Clinton, Obama Split Key Primaries

Obama Wins Big In North Carolina As Clinton Narrowly Takes Indiana; Aide Reveals Clinton Loaned Herself $6.4M In Past Month

(CBS/AP)  Barack Obama swept to a convincing victory in the North Carolina primary Tuesday night and declared he was closing in on the Democratic presidential nomination. Hillary Rodham Clinton eked out a win in Indiana as she struggled to halt her rival's march into history.

"Tonight we stand less than 200 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination for president of the United States," Obama told a raucous rally in Raleigh, N.C. (Click here to watch the video.)

Clinton pulled off an Indiana win in what was a virtual must-win Midwestern state, but her margin of victory was small. With 100 percent of the votes in, she beat Obama 51 percent to 49 percent.

"Hillary Clinton may have gotten what she needed to keep her uphill quest for the Democratic nomination alive - but by the barest of margins," said CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs. "She is now running out of both the time and chances she needs to stay alive."

(Click here to read Ververs' full analysis.)

At a rally in Indianapolis, Clinton said that her Indiana victory had "broken the tie." (Click here to watch the video.)

"And thanks to you, it's full speed to the White House," she said to the cheering crowd.

CBS News chief political consultant Marc Ambinder reports Clinton will talk with her campaign brain trust on Wednesday to decide what to do next.

The New York senator had originally planned on staying behind closed doors for the day Wednesday, but her campaign announced in the morning that she will hold a town hall meeting on the economy in West Virginia - the site of the next Democratic contest on Tuesday.

A campaign aide also said Wednesday morning that Clinton loaned herself $6.4 million in the past month. She gave her campaign $5 million earlier this year.

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North Carolina Results
Indiana Results

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Obama's North Carolina victory mirrored earlier triumphs in Southern states with large black populations: Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana and South Carolina among them. With 100 percent of the votes in North Carolina being reported, Obama defeated Clinton 56 percent to 42 percent.

At the Raleigh rally, Obama struck a conciliatory tone by acknowledging Clinton's Indiana win.

"I want to start by congratulating Senator Clinton on what appears to be her victory in the great state of Indiana," he said.

Obama went on to tout his North Carolina victory as a win in a "big state, in a swing state," and vowed to compete to win it in the general election.

CBS News exit poll results show that most voters in both states made up their minds a while ago. Only 18 percent in Indiana and 14 percent in North Carolina decided in the last three days. Twenty-five percent in Indiana and 20 percent in North Carolina decided in the last week.
(Indiana Exit Poll | N.C. Exit Poll)

Late deciders backed Clinton in Indiana by a margin of 59 percent to 41 percent for Obama. In North Carolina, Obama won late deciders by a much smaller margin of 49 percent to 48 percent.

"The most intriguing story about the Democratic primaries in Indiana and North Carolina … is actually about non-Democrats - Independents and Republicans," said CBS News political consultant Monika McDermott.

(Click here to read McDermott's full analysis of how these voters affected the results.)

Clinton received the support of 60 percent of white voters in both states, while Obama got 40 percent of the white vote in Indiana and 36 percent in North Carolina. Obama won the overwhelming majority of black voters: 92 percent in Indiana and 91 percent in North Carolina.

As it has been throughout the Democratic primaries, the economy was the most important issue in both states, with 67 percent of voters in Indiana describing it as such and 61 percent in North Carolina. In Indiana, 49 percent of voters said Clinton would be more likely to improve the economy and 47 percent said that Obama would. In North Carolina, 53 percent said that Obama would be more likely to improve the economy and 42 percent said that Clinton would.

Voters were split about the effect of Obama's former pastor Reverend Wright on their vote. In Indiana, 46 percent said that it was important and 51 percent said that it was not, while in North Carolina, 47 percent said the Wright situation was important in their vote and 51 percent said that it was not.

In both states, more voters thought that Clinton attacked Obama unfairly than vice-versa. Sixty-four percent of Indiana voters and 67 percent of North Carolina voters thought Clinton attacked her opponent unfairly, while only 44 percent in Indiana and 40 percent in North Carolina thought that Obama unfairly attacked Clinton.

