Democratic Polls Open in South Carolina

[Hissyspit]

Source: Associated Press

Democratic Polls Open in South Carolina
2008-01-26 07:42:49
By BETH FOUHY Associated Press Writer

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Democrats headed to the polls here Saturday in an unusual contest that pitted Barack Obama against two Clintons. Race was a persistent subtext in the first primary to feature a large number of black voters.

South Carolina became a "must win" state for Obama, whose victory in the Iowa caucuses Jan. 3 began to fade after he lost contests in Nevada and New Hampshire to Hillary Rodham Clinton. A victory could help reinforce Obama's co-frontrunner status with Clinton, while a loss would severely imperil his candidacy.

Polls showed Obama favored to win the state in large part due to his strong support among black voters, who are expected to comprise more than 50 percent of the electorate. The Illinois senator is running to be the first black president. The state Democratic Party chairwoman, Carol Fowler, predicted a record turnout.

Obama has made a direct appeal to blacks here after rarely mentioning race throughout the campaign. He'll continue that strategy going forward, making trips to Georgia and Alabama later this weekend. Both states hold primaries on the multistate "Mega Tuesday" contest Feb. 5 and feature a significant number of black voters.

Read more: http://myembarq.com/news/news_reader.php?storyid=15769551&feedid=14

[rodeodance]

1. Yes, and I am all FIRED-UP for the lady!

[pauldg0]

5. A crook !!!

Both of them including Obama.

[still_one]

2. There is something really screwed up with a state that has the Democratic

and republican primaries on different days, and at different locations

[watrwefitinfor]

6. There are many things screwed up about this state,

But this is not one of them.

If the Dems had moved the SC primary date up just because the Repubs did, we'd be in the same boat with Florida and Michigan right now - no delegates. So playing by the rules (that ALL of the state party organizations originally endorsed) gets us ridiculed once again on DU...

And where did you get the idea the locations are different? We all vote at the same precincts, Dems and Repubs. Even black and white. Even men and women.

If you want to talk about screwed up, talk about the damned voting machines that ALL of South Carolina is voting on today. But we are in that boat with many other states.

Wat

[still_one]

7. Obviously, I am speaking from ignorance

and I did not mean to suggest that it should follow the nonesense of Florida and Michigan. It just seems very inefficient to have two primaries on two different days, and also more costly

As for the idea that the locations are different, I thought I heard or read it somewhere, obviously incorrectly, and appreciate you setting me straight

As for the voting machines, I am from California, and our Secretary of State would NOT certify the touch screen voting machines, so we will not be using those. Other states have taken similar action

Anyway, appreciate the information

[watrwefitinfor]

8. Didn't mean to sound quite so hostile.

:hi:

Yes, California is ahead of SC in many ways. But we still have a lot of good people here. Watch the news tonight - watch us at the polls, black and white together. Lots of good, progressive people here - many don't even realize they have progressive tendencies, but they have good instincts!

Maybe they did change some polling places in other parts of the state that I'm not aware of. But I'll be voting in a few minutes in the same place my grandparents went to vote for FDR. For his first term. I just wish it was going to be on a paper ballot, like they had.

Wat

[still_one]

10. I didn't take it as such, and appreciate the education.

On the other hand, I was the one who referred to the South Carolina process as "screwed up", so my message sounded much more hostile than it was intended

That is very cool about the same polling place as your grandparents

You are definitely making history today, no matter who wins.

[Evergreen Emerald]

3. wow--what a biased story against Clinton.

And did you notice: "he made a direct appeal to black voters..." Imagine if Clinton had mentioned gender--they would have been all over her--like they were in the begnning to successfully quell any mention of her gender or she was "playing the card"

[rodeodance]

11. I has stopped reading --it was such a downer.

[catnhatnh]

4. JEDNE AP Horseshit N/T

Imagine-3 people running and 2 of them are Clintons???

[ohio2007]

9. How long will Edwards stick around when his own state fails to give him the most votes?

http://www.usaelectionpolls.com/2008/candidates/John-Edwards.html
he should bail after SC results.


Zogby National Polls - 2008 Presidential Polls


Hillary Clinton 39%
Barack Obama 38%
John Edwards 9%
Source

http://www.usaelectionpolls.com/2008/zogby-national-polls.html

[Tweed]

12. A poll from 15 days ago?

[Igel]

13. Recently it's a tad better.

Reuters/C SPAN/Zogby tracking poll
Date: 1/23-25
South Carolina
Added: 1/26/08
Est. MoE = 3.4%

Quote:

Pollster John Zogby on the Democrats in South Carolina: ?Obama holds solid leads in every section of the state, and among both men and women. He has big leads among voters under age 65. Interestingly, among voters over age 65, Clinton leads him by a few points only, and Edwards is doing well.

We are making no predictions, but on the watch list is the order of finish here. Obama leads big among moderates and liberals and among all age groups. He is back over 60% support among blacks, while Clinton and Edwards are tied among whites. Clinton returned to the state after her numbers here started to slip and Edwards started to gain. After all, he is, like Bill Clinton, a son of the South.

Overall, Obama?s lead is solid as Election Day dawns, but voters here have been fluid in their support.

Barack Obama 41%
Hillary Clinton 26%
John Edwards 19%
Unsure 10%
Other 4%
Source

http://www.usaelectionpolls.com/2008/polls/South-Carolina-January-2008.html


==========
At 19%, he'd get enough votes to acquire delegates. But that's about it, and it would be embarrassing. One thing not in the poll--the number of undecideds.

[ohio2007]

14. A 'tad' is better then a 'pinch' BUT, turn out the lights, those #'s are not top dog

and the "10% unsure" are not exactly going to fall his way imo

[ohio2007]

17. chances are he will finish at or lower then the #'s of 15 days ago

just a hunch

won't be long now.

[Penndems]

15. Does anybody know when the polls CLOSE in South Carolina?

Thanks in advance - appreciate the info.

[Penndems]

16. Never mind - just went to cnn.com - they close at seven o'clock.

n/t