Comments on Clinton Wins West Virginia

65-31 split means roughly 19 delegates for clinton, 9 for obama.

She should thank the voters of West Virginia for letting her go out on a high note, and then concede.

I don't know if going out on a tide of racism is really a high note. It would be awesome if she conceded though.

I have been to WV one time and at the gas station there was a guy wearing a shirt that said, "I've got the dick so I make the rules."

Scary scary place.

For every person who said race is an issue, there's probably another one who said race isn't an issue - but to whom race really is an issue. And those people will all be McCain voters come November.

5280, is your point that people are racist even though they arent open about it? are you going to let racists scare you into voting for someone else? are you weak willed or do you just pretend to be for laughs on slog?

West Virginia serves two purposes in the United States. It provides the country with coal and it allows every other state to feel like Vermont in comparison.

Why do we even care what this hillbilly trash thinks? Americans aren't the brightest bunch of people, but West Virginia is the bottom of the gene pool. Even worse than Texas, Right down there with Alabama.

Hillary should be embarrassed by their support.

I mostly agree with the 50-state strategy but if there's one to write off, it's West Virginia.

Just making an observation, BA; it won't affect how I vote one way or the other.

Racism is the last resort of the economically desperate. If West Virginians had any hope for the future, they'd be able to get past it.

Hey, stop with the WV bashing, folks. Insulting constituencies who don't vote for you is primarily a Clintonian pastime. You should know that, you insignificant-state-inhabiting "activist" not-real-Democrats.

Notable: 70 percent of West Virginia voters think Obama's got a mighty pretty mouth.

I take this as a sign of progress -- the hillbillies may not vote for a black man, but they will vote for a woman.

It's easy to call West Virginians names, but I'd rather have just about any one of those Cletuses backing me up in a barfight than one of you squealing fey Seattle bitches. Christ. Or fixing my pickup. Bus schedules - definitely you twerps.

dreamboatcaptain, that would be better said as: "They hate the black man so much they'll even vote for a woman instead."

So ...

Basically, Clinton won the Stupid Vote?

Wow ...

I wouldn't be bragging about that one.

@15: It would have been interesting to ask the exit polled if they would have preferred to see a white man in the race, and how many would openly admit to it.

Mountaintop removal and the roll back of mining regulations apparently can't convince these people not to vote Republican. Pathetic.

"And only a third of those voters"

Is "those voters" all whites or just the 2 in 10 whites?

I love how CNN has a headline saying "Will West Virginia change the race?" I'm going to take a daring stance on that one: No.

Bob (@14) just because a person is stupid doesn't mean they can fix a pickup or "back you up" in a barfight.

Spend some time around hicks - as I have - and you'll soon learn their net export is meth addiction and illegitimate children. So can the simple-minded working class bullshit.

West Virginia is backwards compared to... 0.3% of the population of Seattle.

On Race: When people answer "the race of the candidate was important" it means they answered "the race of the candidate was important". Until you have data showing some kind of correlation of this response with anything in reality that matters it's all speculation. Anyway, this IS America - Race ALWAYS matters.

Nastyass crackers can't be trusted to paint your house, let alone select a leader.

The Clintons are right though. All those pundits who said Obama was going to win West Virgina have been proven wrong. Decisively.

I can only imagine how embarrassed they must be feeling now.

I can just see Hillary's pitch to superdelegates now: "Well, I clobbered Obama in the uneducated and racist demographics, and, let's face it, Americans are mostly uneducated and racist, so I'm the only one with a chance to win in November."

I guess it is the opposite of elitism, in a way. Still not something to be proud of, though.

Swing states? West Virginia?

I mean, I wanted to watch 'the greatest speech ever' and it feels like I'm listening to someone tell me how the Mariners are going come back and win the AL West. Who the fuck cares?

