First thoughts: Obama's big win

Posted: Sunday, January 27, 2008 10:28 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
COLUMBIA, SC/TAMPA, FL -- According to the AP, it was a rout. Per Fournier, it was a landslide. George Bush might have referred to it as a “thumping.” Whatever you want to call it, Obama’s victory last night in South Carolina was by the biggest margin we’ve seen so far in a contested race this primary season. Obama did it by winning about 80% of the African-American vote, as well as about a quarter of the white vote. Sure, his share of the white vote there dropped some 10-plus points compared to other states. But remember, this is the South, and the white vote was always going to be a little more difficult for Obama to capture southern whites. Perhaps the most telling stat in the exit polls highlights the southern challenge for Obama: White voters over 60 supported Obama at a clip of less than 20%, while their children -- white voters under 30 -- supported Obama at just over a 50% clip. If anything, Obama’s victory should calm the campaign down after a tough week; the size was greater than either camp expected. It also should help with rounding up another round of endorsements. It's interesting, by the way, how easily Obama and McCain are picking up endorsements after New Hampshire, but how difficult Clinton and Romney have had securing the big nods. Will Obama have an eyebrow-raising nod nearly every day before February 5? Don't be surprised. Caroline Kennedy dominates today, and there's also California Rep. Xavier Becerra (D). Who's next?

*** Is it now all about Bill? The magnitude and size of Obama's South Carolina victory is likely to shift a negative focus on Bill Clinton's role in the campaign. Until yesterday, his role at been panned in the media -- but seen as successful in New Hampshire and Nevada. That was not the case yesterday. Camp Clinton is no doubt pondering some shift in Bill's role. Frankly, last night was strange when the first Clinton the world heard from last night on camera was Bill (from Missouri) and not Hill (from Tennessee). For a candidacy that swears is only about Hillary, having Bill be the first Clinton the public hears from sent the wrong signal.

*** On to February 5: With Clinton and Obama splitting the first four contests, we head into Tsunami Tuesday in a Democratic nominating race that seems entirely up for grabs. From our vantage point, these are Clinton’s base states: CA, NY, NJ, AR, MA, and OK. Obama’s are: AK, ID, KS, MN, ND, GA, AL, and IL. The toss-ups appear to be: AZ, CT, CO, DE, MO, NM, TN, and UT. Among those toss-ups, AZ and CT might lean towards Clinton, since they’re closed to independents, and TN -- where Clinton is today -- probably leans her way, too. Of course, Obama will make plays in CA, MA, and NJ, and sources tell us that he is going up with ads in Philly (NJ) and New York City (NY, NJ, CT). Also, Edwards will go heavily after OK and TN.

*** The Florida exhibition game: But what about Florida? Last night, in her concession statement, Clinton said, “We now turn our attention to the millions of Americans who will make their voices heard in Florida and the 22 states as well as American Samoa who will vote on February 5th.” Yet because Florida moved up its primary before February 5, the DNC stripped the state of all of its delegates, rendering the contest nothing more than a beauty contest or an exhibition game. So as we now head into the playoffs, Team Clinton believes that an upcoming exhibition game should matter. As the Obama campaign shot back in a statement yesterday afternoon, “It should not be surprising given recent events that the Clinton campaign would in one breath say the election is about winning delegates and then tout their success in states that don’t award any delegates in the next breath… If the Clinton campaign's southern strength rests on the outcome in a state where they're the only ones competing, that should give Democrats deep pause.”

*** Clinton-Obama isn’t the only contentious race going on: McCain vs. Romney is heating up big time. McCain's getting endorsements galore -- the Charlie Crist pick, coupled with Mel Martinez, gives McCain's folks every chance they can to make up whatever ground they think they need against Romney. It's a battle of two coalitions: Romney's putting together younger conservatives, talk-radio conservatives, and social conservative activists; McCain's got veterans, Cubans, moderates, and the 65+ crowd. Both are winning formulas in a multi-candidate primary. More importantly, both Romney and McCain have opponents taking a piece of their base coalition: Giuliani's hurting McCain with Cubans and moderates; Huckabee is hurting Romney with social conservatives. The big question is: Who needs Florida more? Probably Romney. A McCain victory in Florida may mean he's unstoppable; a Romney victory probably won't do enough to stop McCain from getting his share of delegates on February 5, since there's a chunk in the Northeast (NY, NJ, DE and CT) that are winner-take-all and likely to be hard for Romney to wrestle away. By the way, the Crist endorsement is gutsy politics for the Florida governor. If McCain wins, Crist becomes the single-most important kingmaker endorsement in the GOP primary. If McCain loses, it will cause Crist internal problems for some time, as he won't be the vaunted state party leader his approval ratings seem to hint at. By the way, Joe Lieberman goes back to Florida today to campaign for McCain...

