Obama closing gap in SC due to dramatic shift in support among African-Americans (51 vs. 27 for Hil)

[jefferson_dem]

...

New York Senator Hillary Clinton’s lead over Illinois Senator Barack Obama in South Carolina’s Presidential Primary has disappeared. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of the race shows Clinton with 36% of the vote while Obama is the top choice for 34% of the state’s Likely Primary Voters. A month ago, Clinton had a ten-point advantage. In September, the former First Lady was up by thirteen points.

Obama’s showing has improved significantly among black voters. He now attracts 51% of the African-American vote in South Carolina while Clinton picks up just 27%. A month ago, the candidates were even in this important constituency (Obama 46%, Clinton 45%). There is virtually no movement among white voters in the state--Clinton now earns 43% of the white vote, Edwards 22%, and Obama 17%.

In the South Carolina survey, African-Americans constitute 49% of Likely Democratic Primary voters.

Among women in South Carolina, Clinton leads Obama by eleven but Obama leads by ten among men 47% to 34%.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_2008__1/2008_presidential_election/south_carolina/election_2008_south_carolina_democratic_primary

And here comes Oprah...http://www.bostonherald.com/news/2008/view.bg?articleid=1049012

[msongs]

1. evidently donnie mcclurkin is very influential nt

[calteacherguy]

5. And that kind of slurred, underhanded comment is precisely the kind of politics

that will lose Hillary the nomination. Apparently Barack Obama is very influential.

Have a little audacity of hope...it's time for change, don't you think?

[jefferson_dem]

13. This poster is like "The Knack" of DU...

A proverbial one-hit wonder. From M...m...m...My Sharona to M...m...m...McClurkin.

[PurityOfEssence]

14. Oh, so overt, opportunistic bigotry and theocratic flock-herding are off limits?

Although one isn't supposed to hijack threads, since the 40 Days of Whatever are probably rather instrumental in this turnaround, it would seem like this is a more than fair line of discourse.

Just because Clinton says she's been a steadfast fighter against the reactionaries doesn't make it true, and just because Obama claims to be sweet and inclusive doesn't make it true, either. In fact, when people do outrageous and abusive things to further their cause that are IN DIRECT CONTRADICTION TO THEIR PRIME THEMATIC CLAIMS, they deservedly draw fire. Hence, Clinton takes hits for cozying up to corporate power, and Obama takes them for slyly using race and religion to round up a vast bloc of voters wholesale while turning a blind eye to deliberate denigration of homosexuals.

This is extremely pertinent: he willingly played upon race and religion and had no compunction about tacitly accomodating their righteous bigotry in the process. The effrontery of still claiming serenity and blissful optimism after the cold and calculated use of extremely divisive tactics is the sign of obliviousness or unscrupulousness. We have nothing to judge candidates on but their words and their deeds, and when these are in tinny discord, we have the right to call foul.

Foul.

[calteacherguy]

20. I don't see the foul.

Obama has not engaged in "overt opportunistic bigotry"

I don't know what you mean by "theocratic flock-herding." We obviously do not live in a theocracy.

We agree to disagee. Umpires sometimes do.

[rinsd]

2. That's a helluva a shift in just one polling period.

[ClarkUSA]

3. More great news for Obama

The very public endorsements from Rev. Lowery and 160+ Black Baptist ministers and the Oprah Effect is kicking in. Can't wait for the poll numbers
after the Oprah/Obama rally in SC...

[calteacherguy]

4. The tide is turning so quickly now.

It's exciting...and tremendously inspiring.

I have hope for America again!

[AtomicKitten]

6. He's bringing his A game.

I am really impressed by his skills.

Gobama.

[calteacherguy]

7. His new Iowa commercial is the best political ad I've ever seen. nt

[ClarkUSA]

8. Isn't it? It's called "Our Moment Is Now"

And boy, is it ever... no more dynasties for me -- with the emphasis on nasty.

[calteacherguy]

10. The ability to inspire is critically important.

Not that Obama is just that, but it's critical. That along with intelligence, integrity, and honesty is what America needs most right now.

Obama is like a breath of fresh air.

[ClarkUSA]

11. Iowa and NH voters say that "a new direction" is more important than "experience" by 2-1.

They agree with us. Yes! :toast:

[calteacherguy]

15. "Experience"

It's so highly overrated. What is critical in a President is the ability to listen with an open mind and judge wisely. Obama has that, and he shares my values. The kind of experiences Hillary Clinton has had do have value, but so do Barack Obama's. And her experiences are not the most critical thing the next President needs. America needs hope. We need our integrity back. We need our moral vision back. We need our international leadership back.

Obama is well suited to provide all of that.

[ClarkUSA]

18. Yes, voters in Iowa and NH seem to agree with all of your sentiments...

I can't see them changing their minds at this point, either -- especially since Hillary has become Cruella DeVille.

[pauldg0]

19. John Edwards

.................is ELECTRIFYING !!!!!!

Edwards 08

[Adelante]

9. It's wonderful

It really is.

[AtomicKitten]

12. Isn't it!!!!

He is bringing it and I am thrilled.

[Grandrose]

21. It really is inspiring and beautiful photography!

I actually teared up...it's wonderful!:applause:

[creeksneakers2]

16. Is Oprah down there yet?

Oprah is the best endorsement a candidate could get.

[calteacherguy]

22. I believe she will be there over the weekend...and in NH and SC.

Last I heard they had to move the event in SC to an 80,000 seat football stadium.

[Colobo]

17. Beautiful.