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A Nail Biter for Clinton; A Big Win for Obama
Published by Pamela Gentry on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 10:57 am.
By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer
RALEIGH, N.C. (Posted May 7, 2008) – A nail-bitter into the morning hours ended with Sen. Barack Obama winning a decisive win in North Carolina and losing by the narrowest of margins to Sen. Hillary Clinton in Indiana.
Obama’s victory in the Tar Heel State was announced seconds after the polls closed. With 99 percent of the votes counted by midnight, the Illinois senator had defeated the New York senator 58 percent to 42 percent in North Carolina.
But Indiana was a different story. Tardy vote tallies from one of the largest counties in the state, Lake County, a suburb of Chicago with one of the largest populations in the state, was slow reporting.
The delay required Clinton to give remarks to supporters without a clear check in the win column. “Tonight we’ve come from behind. We’ve broken the tie and thanks to you, it’s full speed on to the White House,” Clinton told a rally in Indianapolis.
Mayor Rudy Clay, of Gary, Ind., told CNN that the reason for the delays was that the small election staff was dealing with 11,000 absentee and early ballots, and that they had been overwhelmed by the unprecedented number of voters who turned out during the day.
Obama addressed supporters gathered at North Carolina State in the field house after his victory and congratulated Clinton for “what appears to be her victory in the state of Indiana.”
Sticking to his message of change, Obama told a cheering crowd, “There were those who were saying that North Carolina would be a game-changer in this election, but today what North Carolina decided is that the only game that needs changing is the one in Washington, D.C.”
After tonight’s contest, only six primaries are left. Next Tuesday, West Virginia voters will go the polls, leaving Kentucky and Oregon (May 20), Puerto Rico (June 1) and Montana and South Dakota (June 3) as the last battles for elected delegates.
Howard Dean, the chairman of the Democratic Party, has said that super-delegates will be asked to meet following the final contest in June, in hopes of allowing the party time to mend fences before the August convention.
In Indiana, where Clinton won, the primary was open to Republicans and Independents – but not here in North Carolina. Only Democratic and Independents can vote in the primary.
This could have been a factor in how close the race was in Indiana; Obama usually fairs well among Independent voters.
North Carolina reported record turnout of primary voters Tuesday, and it wasn’t really surprising. This year the state registered 106,000 new Democrats leading up today’s contest.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections showed 471,006 early votes and 24,900 absentee ballots mailed before today’s vote.
“We know what’s coming. We’ve seen it already,” Obama said. “The attempts to play on our fears and exploit our differences to turn us against each other for pure political gain — to slice and dice this country into red states and blue states; blue-collar and white-collar; White and Black, and Brown.”
The theme of party unity was in Obama’s speech to supporters, and he avoided targeting his rival, saving those for the presumptive Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)
Clinton’s 51-percent victory, to Obama’s 49 percent, will not give her any significant delegate lead. These contests offered the largest remaining numbers of delegates.
Indiana had 72 delegates at stake, North Carolina 115.
Obama leads Clinton in total delegates, 1,745 to 1,608, according to The Associated Press.
It’s not possible for either candidate to reach the 2,025 delegate votes needed to secure the nomination, so they are relying on super-delegates to take them over the threshold.
THANK YOU GOD!
WE ARE GOING TO THE WHITE HOUSE, WE ARE GOING TO THE WHITE HOUSE! CELEBRATE!!!!
I CAN FEEL IT, GO OBAMA,
PRAYER & FAITH CHANGES THINGS…..OBAMA IS GOING TO RAISE THE BAR IN AMERICA.
WE ARE GOING TO THE WHITE HOUSE!!!!
Good job obama good job. We are on our way to the white house baby!!!!
I can’t congratulate Hillary on Indiana.The state allowed republicans,independents,and democrats to vote in this election.Evrybody knows that the republicans and independents voted for Clinton in a democratic primary.That’s insanity.
GO OBAMA!! U GOT IT BROTHA!!!
Well Thank the Lord, thank him for what he has done as well allowed to happen, simply because he knows what he is doing, no matter what happens, and for me and myself, I personally know that it is definitly time for a change because no one knows depression more than we as black people dose and this is not a negative statement, because I remember when we could not even vote at a time, but now we as a people have a voice and the people are coming out to vote, one vote not voted on is a vote lost,so come on black people this is our time to have a voice, so let those voices be heard and then we can sing that ole black spiritual, lift every voice and sing,c’mon people lets vote, and now it is time to go to Virginia and not only to my beautiful black sisters and brothers but to my beautiful white,latinos and the rest of my all american people brothers and sisters, because God made all of us from the same blood as I have my people to know that there are over 43 shades of blackness and that is from blacker than black to whiter than whiter, and needless to say and that is that you can only get differant shades out of black,think about it and even science will tell you that,any way peace and I pray for anybody that take this info in a negative way because i am only comming from a positive prospective, Peace and God be with you all,Larry
Even with the stunt pulled in Indiana Obama still got 49% of the vote but he rocked in North Carolina. Obama, stay strong in your spot because you are going to go all the way. I know he has to be most tired, speaking and screaming all day and night. This man is AMAZING.