*** On the trail: Clinton attends worship services in Memphis, TN; Edwards stumps in Dublin, GA; Giuliani is in Florida, where he speaks at a Boca Raton synagogue and then campaigns in Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach, and Cocoa Beach; Huckabee, also in Florida, speaks at First Baptist Orlando (closed to the press), then attends a Fair Tax rally in Jacksonville, and then delivers evening remarks at East Brent Baptist Church in Pensacola; McCain, in the Sunshine State campaigns in Polk City, Lake Lady, and Orlando; Obama makes remarks at Harvest Cathedral in Macon, GA and then heads to Birmingham, AL; and Romney, in Florida, attends fundraisers in Palm Beach and Boca Raton.

Countdown to Florida: 2 days
Countdown to Tsunami Tuesday: 9 days
Countdown to Chesapeake Tuesday: 16 days
Countdown to Ohio and Texas: 37 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 282 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 359 days

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Comments

I live in West Palm Beach, Fl. With McCain going negative and dishonest. My family and I are all voting for Mitt Romney. McCain is whats wrong with Washington. When things get tight, he resorts to negative campaingning. He comes off as an angry old man. Vote Romney Florida!

John, West Palm Beach, Florida (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 10:38 AM)

Clinton spin starts in...3...2...1...

Scott (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 10:48 AM)

Mainstream Media:

Please don't let Senator Clinton get away with her dirty rope-a-dope trick in Florida. She's going to try to win based on a non-competition and then trumpet that win. Wherever Senator Obama has competed, he's either beat her or come very close (let's not forget how close New Hampshire was). Here's hoping you all will do the right thing and not mention the Florida results at all on Wednesday.

Reality Check (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 10:51 AM)

I think it is disgraceful the way Bill Clinton has acted. Apparently the people in SC think so too, both Black and white. When asked about Obama's winning SC he throws in "well Jessie Jackson won here too", trying to downplay this win and inject race into it. I swear I will not vote for another Clinton so that they can bring all of their drama and lies for us to live with for the next four years. I say enough of the past, we need to perge ourselves of the passed 6 years and start fresh for the sake of our country.

Annette (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 10:53 AM)

I cannot believe you finally wrote something negative about the repubnants. You and the rest of the crew at MSNBC are horribly biased against the Clintons. To those of us African Americans who are in support of Hillary only await the time when we can either say, go on Senator Clinton and become the most powerful senator in the US or President we are so proud of you. Craig Crawford should have a show of their own and MSNBC get ride Joe Scarborough and god, MIKA.

DKincaid, Alcoa, TN (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 10:57 AM)

One note on Connecticut's closed primary: independents can change their registration to Democrat up until February 4, so independents can absolutely can have a huge impact if they're motivated and informed on when to switch by; I already know three people offhand here in CT that have switched their registration to Democrat to vote for Obama. Clinton still has a slight edge because of the populous southernmot areas of the state bordering NY, but I agree that it definitely belongs in the toss up column. If Obama can get as many delegates as Clinton in a state like CT, Super Tuesday will not be a happy day for her.

Shadow, Hamden, CT (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:00 AM)

does this surprise anyone? As soon as he hit SC he took on a southern accent, He got his money's worth from playing the race card. What happens now that all the other states with white mojorities see how he reverts to his black side when it suits his needs but in Iowa he stayed as white as possible. He has message, but no substance behind it. He is just as political as the Clintons. When are you in the corporate media going to get us back on the issues instead of annointing him messiah?

Vera Duffield VA (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:05 AM)

The Republican party should thank the Democratic party for handing over the Presidency.After this last week they have no chance.

Mechele Izbicki Indianapolis In. (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:08 AM)

MSNBC has become the Obama Channel. It's sad when I can get a more balanced analysis from FOX on the Deomcratic primary race than I can get from you guys.

