We’re in uncharted waters politically. Blacks are getting out to vote and Whites are making a statement never before seen in the South.
With his landmark victory in South Carolina, Barack Obama garners more votes than the entire total cast in 2004 Democratic primary with over 290,000.
The final number of Democratic voters in South Carolina’s primary topped Republican counterparts for the first time since 1992–roughly 530,000 to 445,000.
80% of Blacks voted for Obama. He also received a fourth of the White vote with Edwards and Clinton splitting the remainder.
Hillary Clinton second, John Edwards third. Former North Carolina Senator Edwards gets blown out in his home state by Obama and to a lesser degree, Clinton.
February 5th, Super Tuesday, is next. 24 states will hold either caucus or primary elections. Obama has received a good percentage of the White vote, but will his South Carolina victory carry over to states with not a lot of Black voters historically?
The state of Georgia is the lone exception.
Simply put, after February 5th, we’ll know a lot about what direction this country is headed.
Hopefully the issue of race will be discussed prominently in a very real manner and across party lines. Obama’s vision of inclusion seems to be working early on. Diversity among Obama supporters builds with every victory while Clinton seems to be all about the Black vote. She stumped last night in Tennessee at Tennessee State–band playing and all–so Hillary is serious about tapping into a source of vast voter potential few candidates historically have influenced. She knows if she cuts into Barack’s stranglehold on Black voters, she’ll get the nod. Regardless of who gets the nomination this also bodes well for the Democrats come November because Blacks are voting in primaries like never before. Barack is locking up young voters with charisma and a new politics look and feel. In his last two victory speeches Obama has spoke of bringing home the troops from Iraq and affordable health care for all Americans. It also must be stated that so far young people are leaving an indelible impression and will have a major say on who receives the nomination in Denver.
Obama picked up 25 delegates and now has a total of 63.
A full explanation of delegates and superdelegates here
It’s still early.
What are your thoughts?
