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Women helped power Clinton to victories

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor March 5, 2008 12:04 PM

One of the telling themes out of Tuesday's primaries is that Hillary Clinton appeared to rebuild her core coalition -- working-class voters, whites and Hispanics, and, perhaps above all, women.

EMILY's List, a political action committee that helps female candidates and is supporting Clinton, just put out an analysis today that suggests that women increased their share of the Democratic electorate in all four states that voted Tuesday.

In the key state of Ohio, women made up 59 percent of primary voters, up 7 percentage points from 2004. In the other big prize, Texas, women comprised 57 percent of primary voters, an increase of 4 percentage points from four years ago, according to the analysis of exit polling data. She defeated Barack Obama among women, with bigger margins among white women, according to the exit polls conducted for the television networks and the Associated Press.

"Once again women made up the backbone of Hillary Clinton's support in her critical victories in Texas, Ohio, and Rhode Island," Ellen R. Malcolm, president of EMILY's List, said in a statement. "Women have been Sen. Clinton’s most consistent and committed backers from the beginning and they will see her through to the end and victory."

17 comments so far...
  1. Go Hillary Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Go Hillary Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted by Tanny March 5, 08 01:02 PM
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  1. God Bless America and God Bless Hillary !!!!!!!!!!

    Posted by Ray March 5, 08 01:31 PM
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  1. As a 62-year old women, she didn't get my vote! I don't trust her and the "politics as usual" mentality in DC. She's part of that group! Just because she's a women, doesn't mean all women should vote for her! Go Barack!!!!!

    Posted by Mary March 5, 08 01:32 PM
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  1. Go Hillary go... No matter how many men reporters pounce on you on all debates, Show the world they cannot suppress a intelligent, smart woman just because she is a woman. Make us proud!

    Posted by pm March 5, 08 01:35 PM
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  1. yes, go and now, please...

    Posted by thorny March 5, 08 01:40 PM
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  1. I am definitely rooting for Hillary. I believe she will certainly be a valuable asset in the White House. She has always been proud to be an American, for her it is not a newly realised fact.
    Aside from Ms Obama's faux pas, If by the renotest possibility that Obama will be the candidate of choice I will definitely vote for John McCain.

    Posted by Peter Klimczyk March 5, 08 01:43 PM
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  1. Don't hold your breath

    I think the women bashers club will prevail for Obama.

    If you care at all about Hillary running you should send her $10 before the bashers prevail.

    Posted by hhkeller March 5, 08 01:54 PM
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  1. boooooooo hillary booooooo

    Posted by Wener March 5, 08 01:56 PM
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  1. And Senator Clinton’s campaign has accepted other contributions from other senior IPA officials as recently as last year, the campaign records show.

    Many other politicians have been quick to distance themselves from IPA, and have returned donations. In 2002 in New York, Andrew Cuomo, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate at the time, returned $20,000 from Burgess. Cuomo’s office said the donations were returned after a New York newspaper reported on Burgess’s past legal problems and on the EEOC sexual-harassment allegations.

    Other prominent Democrats also have returned IPA's donations including Sen. Ted Kennedy and then-Senate candidate Claire McCaskill. On the same day in 2006, Sen. Barack Obama received $4,000 in campaign donations from a senior IPA official and his wife. Obama quickly returned $2,000 from the senior IPA official, campaign records show. But the campaign has held onto the matching $2,000 donation from the IPA official’s wife, the Obama campaign confirms.

    Some political analysts say it is surprising that the first viable female candidate for president would not be more sensitive to allegations of sexual harassment.

    "The fact that Hillary Clinton at this point is holding onto money from a contributor who has been charged with sexual harassment can only be perceived as insensitive to women's issues and women," says Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, Senior Scholar at the School of Policy, Planning and Development at the University of Southern California. "I don't think that fits the definition of feminism, at least the last time I looked."

    Adrienne Slick, the former IPA employee, says she's disappointed in any politician who would take or keep money from IPA. "This is not something that should be taken lightly, and to accept those funds makes a statement," she told NBC.

    The EEOC lawyers would not comment on any aspect of the political donations, and confined their remarks solely to the lawsuit.

    Clinton Campaign Response:
    Wolfson dismissed the notion that keeping IPA money reflected a lack of concern about sexual harassment. "Sen. Clinton is proud of her long record of championing women's causes," he said. "When the EEOC rules on the allegations involving Burgess, we will consider that outcome in assessing if there is any reason to return his contribution." Of the $170,000 total in donations from all IPA officials and employees, Burgess and his family members personally contributed $16,000 to Sen. Clinton, campaign records show.