TracyLeigh, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:09 AM)

This was certainly a message to Bill Clinton that he needs to tone it down and Hillary needs to take total charge now of her own campaigning. However, the only other states I see Obama realistically winning are Georgia, Illinois and of course SC. Hillary has the rest. She also has the power and the money. She will get the nomination and hopefully the presidency. Obama will have to wait.

j fl (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:14 AM)

"Billary" has revealed itself in SC. Billary will present itself as a team that is ready to fix America. Wrong. Billary will divide America even more.Billary will not take any responsibility for any short comings in their administration. It will merely be a he said she said administration.
Once the name Billary sticks to her and Bill, her campaign will tank.
Billary
Billary
Billary

Greg McDonald, Saginaw Michigan (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:16 AM)

Tsunami Tuesday is now very important. The states after the 5th will be very important as well. More states have a voice and this is good for democracy.
The race between the Clintons and Obama is more about age than race. The fact that whites under 30 supported Obama at over 50% is very telling. I am one of those under 30 who thinks Obama is the way to move forward.

Alex, Boston, MA (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:24 AM)

The more people vote based on experience and electability, the less likely they are to vote for Obama.
The more people understand about his lack of any significant accomplishments in public service, the less likely people will vote for Obama.
It seems that the media has given Senator Obama a pass up to this point, perhaps they are unsure that it will be seen as racist. The more the media forgoes criticism of Obama the more likely his chances increase and that of another 4-8 years of a conservative Republican in the White House.
Another 10 years in Iraq is unacceptable!

Fred C Dobbs (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:28 AM)

I don't care what you say; you can't spin your way out of 55% to 27%, not when you were leading in the state not a month ago by 20%. The Clinton's time is done; as Obama said, this is about the future vs. the past. Clinton held the lead in the country by 20 points before Iowa; she lost there in a decidedly low minority state. Mrs. Clinton only won New Hampshire by 2%; again a decidedly low minority state. And then she went on to Nevada and only won by only 6% and might I say a THIRD time a decidedly low minority state. Compared to a 28% Rout in S. Carolina. They said Obama would only get 10% of the white vote; instead he received 24%.

The problem with Mrs. Clinton is she has too much baggage, she does not inspire leadership or confidence, she flip-flops more than John Kerry, and she comes off as slippery as a used car saleswoman. She went from the candidate of experience to the candidate of change. The candidate for the Iraq War to the candidate against the war. The candidate who could stand on her own, to the candidate who needs her husband to protect her and do her dirty work. Why is she running for president now when WE NEEDED HER, BEFORE the Iraq war and BEFORE Bush could appoint justices the Supreme Court? If she has 35 years of experience, why not use her 31 years of experience? She claims more experience, but Obama has four more years in public office. She was no Eleanor Roosevelt as a first lady and she is by far no Margaret Thatcher as a candidate and leader.

Trey, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:30 AM)

The clinton campaign is all about race, you will see in the upcoming primaries that they will be using "code" words to make u think America will never elect an American-Africian President. Obama is an American first. but the clintons plan is to pit blacks against white, Latinos against Blacks, Whited against Latinos. I just hope the Media calls Ole Bubba out on his racist attidude. it is not longer the hillary campaign, it is Bills. She couldn't even give the concession speech last night and had Bill do it . Time for Change, DUMP the Clintons

TruthnMedia (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:31 AM)

O.K. Posters count me as a troll if you must but a South Carolina win by 80% of the black voters for Obama is really not what America is about. South Carolina is a black state, not a red state or a blue state but a black state.
The black community is a very hostile community with a chip on their shoulder and that is why Obama won.He is part of a "racist Church" and he does have ties with Tony Rezco (great piece out today in the Tribune about that)
S.C. is also a very small state in a very large country so I totally credit the win to the black man running for president due to 80% of the Black Voters.
I also ask you "what did President Kennedy do for our Country other than cheat constantly on his wife with Marily Monroe and others just like her?
Ted Kennedy probably will not endorse but if he does, he is totally not respected by hardly anyone except the far left extremists - His biggest accomplishment is the drowning of Mary Jo Kopeckne at Chappaquidick.
Obama is not the candidate we need in the White House, winning South Carolina by a huge black vote won't get him there either. Jessie Jackson did win South Carolina in 1984 and 1988 - He won 11 primaries in all but he did not make it to the White House, neither will Obama.

