Batlimore Sun: Obama and McCain both have rifts to heal

[Douglas Carpenter]

link: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/bal-te.infocus11may11,0,755520.story?page=1

snip: "As Obama moves within reach of the Democratic nomination, the Illinois senator faces the challenge of a general election that will hinge in part on his ability to suture intra-party rifts exposed by the primaries.

The task is especially critical in swing states considered most important in the fall, but will also play out in places such as Maryland, where the November outcome does not appear to be in doubt.

A similar effort is under way on the Republican side, where religious conservatives and immigration foes have yet to fully embrace the candidacy of the man who will head the ticket in the fall, John McCain."

snip:"In Republican-dominated Carroll County, which borders Pennsylvania, Obama nearly came out ahead of Clinton. While some conservative Democrats may swing to McCain, they'll be canceled out by ultra-conservative Republicans who will stay home in the fall, predicted Martin Radinsky, a banker who is head of the Carroll Democratic committee."

snip:"While Obama carried Maryland in a landslide - his best showing in a state with a closed primary, supporters note - Hillary Clinton won in 7 of 24 counties.

Her strongest support came in exurban and rural places where there are fewer minorities and fewer people, and where Republicans are stronger.

For Obama to win converts in Clinton territory like Allegany, "he's going to have to direct his message more to the working people," said DuVall, the county Democratic chairman."

snip:"The good news for Democrats is that resistance to Obama among working-class white voters runs deepest in states that the party has little chance of carrying in the fall, such as Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana, Schaller said.

But places where the Democratic problems are most important are in states that went for Bush in 2004, and which a Democrat would have to carry to have a chance - Ohio, Iowa, Texas or Florida."

link to full article:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/bal-te.infocus11may11,0,755520.story?page=1

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