Obama Has Edge In Montana, Poll Says

The Illinois Senator Has Done Well In the Rocky Mountain States; Montana Could Put Him Over The Top

(AP)  The Rocky Mountain region represents friendly terrain for Barack Obama, who is angling to add Montana to his string of victories on Tuesday.

Demographically, the state would seem to suit rival Hillary Rodham Clinton almost perfectly - overwhelmingly white and rural. But political observers and a statewide poll suggest Obama has the advantage here.

The Illinois senator has outperformed Clinton in Rocky Mountain states, winning contests in Colorado, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming. Clinton won Arizona and a cliffhanger in New Mexico.

Only 16 delegates are at stake in Montana's primary, but depending on several other factors - what the Democratic National Committee rules panel decides this weekend about seating Florida and Michigan delegations and Puerto Rico's primary Sunday - the state could put Obama over the top for the nomination. He was about 40 delegates shy of victory on Friday.

South Dakota holds its primary the same day, but Montana's polls close an hour later, giving the state bragging rights to the finale in an epic marathon that has stretched from Jan. 3 to June 3, pausing in every state and spanning the globe as Americans living in dozens of countries cast ballots.

Clinton hopes wins in Montana and South Dakota will help persuade some of the nearly 200 yet-to-be-claimed superdelegates - elected officials and party leaders awarded a vote at the Democratic National Convention by virtue of their positions - to side with her and carry her campaign to the convention in August.

Three of Montana's eight superdelegates have endorsed Obama, while the rest say the outcome of the primary will help shape their decision.

More than 90 percent of Montana's residents are white and less than 75 percent have completed at least four years of college. The largest minority, American Indians, comprise about 7 percent of the population. Those are similar to demographics Clinton owned in earlier primaries.

But voters here may not fit the mold of the rural, working-class voters that backed Clinton in Appalachian and Rust Belt states. A recent poll showed Obama with a 17-point lead in Montana, although 13 percent of likely Democratic voters were still undecided.

Obama hopes a Montana victory will convince doubters that he can sway rural, white voters and compete against Republican John McCain in the Mountain West, where guns and the economy are key. Some political strategists contend Democrats have an opportunity to move three Rocky Mountain states - Colorado, Montana and New Mexico - into their column in the general election.

"The West shows in great contrast that Obama does appeal to this demographic they claim we don't do well with," said Obama state director Gabe Cohen.

Clinton's campaign has again turned to small towns, a strategy that has worked well in other states. Former President Bill Clinton has made five trips across Montana, stopping in places such as Havre and Lewistown that have never experienced such attention from a high profile political figure.

"If you add all the undecideds to her column, then you've got something approximating a dead tie in Montana," said Kenneth Bickers, a University of Colorado political analyst who has been tracking the race. "And at this point, she can't just tie. She has to beat him."

Clinton supporters are quick to point out that she does much better in primaries than in caucuses. And Clinton could benefit from her appeal to more conservative voters, another demographic she has courted.

Montana has a high percentage of gun owners, although it's hard to say who that would help - or hurt.

Gun owners remember, generally with disdain, the gun control measures of the Clinton administration. But Obama has gun control baggage of his own, which resurfaced after he was heard saying rural voters in small Pennsylvania towns "cling to guns and religion." In recent weeks, he has been trying to convince Western voters that "sensible" gun control won't get in the way of their traditions.

Political scientist Craig Wilson of Montana State University-Billings said he thinks Obama's comments about rural voters could be damaging in Montana.

"Some of that took a little luster off that big charisma," Wilson said.

But Obama may benefit from an early start in the state: He was first to open local campaign offices and was alone running TV ads until Clinton recently launched her first spot in the state.

The primary is open to all voters, and the Democratic race is expected to attract crossover Republicans and independent voters.

"It will probably be the independents who decide which way it goes," Wilson said.

[jhcowboy]

The Native Americans know an inspired man and they know that the Spirit rests with Barack. He has the wisdom, the heart, the integrity and the strength to lead this nation in a way that is powerful as one of the greatest presidents this nation has ever known. My home state of Wyoming voted for Barack and so will Montana. Wyoming is primarily white folks so the demographics argument is stupid. I''m a white 4th generation Wyoming native who''s ancestors were early settlers in Wyoming. So where do you put my demographics? Barack Obama is the man for the job and he will win the fall election against McCain who is a man who''s Ideals need to be thrown into the dustbin of the past. Also I am a gun owner and I have no fear that Barack would ever consider taking my 2nd amendment rights away. He supports responsible gun ownership.