Lynne, LR,Ar (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:35 AM)

Expect Obama to pick up MA. He already has the Governor Deval Patrick, a fellow African-American, supporting him as well as John Kerry, but he just picked up a nice nod from Caroline Kennedy, which means an endorsement from Ted Kennedy is not far away. Also, MA and more specifically Boston, is made up of voters of higher education and upper-income earners, who have been backing Obama and his philosophy this entire time. You add that to the Southern states where there is expected to be a high turnout from blacks and states with independents, and he ends up taking Super Tuesday.

JDiesel (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:35 AM)

John Edwards is the Ralph Nader (Spoiler) in 2008. Selfish, self-centered; does nothing for uniting Democrats. John “Spoiler” Edwards beginning to look more and more like Bill Clinton: Saying and doing anything to get elected, no matter what the results indicate.

Miguel Robledo, TX (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:36 AM)

I think Obama's win in SC was a tremendous victory. I think all of the pundits have minimized it by saying he didn't capture the white vote, but if you put Obama Candidacy in perspective, his votes, the delegates, and the magnitude of the youth vote he gives voters hope against the status quo in Washington... http://www.enewsreference.com

eNews Reference (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:36 AM)

Obama brings hope to our country again! Bill says Hillary deserves to be President for putting up with him. GIVE ME A BREAK! I don't want the same old, same old!

Evelyn Fee Homosassa, Fl (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:40 AM)

It is amazing to me how blithe Camp Hillary is about asking for a rule change in the middle of the game. Consider the fact that neither Obama's or Edwards name were on the Michigan ballot. How can the Michigan results be considered an accurate result? Or that Edwards, Obama and Clinton pledged not to campaign in Michigan and Florida. How can Clinton so glibly renege on this pledge?

Katie M Minneapolis Minnesota (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:42 AM)

I would think that ALL the top tier folks should apologize, not just McCain & Romney. The war issue IS the economic issue. They can NOT be separated. We need to cut somewhere & empire building is the 1st choice, especially since we are not even going after Osama bin Laden, & he killed 3000 Americans! Ironically, Osama explicitly claims to have bankrupted the old Soviet Union and wants the same for us. He may get his wish if we do not get focused on what’s important in our foreign policy. And cut the unneeded military bases over seas.
With all the problems facing America, it would be really nice if the REST of the mainstream media actually cared about reporting on the positions of EACH Presidential candidate on ALL the issues rather than reporting on the horse race. Unfortunately the MSM thinks that only the polls and the candidate’s “presidential charisma” are important. We will get more in depth reporting on the Super Bowl players than we will on the remaining candidates. Most seem to be talking crazy talk about our military adventures in the Middle East. Also, only Ron Paul seems to understand the connection between Iraq and the problems with the economy, inflation, & out of control deficit spending. Inflation is going to eat us alive, as it has already started to do so. Do you really believe that the REAL inflation rate used for Social Security check increases this month was 2.3%? Please vote Ron Paul & save the country from bankruptcy abroad & at home!

RamsyG,Zephyrhills, Florida (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:49 AM)

Snoop dog could have won SC in a heart beat.

SS, MN (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:50 AM)

The media need to pay attention to all aspects of the election, not just: "What Bill said." Please inform the voters what is going on. We will decide what is best for us. Do not try to sway our opinoin. Your analysis should be complete, not half-baked. In the old days, the media told us the facts. Today the media gives us opinion. We do not need that. Your job is to report. Please do just that.

Laxman, Newnan, Georgia (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:51 AM)

As a Michigan resident, I resent the fact that our votes do not count; however, I believe not counting the votes is the only way NOT to disenfranchise voters. If I had the opportunity, I would have voted for Senator Obama. He and Senator Edwards took their names off the ballot in order to comply with party rules; Senator Clinton did not. If our delegates count, it is not fair to Obama or Edwards supporters. Remember, 40% voted "uncommitted" in Michigan. The Clinton needs to stop changing the rules in the middle of the game, as they also tried to do in Nevada the nano second they did not receive the Culinary Union's endorsement.

Heather Peterson, Battle Creek, MI (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:53 AM)

The voters of SC told the world loud and clear that they reject the politics of "anything goes". This election is about the future, and only one candidate truly represents it. Obama '08

michael, boston, mass (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:53 AM)

If it wasn't obvious before, it is now. Bill Clinton is a racist. His remarks that attempt to pigeonhole Obama as a "Black" candidates is nothing short of racism. He, and his wife, are not uniters but are dividers. The Clinton's are not advocates of hope, but only can win if there is division. The Clintons need to withdraw from the race before they further divide the Democratic party.

