Kentucky's Primary Favors Clinton

Bluegrass State Demographics Likely To Help Candidate Rack Up Sizable Victory Over Obama

(AP)  Add a shot of whiskey and a pinch of tobacco and, politically, Kentucky is a lot like neighboring West Virginia - Clinton country.

Both states are overwhelmingly white, largely rural and have a greater share of residents below the poverty line and without college degrees than the nation as whole.

And, as she did in West Virginia, Hillary Rodham Clinton is expected to rack up a sizable victory in Kentucky's May 20 Democratic primary against front-runner Barack Obama, who is hoping to counter with a win on more favorable turf in Oregon the same day.

Clinton's track record gives her a strong advantage in Kentucky. Whites have favored Clinton over Obama by 55 percent to 40 percent, rural voters 51-43, and voters without college degrees 52-44 in exit polls from 26 competitive primaries.

Obama is strong among urban dwellers and rural blacks, giving him a fighting chance among voters in Louisville, the state's largest city, but little hope elsewhere, voting trends in other states indicate.

“Obama doesn't have much of a natural constituency in Kentucky,” said Michael Baranowski, a political scientist at Northern Kentucky University. “Really, everything works in Clinton's favor.”

One difference between the Rust Belt states that Clinton has won recently - Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana - and Kentucky is that the Bluegrass State has mostly benefited from trade with China.

Kentucky farmers grow tobacco for Chinese smokers. Distillery workers produce the world-famous bourbon whiskey, including Maker's Mark and Wild Turkey, that Chinese drinkers relish. In all, the state does more than $300 billion worth of business with China each year, according to the Kentucky World Trade Center in Lexington.

Clinton and Obama have appealed to blue-collar workers with promises to reopen trade agreements to include stronger labor and environmental protections. But Clinton has taken a harder line on China, suggesting that Bush should not attend opening ceremonies for this year's Olympic Games because of human rights abuses.

A record 2.8 million Kentuckians are registered to vote in the primary election. Of those, 1.6 million are Democrats. And, despite the close presidential primary, the number of new registered voters hasn't skyrocketed. In the past six months, 16,000 people have registered, 13,000 of them as Democrats.

Records from the Kentucky Board of Elections show that 53 percent of the state's registered voters are women, a demographic that has played in Clinton's favor in other states. Kentucky doesn't track party registrants by race, but blacks make up only 7.4 percent of the state's population compared with 12.4 percent nationally - a far smaller minority voting bloc than in other Southern states carried by Obama.

And Kentucky voters are slightly older than voters nationally, another advantage for Clinton.

Clinton has won the endorsement of three of Kentucky's Democratic superdelegates. Obama has been endorsed by two, both Democratic congressmen representing the state's two largest cities. Three other superdelegates remain undecided.

Both candidates have opened campaign offices across the state. Clinton has campaigned in Kentucky, as have her husband and daughter. Until this week when he held a huge rally in Louisville, Obama hadn't visited the state this year, but he's running ads in all Kentucky TV markets.

Political scientist Kendra Stewart at Eastern Kentucky University said Kentucky voters are interested largely in the same issues as their counterparts across the country - the economy, fuel prices, health care and Iraq. Kentuckians struggle with joblessness, especially in the impoverished mountain communities in the eastern half of the state. That population is also hit hardest by the price of gasoline, and more likely be without health care benefits.

Steve Earl, a union representative for the United Mine Workers of America, is convinced that the economy is the overriding issue, and that voters will make their decision based on who they think is best able to bring change.

“People are struggling across the state,” he said.

Economic policy and energy policy are intertwined in Kentucky, where the coal mining industry employees 21,000, according to the National Mining Association.

Both Obama and Clinton have rallied environmentally-minded voters in other states with their promises to develop windmills, solar power and other renewable energy sources and order mandatory reductions in greenhouse gases from power plants to counter global warming.

It's a stance that would seem to target coal, which produces half the country's electricity but also nearly 2 billion tons of carbon dioxide, the leading greenhouse gas, each year.

Instead, “clean coal” - which environmentalists say is a contradiction - has become the mantra of both candidates.

On fuel prices, Clinton has advocated a summer gas tax holiday - an idea Obama opposes and one that has been widely panned by a range of influential economists.

With two large military installations - Fort Campbell and Fort Knox - Kentucky also has a big stake in the war in Iraq, but the issue may not be huge in the state's primary, Stewart said. Clinton and Obama have taken similar stands, each calling for withdrawing troops from Iraq.

Stewart said Clinton's support among churchgoers in other states bodes well for her in Kentucky. Clinton has done especially well among Catholic voters, which, Stewart said, could help her offset Obama's support among blacks in Louisville, one of the state's strongest Catholic communities.

One of the things that make Kentucky politics exciting, Stewart said, is its unpredictability.

“Kentucky's so unique since we don't have a solid identity,” she said. “We aren't for sure a southern state, and we're not a midwestern state. So, at times, it can be difficult to make these generalizations.”