"Two in 10 whites said the race of the candidate was a factor in their vote"

And why is a first term senator the probable nominee? well, sure he was against the invasion of Iraq, but really, who wasn't?, other than the White House, one guy in Great Brittan and one syndicated sex columnist, well ok, there were a few other nut cases, but being against starting a war is hardly unique.
Some make the mistake of thinking that not wanting to be known as someone who told Sadam that he could do whatever he wanted without consequences is the same as wanting war. Just because you are carrying a big stick doesn't mean you have to use it.

I'd guess that the proportion is more like 8 out of 10, it's how race is a factor that counts.

Hillary winning West Virginia is like the Globetrotters beating the Washington Generals, a.k.a, meeting expectations.

I really just can't stand it anymore. This is a really horrible speech.

I love the post hoc reasoning employed: every victorious candidate since the early 20th century has won West Virginia, therefore West Virginia has something to do with winning the presidency. Nice logic, Camp Clinton!

she got a fucking 10 delegate boost!

Hey congrats to HRC.

Pretty good speech, no great shakes.

She's going to win everything she can and not quit.

Why can't Obama be the one winning by 30 points? He has more work to do and more bridges to build if he wants to put together the biggest coalition possible and try to win in all 50 states.

It's very hard for police to solve crimes in West Virginia. No dental records and everyone has the same DNA.

PC, because obama got tired of winning by 30 points in states...are you a fucking Alzheimer patient or just stupid on purpose?

Remind me to never go to WV.....

@21 sure some are just hicks but I noticed you didn't challenge the other half of my statement - what worthless little emo butterflies you sensitive arrogant little Seattlites would be in a barfight.

I'll still take a toothless yokel from West Virginia on the front side of a meth run for backup. He wouldn't squeal at the sight of a big assed hunting knife. He'd actually know how to use it. Last time I checked Biscotti didn't make an adequate edged weapon.

I'm still saying when the Islamoterrorists fire up the evinrudes on their zodiacs, they are heading for Seattle.

So Obama supports are calling Hillary divisive? What about calling a whole state uneducated, racist and totally unimportant? I have not seen anything close to that from Sen. Clintons campaign...Congrats Hillary! And all you other supporters, DONT SINK TO THEIR LEVEL, Keep your heads high and continue to fighting for what we believe in!

Tomorrow Obama will widen his superdelegate lead.

This doesn't really have anything to do with the primaries, but, I have to say, coming from a firmly white trash background I would take a Seattlite, yuppie, latte drinker over pwt anyday in a fight. Most yuppies I know workout on a regular basis, take the occassional boxing, kickboxing, or jiu-jitsu class, and in Seattle almost everyone runs, skis, snowshoes, mountain climbs, mountain bikes, kayaks, etc. The only way most hicks get their heart beating fast is smokingcigarettes after polishing off a bucket of KFC. Endurence, strength, fighting skills are not a priority for someone who has, let's face it, no priorities. I would concede marksmanship, though.

Does this happen to you often, Bob? Do you often find yourself needing backup in imaginary fights with pretend bad-guys?

Gah. Hillary Clinton is delusional. She's just trying to get $$ now to pay off her debt.

Geez, 37% though? I don't think anyone anticipated that.

The only question left in my mind is who has Jesco White endorsed?

Actually, @42, most polls predicted a similar result.

So, not that I'm trying to derail the importance of the snot-nosed puffery of the Obama fanatics on this thread or anything, but 90% of winning a barfight is attitude and REI clad Seattle gym warriors just don't have that same crazy assed West Virginian skill set. @39, your post is hilarious. Seriously. Jiu-jitsu class and kayaks.

In other news that both Clinton and Obama fans may both be able to celebrate, the Democrats just gained another House seat tonight, in MS.

i have to agree with 45 on this one too. exhibit - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc3SEBA-9nU

Goddamn.

Congrats Rep.Childers! IF you are now a superdelegate, VOTE FOR HILLARY!!!