Looking ahead to the general election, CBS News exit polling showed that the majority of voters said that they would not be satisfied if the Democratic candidate they did not support were to become the nominee. Only 35 percent of Clinton voters in Indiana and 34 percent in North Carolina said they would be satisfied with Obama. Forty percent of Obama voters in Indiana and 45 percent in North Carolina would be satisfied if Clinton becomes the Democratic nominee.

Obama was seen as the candidate with the best chance at beating presumptive Republican nominee John McCain in the general election. Forty-seven percent of voters in Indiana thought that Clinton could beat McCain, while 50 percent thought that Obama could win in November. In North Carolina, 39 percent thought that Clinton could beat McCain and 55 percent thought that Obama could beat the Arizona senator.

Obama had 1,844 delegates to 1,688 for Clinton in the latest CBS News delegate count. 2,025 are needed for the party's nomination.

In Indiana, Clinton was leading Obama with 38 delegates to Obama's 34. In North Carolina, Obama was ahead 65 to 47.

[galloglaigh]

Besides that, I don''''t think HIllary''''s much interested in being a part of a Nation of Islam and liberation theology agenda.
Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 09:09 AM : May 08, 2008
_________________

Typical post of the uneducated and illiterate. They believe everything they read on the internet. It''s no effing wonder Bush got elected---twice!!

[rowdytexan2]

Maybe Obama should toss The Great White Hope a bone also. With all the bitter, bashing, the Clintons did on Obama & Reverend Wright and the American People.


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

Posted by pepperwood2 at 05:56 AM : May 08, 2008

Even if he offers a vice presidency, I hope she turns him down. Why should her hard work be used to his credit, after he has attempted to tear down the totally successful democratic administration she helped make successful!

Obamanation needs to grow up and handle it himself instead of riding on someone elses coat tails!

Besides that, I don''t think HIllary''s much interested in being a part of a Nation of Islam and liberation theology agenda.

[pepperwood2]

I realize that it is a bit premature, but it is extraordinary that many think that HRC should be offered the VP by Obama, if that be the case.

Hillary has made it quite clear, least we forget, that she''s in it to win it and would not accept lesser role. In the years that William Jefferson Clinton was president he would toss the Blacks a token post from time to time. Guess what, they remember the Rwandan Genocide that Wild Bill was part of. What a schemer and they''re not done yet. Sooooo sad!

Maybe Obama should toss The Great White Hope a bone also. With all the bitter, bashing, the Clintons did on Obama & Reverend Wright and the American People.

[truthyness]

Traiters, Backstabbers and Turncoats.

[tbweb]

tbweb, You loooooved Hillary!! Remember????

Throw Hillary under the bus!!!

Throw the Democratic Party under the bus..

We be going to da BLACK HOUSE soon!!!

Posted by truthyness at 12:05 AM : May 08, 2008,,,

I must be a rare bird because I like Clinton, Obama and McCain. If War is in America''s future I support McCain, if peace a Democrat, doesn''t matter Obama or Clinton! But Clinton seems to know how to win and not how to lose, I don''t like the Clintons when they are down and losing, they fight dirty, right now probably looking for a new Rev. Wright to use against Sen. Obama, that kind of political gamesmanship blows like Bills Monica!

[truthyness]

traiters, backstabbers and turncoats!!!

[truthyness]

tbweb, You loooooved Hillary!! Remember????

Throw Hillary under the bus!!!

Throw the Democratic Party under the bus..



We be going to da BLACK HOUSE soon!!!

[tbweb]

Thanks a lot Black Democrates,

Hillary WAS a sure win all the way!

Posted by truthyness at 11:28 PM : May 07, 2008,,,

Sen. Clinton and her husbands uncontrollable mouth cost her support with the African-American community! First of all former Pres. Bill Clinton is not even running for President and should not be so active and visible in his wifes campaign that he overshadows her and steals most of her headlines! Its an unwritten rule that former Presidents not get involved with future Presidential campaigns and Bill Clinton has shattered those rules! Insulting Dr. Martin Luther King intended or not turned off the Black community at a time when Sen. Clinton was leading Sen. Obama by 52% to 48%, YOUR racist assertion that Blacks are overwhelmingly supporting Sen. Obama for no other reason than racism is ill informed, not factual and disgusting. The sore-loser Clintons know what they did to cause their lost of support among African-Americans!

[gce65]

CBS:
What''s with your LIMP coverage of the House Judiciary Committee''s subpoena of Cheney''s Chief of Staff DAVID ADDINGTON and others??? You wrote a very short 4 or 5 sentence story!