[blackmilitan]

I BLAME OBAMA WHITE MOTHER AND WHITE GRANDPARENTS, ITS THEIR FAULT.

1. His WHITE MOTHER taught him he could be anything he wants %u2013 despite the reality that America is racist to the core %u2013 how dare they do that to him.
2. How dare his WHITE MOTHER love a black man and have a child with him at a time when the rest of white America hated blacks %u2013 how dare they do that to our (UNITED) STATES OF AMERICA.
3. How dare his WHITE grandparents love him and teach him good values. What type of WHITE grandparents would do such a thing?
4. Why would his WHITE MOTHER allow this mixed child to even think he could one day be a lawyer or a doctor or a President? They should have raised him to be a thug, a criminal, a drug addict not a good person %u2013 Dayum them.
5. His WHITE MOTHER worked on her doctorate degree instead of staying on welfare,. dayum this WHITE WOMEN.
6. His WHITE MOTHER gave him a life experience by traveling the world, why would any WHITE WOMEN care about their son that way? What is wrong with WHITE WOMEN?
7. His WHITE MOTHER left him at an early at dying from cancer, and he promised her he would make her proud. Why would a man love his mom that much?
8. His WHITE grandparents taught him values, loved him, yes he made some mistake but their values held out. Why would two WHITE grandparents love a black child so much %u2013 how dare them love a black child%u2026...who the hell, do they think they are?

[obamaslady]

Kentuckians are the twin illiterate racists of W. Virginians, so what else is new?

[blkpresident]

A new rock group, "lil'' missy(Hillary)& The Moonshine Band", is forming sometime this Summer. Seems all they do is sit around sipping moonshine in hillbillie country and pipe dream about a girl becoming president, smirk. Good-night John Boy, Ellie Mae, Uncle Jed, Granny, Cousin Jethro, Hee-Haw, etc....bunch of inbred weenies.

[omaar-101]

call me, when Clinton EVENS-SURPASSES Obama..Please

Until that Mystical, Majical, Majestical Moment Happens, You Clintonites, are Blowing Sand out of Your A!!`s !!!


Total Delegate Count

Democrats | 2,025 Needed to Clinch

OBAMA (1,881)

CLINTON 1,711

EDWARDS 18

Republicans | 1,191 Needed to Clinch

MCCAIN 1,337

HUCKABEE 231

ROMNEY 149

CBS News estimates. Includes super delegates.

[omaar-101]

Obama Won in these States below.

North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Missp. Virginia, Texas, Iowa, Louisiana, and Soon...


Oregon, will send a Different Message, to.. YOU !!



Opertaion (Chaos) Failed, because it did not Deliver the (D) Nominee for that 3 Times Divorced, Illegal Prescription Drug Addicted, Rush LimBaugh Wanted, he wanted....

Hillary Clinton

1. Instead, (Chaos) Garnered Barack Obama as the Candidate of the Democratic Party !!


2. Anne Coulter, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, all Wanted Hillary Clinton...Hands Down !!

Note: NC & Indiana...Blew it for them !!!


3. (R) Anne Coulter: Is on the Clinton Campaign Staff, which Tells You a lot...

The Repugnicans Wanted Hillary`s A!! as the Nominee not Obama and Still Do, as well as the Racist Factions in this Country.

4.Bill Clinton said Hillary had to Win BOTH North Carolina & Indiana Convincingly


5. Bill Clinton also said, Hillary would have to Win in (W.Virginia) by 80-90%

6. Bill Clinton`s W. Virginia Percentage Points, were quoted by All the Mass Media outlets, like Fox News, CNN, NBC, CBS and other Media.

The More Bill Assumes, the More he Dooms Hillary.

[omaar-101]

Call me, when Clinton EVENS-SURPASSES Obama..Please

Obama`s getting Ever more Closer to the Majical NUMBER !!

Until that Mystical, Majical, Majestical Moment Happens, You Clintonites, are Blowing Sand out of Your A!!`s !!!


Total Delegate Count

Democrats | 2,025 Needed to Clinch

OBAMA (1,881)

CLINTON 1,711

EDWARDS 18

Republicans | 1,191 Needed to Clinch

MCCAIN 1,337

HUCKABEE 231

ROMNEY 149

CBS News estimates. Includes super delegates.

[omaar-101]

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90381052

Delegate Math Favors Obama

But increasingly, the superdelegates are moving into the Obama camp. (He gained 30 in just the past week), negating any advantage Clinton might have had from the (16) or more pledged delegates she won in West Virginia.

So while the drubbing in West Virginia may be embarrassing for Obama, he still leads Clinton by any tangible measurement: pledged delegates, superdelegates and the popular vote, and there just aren''t enough contests left for her to catch up.

NOTE: And while Obama is setting new fundraising records, Clinton''s campaign debt is estimated to be more than $20 million and rising.