It's disrespectful to call WV voters hicks for admitting to racially-motivated voting, when it's a well-educated northern candidate who's making a direct racial appeal to them as white people, and telling them it's OK to vote based on race.

WV, by the way, elects Ds a lot. Don't they have D senators and Gov?

Back to Hilary's speech...at first I thought it was just her "help me retire my campaign debt" speech, but then she started in on a real fire and brimstone speech on how she's going to win and how all of the delegates from MI and FL need to be seated. Then she went back to a "whoever is the nominee" tone. It left me more confused than anything.

More devastating news for Republicans: Mississippi's 1st District just elected a Dem. That's a true-red Bush district. MS is now 3-1 Democrats. The lone Republican isn't running in '08.

I smell something historic brewing.

#37
Hillary's entire argument now is "the white people won't vote for him". That's what her camp is saying, so I guess they're okay with the racism as long as it works in her favor.
Yee-haw.

@39,

Yeah, but the hicks got nothin' to lose.

Bob-
You make the assumption that the hicks would be willing to back you up. I grew up in a trailer park, and most of the hicks I know would rather kick your ass and steal your wallet to score some ice. Hell, I would rather do that than support some jackass in a bar fight.

Prediction: Obama carries WV in November.

Unless Appalachia becomes the center of a new political bloc, the rump of a new Republican remnant, doomed to 25% of the national vote for the next few decades.

"As the Clinton campaign noted in a strategy memorandum on Tuesday, no Democrat has won the White House without winning West Virginia since 1916."

but no Democrat has won the White House without winning the primary, right?

I just want to see this shit over with so the attack on McCain can begin. Come on already, motherfuckers. Enough with this endless inter-Democrat feud. I'm ready to post a McCain "gook" remix on youtube!

56: Yeah, it's just a lame post hoc argument.

Ideally, Obama should get al the super delegates he can between now and Oregon on tuesday, so Oregon could put him over the top. Then it's like, boom bitch!

No Democrat has won the White House without a penis since forever, too. About as relevant.

@59: I want a t-shirt that says, "Like BOOM, bitch!"

@52

Sen. Clinton can win in the swing states needed to take the White House in NOV. She wins with the middle class, hard working American voter, She has the support of older, do or die dem's, women, just to name a few. I think that you calling these groups racist or insinuate that is rude and ridiculous. Hillary inspires people, but has know how and experience behind that inspiration! Obama, also inspires people, a great number of people. But it truly frieghtens me to think that we could possibly lose this election come NOV. Hillary can win against MCcain, Obama cannot! Maybe in the future, but not now! We cant take a chance with this election!

http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2008/Clinton/Maps/May10.html

Is West Virginia really a swing state? And seriously, a dem winning this state in the gen election? right. Neither will win it. It never ceases to amaze me how primaries are supposed to reflect general elections for the individual candidate, but only when it helps there image. Suddenly W. VA swings the election. Whatever.

Sorry if this has already been addressed, but how come no one's talking at all about today's results in Nebraska? I mean, not even a teeny-tiny mention? Is there some wackiness by which those delegates don't count?

@62:

Seriously, how dense are you? The exit polling from WV shows overwhelmingly that these are racists who won't vote for a black person.

And seriously, why should anybody give a fuck about the ignorant, illiterate vote? Haven't we already had enough leadership chosen by the dumbest among us?

@62 - Why deny the issue of race? Not all of these people are racist, but really, you can't possibly admit that a significant portion of these voters wouldn't vote for a black man? They said it themselves. You demand loyalty from black voters, but you clearly don't want to return it.

@64
The Nebraska primary is a Republican non-binding primary. So: 1)it doesn't matter, McCain is already the presumptive nominee, 2)it doesn't really count anyway (non-binding), and 3)no one here cares about it (all Republicans raise your hand).

