Pennsylvania Democrats Crowd Polls

Poll Workers Report High Turnout Across The State For Potentially Pivotal Primary

(AP)  Despite weeks of furious campaigning by Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton, some Pennsylvania Democrats were still scrambling to pick a side Tuesday as they streamed to the polls for the high-stakes presidential primary.

The choice nagged at Kermita Williams until nearly the moment she pulled the lever for Obama in suburban Philadelphia. Williams said she supported Clinton early, but tired of her negative attacks late in the campaign.

"She lost a lot of credibility with me, with all her bickering back and forth," said Williams, a retiree from Malvern. "I was in her corner, but she showed me some weakness."

The crisp spring morning found enthusiastic voters queuing up at local schools and firehouses to cast their ballots. Election judges in Susquehanna Township, near Harrisburg, had checked in 10 percent of the ward's voters by 9 a.m.

Cindy Wiedl, 50, a full-time student at Harrisburg Area Community College, stood in front of the voting machine for several minutes before pushing the button for Obama, based in part on his pledge in a Tuesday morning television interview to help working people.

Her husband, Anthony Wiedl, a 55-year-old supermarket cashier, voted for Clinton, but said he had "kept listening to what Barack was saying and the wheels were turning."

Poll workers reported high turnout across the state. A line of voters snaked out the door at Allentown's First Presbyterian Church, jammed the two-bay firehouse in the small Philadelphia suburb of Roslyn and filled a fire company in Bellevue, a working-class suburb north of Pittsburgh.

Many voters said they reached decisions only after watching the debates, studying the candidates' Web sites or attending a campaign event. But psychotherapist Kathleen Gavin said the former first lady earned her vote "10 years ago."

"I think she's done tremendous work in the country and in the world," said Gavin, 44, of Allentown. "I don't think he (Obama) has the experience, the wisdom or the presence that Hillary has."

The primary is the first test of the candidates' strength in six weeks, and will decide the allocation of 158 delegates to this summer's national nominating convention - the largest bloc of delegates still up for grabs.

By plane, train, bus and car, the two candidates and their surrogates have been relentless in courting Pennsylvania voters. They spent millions of dollars on TV advertising and squared off in Philadelphia for the 21st debate of their campaign.

Election workers in the University City section of West Philadelphia - whose voters include University of Pennsylvania employees, Drexel University students and residents of the lower-income Powelton Village neighborhood - reported strong registration in the typically transient district.

"I have never seen a polling book this thick," poll worker Sheryl Simons said. "The debates and the candidates coming to campus has really heightened interest."

Voter excitement over the Democratic presidential nomination contest pushed the party's Pennsylvania registration to record levels. Clinton and Obama hoped that same fervor would translate into votes on Tuesday. Obama, an Illinois senator, has trailed Clinton in the polls by a small margin in recent weeks.

Statewide turnout would set a modern record for Democratic presidential primaries in Pennsylvania if more than 2.3 million of the 4.2 million registered party members show up.

The current record - just under 55 percent - was set in 1980, when Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy narrowly defeated then-President Carter in Pennsylvania.

Democratic enrollment began to soar earlier this year when it became apparent that neither candidate would clinch the nomination before Pennsylvania's primary, making it a factor in a presidential nomination for the first time in more than three decades. Voters must be registered Democrats to vote in the Clinton-Obama race. The Republican primary is also being held Tuesday, but Sen. John McCain of Arizona is already the presumptive nominee.

Since last fall's election, largely due to the aggressive efforts of the two presidential campaigns, the number of Democrats increased by nearly 317,000 as of March 24, the deadline for switching or joining parties.

Nearly 150 people had voted in Roslyn by 9 a.m., which election workers called a brisk turnout.

"I never dreamed there would be a woman running, but I think it would be a great change for the United States of America," said Bill Stabilito, 83, a retired machinist and World War II veteran who voted for Clinton.

The Democratic presidential race is not the only one being decided Tuesday - there are nomination contests for state treasurer, Congress and the state Legislature - but it is unquestionably the biggest draw for voters.

Dave Price, 65, a Republican in western Pennsylvania, cast a vote early Tuesday for McCain. But he said that's not necessarily the way he will go in the November general election.

"If Obama runs, I'll be very interested in taking a look," said Price, a retiree voting in Bellevue. "The change theme gets me."

[gunownerdan]

"SUPERDELEGATES"
...because the average American is far to dumb to make their own decisions.

[libh8er]

''Pennsylvania Democrats Crowd Polls''

Gee, I would have thought it would have been republicans. It IS a democrat primary, isn''t it?