[nanging3]

...Obamas plan to DISARM USA
NOW PUT THIS TOGETHER WITH THIS !

%u201CWhile visiting that mercurial miscreant Libyan strongman Col. Muammar Qaddafi,
Farrakhan and Wright, struck a deal which secured millions of dollars from Libya
to lobby
for the secession of part of the United States. The goal is the formation of a
separate black nation on the North American Continent replete with a 500,000 man
army and nuclear weapons. %u201C

JIHAD !!!

[nanging3]

Obamas wants your Guns !!

OBAMA is standing in front of the camera himself for 52 seconds explaining how he will disarm the USA.

What we are talking about here IS NOT about politics and the differing
views concerning issues.....this is about the potential literal destruction of
this country by our enemies and our inability to defend ourselves against those
attacks.

This is a very short (52 seconds) video by Barak Obama in his own words
about how he plans to destroy our defense capabilities if elected.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl32Y7wDVDs

[nanging3]

and Obama himself in his own words%u2026 before TUCC%u2026.

Malcolm X%u2019s autobiography seemed to offer something different,%u201D Obama wrote.
%u201CHis repeated acts of self-creation spoke to me; the blunt poetry of his
words,
his unadorned insistence on respect, promised a new and uncompromising order,
martial in its discipline, forged through sheer force of will.%u201D

While working as a community organizer for a group of churches in Chicago,
Obama
was repeatedly asked to join Christian congregations, but begged off.

How can this man represent all Americans ?

[nanging3]

Obama just doesn%u2019t get it%u2026 He needs to explain theses beliefs and stop insulting
Christians by claiming to be one..This is not Christianity !!

The Obamas have practiced Black
Theology from the writing of Marxist, James H. Cone%u2026 for 20 years !!!

this is what his church taught his daughters on Sundays%u2026

%u201CBlack theology refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the
goals of the black community. If God is not for us and against white people,
then he is a murderer and we had better kill him. The task of black theology is
to kill gods who do not belong to the black community. Black theology will
accept only the love of God which participates in the destruction of the white
enemy. What we need is the divine love as expressed in black power which is the
power of black people to destroy their oppressors here and now by any means at
their disposal. Unless God is participating in his holy activity, we must reject
his love.%u201D

[nanging3]

Petition to remove Pfleger at
www.thepetitionsite.com/1/removable-of-father-michael-pfleger

[oldwhiteguy1]

Obama gave Hillary a free ride since March-he has not attacked her. He gave her a ''place in the spotlight to make her curtain calls''. To use a sports metaphor, why ''run up the score in the last quarter''. The victory was his- so in favor of party unity why should he just destroy her? He instead went after McCain...
To many Clinton supporters this was a ''weakness'' on Obama''s part.In fact it points out his strength. If you have the upper hand why rattle sabres?
Now that this primary season is ending, we, the Democrats, need to come together. With 35+ million voters who voted Dem. that is an awesome number...with it WE the Americans can take back America from the big buck interests who have hung us out to dry.
Enough- no more hatred in the blogs/posts. Starting tomorrow WE ARE THE DEMOCRATS. CHANGE WE ALL CAN BELIEVE IN-YES "WE" CAN...

[crowgirl2]

Hey lady, you must from the scum of the earth, I am not going to say anything more to you, you must ugly
inside and out. I consider myself better not to stoop
to someone so low. Goodbye & Good Riddance. Obama will
prevail.

[doreenb8]

Are you saying that sitting in a racist church for 20 years but not hearing anything that was said or working with a terrorist on a board or earmarking funds for a friend''s church or being involved with a business associate who is about to be convicted or a wife that preaches hatred this is not a forked tongue? He is not going to do anything for you...he is a politition in an empty suit.

[crowgirl2]

We are not voting for him because he has the popular
vote, we are voting for him because he makes better
sense, and a better candidate, and he does not speak
with a forked tongue.

[doreenb8]

Are you telling me you are voting for him because he came to see you. That is intelligent. I always thought the first Americans were smart people and could smell a snake in the grass..dig deeper; this is about America, not a popularity contest.