Tanya @54, I have no doubt that the probability of a WV hick backing me up reliably is much much less than a foregone conclusion, and indeed I would likely be at risk of a rear attack while fending off angry Seattleites in a barfight, just as I am quite certain that if I had to rely on a Seattle hipster or yuppie-scum for backup that I could expect to hear shrieking as one runs for a bus and as the other sparks away on his rollerblades.

That isn't the point. The point remains, a WV hick is of a true warrior caste and brings a sort of primeval intelligence to the fray. You could fight your way through hell with an 86 Dodge Caravan full of em.

@65 and 66

93% of african american voters in NC voted for Obama....just to refresh you memory.

Well, the AP results on seattletimes.com certainly have Democratic numbers. Are you saying Republican voters chose between Obama and Clinton?

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/elections/2008/by_state/US_Page_0513_VD.html?SITE=WASETELN&SECTION=POLITICS is said results, btw.

@57: Obama was in Missouri today. He's already starting to go national against McCain.

And those who say we shouldn't bash WV as a state full of illiterate inbred hillbillies should keep in mind that it went for Bush both times. What have the Republicans done for the people of Appalachia? I would respect them more if they were actually smart enough to realize that cutting taxes for rich people didn't make the economy better for the rest of us (how do West Virginians like paying $4 for a gallon of gas and rationing rice at CostCo?) but they will likely continue to vote Republican because their fundamentalist preachers and Faux News tell them that abortion and gay rights are the only important issues facing the country. And they will then smugly congratulate themselves for voting their "values" (i.e. bigotry) rather than their pocketbooks. "I may not have a job and live in a tar paper shack and would starve if it weren't for food stamps, but at least I voted to stop gay people from getting married! Jesus will let me into heaven for sure!" The news from Mississippi is hopeful, but we'll see if it lasts into November.

Actually, the exit poll says 41% have no college education.

A better-educated and less prejudiced audience might have been sensitive to the distinction.

Meanwhile, Obama is at 26% in WV, and trending toward 25% ... while pundits uniformly consider McCain's 70+% in his residual primaries problematic.

@69:

Can you tell me why a black person would vote for Clinton given all the race baiting engaged in by her campaign?

@69 - And? Black people are not voting against Hillary because they wouldn't vote for a white candidate. That is clear, given the undying loyalty black voters have had for the Clinton's. Many black people are inspired by Obama, and are witnessing an event they never thought would take place, but they are not voting against Hillary because she's white. Two completely different scenarios.

Wow.

If I get this straight, when Capitol Hill Obamaniacs call others racist, stupid and inbred, that's just fine. Because you all know The Truth and anybody who disagrees has got to be a moron.

You people live in a never-never land.

My hope is that posts here represent the same 2 or 3 jerks, but they're posting under different names.

Otherwise, jeesh, what a collection of losers you are.

It's going to be President McCain, and you know it.

Oh, how you will post away on election night, when McGovern -- I mean, Obama, of course -- loses.

And loses in a landslide because the stupid American voters didn't go for his inexperience, didn't go for his explanations about the reverend, didn't go for his explanations about 60s bomb-planting friends, and decided that Michelle is just a bit too mean.

"Notable: 70 percent of voters had no college education"

That is notable, if only because it's a figure that mirrors the percentage of college-educated Americans, too. WV may be more representative than you think.

She has not engaged in anything of the sort. This campaign should be about the human race! And Sen. Clinton has fought for minorites, women and child consistently for 35 years! She is a proven leader, who will continue to fight for everyone in this Country!

Seriously, @73 has it right. Black voters have been voting for whites for years, even over blacks. Notice that the black community didn't really go gaga for Carol Moseley-Braun or Al Sharpton in 2004? And why did Hillary do well with black voters in polls back in 2007?

BTW, let's not forget that people voted for other in this race as well. Not a good portent for either candidate. We need a nominee now.

