02 May 2008
Clinton, Obama Target Voters in Indiana, North Carolina
High voter turnout expected in upcoming Democratic contests
Washington -- With just a handful of states and territories yet to hold nominating contests, Democratic candidates are focusing their efforts on winning votes in Indiana and North Carolina, both of which hold primaries May 6.
Indiana will award 72 delegates and North Carolina will award 115 delegates -- but, per Democratic Party rules, these delegates will be awarded proportionally. Regardless of who wins the most votes, both candidates will pick up delegates. According to The Green Papers, an organization that tracks the awarding of delegate, Barack Obama leads with 1,489 delegates while Hillary Clinton has 1,337 delegates.
The candidates have been campaigning in both states. Most political experts predict an easy win for Obama in North Carolina because its demographics are similar to those of neighboring South Carolina, where the Illinois senator won the state's primary by 28 percentage points in January.
In the Midwestern state of Indiana, polls indicate a close race and voters seem eager to participate in the primary. Thus far, the number of absentee votes cast is double that of the 2004 primary. More than 10,000 people per day have been casting early ballots across the state, according to officials in Marion County, Indiana.
Along with the traditional campaign rallies and town hall meetings, the candidates have been interacting with some voters on a more personal level. On April 30, Obama and his wife, Michelle, dined on sandwiches and potato chips at a Beech Grove, Indiana, family's home, where the conversation focused on the economy and Iraq.
On the same day, Hillary Clinton was in South Bend, Indiana. Trying to show her concern for rising gas prices, Clinton decided to car pool with a local resident. The resident picked Clinton up at her hotel and she accompanied him on his commute to work.
The two also made a stop at a gas station to purchase gasoline for $3.65 a gallon. During the stop, Clinton talked about the high cost of gas -- and also admitted that she does not remember the last time she pumped gas herself. As a former first lady, Clinton is under Secret Service protection that restricts her participation such mundane activities.
In addition to shaping up as a close race, the Indiana contest on May 6 is noteworthy for another reason -- it will be the first since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the state's controversial voter identification law.
The court ruled April 28 that Indiana is allowed to require voters to show photo identification before letting them vote. Many Democrats -- including Obama -- had criticized the law saying it made voting more difficult for the poor and elderly who may not have identification.
"I am disappointed by today's Supreme Court decision upholding Indiana's photo identification law -- one of the most restrictive in the nation," Obama said in a press statement. Supporters of the measure argue that requiring photo identification could prevent potential voter fraud.
Preparing for those who still may need identification, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles plans to hold extended hours early next week for those interested in obtaining free government-issued identification.
Another nominating contest will be held before the North Carolina and Indiana primaries: The small Pacific island territory of Guam will award four delegates in its contest May 3.
Although residents of Guam cannot vote in the general election, many are excited to participate in this contest -- it is rare that a nomination is not decided by the time Guam votes. Supporters of both candidates are organizing rallies and speaking on radio outlets across the island.
CANDIDATES CONTINUE TO COURT SUPERDELEGATES, LOOK AHEAD
The candidates are working to connect not only with average voters but also with superdelegates.
To become the party’s nominee, Clinton or Obama must earn votes from a majority of delegates -- at least 2,024. With the proportional system of awarding delegates allowing Clinton and Obama to win delegates in every one of the few remaining contests, it is unlikely either candidate will have secured a majority by the time primaries and caucuses conclude.
That would set the stage for counting the party’s superdelegate votes to determine who will be the Democratic nominee. Superdelegates -- elected officials and other party leaders -- are not pledged to vote for a specific candidate.
Over the past week, both candidates have earned more superdelegate support. Most notably, Obama earned the backing of Joe Andrew, a former Democratic Party leader. Andrew previously supported Clinton. Clinton also acquired an important supporter in North Carolina -- the state's popular governor, Michael Easley.
According to the Green Papers, 261 superdelegates have announced they intend to vote for Clinton; 242 say they will vote for Obama. The remaining 292 have not made their intentions known.
Following the May 6 contests, West Virginia, Oregon, Kentucky and Puerto Rico will hold their nominating contests in May and early June. The last states to hold primaries will be Montana and South Dakota on June 3. Several Republican contests also will be held in these months, but because Arizona Senator John McCain already has enough votes to win the Republican nomination, these primaries and caucuses will receive little attention.