Ed Wagner, Albany NY (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:58 AM)

This is great!!!. White women also lifted Boarack Obama. Im a white southern women who vote for Borack. I also have two sister in SC and they voted for Obama. With that said he also took 29% percent of the over all white vote period. If you compare that 55% percent make the black democrat vote thats a huge percentage of white folks that voted for Borack. We know that people like to devide based on race and gender but the number speack for themselves. We need to stop thinking that we have to let people tell us who we need to vote for. My sister attended two Obama rallys and they both stated that the rooms were packed with white folks. She stated that she was amazed at the energy level it was just amazing...Lots of white college students were present..So it tells you that the new generation is looking away from race, we all need to embrace this. Im also so happy that Carolyn Kennedy endorse Obama, that speaks valume. Carolyn did not endorse Hillary based on gender, she endorse Obama based on character. Hillary is so out of touch with people..She continues to play dis-honest tactics. I hope in Florida were I live that we go out and vote for Borack and show the Clintons that we are tired of the dis hoensty and the games they continue to play.

Mrs.Leonard (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:58 AM)

It's not over yet. Every democrat in every state that backs Obama needs to get off their couches, take a half-hour off work, do everything they can to cast their votes. It's not going to be easy. We've seen how hard and nasty the Clintons can fight, but Obama can transcend the lies and bickering. He can bring together people of every race, gender, and even every party. Ironically, the Clintons try to paint Obama as the rhetoric candidate, but where the Clintons rely on disgusting rhetoric, Obama relies on the people. The people make the government. Don't let politicians make the government!

Think things aren't going to change?! Think we can't do it? YES WE CAN!

The 90s were great, but definitely had some room for improvement. Do we really want to give the Republicans that edge, that boost?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/opinion/27rich.html?em&ex=1201582800&en=392aa43b5c1aaf33&ei=5087%0A

Ron, TX (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:59 AM)

Mrs.Leonard (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:00 PM)

The past 10 days have given me great pause in considering the candidates. I have finally reached the conclusion that people who will say or do anything to get elected are the last people we should elect. Apparently, the people of South Carolina reached the same conclusion in both primaries. I find it also interesting that women who would never dream of voting against a candidate because of his/her race think it appropriate to back another candidate because of gender.

Ken Stuart Angel Fire, New Mexico (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:00 PM)

I WOULD GUESS IT IS ALL ABOUT BILL IN THE MEDIA.
CRAIG CRAWFORD WAS RIGHT THE MEDIA HAS GONE INSANE
OVER BILL CLINTON. I LOVE BILL CLINTON, BUT I HOPE HE SPEAKS OUT LESS BECAUSE ANYTHING HE SAYS WILL BE LOOKED AT REAL CLOSE TO FIND ALL OF THOSE DEEP SOUTH (CODE) WORDS. NOW SINCE I AM A SOUTHERNER, I MAY BE SPEAKING IN CODE AND NOT KNOWING IT. I THINK ALL THREE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES GAVE EXCELLENT SPEECHES LAST NIGHT. OBAMA GIVES A BETTER WINING SPEECH THAN A LOOSING ONE. EDWARDS SPEECH WAS FINE. HILLARY GAVE A GRACIOUS LOOSING SPEECH AND CONGRATULATED BARACK. THEN SHE TOOK QUESTIONS FROM THE CROWD OF 4,000 PEOPLE THAT HAD GATHERED TO SEE HER. I THINK IT WAS GOOD THAT BILL SPOKE LAST NIGHT TO A CROWD OF SUPPORTERS IN MO.
I DON'T REALLY KNOW MUCH ABOUT WHAT THE CANDIDATES SPOKE ABOUT THE LAST TWO WEEKS. BUT I HAVE HEARD SOUND BITES FROM BILL'S SPEECH OVER AND OVER AND OVER, AGAIN.
IF THE MEDIA WOULD NOT FOCUS ON BILL SO MUCH IT WOULD NOT BE ALL ABOUT BILL.
BUT YOU DID HELP OBAMA WIN SO I GUESS ANY THING GOES IN THE MEDIA ANYMORE.