@76 Yes, anyone who doesn't worship at the alter of Queen Hillary is delusional, because as we all know, someone with at least a 50% negative rating, who is rated as dishonest by at least 50% of her own party is just going to sweep up in the general election. My guess is these hard working white people (funny how all of you claiming she doesn't play race find excuses for that) will vote for Hillary in the primary, and turn right around and vote for McCain in the general election. Look, if Hillary wins it, she wins it. She ain't winning it now. Deal with it.

@76, you sound extremely confident in your old man's assured victory. Would you care to put your mouth where your anonymous troll is, and suck our fat cocks on Election Night when (not if) Obama wins in a landslide?

Nothing happened today that wasn't called weeks ago. Nothing has changed. The result in West Virginia was no surprise, not even to the candidate whose response is to celebrate as though something impossible has just taken place. Poor deluded woman just doesn't get it.

Vote experience -- Hillary/Monica 2008

Just a note - John Edwards got more votes for him than John McCain did in WV - and John Edwards only got 8 percent of the Democratic vote tonight.

Must suck to be McCain ...

Congratulations to Senator Clinton and her campaign.

And Sen. Clinton has fought for minorites, women and child consistently for 35 years!

You're a perfect caricature of a Hillary supporter. Prove this statement.

Hillary has spent plenty of those 35 years doing nothing for minorities, women, and children. Hardly consistent.

The big downside of this for Hillary is that, although she swept among the nice white simple country folk of West Virginny, them po' white t nice white country folk don't got much money to give 'er.

Morgan Spurlock notwithstanding.

This is too little and too late for Hillary. As will be her narrow lead in Kentucky, as she is trounced in Oregon.

I hope to see an Americans for Hilary Party. After all, it worked for Lieberman. Then all you Obamamanics can go sleep with each other without protection, knowing that Our Mountain Mama will take care of you with her healthcare plan.

All you'd get with Obama would be reparation payments. Rainier Valley would be the new Medina.

BCinOR & others who think Clinton can ever win the votes of AAs again should think again. As an AA, it's not going to happen. We will NOT vote for her. No strawman. It's not going to happen. We'd rather see her go down in flames in the GE. ...It's a moot point anyway, because Obama will be the nominee. Now, either get on board or get left behind.

While I think that labeling everyone from West Virginia as a toothless hillbilly is counter-productive, I distinctly remember driving through W.V. in the early nineties and asking my parents why there were so many broken refrigerators littered alongside the road. They laughed… Hard. I finally get it.

@79:
"Sen. Clinton has fought for minorites, women and child consistently for 35 years! She is a proven leader, who will continue to fight for everyone in this Country!"

This is your brain on drugs.

oh man. it's gotten way off topic, but that bob guy is a pain in the ass. i am most definitely a fey grad school student, but my 5'10" 145 pound self can kick your ass and change your oil at the same time.

Thank you konstantconsumer. In the words of Meatloaf: "You took the words right out of my mouth"...

the goober vote

Which candidate is winning the popular vote and which is winning caucuses? It seems to me that caucus votes mean very little as popular votes are all that count in the general election. So , taking that into account, who is actually in the lead (able to beat McCain)?

@96 that would be 1) Obama and 2) Obama.

What's you point?

Run Forrest Run!

She can run if she wants to. The whole thing is a bit weird though. And West Virginia voting for a loser is stupid. Basically not having an election everywhere at the same time is a recipe for a freak show.

The blatant appeal to the super delegates is just freakish. Every vote and demographic and twinkle and twist has to be spun in a position paper explaining why she should be "selected" as the best candidate by a forum of a few hundred people. It's a lame system. It's practically communist. Obama could certainly lose but let's just get on with it.

I've switched back against the dream ticket though. It's almost like if he picked her now she bullied him into it by being so obnoxious.

The fact that Hillary is preferred in swing states doesn't mean that all of her supporters will stay home or vote for McCain in the fall. I think she assumes that the idiot masses will miss this point.

THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!!!

P.S. What's the comparable (no college degree) exit poll result for high-tech, high-ed Massachusetts?