Obama, Clinton Split Delegates On Super Tuesday

By Jonathan Springston
Senior Staff Writer
The Atlanta Progressive News
February 07, 2008

Obama, Clinton Split Delegates on Super Tuesday

(APN) ATLANTA -- Despite the pundits who predicted that February 5th would determine the 2008 Presidential nominees, neither the Democratic nor Republicans have a clear nominee at this point.

Twenty-four states including Georgia cast ballots on "Super Tuesday," with US Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) winning Georgia.

"Today people across this country are saying, yes we heard what the pundits said, but this is our vote, not theirs," Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AK) told supporters in Little Rock, Arkansas. "This is our Election, not theirs, this is our Presidency, not theirs."

Obama and US Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) took away bragging rights by winning the most states in their respective Primaries.

Obama picked up 14 victories all across the country, including Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, and Utah.

McCain won nine states, including delegate-rich states like New York, New Jersey, and California in addition to winner take all contests like Missouri.

But other candidates won their fair share of states too.

US Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) won eight states, some delegate-rich, including Arizona, Arkansas, California, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

Huckabee surprised many by taking a block of Southern states including Georgia and Arkansas.

Former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA), who today dropped out of the race, picked up some Western states and his own Massachusetts.

But the deciding factor of who wins the nomination is delegates. The Democratic nominee needs 2,025 delegates, out of a possible 4049, and the Republican nominee needs 1,191 out of a possible 2380.

Clinton is leading Obama in total delegates for the nominating season, 1033 to 937, according to CNN.com.

McCain is leading Huckabee in total delegates, 714 to 181.

Obama and Clinton are in a tight, serious race and each contest in the following weeks will carry great significance.

"There is one thing on this February night that we do not need the final results to know: our time has come," Obama told supporters in Chicago, Illinois.

"Our movement is real and change is coming to America... This time we have to seize the moment," he added.

Obama continued to perform well among Black, young, male, educated, and wealthy voters.

But Clinton performed better among a key group, Latinos. She also benefited from female, blue-collar worker, and older voters.

Clinton congratulated Obama on his victories and welcomed the spirited contest that lies ahead.

"I look forward to continue our campaigns and our debates," she told supporters in New York.

Obama holds a significant lead over Clinton in campaign funds, raising $32 million in January.

Each candidate's ability to go the distance could increasingly depend on who has the most money.

McCain tried to position himself as the presumptive Republican nominee when he spoke to supporters in Phoenix, Arizona.

"Although I've never minded the role of underdog... tonight we must get used to the idea that we are the Republican Party frontrunner for President of the United States," he said. "And I don't really mind it one bit."

McCain lacked in convincing support from voters who consider themselves Conservatives, trailing Romney and Huckabee in this category in several states.

"We still have a ways to go but we're much closer to the victory we're hoping to achieve and I'm confident we will get there," McCain added.

Huckabee shows no signs of quitting until Republicans have a nominee. Huckabee's remarks gave the appearance he could give McCain a run for his money.

Twelve states, in addition to the District of Columbia, will hold Democratic primaries or caucuses in the coming weeks: Louisiana and Nebraska, on February 9, 2008; Maine on February 10; Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, on February 12; Hawaii, Washington, and Wisconsin on February 19; Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, and Vermont on March 4.

The Obama campaign expects to be strong in earlier states like Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, while Clinton will focus on states like Ohio and Texas on March 4.

ENDS

About the author: Jonathan Springston is a Senior Staff Writer for Atlanta Progressive News and may be reached at jonathan_AT_atlantaprogressivenews.com.

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