What, is the budget that tight in the CBS newsroom? Can''t spare a political reporter for the day?

This is the next Scooter Libby indictment case!!!

[truthyness]

Thanks a lot Black Democrates,

Hillary WAS a sure win all the way!

[rhs648]

I promise I won''''t riot.I just won''''t vote for Hillary.You won''''t support Obama,to hell with Hillary.From what I''''ve been hearing about the way people are voting,all of you can go to hell with her.We don''''t need you.My dog could run against the republicans and win this year.Even the republicans would vote for him,LOL!

Posted by jesterbelle

jesterbelle - Go beyond the candidates. The rules are suppose to apply to all candidates, not just favorite candidates. Presidents come and go and candidates come and go. Some principles such as every vote counts should transcend the candidates. The same applies to political party rules. Should rules vary according to the candidate or apply to all candidates election after election? As for the Republicans, to write them off is naive. Voters in the general elections will have the opportunity to choose between a Democrat and a Republican and anyone else on the ballot. Primaries are for democrats to choose a candidate and for Republicans to choose a candidate. The actual choice for president will be made by the American people whether they are Democrats, Republicans, or Independents.

[tbweb]

Americans have been getting lost in the American forest and no longer see the American trees if I can use an analogy, hard to elaborate on with only 1500 characters. There are so many divisions, special interest and now add a new Global Economy to complicate matters further. Level 1 is simply being an American, the forest, Level 2, Democrats, Republicans and other divisions, the trees. People are debating but forgetting to pop back up to Level 1, remaining stuck and lost in their Level 2 divisions, forgetting to be true Americans, forgetting to do whats best for America, remaining Republicans and Democrats "only" no matter what! When this election is over, Senators Clinton, McCain and Obama will still need to work together, still be Americans, lets not burn any bridges beyond repair! Sen. Clinton should plan her end game strategy with respect and class and she will receive respect and class in return.

[lefeaoux]

IllinoisVote ... you are just a moron!

[illinoisvote]

Michelle''s employer, Valerie Jarrett Chair Univ. of Chicago Medical Center Board & Chair of Exec. Committee, & Vice-Chair Univ. Board of Trustees.

Jarrett served on Obama''s US Senate campaign finance committee & on Obama''s presidential campaign finance committee & Alex Giannoulias & Mayor Daley''s brother Bill.

Political mafia of IL plans to move Chicago
corruption to Wash.DC in U-Haul hooked up to their
candidate.

If Obama is nominee, GOP will unleash expose of Obama that will make swift boat attacks against John Kerry trivial. They won''t have to make lies because truth will be on their side.

Board Games investigation reveal corruption
Chicago Loop to O''Hare Airport to IL Tollway, to bid-rigging Iraqi Nadhmi Auchi, owns General Mediterranean Holdings, conglomerate with investments all over world in defense contractors to pharmaceuticals, center of schemes.

[illinoisvote]

Michelle''s employer, Valerie Jarrett Chair Univ. of Chicago Medical Center Board & Chair of Exec. Committee, & Vice-Chair Univ. Board of Trustees.

Jarrett served on Obama''s US Senate campaign finance committee & on Obama''s presidential campaign finance committee & Alex Giannoulias & Mayor Daley''s brother Bill.

Political mafia of IL plans to move Chicago
corruption to Wash.DC in U-Haul hooked up to their
candidate.

If Obama is nominee, GOP will unleash expose of Obama that will make swift boat attacks against John Kerry trivial. They won''t have to make lies because truth will be on their side.

Board Games investigation reveal corruption
Chicago Loop to O''Hare Airport to IL Tollway, to bid-rigging Iraqi billionaire, Nadhmi Auchi, owns General Mediterranean Holdings, conglomerate with investments all over world in defense contractors to pharmaceuticals, center of schemes.

[illinoisvote]

Michelle''s employer, Valerie Jarrett Chair Univ. of Chicago Medical Center Board & Chair of Exec. Committee, & Vice-Chair Univ. Board of Trustees.

Jarrett served on Obama''s US Senate campaign finance committee & on Obama''s presidential campaign finance committee & Alex Giannoulias & Mayor Daley''s brother Bill.