In a conference call Tuesday, Roy Romer, a superdelegate and former chair of the Democratic Party, announced his support for Obama, saying, "This race, I believe, is over." It''s up to Clinton, he said, to decide when to drop out.

[omaar-101]

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90381052


The Demographic Story

West Virginia''s voters are typical of those that have been drawn to Clinton from the beginning.

The state is 96 percent white.

Only Florida has a Higher Percentage of Seniors.

Big Note: A Mere (16 Percent of West Virginians hold a College Degree), the Lowest Percentage in the Nation, and (25 Percent Lack a High School Diploma.

West Virginia also Ranks near the Bottom Nationally in Median Household Income.

Those are the Reasons she faired Well.

[erasmus81]

"Three other superdelegates remain undecided."

Well, I am hoping they side with Hillary.:)

[greatdrivew]

"Kentucky''s Primary Favors Clinton?"

Who cares?! The primary is over.

Plus, if Kentucky wants to align itself with the ignorant racists of West Virginia, then that''s Kentucky''s problem.

We the People are moving forward with or without the consent of racist states.

[truthyness]

Vote for a REAL AMERICAN.

If not Hillary, then John McCain!!

[Lai K W]

If there are so many voters are still out there waiting to be heard, why would the election be finished right now? The party is making up excuses not to include these states in nomination.

The party is for the people and not vice versa. Anyone thinks otherwise is not democratic.

Of course, the longer it takes, the stronger our lady looks, the worse BO appears to be. Don''t we want to know the candidate well before jumping the gun.

This is common sense. I think the party is crazy, the media pundits are crazy, the superdelegates are sub delegates who do not recognize their role. Perhaps they just cover their tail. It is a ridiculous election primary.

Lucky that our lady insists to fight on which does the people a great service. The party must apologize, the sub-delegates must apologize and many politicians are ugly to behold.

The gallant lady should win. BO is breaking apart and is in a self-destruction mode. May the strongest win. It is Hillary with facts and evidences.

The party should be responsible if they choose BO and lose by landslides. All the democratic leaders should resign for their discriminations and biases.

[Lai K W]

There are many more voters who are typically drawn to Hillary too. Are we going to ignore their existence in general election? It is ridiculous arguments that have been raised and do not hold water; just hot air.

Hillary have more voters on her side at this moment. More and more shall come in and BO is weaker and weaker. He is making more and more mistakes. He does not have common sense and do not know simple facts. 57 states and Arabic translator!!!

He is not electable because he can''t connect to all Americans.

Vote for Americans not for the party. Hillary or McCain.

[jack3213]

Typical scams from a woman named Clinton and newbie called Obama who know how to lie like the experts they are- Denial and gullibility are traits Americans are perfecting. You think Bush is a liar- just vote for either of the two Democrats- that have you so convinced "change" is coming for ''the good''- your head will spin worse than the media does. lol.

[pepita7]

The Clintons have their own personal Agenda , this is a fight to their death .........otherwise how would they explain it to those who they have promised they can have more pardons in exchange of $$$$$$$$$$

FLASH NEWS :

The Clintons'' 2006 tax return shows that, through a blind trust, the couple acquired an interest of an undisclosed size in a private investment fund known as the Quellos Alpha Engine, based in the Cayman Islands. At the time, the fund was controlled by the Quellos Group of Seattle, one of the world''s largest managers of mutual funds made up of hedge funds. Hollywood mogul Haim Saban is one of the biggest investors in Quellos and is also one of Hillary Clinton''s most prolific fundraisers. A 2006 investigation into abusive tax shelters by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations reported that Quellos used offshore shell companies to engage in fake transactions that generated billions of dollars in capital losses on paper. One series of transactions, the report said, erased more than $2 billion in capital gains that would have been taxed, costing the U.S. Treasury hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.

[pepita7]

The Clintons'' 2006 tax return shows that, through a blind trust, the couple acquired an interest of an undisclosed size in a private investment fund known as the Quellos Alpha Engine, based in the Cayman Islands. At the time, the fund was controlled by the Quellos Group of Seattle, one of the world''s largest managers of mutual funds made up of hedge funds. Hollywood mogul Haim Saban is one of the biggest investors in Quellos and is also one of Hillary Clinton''s most prolific fundraisers. A 2006 investigation into abusive tax shelters by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations reported that Quellos used offshore shell companies to engage in fake transactions that generated billions of dollars in capital losses on paper. One series of transactions, the report said, erased more than $2 billion in capital gains that would have been taxed, costing the U.S. Treasury hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.

[pepita7]

The Clintons have their own personal Agenda , this is a fight to their death .........otherwise how would they explain it to those who they have promised they can have more pardons in exchange of $$$$$$$$$$

look up Peter Paul and the Clintons and learn what they do not want you to know !

[eroosevelt08]

''Sweetie'' was in Obama''s subconscious about women or it would never have come out of his mouth. That is disgusting and disprectful to women.