LS hates my comments....but here goes anyway. H.Clinton is a joke, Universal Health care should not be an entitlement, and didn't she learn that from her hobby's first term after squandering 200 million of taxpayer's dollars? Obama is straight forward, but not sure he could stand up to the job without experience. McCain has experience in Military and Gov't..but it's the economy stupid. Mitt, good person, smart with money, but no Military background or enough Gov't experience.. and Huck..well,his days are numbered..
Mr. Fabulous
By your previous two posts it appears obvious you 1) don't have a clue what a Libertarian is (I suggest the writings of Thomas Jefferson) and 2) you only see things in black and white; there is no grey in your political stance. People who believe in a black and white world with no grey are dangerous indeed.
Either way, as a previous poster stated your arguments are thin and couched in broad brushing without much in the way of examples to substantiate a debate.
Orion
Choose a side, already. You must be posting from a fortified bunker clutching your automatic and scanning the ham radio listening for insurgents.
Orion
Libertarian, huh?
Reply
"This flies in the face of virtually every current survey. Where are you getting your information" Sir, why do you think pro repug websites such as drudgereport constantly tout Obama's so called accomplishments? What surveys? Thats just plain stupid. Who would let their vote be swayed by a survey or poll of others? In addition, to date, every survey and poll I have seen regarding both parties primaries has been incorrect. Perhaps you as a possible Obama supporter could define exactly what "change" means? Could you tell me how exactly he is going to accomplish this? I bet you cannot tell me a single thing of substance concerning this man. Go ahead, convert me. Show me the errors of my ways. I need more than talk.
Mr. Fabulous
Please tell me where this "right" is given? I refer you to the founding documents of this country and everything since. It is NOT a right. I won't go into the thousands that pour into the country for lifesaving procedures because of their country's "rightful" healthcare system. You must not listen to Limbaugh because I sound nothing like him. He’s far right; I'm an independent Libertarian (no, not he pro-drug zealot type). I believe you get what you put into something. Then there are people that choose not to have health care; these individuals are included in the "unfortunates." Cold an callous as it may be, it is the truth and sometimes it's hard to take, but the same people screaming about their "right" to healthcare are the same people with cell phones, plasma TV's, new car payments and not a pot to **** in. I have no sympathy for these individuals. And you think we have a deficit now…
A vote for Hillary guarantees a Republican victory in November.
Ira said that a "vote for Obama is a vote for a Republican President". This flies in the face of virtually every current survey. Where are you getting your information, Ira...from Hillary campaign handouts? Hillary is such a hated and divisive force among Republicans, that her candidacy would galvanize the entire Republican constituency. This is not just my opinion. Check out this website: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/national.html. You will note that in a head-to-head contest with McCain, Obama would do better in the latest results of all eight polls, than would Hillary. Let me say what others are only whispering: if Hillary wasn't married to Bill Clinton, a populist President, she wouldn't even be in the Senate, much less running for President of the United States. I'm a Republican, and I must admit, that if Barack Obama is the Democratic nominee, I'll probably lie to my friends about my predilection for McCain, and vote for Obama in the privacy of the voting booth.
Orion
Universal health care should be a basic right given to all Americans. Until we can provide basic services like access to adequate health care we will not grow as a country and certainly not be looked upon as the leader of the world. When a person doesn't have to worry about how they will pay for a procedure or medication we as a country will prosper. To suggest that a person "should have planned better or saved more" is callous and cold and reflective of something lacking in that person's character. I am not suggesting you believe that but it is the typical "Limbaugh" response given when health care is mentioned. Speaking of Limbaugh - those points you make about the coming catastrophe is just the sort of scare tactic he and other right-wing nut jobs are famous for.
PRIVALIGE
A proper education is the best spell check. But when every child receives A's, and the ones who already get it have to waste class time waiting for the children who don't get it, something is wrong. My daughter is reading the newspaper at age 8. When she was 6, she was reading at a 6th grade level. And she is bored to death in school because she has to wait for the children of parents who assert their "privaliges."
Mr. Fabulous
I congratulate you on giving a specific issue facing the new president as you usually broad-brush every argument without specific, tangible facts or issues.
I appreciate your catching my misspelling. I always do a spell check, but it failed to catch it. My suggestion to you is to try not to insult someone for a minor mistake; it makes your brief insignificant rant seem paltry. The deficit is a problem, but not the worst of this country's worries, currently.
My original posting was not a rant just a truthful observation of what will happen if any of the three frontrunners get the nomination.
Orion
Yes, January 2009 will be a troubling time for the new president as she will have to contend with the largest debt in U.S. history accumulated through 8 years of incompetent boobery. She will need all of our support to get through the next 8 years.
Oh, and spelling correctly is a PRIVILEGE. It makes you seem backwoods to others who post here (those who can spell and form a coherent paragraph, anyway) and weakens your rant considerably.
It is scary
What is a PRIVALIGE? We need to be taxed more for education!
Remember
Undefined change is not going to make your life better. A vote for Obama is a vote for a republican president. I have never voted for a republican for president(other races I have) but McCain or Romney will receive my vote before I see a person who is running on an undefined platform. I am worried about the future. I need someone who can get the job done and not simply be shut down by an uncooperative senate or house. You do too.
January 2009...
...will begin a very scary period for this country, at least as it seems now. An already severe problem with illegal aliens will become staggering. We will be taxed to death to pay for numerous social programs, "Universal Health" being the worst of all. And I fully expect a bigger and "more effective" terrorist strike to occur in those four years as the programs that have protected us are quickly dismembered. In 2001, we lost a few large building in New York City; imagine New York or Washington DC completely disappearing due to a crude [or purchased] nuclear device!
I wish for the day that people are no longer allowed to vote unless they have enough knowledge of this country's workings, issues and potential impact of current actions to the future of the United States. Remember voting IS NOT a right, it is a PRIVALIGE!