    Posted by Rachael March 5, 08 02:09 PM
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  1. Go women!!!!!!!!!!!
    So this is how Obama is winning caucus delegates. Using his supporters to lock out Hillary’s supporters and miscounting the ballots in Obama’s favor. I always knew the guy is very clever. He lied about his religion (Hussein is definitely a Muslim name), about his dealing with slumlord of Chicago and meeting with Canadian officials and lying about NAFTA. You think he can be trusted as our President?

    Posted by nisha March 5, 08 03:18 PM
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  1. It's amazing how everybody cries foul when the race card is pulled but there is no shame whatsoever about playing the sex card. Women should vote for Hillary. . WHY. . because she has a monthly cycle? How shallow and assinine. I'm voting for Straight-talk McCain if Hillary is anywhere near the Democratic ticket and YES, I am a woman. She's like Scarlet O'hara in "Gone With Wind". I'm so sick of her victim mentality and win-at-all-costs strategy.

    Posted by Chancey March 5, 08 06:09 PM
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  1. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama:

    Dear Madam, and Sir,

    A Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama ticket is what we want. And that is what we need to take back the Whitehouse. We want a smart, tough, idealistic, seasoned veteran of many battles fighting for the American people (Hillary Clinton). With a young, passionate, smart, open-minded, hard-working idealist fighting for the American people (Barrack Obama). The DREAM TEAM!

    You are both fabulous candidates. And we, the American people are very fortunate to have each of you. Taking back the Whitehouse is critical for the American people, and the world at this time. And I think the American people have been saying loudly, and clearly that a Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama ticket is the best way to do this.

    I think the American people have made it very clear that they feel Hillary Clinton is the one best able to lead the ticket against John McCain at this critical, and desperate time in America, and around the world. These dramatic comebacks are testament to Hillary Clinton's skill, and experience as a fighter for the American people. They are also a testament to the strong desire of the American people to have both of you fighting for the American people at this time of midnight in America.

    Typical of the Clinton's is an uncanny ability to see and understand what the American people want. And then to try and get it for them. Even if they have to go through three political near death experiences to try and get it for the American people. This is classic Clinton's. They are the best I have ever seen.

    We are desperate out here. Millions of us are suffering greatly. And tens of thousands of us are dying needlessly every year. Men, women, children, and babies. We need help! As Hillary Clinton said "It's not a game". We need the two of you together on our side fighting for us, and for the American dream for all. Not fighting against each other anymore.

    It's time for you Senator Obama to join forces with Hillary Clinton as her running mate so that we can all focus our energies, and resources on taking back America for the American people.

    Don't make me hurt you. :-)

    Sincerely

    Jacksmith...

    Posted by jacksmith March 5, 08 06:27 PM
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  1. God Bless America and God Bless Hillary. Keep up the good work!

    Posted by JFK March 5, 08 09:13 PM
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  1. GO GIRL GO! O.K. Gals and dames. Our gal is a winner! Let's pick up the pace and take her all the way!!!!

    Posted by penny gray March 5, 08 09:54 PM
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  1. Please read this article I came across .. wonder why no one from the American Media had the guts to write this until now..
    http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/anatole_kaletsky/article3492457.ece

    Posted by TP March 5, 08 10:23 PM
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  1. Go Hilary go to be president hilary clinton . I think she is by far the better candidate in terms of experience and having more solid plans for the US . Senator Obama advocates change but has no experience and solid plan to carry out change . .

    Posted by b.y lau March 6, 08 12:12 AM
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  1. Hillary Clinton is an exceptional human being. Anyone that can pour her heart
    and soul into campaigning day after day, night after night to listen and to care
    for and about so many people, deserves great respect. She speaks well,
    outsmarts most of the light weight commentators she has to be polite to, and she'll be there for all of you tomorrow!
    We in Canada would give our eye teeth to have a politician of her stature.. Celebrate and support her while you have her----she deserves it!

    Posted by Don Williams March 6, 08 01:11 AM
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About political intelligence Field reports from Boston Globe reporters and editors covering the 2008 presidential campaign and the national maneuvering of Bay State politicians.

Send your comments to masspolitics@globe.com

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