[samthetvcat]

Here''s what I think is the lesson from Pa - a Barack win would evidence a breakthrough, a Hillary blowout of like 15 to 20 points would be a breakthrough. Anything in between is basically kicking the can down the road . . .

jmo and as a Barack supporter this view might be slightly biased but I think Barack''s been the ppl''s choice for his fresh, optimistic, idealistic perspective since Iowa, but after we Dems got burned twice over with Gore in 00 and Kerry in 04 we''re more savvy about ensuring that our preferred candidate is in optimal shape going into the general. Hillary''s role in this campaign is to be Barack''s ''sparring partner'' and the Dem ''plan b'' in case something went wrong.

The stalemate in Pa provides Barack with a great opportunity to refine the presentation of his economic message, and to try out different responses to ''swift-boat'' attacks. The counter-attacks so far have been okay, but seem to be missing their mark slightly . . .

[blackspirit3]

"The Clinton campaign has run a very negative campaign," said Raines. "They have constantly -- but in a very subtle way -- had people remind the public that [Sen. Barack Obama] is black." Howell later said that the "best thing [Sen. Hillary Clinton] has going for her" is the fact that Obama is consistently stigmatized by the fact that "if you''re a black candidate, you have to apologize for every stupid thing ever said by any black person." why must Obama apologize for every dumb thing Jesse, Al or Rev Wright says?

[blackspirit3]

Hillary is betting on white racism to win. Is that a win? Hoping that White America will reject a candidate on racial terms. We all know had Obama ever lied about being shot at by a gang on the streets of Chicago he would be thrown out of the race. Hillary is allowed to remain in the race while the media create stories to beat Obama with, to say a man who just finish paying off his student loans is an elitist is retarded at best.

Obama went to college and received a Law Degree because he didn%u2019t know enough to help the churches and people of his community with just having a 4 year Degree. How is that elitist, who goes to college to become a lawyer to help poor communities? Not Hillary, she went to Walmart. Not Bill he went to Canada and rallied against the war.

[gunownerdan]

"SUPERDELEGATES"
...because the average American is far too dumb to make their own decisions.

Posted by gunownerdan

Electoral College ---- Same reasons listed above.

Posted by fedupwithit1

And some Americans actually think their vote counts.

[jack3213]

I WONDER HOW MANY VOTERS ARE SIMPLY VOTING FOR THE ONE THEY THINK CAN LOSE TO MCCAIN?

[webama]

Whatever comes out of Pennsylvannia Obama still is on the front line. Together with him we''re going to keep America Promises, by all means.

OBAMA 08

[jack3213]

IMO- IF OBAMA WINS HIS PARTY- MCCAIN WILL WIN GENERAL ELECTION -HANDS DOWN. MCCAIN 2008

[cees14]

I heard there were fraud. the machines were broken and the paper ballots didn''t have Obamas name on it. did anyone hear this??? apparently this happened in more than one location.

[cees14]

one more thing. States or who ever who is in charge of organizing these elections SHOULD be MORE orhganized. knowing they are going to see record turn out still they are not prepared to take it. just like TX. how stupid. the one thing they do, they can''t do it right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....

[lovegetpeace]

hey JACK3213,
McCain has no money. open your checkbook and be generous. McCain wants deeds and not words of support.

[truth-hurts]

Thank God for Pennsylvania! Their support of Hillary will make it much easier for the Super Delegates to do what they are going to have to do anyway.

[jack3213]

lovegetpeace: MCCAIN HAS MORE MONEY THAN YOU THINK. MCCAIN HAS ENOUGH MONEY TO WIN.

Hillary is betting on white racism to win. Is that a win? Hoping that White America will reject a candidate on racial terms.
Posted by BLACKSPIRIT3 at 01:41 PM : Apr 22, 2008

Here we go...it''s starting already. If Barack deoesn''t get the nomination there will be rioting in the streets. It will be claimed that he was cheated...it won''t matter how fair it was...the accusations will be hurled. If he does get the nomination and loses to McCain...there will be rioting, ballot recounts, lawsuits. Jesse and Al will be marching in the streets. This election is a no win situation.

By the way Blackspirit3, you certainly don''t have any room to talk about so called "white racism". You''re the biggest bigot that ever walked on the face of the earth.

[guadalcanal3]

I just heard the rumor that Barack Obama is picking Michael Moore to be his running mate!...VOTE FOR HILLARY!.

[omaar-101]

Note: The 911 Planes were Piloted by Saudis & United Arab Emirates, No (Iraqis or Iranians) Fact

PA Debate: I told you Clinton is $$ Backed by the Saudis, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait & Qatar.

