CNN: Obama, Edwards have a lot on the line in South Carolina
January 26, 2008
The outcome in South Carolina is crucial for Democrats.
COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) — Democrats are heading to the polls today in a primary election with a lot on the line, in a state where African Americans are expected to make up about half of the Democratic primary voters. A win in South Carolina is crucial for Barack Obama, who could use a victory after second place finishes to Hillary Clinton in contests in New Hampshire and Nevada. The Senator from Illinois, who is hoping to become America’s first African-American president, is expected to do well with black voters.
Obama talked about the race factor late last night at a rally in South Carolina. "After we won Iowa, everybody was so excited. Everybody said 'oh look at this. You know, African American, he's winning in a state with almost no African Americans,' and everybody's excited, and young people came out. And I think people started thinking 'well you know this isn’t hard' – but you know what, the status quo does not give up that easily,” said Obama.
White voters make up the other half of the Democratic electorate and they are expected to mostly split their votes between Clinton and former Senator John Edwards of North Carolina.
Edwards was born in South Carolina and won the state’s primary four years ago, when he was making his first bid for the White House. Edwards has been touting his native status and as camps Clinton and Obama have squabbled, Edwards has continued to talk about the issues and suggests he’s the only adult in the field. Speaking to reporters this morning, Edwards said "I'm keeping moving no matter what, but I feel good about how things are moving right now here today. Uh, I feel there's a lot of energy behind my campaign."...
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South Carolina’s important for another reason. With the candidates avoiding Tuesday’s Florida primary due to an intra party fight, South Carolina is the last big test for the Democrats before the coast to coast contests on Super Tuesday....
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/26/a-lot-on-the-line/#more-4755