By TEDDYE SNELL
TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS
May 08, 2008 11:31 am
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Many believed the Democratic race for the nomination would be over last night, but Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., pulled out another win in Indiana, albeit by a narrow margin of two points.
Barack Obama, D-Ill., secured the win in North Carolina as expected, leading Clinton by 14 points.
Isabel Baker, Oklahoma delegate for Clinton, was saddened, but not surprised at her loss in North Carolina and slim win in Indiana.
"However, the people have spoken and I have all the faith in the world in the electorate," said Baker. "I am so pleased that so many new people have registered."
David Scott, professor of speech communication at Northeastern State University, was moderately surprised at the outcome.
"I thought Hillary would do much better," said Scott. "With the notable exception of the Zogby poll, every survey had Hillary winning by 4 to 7 points. Her narrow 2-point win was unexpected."
Judy Parrott, a local Republican, was not surprised by the outcome.
"As I've said before, Obama has much more charisma than Clinton," said Parrott. "He's attracting the majority of the African-American vote, as well as huge numbers of young or first-time voters. What's unnerving is the fact his entire campaign has been based on changing Washington, yet I can't tell you one single firm plan he has in mind. Change for the better would be wonderful, but change just to be different is another story. The old adage, 'Be careful what you wish for, because you might get it,' comes to mind.
Parrott also believed that if Clinton won Indiana, it would be by the slim margin realized.
Early on in the evening, Clinton carried Indiana by a hefty 19-point margin that closed rapidly. Some media outlets have reported a push by Republicans to vote for Clinton, as Indiana has an open primary system. Many in this area disagree.
"I don't think the Republicans had much, if anything, to do with the outcome," said Baker. "But I sure think the news media did, especially television. They have been biased too often against [Clinton]. I wonder, why do some people dislike her so much? Is it because she is a woman? Is it because she is smart? Is it because she doesn't know her place? She may not be our next president, but I know we will have a Democrat president, and I will do everything to see that happen. We can't afford to continue with the same old failed politics."
Scott believes Obama's campaigning helped him close the gap in Indiana.
"I believe the Rev. [Jeremiah] Wright controversy is starting to fade," said Scott. "In addition, Obama shifted away from large-scale 'arena campaigning' and got back to the small-scale, 'retail,' small-audience politics that served him well in Iowa and other states. I think the retail approach helped remove some of the 'elitist' perception some voters may have had about Obama. Finally, I believe that Hillary's 'gas tax holiday' proposal came across as an intellectually dishonest campaign stunt and may have hurt her credibility."
Scott believes the Indiana primary had an "interesting angle" when it came to the Republican party.
"The so-called Rush Limbaugh 'Operation Chaos' that encouraged Republican voters to support Hillary in order to prolong the Democratic nomination fight. That may have played a factor in the race. It was reported that 11 percent of the voters in the Democratic primary were Republican, and they favored Clinton over Obama 52 to 46 percent."
Parrott believes Obama put pressure on Clinton in Indiana because of his game plan.
"I still contend Obama is simply better at this game than Clinton," said Parrott. "Granted, he's had his difficulties to deal with, but he hasn't changed his actions, demeanor or attitude like Clinton does. She vassals with the best of them. I felt the boxing gloves, drinking shooters, and basically her attempts to please all the people all the time were demeaning and inappropriate."
Scott believes Obama will most likely secure the nomination, despite Clinton's vow to stay in the race.
"During the CNN election coverage, political expert David Gergen stated that he thought Chelsea looked dejected during her mother's 'victory speech,'" said Scott. "This could be an indication that the inner circle of the Hillary Clinton campaign realize that Clinton's best chance to change the dynamics of the race have failed, and barring a dramatic, unexpected event, Obama will be the nominee. With the campaign in deep debt and no realistic way she can win the nomination, I am sure that many of Hillary's campaign advisers are recommending that she should assume a more conciliatory approach, possibly suspend active campaigning and hold out hope for the VP slot."
Jeannette Wilson wishes everyone would remember the race isn't just about Clinton and Obama.
"It is a race between two Democrats who have similar, but not identical, policy aims, versus a Republican candidate who is offering the old policies of privatization of public or social services," said Wilson. "I really don't know who is going to gain the nomination of the Democratic party. I suspect that June or early July will be the key."
Wilson tends to agree with a statement made by Obama in North Carolina: "This election is not about Obama, or Clinton, or McCain. It is about you."
"We, as voters, have the opportunity to participate in a hotly contested election at a point in American history when our nation is facing unprecedented national debt and trade deficits, a military that is strained to the breaking point, and the lack of a true national energy policy or a coherent farm policy based on national needs as opposed to corporate needs."
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