Hillary Clinton: Well, in fact, George, I think that we should be looking to create an umbrella of deterrence that GOES MUCH FURTHER THAN JUST ISRAEL


Clinton: Of course I would make it clear to the Iranians that an attack on Israel would Incur Massive Retaliation from the United States, BUT I WOULD DO THE SAME WITH OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION.


Weve got to Deter other countries from feeling that they HAVE TO ACQUIRE NUCLEAR WEAPONS.

You cant go to the (Saudis or the Kuwaitis or United Arab Emirates) and others who have a legitimate concern about Iran and say: Well, dont Acquire these Weapons to Defend Yourself unless youre also willing to say we will provide a deterrent backup and we will let the Iranians know that, yes, an attack on Israel would trigger massive retaliation, but so would an Attack on those Countries that are willing to go under this Security Umbrella and forswear their own Nuclear Ambitions.

And finally we cannot permit Iran to become a Nuclear Weapons Power. And this administration has failed in our efforts to convince the rest of the world that is a danger, not Only to Us (USA) and not just to Israel but to the ''REGION'' and BEYOND.

[truth-hurts]

Omaar, I think you left out some info on Syria, as in terrorist and Syrian born best friend of Obama''s, Tony Rezko.

[tigerjcs]

HILLARY WILL BE THE FINAL - THE COME BACK KID.
No Obama, the snake oil man, who can''t even bring the change to his spiritual leader, Rev Wright and his church. He is a whinner and indecisive, by voting PRESENT on difficult policy. The only thing he can do is preaching and giving speeches, with no accomplishment.
GO HILLARY, THE PROUD AMERICAN ALL THE TIME.

[cfin5]

Hillary just hit one out of the park in defense of Israel, our most reliable mid-east ally. I''m almost flabbergasted. We have been talking and talking to those terrorist fueling states until everyone that I personally know are sick of it. Negotiations must be a two way street,.....been one way for too long. Nobody believes them anymore now knowing their religion allows them, if not encourages it. Consider how the Soviet Union handled the kidnapping of some of their diplomats in Beirut years ago. These are awful, yet effective responses. Far cheaper than mobilizing a whole army. Sometimes radical surgery is the needed ticket instead of the big stick. If Iran plays a nuke card against anyone,.....we can play that game too. With all of these things that I''ve said, I don''t mean that we should stay over there on someone else''s dirt. We need to start all self sufficient policies here ASAP. The Iraqi leadership seem lackadaisical for their own defense. We won by making them free, and they will lose by not obliging the necessary hard work to keep that freedom.

[bookout2]

CBS why do you always give Obama top billing and
sling the mud at Hilliary? Huh?, Huh?,Huh?

[trbundro1277]

hey JACK3213,
McCain has no money. open your checkbook and be generous. McCain wants deeds and not words of support.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why doesn''t he ask all the 12 million illegals to help finance his campaign since he wants to make them all legal???? I hate Juan Amnesty McCain

[trbundro1277]

CBS why do you always give Obama top billing and
sling the mud at Hilliary? Huh?, Huh?,Huh?

Because they want Obama as the Democratic nominee so that Juan Amnesty McCain can win the general election easier. With Amnesty Juan McCain as president, all the big businesses will have their cheap labor force!

[omega39-2009]

Hillary just hit one out of the park in defense of Israel, our most reliable mid-east ally.
Posted by cfin5 a

And yet, a different story on CBS details Israels successful attempts to steal U.S. national defense documents. With friends like that................

[libh8er]

There should be a civics test for perspective votors. Either that, or we should go back to the Jeffersonian model; if you don''t own land or pay taxes, you don''t vote.

It''s really getting old watching idiots vote who have no concept of how our contry or it''s economy work.

[libh8er]

CBS why do you always give Obama top billing and
sling the mud at Hilliary? Huh?, Huh?,Huh?
Posted by bookout2 at 02:54 PM : Apr 22, 2008

Most of the LAMEstream media is in the tank for Barry Ubama. Fox is the fairest coverage followed by CBS. Check it out.

[trbundro1277]

"If Obama runs, I''''ll be very interested in taking a look," said Price, a retiree voting in Bellevue. "The change theme gets me."

