This Tuesday, West Virginia
Tuesday May 13, 2008
On the eve of the West Virginia (5 electoral votes) primary, Sen. Clinton said "that Democrats don't get elected president unless west Virginia votes for you. And everybody knows West Virginia has picked presidents pretty accurately over the last years."
Well, she's partially right. From 1972-2004, West Virginians voted for Jimmy Carter (first go round) and Bill Clinton (both times). But they also voted for Carter when he lost to Reagan and Dukakis when he lost to Bush the elder. The past two elections, West Virginians have voted for the Republicans.
Sen. Obama is expected to lose West Virginia, which is not representative of the rest of the nation. It is overwhelmingly white (94.9% v 80.1%); less educated (high school graduates, age 25+: 75.2% v 80.4%); and poorer (percent below poverty, 16.2% v 12.7%).
Comments
Who cares any more? Obama is already engaging McCain directly, ignoring Clinton. And by the way, most of the world is now more interested in what’s happening in Lebanon, China or Burma. Of course, I don’t say you should too (it would be off topic for US Politics), but I mean that probably media are beginning to want something new to feed their public.
Has the internal debate to the Democrats lasted to long?
Yes,the media have anointed him the winner. Time declared, on its cover, that the race is over. The Economist hinted,in editorial. I suppose there is no corollary to the “Hail Mary” pass — but (mixing metaphors shamelessly), the fat lady has not sung.
If Clinton has any political sense, she should engage negotiations with Obama right now (using from her last “surge” as a bargaining chip). And propose her fealty against a ticket as candidate Vice-Prez..