As Clinton lengthens Pennsylvania lead, candidates head elsewhere
The April 22 primary in Pennsylvania, the state with the most delegates up for grabs left, looms as the next big Democratic showdown.
But neither Hillary Clinton nor Barack Obama will be there today. Instead, they are already looking ahead to the next contests in May.
Clinton plans three stops today in Indiana, which votes May 6 with 72 delegates at stake. Her schedule then calls for her to take a three-day weekend off the campaign trail, while her surrogate-in-chief, former President Bill Clinton, stumps in North Carolina, which also votes May 6 with 115 delegates.
Obama, who was in the Tar Heel state on Wednesday, plans two events today in West Virginia, which votes May 13 with 28 delegates. Friday, he plans three stops in Oregon, whose primary for 52 delegates isn't until May 20.
Part of the geographic strategy might be that Clinton, who is counting on a big win in Pennsylvania to snag most of the 158 delegates, appears to be extending her lead. A Franklin & Marshall University poll released today shows her with a 51 percent to 35 percent edge over Obama, up from a 44 percent to 32 percent lead last month.
The poll, conducted for several Pittsburgh media organizations, also gives the latest indication that the controversy over inflammatory remarks made by his former pastor might be hurting Obama. The survey, which was done March 11-16 while the firestorm was well underway, showed that the percentage of Democratic voters who view Obama favorably dropped by 10 percentage points from last month to 47 percent and his unfavorable number jumped by 16 percentage points to 25 percent.
Meanwhile, the Associated Press is reporting that Democratic voter registration in Pennsylvania has swelled by more than 111,000 -- about 3 percent -- since last fall's election. Both campaigns are urging new voters, Republicans, and independents to register as Democrats, since only registered Democrats can vote in the primary. With the registration deadline coming up on Monday, Democratic registration is barely 5,000 votes shy of a record 4 million, the state elections commissioner told the AP.
I am hopeful that Senator Clinton can gain enough delegates to catch up to Senator Obama and be ahead in the popular vote. This will give the superdelegates the leverage they need to nominate her as the democratic nominee. With all the information coming out about the extremist church Obama attended for 20 years and his 15 year relationship with Tony Rezko he could never win the general election. Hillary is the democratic hope for November, she is the candidate that can beat McCain.
Hillary girl, you are one of the hardest working women on planet Earth. Hopefully your hard work will not be in vain and you will get your reward. You have shown over this past year that indeed you will Fight for America. I admire your courage and steadfastness. You deserve nothing less than the best---Madame President.
Don't give up now, you are almost to the finish line.
Come on Pennsylvania, be the decider and vote for Hillary and end this madness of a tie vote. Hillary has to come out on top for this country to get on with a new economy, new strategies and a fresh outlook on the world. Put the past behind and lets get rid of the Republicans, once and for all.
Come on Pennsylvania, you can be the State that breaks the mold, and puts Hillary in the Lead, she is the Leader who can bring great changes and a better economy to us, please vote for Hillary, this is so very important to Democrats.
Hillary is a calculating son of a bitch and you know what if she wasn't she would'nt be where she is today. I wish her luck and i wish that America wake up and realize that they just dont know anything about barak, A democrat may pick him but you will be a damnd fool if you think he will win a general election, He is so young though he has the potential to be there for the next 30 years and every presidential cycle in between.
We're counting on Pennsylvania to put Hillary Clinton closer to the top. I'm an African american who has always supported HRC because she's been steadfast, and strong and effective.
This woman is amazing. She's been attacked for 15 years and she's still standing. I admire that!
I have no beef with Obama. But I'm not surprised with the sticker shock and the resentment I'm seeing among some of BO's supporters. this man has been marketed like a political god. There's no way any politician can live up to that. - esp if they don't have a completely clean background.
Pennsylvania, may vote to put Hillary over the top. Each voter should vote his/her true conscious and not be influenced by the media, their neighbors, family or friends. The candidate should be voted for based on their merits and honesty. While I do not live PA, I would like to think that the mob mentality has ceased. People may not like Obama for whatever reason, but ask yourselves, Is it truly what Rendell said, that you are not willing to vote for a Black man? Remember he too is partially white eventhough you can't tell by the color of his skin.
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