This still makes me laugh hysterically. Republicans switching their votes from McCain to Obama. They see something in the most progressively left of center candidate that stirs and enlightens them, they''''d definitely vote for Obama if they weren''''t already committed to McCain. And your supposed to give a horse''''s *** about anything they say or do as having any Christian honesty or merit whatsoever. Yeah, you go to church and believe in capital punishment too right?
Yeah, the change theme gets him, or so he says, yet he voted for the 71 year old racist white guy that voted against giving MLKJR day as a national holiday. Give me a break. I hate brainless morons that vote for Amnesty Juan McCain. Everyone google McCain and Amnesty, and see what Juan McCain wants to do for all the illegals, while killing our family members in Iraq!

[trbundro1277]

Hillary says she is tough enough for the job? Like how she broke down in tears before the NH primary? Give me a break. Hillary''''s a two-faced weasel in pant suits who will do or say anything to get elected.
*** And Juan Amnesty McCain isn''t the same way????

[umapinegal]

Please allow Hilary and Bill to get some much needed rest. Send them back to New York to recharge their batteries and memories.

[rf35]

Hillary is the only candidate to offer REAL change. End the stereotype of a white male president. Obama is whiter than some repubs I know and McCain sounds an awful lot like a Nazi. Another pres coming out of the party that gave us Chimp-Boy is not something I''d even like to consider. I suppose Obama is better than the repub alternative, but I still think Hillary would make a better President for where America is today.

[rf35]

If you believe Obama (or any Washington politician) is not "beholden to lobbyists" you are in for a rude awakening. The true test is whether or not thay can stand up to the lobbyists and say "no" when they need to. Obama hasn''t shown he can go that. I think his lack of experience in Big League politics would overwhelm him if he were to reach the Oval Office. Hillary can get things going much more quickly. We need change and I find Clinton to be the one who can accomplish this with the most effeciency and competency. It is also up to voters to ensure that Congress is not the deadlocked useless mass of flesh that it is today.

[mcvet]

I, too, had been a supporter of the Clintons but her
campaign has been too negative and Barack Obama shows
me more. Hillary is a divider and Obama is a uniter.
Hillary is a panderer who lies and exaggerates.
Obama is a leader who tells the truth and inspires
a broad spectrum of Americans. Hillary is a Washington
insider who is beholden to the lobbyists. Barack
Obama is not beholden to the lobbyists. He is a man
of the people like you and I.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by tsunami-girl at 03:17 PM : Apr 22, 2008
+ report abuse

Yep same here! I started off supporting Hillary but after I listened to Obama speak a few times I became convinced that he had the ability to move the nation forward and unite us as a people. Although we are different in so many way''s, a President who isn''t into exploiting those differences can bring us all together on the things that concern all of us and that we all want.

[mcvet]

Most of the LAMEstream media is in the tank for Barry Ubama. Fox is the fairest coverage followed by CBS. Check it out.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by LibH8er at 02:59 PM : Apr 22, 2008
+ report abuse

Well go over to FOX and shut up you pathetic fascist! Geezzzz that''s why it''s called the FREE Press... I can pick the coverage and the people reporting it for MYSELF... couse YOU would like for the Reich to determine what I hear and what I see but that''s nothing new. If you REALLY want to see fascism at work though you should look at the McCarthy Era. Those who DARED appose the "party" then would find themselves out of work. SIEG HEIL BUSH

[phillysage]

Another long major media article clearly designed to throw Obama more pillows and footmassages.

[mcvet]

Or how its spelled.


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Posted by prometheus41 at 03:03 PM : Apr 22, 2008
+ report abuse

LOL Good one!! This from a fascist who thinks taking the nation from a Balanced Budget and a Surplus to Record Deficits and a 9.3 TRILLION DOLLAR Debt is sound economic''s!! ROFLMAO No wonder they elected the WORST in our History... how could they NOT! ROFLMAO Sieg Heil Bush

[gunownerdan]

It really doesn''t matter who wins, all 3 senators are members of the CFR(Council on Foreign Relations) and they all want to destroy what''s left of our once-great country.

[mcvet]

Another long major media article clearly designed to throw Obama more pillows and footmassages.


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Posted by phillysage at 03:35 PM : Apr 22, 2008
+ report abuse

Well then YOU too can go to FOX... they have Karl Rove over there!! Sieg Heil Bush

[mcvet]

It really doesn''''t matter who wins, all 3 senators are members of the CFR(Council on Foreign Relations) and they all want to destroy what''''s left of our once-great country.


