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Kathy's US Politics Blog

By Kathy Gill, About.com Guide to US Politics since 2004

Obama, McCain Win Potomac Primaries

Wednesday February 13, 2008
Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain emerged victorious from Tuesday's round of Potomac primaries: Maryland, District of Columbia and Virginia.

What does it mean for delegate counts? Obama won Maryland 60% to 37%; there are 70 delegates at stake. He won DC 75% to 24%; there are 18 delegates at stake. He won Virginia 64% to 35%; there are only 83 delegates at stake. Democratic delegate votes are proportionally distributed by formula.

Like Obama, McCain's strongest showing came in DC, where he took 68% of the vote; Mike Huckabee had 17% and Ron Paul, 8%. Those 16 delegates go to McCain. In Maryland, McCain won (55%/30%/6%); there are 37 delegates for McCain. In Virginia, the race was much closer; McCain won (50%/41%/5%). There are 63 delegates for McCain.

According to exit polling data, Obama took 9-of-10 black votes in Maryland and Virginia. CBS credits the make-up of the Democratic Party in those two states for the victory, rather than "any fundamental shift in this two-person contest." About one-third of the primary voters in Virginia were black. Obama also trumped Hillary Clinton in the "young" vote (17 - 29 year-olds) and in voters who said "change" is important.

Huckabee's Christian support almost carried him to victory in Virginia, but the winner-take-all nature of the Republican primary system puts him at a disadvantage. Paul hangs in there with a small, but committed, core.

Next Tuesday: Hawaii (D), Washington (R primary), Wisconsin.

Until then, turn your eyes back on Congress.

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