[crowgirl2]

Hey all you fellow American''s, I am proud to be a Crow Native today tomorrow and forever, we are not
HAMAS people, we are the first americans, and we if
decide that OBAMA is the best candidate, he came to
our Crow Indian Reservation, to show that he cares about Native Americans, we will vote for him, and like everyone is saying, we will be the last to close
on election day and we will be one to push Obama over
to be the nominee. No other Presidential candidate
has ever come to our Crow Indian Reservation in Montana. Our tribe has over 10,000 members. I only
saw two Crow Tribal members at Hillary''s campaign.

[doreenb8]

AntGA..I think it can be argued that both candidates have been less than honest..like I said it is not even about them anymore; it is about winning in November.
And for the record it was the voters in MI & FLA that felt they were robbed and those voters who pressured the DNC to count their votes.
And frankly; politics is a nasty, nasty sport. There are a lot of unscrupulous and down right mean people that play. A candidate that has experience playing with republicans and WILL DO ANYTHING to win has a better shot of winning.

[antga]

HEY DOREEN... .Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. Clinton has done everything she can (pander, beg, borrow and steal) to take this election. I like how she acknowledged earlier this year that MI and FL were not in the mix because they violated DNC rules, and that it would take 2026 to win. But now they ARE in the mix and it''s SO UNFAIR that she can''t have a shot at those poor delegates... Yeah - changed the rules as you go, Clinton... do anything to win - typical less than honest person she is.

[doreenb8]

Obama''s campaign has been a masterful marketing campaign designed to sell a product (Obama). A lot of people bought. The problem is no matter how great the hype for the product if it turns out to be a bad product people will not buy it twice.
Please Montana think long and hard about which candidate can really win in November. Do you trust the republicans? Is there a "Whitey video" "Obama *** video" "drug use video". I believe there is. Do you remember the sick feeling of losing in 2000 and in 2004? We are making the same mistake again. This is not even about Obama or Hillary any more it is about America. I can see the waters parting and the swift boats approaching they are coming for Obama. We need to win. Please vote for Hillary!!! God bless all in Montana; I am praying you make the right decision.

[taina08]

Montana and South Dakota will make history on June 2. They know that Barack Obama tried every tactic to push Hillary out of the race and cancel the primaries in important states. Democracy?

Hillary and her supporters believe on inclusion: all states and territories should have the opportunity to vote.

Hillary is the most knowledgeable, experienced, and strongest candidate. I''m confident in her ability to implement her proposals. She will restore peace and prosperity.

What do we know about Obama? I believe he has not told the truth about his beliefs.

Voters in South Dakota and Montana! Do your own research on Obama. The DNC and the media has not scrutinized Obama in the same way they scrutinez Hillary. What does Obama really believe? What are his relevant accomplishments? Who are his associates? What proof is there of his qualifications for the job of president? Who were/are his donors?

Obama has had a significant cash advantage over Hillary Clinton during this campaign. From the outset he had biased support of media pundits. Afraid of being labeled "racist" they (media) have not questioned his ability, track record, and personal beliefs. Frankly, I question his sense of loyalty and veracity as well.

Obama outspent Hillary in every state. Think about all the millions he spent in advertisement, rallies, lawyers, advisors, and bloggers; he was not able to significantly get ahead in the popular vote.

Make history: Vote for Hillary on June 3.

[minnick8-2009]

As for his race - THEY''''LL GET OVER IT. When a rancher has to choose between a black man an obnoxious city liar like Hillary, the black man has a pretty good chance of winning.
Posted by txgrouch2004

I take hope in the 1972 Democratic Convention in which Goerge McGovern was the Messiah that year. Democrats were so excited that McGovern was going to be elected and stop the war. In the general election, McGovern lost by a landslide.

I love Hillary for keeping the Democratic party divided, and I look forward to John McCain winning in November.

[vanesa4]

Go forward, Obama!!! It''s exciting to see you approaching the magic number!!!

[minnick8-2009]

Political scientist Craig Wilson of Montana State University-Billings said he thinks Obama''s comments about rural voters could be damaging in Montana.
From article above.

I certainly hope so. It is hard for me to believe that people in Montana are also duped by Obama.

[renonv5]

Obama can''t be trusted!
Obama must go!
Why is he still in the race??

txgrouch2004 give it up