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Posted by gunownerdan at 03:37 PM : Apr 22, 2008
+ report abuse

I can understand you being negative on McSame, we already KNOW what he''s going to do but I can''t accept this kind of trash with the other two. Guilt by association got us INTO this mess. Now common sense says guilt by association is NOT going to get us out. Sieg Heil Bush

[craigh9]

Please allow Hilary and Bill to get some much needed rest. Send them back to New York to recharge their batteries and memories.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by umapinegal at 03:07 PM : Apr 22, 2008

That''s a nice thought except I''m from NY and - THEY NEVER HAVE AND NEVER WILL LIVE IN NEW YORK - just another testamonial to Hillarys say/do anything to get votes. She wasn''t born here, raised here, educated here, or ever lived here - she needed some place that owed her husband favors that she could use to run for president. She doen''t give a hoot about NY and has done nothing for us during her time as a Senator. All Hillary cares about is Hillary - nothing will ever change in that regard.

[gunownerdan]

MCVet,
Try to learn some about the CFR.
The Council on Foreign Relations believes that American sovereignty is not important in our "modern global economy". They are working to form a "North American Union" with Canada and Mexico destroying what''s left of our constitutional rights once and for all!

[minnick8-2009]

I hope Hilary wins. The longer she and Obama continue to beat each up, the better I like it.

[craigh9]

Elected and reelected to the senate overwhelmingly by New York voters.

.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by trapbreak at 03:42 PM : Apr 22, 2008

Goofy could be elected running on a democratic ticket in NY - oops, I guess that already happened!

[blackspirit3]

FLIP FLOP HILLARY????

THEN

Clinton, who has tried to cast her rival as too inexperienced for the job of commander in chief, said of Obama''s stance on Pakistan: "I don''t believe that any president should make any blanket statements with respect to the use or non-use of nuclear weapons."

NOW

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton discussed actions that would warrant a nuclear response that would %u201Ctotally obliterate%u201D Iran. The New York Senator told ABC''s %u201CGood Morning America%u201D Tuesday and MSNBC''s %u201CCountdown With Keith Olbermann%u201D Monday that, if president, she would be willing to use nuclear weapons against Iran if they orchestrated a nuclear attack on Israel.

[craigh9]

I hope Hilary wins. The longer she and Obama continue to beat each up, the better I like it.
Posted by minnick8 at 03:43 PM : Apr 22, 2008

Only 2 more weeks, when Obama wins NC and Indiana the superdelegates will align with Obama because there has never been a politician that didn''t align themselves with money, and Obama raises it easily. This race is over - Hillary just has to be completely stripped of any mathmatical chance and all her dignity before she can let go. Thankfully, she''s making such a shambles of this process by not quitting she is wearing out her welcome and will not be able to attempt future nominations so we can finally say goodbye forever!!!

[craigh9]

I would think that the fact that enough New Yorkers voted her in for a second term would negate that sentiment. Apparently at 51% feel differently than you. Just a thought.
Posted by IrishWench at 03:48 PM : Apr 22, 2008

As I said, anyone or anything can get elected in NY if the democratic bosses decide to put them/it on the ballot

[antoniof123]

You know it is pretty funny neo cons are dumber than dirt. They don''t see that the number of Democrats turning out are on an average of almost 2 to 1 to the Republicans so in the end when the choice is made. Well you neo cons talk big but your are getting more frightened each day hey you know the oil surge is working too bad that is the only surge that is working.

Don''t blame dumbo the neo cons in congress could have vetoed him anytime.

Blood bath a comming.

[craigh9]

Oh, I see. So you are saying that the majority of New York is both stupid and corrupt?
Posted by IrishWench at 03:55 PM : Apr 22, 2008

Overwhelmingly democratic, stupid enough to blindly follow and act exactly how the party bosses want them to act.
Ask yourself, since she had so much hig quality experience why didn''t she go back to Arkansas to run for political office?

[realpatriot1]

trapbreak,

You continue to pick and choose the polls that tell you what you want to hear. Most polls show a close race in Indiana.

Close wins won''t do it for her. She needs to win big everywhere without excepton and that still probably won''t be enough. She lost. Get over it.

[craigh9]

Ask yourself, since she had so much hig quality experience why didn''''t she go back to Arkansas to run for political office?
Because she would have been run out of the state due to all her questionable/illegal activities during her time there

[jack3213]

PENN IS PRIMARILY A WASP STATE- N CAROLINA ISN''T. THERE IS NO SURPIRSE IF SHE WINS, BUT SHE WON''T WIN BY ALOT- THAT IS FOR CERTAIN. HER HUSBAND WILL CONTINUALLY BE THE DEATH OF HER. THOSE WHO DON''T CARE- SHOULD. OBAMA''S WIFE IS A JOKE...THAT GOES WITHOUT SAYING. YOU ARE THE COMPANY YOU KEEP.