Political mafia of IL plans to move Chicago
corruption to Washington in U-Haul hooked up to their
candidate.

If Obama is nominee, GOP will unleash expose of Obama that will make swift boat attacks against John Kerry trivial. They won''t have to make lies because truth will be on their side.

Board Games investigation reveal corruption
Chicago Loop to O''Hare Airport to IL Tollway, to bid-rigging Iraqi billionaire, Nadhmi Auchi, owns General Mediterranean Holdings, conglomerate with investments all over world in defense contractors to pharmaceuticals, center of schemes.

[illinoisvote]

Michelle''s employer, Valerie Jarrett appointed Chair Univ. of Chicago Medical Center Board & Chair of Exec. Committee, & Vice-Chair Univ. Board of Trustees.

Jarrett served on Obama''s US Senate campaign finance committee & on Obama''s presidential campaign finance committee & Alex Giannoulias & Mayor Daley''s brother Bill.

Political mafia of IL plans to move Chicago
corruption to Washington in U-Haul hooked up to their
candidate.

If Obama is nominee, GOP will unleash expose of Obama that will make swift boat attacks against John Kerry trivial. They won''t have to make lies because truth will be on their side.

Board Games investigation reveal corruption
Chicago Loop to O''Hare Airport to IL Tollway, to bid-rigging Iraqi billionaire, Nadhmi Auchi, owns General Mediterranean Holdings, conglomerate with investments all over world in defense contractors to pharmaceuticals, center of schemes.

[illinoisvote]

Michelle''s employer, "Valerie Jarrett appointed Chair Univ. of Chicago Medical Center Board & Chair of Exec. Committee, & Vice-Chair Univ. Board of Trustees."

Jarrett served on Obama''s US Senate campaign finance committee & serves on Obama''s presidential campaign finance committee & Alex Giannoulias & Mayor Daley''s brother Bill.

Political mafia of IL plans to move Chicago
corruption to Washington in U-Haul hooked up to their
candidate.

If Obama is nominee, GOP will unleash expose of Obama that will make swift boat attacks against John Kerry trivial. They won''t have to make lies because truth will be on their side.

Board Games investigation reveal corruption
Chicago Loop to O''Hare Airport to IL Tollway, to bid-rigging Iraqi billionaire, Nadhmi Auchi, owns General Mediterranean Holdings, conglomerate with investments all over world in defense contractors to pharmaceuticals, center of schemes.

[illinoisvote]

Michelle''s employer, "Valerie Jarrett appointed Chair Univ. of Chicago Medical Center Board & Chair of Exec. Committee, & Vice-Chair Univ. Board of Trustees."

Jarrett served on Obama''s US Senate campaign finance committee & serves on Obama''s presidential campaign finance committee & Alex Giannoulias & Mayor Daley''s brother Bill.

Political mafia of IL plans to move Chicago
corruption to Washington in U-Haul hooked up to their
candidate.

If Obama is nominee, GOP will unleash expose of Obama that will make swift boat attacks against John Kerry trivial. They won''t have to make lies because truth will be on their side.

Board Games investigation reveal corruption
Chicago Loop to O''Hare Airport to IL Tollway, to bid-rigging with Iraqi billionaire, Nadhmi Auchi, owns General Mediterranean Holdings, conglomerate with investments all over world in defense contractors to pharmaceuticals, center of schemes.

[illinoisvote]

6/13/06, Michelle''s employer, "Valerie Jarrett appointed Chair Univ. of Chicago Medical Center Board & Chair of Exec. Committee, & Vice-Chair Univ. Board of Trustees."

Jarrett served on Obama''s US Senate campaign finance committee & serves on Obama''s presidential campaign finance committee with Alex Giannoulias & Mayor Daley''s brother Bill.

Political mafia of IL plans to move Chicago
corruption to Washington in U-Haul hooked up to their
candidate. Americans will vote for McCain or not at all.

If Obama is nominee, GOP will unleash expose of Obama that will make swift boat attacks against John Kerry trivial. They won''t have to make lies because truth will be on their side.

Board Games investigation reveal corruption
Chicago Loop to O''Hare Airport to IL Tollway, to bid-rigging with Iraqi billionaire, Nadhmi Auchi, owns General Mediterranean Holdings, conglomerate with investments all over world in defense contractors to pharmaceuticals, center of schemes.