It really isn’t fair that Republicans can vote in a Democratic primary….you KNOW that they voted for the person they KNOW they can beat in November…but hopefully it is little issues like this that can and will be changed once we get a TRUE CHANGE in the White House!!!!
IS AMERICA READY? ARE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE READY?
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama:
Is America Ready for a Woman President?
Is America Ready for an African-American President?
WHAT A NOVEL IDEA!
The real question is that of America’s level of readiness.
It is very clear that America is ready for women alderpersons, mayors, state congresspersons, state senators, attorney generals, lieutenant governors, governors, U.S. congresspersons, and U.S. Senators. It is obvious that Americans are ready for African-American alderpersons, mayors, state senators, attorney generals, lieutenant governors, governors, U.S. Congresspersons, and U.S. senators.
It is very clear that Americans are in need of capable and progressive leadership in its highest office.
And now, in 2008, the questions are posed, and the questions are not yet answered. Is the United States of America ready for a woman to lead the country? Is the United States of America ready for an African-American to lead the country?
The resounding answer should be a resounding, “Of course, either one, as long as he or she is capable.” But in the sight of America, with the past that it has, is it that simple?
The suspense IS GROWING!
Obama is so impressive in the fact that after what shouldv’e been a jugular hit (Rev. Wright) he still manages to rally and pull out the win! There are closed door, whispering roundtable tactics(Hilary) and then the Locomotive of truth, our brother O!!! McCain knows whats what and the possibility of the black beating him is already eating him up. Its gonna be a new approach to running the country and it couldv’e come any sooner. Go Obama!!!
GO OBAMA! OBAMA 08′
I am a Indianapolis resident and the rally held here for Obama monday night was awesome. We have much love for Obama here in Indy, by true voters who are embracing the concept of “Change We Can Believe In”. Obama still pulled a win in Indy regardless of the outcome. They never thought in a million years he’d come this close to winning the ballot in Indiana and secondly the republicans had their say on voting. They even went on record to say they were going to the polls to vote for Hillary cause they weren’t ready for the contests to end. They say they want it to continue so they can gain more “dirt” from Hillary to use against Obama in November. Hillary praises McCain more so than Obama in his efforts for change. Not a true democrat to me!
hail canada!!
Too say that Hillary “won” Indiana is pure fallacy because she would not have won without Republicans voting for her.That was because of Rush Limbaugh’s “operation chaos”.The plan is too keep Hillary in the race to devide the Democratic party making her a tool for the Republicans.The best she can do is concede in order too unite the party.Also I just read that Hillary “loaned” her campaighn $6.4 million too stay int the race,she should just throw in the towel right now
I know that Obama has been chosen by the highest of the high, once you are chosen by God, only he can put a true leader in this position. I pray that the angles watch over this campaign. Its time for change. Yes we a ready.
I feel sad that the voting is not for the best candidate this year. It has turned into a white against a black. The newscasters on CNN all night pointed out how many blacks and how many whites were in certain areas and made their predictions on that basis. The best person should be voted for – not who is white or black.
I am shocked at the underhanded way Hillary managed to win Indiana by allowing Republicans to vote in this Democratic primary race. Even still, Obama nearly won. I would ask for a recount, but ofcourse Obama wouldn’t do that, but I smell a rat!
I am very happy for Obama and hope he make it to the white house before my mom and dad leave me
Congratulations……Don’t Wait Until The Battle Is Over, Shout Now America. Praises to the Most High Jesus Christ. Now Obama, I know this campaign has been grueling, but you are still standing. I applaud you my brother, the people working close to you, your family, and of course my fellow Obama voters. Keep Your Head To The Sky(Pray Without Ceasing) and continue to do you. America wake up and see, It’s A New Season, It’s A New Day! Our day has finally come. Again, Congratulations.
I am so proud that Obama won in North Carolina.
In my 72 years on this earth, I never thought that I would have the opportunity to vote for an African American person running for the highest elected office in the country.
And now Thank God, it looks like its going to happen.
Go Brother Obama!
I think it is time for Obama and Hillary to sit down and talk. It is time for the Democrats to take the white house back and I think the only to do it is for both candidates to be on the same ticket.
Msslady
Although I disagree with the concept of a open primary it was not Hillary’s fault,it was the Indiana legislature who decided that.Even with that, her victory is shallow and not enough too get her closer too being nominated,she won by only 2 percentage points.