West Virginia loss is evidence that Obama has great difficulty with the white working-class, and some of it is potentially a racial factor. One may ponder whether this problem will follow him in the general election. It sure gives Clinton a leverage to show that she is a better suited candidate, though it might prove to be too late in the game. On the other hand it might help her get something out of this race. What is still to be determined. In the meantime, national Democrats continue rallying behind Obama, who still looks like the most likely candidate to win the nomination, as James Carville, one of Hillary Clinton’s promoters, stated in an interview.

CAN OBAMA SURMOUNT HIS PROBLEM WITH WHITE WORKING-CLASS VOTERS?
By Adam Nagourney & Dalia Sussman (NYTimes 5/13/08)
Abstract by Johana Nadler

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With five more states at stake, it doesn’t seem likely that Clinton will be catching up with Obama.

• Kentucky (May 20) 60 delegates: Clinton seems to have the lead by 58 to 31%
• Oregon (May 20) 65 delegates: too close to Washington where Obama won: he leads with an estimated 12 points.
• Puerto Rico (June 1) 63 delegates: Clinton’s appeal to Latinos might be her winning ticket.
• Montana (June 3) 24 delegates: Obama seems to again have the lead with about 20 points.
• South Dakota (June 30) 23 delegates: another rural state with high unemployment, Clinton should win, but by mid-April Obama was again leading.

Again, the remaining superdelegates are her only hope.

WILL CLINTON BE ABLE TO CATCH UP WITH OBAMA
By NY Times Staff (AJC 5/14/08)
Abstract By Johana Nadler

No surprise with Clinton’s win in W. Va. As Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico stated, it was “tailor made” for her. However, what Clinton’ side hoped to accomplish is a break in the fast traffic of superdelegates to Obama’s court. “Superdelegates have to have second thoughts,” said Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell during a CNN interview Wednesday morning. It is evident that Clinton has a strong appeal to white, working-class voters and Obama doesn’t. Also clear is that race played a supreme role in this primary: two in ten white voters said that factor was important. But, what is also interesting is that the younger generation, which includes most voters under 30, college graduates and with higher-income also supported her.

Obviously, the West Virginia results are not affecting Obama’s strong lead. However, should Clinton win in the next primaries, it could force the remaining superdelegates to think twice before endorsing Obama and ask themselves whether he is able to carry swing states against McCain coming November.
IMPACT OF CLINTON’S WIN IN W.VIRGINIA
By Patrick Healy (NYTimes 5/14/08)
Abstract by Johana Nadler

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