YELLOW DOG DEM. sgm. lowell,ar. (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:01 PM)

This is a miserable day to be a Democrat. My party is being split in two by Bill Clinton. If it wasn't clear before, it is now, Bill in running for President. and is using his wife as nothing more then a facade. What is really creepy is that the first Clinton we hear from after the SC primaries is not Hillary, but it is Bill. Where the heck was Hillary? Isn't she the one running? Evidently not.

Dean Watkins, San Jose CA (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:03 PM)

OKKKKK, the Clinton;s were tared and feathered, run out of the state! 25% of the white voters, now that is sending a real message! More turned out for Edwards,40% now that is a message!

Clinton has demeaned the process of why we elect a new President. Their tactics are old hat, meaning people have and stated , enough is enough. The Clinton's stooped low enough to make the voters mad. One can see she is a Washington self serving Paper hanger with hidden agenda! She attacked the people who were going to vote for her, such a blinded two face racists.

Obama must be more clear of his intention! Stop stumping the old what is wrong with America, Tell the people the solution to resolve. People want solution, aggressive enforcement, positive conclusion with having to suffer. Address the key issue and not place a mask on it,,thinking it will go away!

America must regain unity, Congress is in a failed mode, meaning the tired dead has beens must be removed. The negative path must be removed, no other congress has failed like the present seated congress.

Hope, resolve key issues (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:07 PM)

The syndicated Pat Oliphant cartoon in the San Francisco Chronicle, Saturday, showing the Southern White Trash couple (Hillary and Bill) returning to their roots at the "Dirty Tricks Trailer Park" is priceless.

Cosmic, S.F. (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:09 PM)

If the Republicans race-baited as much as the Clintons, there would be marches down every major city's Main Street. How do they get away with it?

Jamie, Pine City, NY (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:12 PM)

Chuck Todd, Maureen Dowd and Tim Russert can try and play up Obama's win in SC all they want, but Hillary is still going to win the nomination. SC means very little, considering that Hillary has double digit leads in ALL of the major ST states. It'sgoing to be great when Hillary mop's Obama on Feb 5th...and Chucky, MoDo, and Timmey are left palying the fools...just like they did after NH:)

devin, Albuquerque, NM (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:12 PM)

Ride on Obama, ride on. With 80% of the black vote for just being black and 3 years' roaming about the Senate, ride on to the most important job in the world. Ride on preaching hope for we 've seen many preachers in our day. Have you accomplished anything - anything at all - that qualifies you to become the chief executive of the largest company in the world? No. But none of that matters because you are black and hip. "Fairy tale?" No. A joke, really!

Joe Tex, Windermere, FL (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:13 PM)

Call the Media and stop them from Stealing the Election from the American People. Chuck Todd played the race card on the night of NH with his "Bradley Effect" remarks that started all of this by calling the NH voters - closet racists. They all need to be fired!

Carol, Dallas, Texas (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:14 PM)

Hillary Clinton deserved the beating she received in South Carolina. Her and her husband’s behavior in recent weeks has been a disgrace, and as a former Clinton voter I have lost any respect I might have ever had for the former first couple. I have no doubt, however, that we can fully expect to see more dirty politics from the Clintons as we head into Super Tuesday.

Mark C. Eades, Oakland, California (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:17 PM)

CLOSER TO THE MOUNTAINTOP

Yiannis, Baltimore (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:17 PM)

Florida does matter maybe not to camp Obamma but to a national race. It does not take a conversation with Chad or Al to take a you matter position on Florida.
Ask yourself why has this republican mediagiven Obamma such a pass?
You can bet the gloves will be off if it looks like Obamma will win an election.
The media has an obligation to ask tough questions of Obamma. So far it looks like trounce the Clintons hands off Obamma.

Dave victor ny (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:17 PM)

I'm am a bit relieved, but oh so much more elated over Barack Obama's knockout win last night in South Carolina. His thank you speech to South Carolina and the nation was truly Presidential, inspirational, and substantive. I will go back to work at the Obama headquarters today with a renewed energy and zeal because I am one of Obama's dedicated legion of worker bees.
Our grassroots movement is much bigger than many realize. American citizens of all stripes and age groups are in this movement working and marching towards a more transparent and participatory government. The type of change American politics needs, as proposed by Barack Obama, is unlike all the other candidates. His is the new, genuine voice we yearn for--out of the wilderness and from The People. We say out with the Washington, D. C. status quo and the same old smear tactics of the Clinton Mean Machine. And we say in with the Peoples' kind of leadership for the 21st century. IT IS THE PAST AGAINST THE FUTURE, and America is so ready for Barack Obama's vision. His is the true character, the keen intellect, the balanced sensibility, and the inspirational vision we long for. He of the three Democratic candidates is the most deserving of our vote and leadership. We, the People say, "Bring it on, Obama! Please, bring America out of the wilderness and into the light--here at home and the world!
Speak to us, Barack! Bring us the rain! Put out the fires! This is our moment! Reach out! Deliver us up! We want you! We love you! Lead us! Yes we can!

Roland Madore, Fort Collins, CO (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:18 PM)

As far as race being an element of the democratic primary we can thank the media for introducing it, reinforcing it and exaggerating it. The media has to hype this element to draw its coveted ratings. I am so tired of it and wish they could stay on point with questions on the candidates' specific track records and stances on the issues. Unfortunately, if South Carolina is the example going forward, the race element is going to be a significant factor in this democratic primary. Pat Buchanan, I think you're right.

JD, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:18 PM)

Don't count CA out. Obama got endorsements from SF Chronicle, Sac Bee, San Jose Mercury, etc. Last time I checked, there were 20% undecided. The biggest win for Obama on Feb 5 will be CALIFORNIA.

khctamu, sacramento, ca (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:21 PM)

NOBOBY VOTING FOR OBAMA BECAUSE OF RACE OR GENDER, IT'S BECAUSE HE IS A TRUE LEADER AND HE IS INTELLIGENT. IF HILLARY AND HER HUSBAND IS NOT CAREFUL THEY WILL HAVE OFFENDED THE BLACK COMMUNITY TO THE POINT THAT EVEN IF SHE WINS THE NOMINATION, SHE WILL NOT GET THE BLACK VOTE SHE NEEDS FOR PRESIDENT.

FELISA CHATTANOOGA TN (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:23 PM)

Craig Crawford is the only one that has told the truth. Take Joe and his puppet Mika off the air. The only reason anyone is watching is to see if he will ever admit that he has no evidence with tape or audio that the Clintons are racists or played the race card. It was Chuck Todd, Chris Matthews, Keith Olberman and Tim Russert that called the NH voters - closet racists. You all need to be fired - the sooner the better.

Carol, Dallas, Texas (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:23 PM)

I have been inspired by Barack Obama since I first saw him as a keynote speaker during the Democratic Convention in 2004. During that time, I was so discouraged with the unrelenting abuse from the Karl Rove spin machine and the Swift Boat attacks, I was at the point in believing that was going to be the norm for politics and we would have no choice but to fall in line because our Nation was in a trance after 9/11. I began listening to Barack's speech in my car as I was driving home from work, and was so inspired by this man I had never heard of and wanted to get home quick to turn on the TV to see who he was. I hit the remote as soon as I got home and Barack was addressing, there are no red States or blue States, but we are the United States. I said "Thank you God" out loud because for the first time I felt someone had the voice to bring us together as a Nation and I have never lost that feeling for everytime I hear Barack speak.
He will be the next President and bring our Country together in the way we all yearn for, and He will have the unique ability for the rest of the world to see we are a united country, which will change the negative view the world has of us, for the list of reasons we're all aware of.
One more thing: God Bless Caroline Kennedy for endorsing Barack Obama and the eloquent way she described her Fathers message in the likeness of Barack Obama's.

Elaine Cruz, Sequim, Washington (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:23 PM)

So black voters in South Carolina voted for a qualified candidate who happens to be black and they are racist? I can live with that IF I can get just ONE of these blogging pundits to admit that the same would be true of every white voter since the inception of the country.

Don't worry...I'll wait...

On another note, I will vote for McCain before I vote for a Clinton and I elected Bill TWICE. that's how disillusioned I am by MY party being hijacked by racist rhetoric.

If you feel the same sign here: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ourdemocraticparty/index.html

tress charlotte, nc (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:25 PM)

We are fired up & ready to go in Oklahoma...all of us - white, black, old, young, male, female. Hundreds of us spent yesterday knocking on doors for Senator Obama across the state. We are working non-stop until February 5th to make change happen. It hasn't been easy and it's not going to get any easier. All of us will do whatever we need to do to unite our country.

YES. WE. CAN.

A White Man with an Education (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:26 PM)

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