# Factors in handicapping the democratic race to the White House post Super Tuesday. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 6, 2008, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factors-in-handicapping-the-democratic-race-to-the-white-house-post-super-tuesday/436510 "2008-02-06T14:05:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factors-in-handicapping-the-democratic-race-to-the-white-house-post-super-tuesday/436510/141 "2008-02-10T01:43:54Z")
One interesting thing at my precinct: a strong Obama voice came from a guy who has been a Libertarian for decades and usually votes Republican. Anyway, it’s looking like Obama at 2:1 or 3:1 (at least) for just about every county. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factors-in-handicapping-the-democratic-race-to-the-white-house-post-super-tuesday/436510/142 "2008-02-10T02:39:42Z")
[QUOTE=Shayna] Washington is called for Obama now, too. 😃 [/QUOTE] [CNN Election Center](http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/) says Washington has caucuses 2/9 **and** primaries 2/19. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factors-in-handicapping-the-democratic-race-to-the-white-house-post-super-tuesday/436510/143 "2008-02-10T02:40:14Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] [CNN Election Center](http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/) says Washington has caucuses 2/9 **and** primaries 2/19. 😕 [/QUOTE] True, but no delegates are accorded based on the primary. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factors-in-handicapping-the-democratic-race-to-the-white-house-post-super-tuesday/436510/144 "2008-02-10T02:42:08Z")
With 4% of precincts reporting, [Obama leads Clinton in Louisiana 51% to 36%.](http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#LA) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factors-in-handicapping-the-democratic-race-to-the-white-house-post-super-tuesday/436510/145 "2008-02-10T02:44:17Z")
[QUOTE=Richard Parker] True, but no delegates are accorded based on the primary. [/QUOTE] So why do they have both? ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factors-in-handicapping-the-democratic-race-to-the-white-house-post-super-tuesday/436510/146 "2008-02-10T02:44:33Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] With 4% of precincts reporting, [Obama leads Clinton in Louisiana 51% to 36%.](http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#LA) [/QUOTE] Are you feeling better now, dear? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factors-in-handicapping-the-democratic-race-to-the-white-house-post-super-tuesday/436510/147 "2008-02-10T02:46:06Z")
[QUOTE=Shayna] Are you feeling better now, dear? 🙂 [/QUOTE] Yes, thank you! (Actually, I **have** been sick recently.) ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factors-in-handicapping-the-democratic-race-to-the-white-house-post-super-tuesday/436510/148 "2008-02-10T02:46:30Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] So why do they have both? [/QUOTE] Because the State Legislature voted to hold primaries. But since the DNC isn’t bound by rulings passed by the legislature, they decided to stick with their traditional caucus method, and those are the only votes that go towards determining the delegates that will be seated at our convention. The state can’t dictate that to us. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factors-in-handicapping-the-democratic-race-to-the-white-house-post-super-tuesday/436510/149 "2008-02-10T02:46:34Z")
From the Secretary of State’s FAQ: > [@](#): > > In 1988, more than 200,000 Washington voters signed an Initiative to the Legislature proposing that a Presidential Primary be held. The Legislature adopted the initiative in 1989, and it is authorized in Chapter 29A.56 of the Revised Code of Washington. The law states: > > “The…presidential nominating caucus system in Washington State is unnecessarily restrictive of voter participation in that it discriminates against the elderly, the infirm, women, the disabled, evening workers, and others who are unable to attend caucuses and therefore unable to fully participate in this most important quadrennial event that occurs in our democratic system of government.” > > The Legislature further emphasized that the presidential selection process must be more open and representative of the will of the people. A Presidential Primary allows each Washington voter to participate in the nomination process, not just political party insiders who participate in the caucuses. Sort of disingenuous, given the lack of delegates, but there you have it. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factors-in-handicapping-the-democratic-race-to-the-white-house-post-super-tuesday/436510/150 "2008-02-10T02:48:57Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Yes, thank you! (Actually, I **have** been sick recently.) [/QUOTE] There, there. Have some [Jewish penicillin](http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/61/04/23030461.jpg). You’ll be well in no time. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factors-in-handicapping-the-democratic-race-to-the-white-house-post-super-tuesday/436510/151 "2008-02-10T03:08:56Z")
CNN has called Louisiana for Barack Obama!!! ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factors-in-handicapping-the-democratic-race-to-the-white-house-post-super-tuesday/436510/152 "2008-02-10T03:10:26Z")
[QUOTE=Shayna] Washington is called for Obama now, too. 😃 [/QUOTE] One thing I find a bit surprising is that Obama beat Clinton in [every single county](http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/county/#WADEM),\* including the southwestern and eastern parts of the state (which tend to be a lot more conservative, and where Clinton would presumably have a wider appeal). I’ll be interested to see how they stack up when comparing Democratic and Republican totals, but CNN hasn’t posted the GOP results yet. \*Especially in Franklin County, where Obama got 100% of the vote — Obama 1, Clinton nil. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factors-in-handicapping-the-democratic-race-to-the-white-house-post-super-tuesday/436510/153 "2008-02-10T03:11:24Z")
Well, you princes of Maine, the ball’s in your court now! ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factors-in-handicapping-the-democratic-race-to-the-white-house-post-super-tuesday/436510/154 "2008-02-10T03:13:21Z")
[QUOTE=OttoDaFe] One thing I find a bit surprising is that Obama beat Clinton in [every single county](http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/county/#WADEM),\* including the southwestern and eastern parts of the state (which tend to be a lot more conservative, and where Clinton would presumably have a wider appeal). I’ll be interested to see how they stack up when comparing Democratic and Republican totals, but CNN hasn’t posted the GOP results yet. \*Especially in Franklin County, where Obama got 100% of the vote — Obama 1, Clinton nil. [/QUOTE] Same thing happened in La, minus the one parish they haven’t counted yet. ---
**Author:** ![Menocchio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Menocchio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Menocchio)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factors-in-handicapping-the-democratic-race-to-the-white-house-post-super-tuesday/436510/155 "2008-02-10T03:18:49Z")
[QUOTE=OttoDaFe] One thing I find a bit surprising is that Obama beat Clinton in [every single county](http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/county/#WADEM),\* including the southwestern and eastern parts of the state (which tend to be a lot more conservative, and where Clinton would presumably have a wider appeal). I’ll be interested to see how they stack up when comparing Democratic and Republican totals, but CNN hasn’t posted the GOP results yet. \*Especially in Franklin County, where Obama got 100% of the vote — Obama 1, Clinton nil. [/QUOTE] I’m afraid not. Clinton won Douglas County, to name the first one I see. And Clinton won several LA counties, it seems. But hey, Barack won, he won with a margin, he’ll be taking home more of the delegates. ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factors-in-handicapping-the-democratic-race-to-the-white-house-post-super-tuesday/436510/156 "2008-02-10T03:22:34Z")
[QUOTE=Menocchio] I’m afraid not. Clinton won Douglas County, to name the first one I see. And Clinton won several LA counties, it seems. But hey, Barack won, he won with a margin, he’ll be taking home more of the delegates. [/QUOTE] Sorry, Senor, I saw “projected winner” and not the percentage. I was a little too excited for Obama it seems. Ciao. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factors-in-handicapping-the-democratic-race-to-the-white-house-post-super-tuesday/436510/157 "2008-02-10T03:31:12Z")
He won the VIrgin Islands, too. > [@](#): > > [http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0208/Obama\_sweeps\_in\_the\_Virgin\_Islands.html](http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0208/Obama_sweeps_in_the_Virgin_Islands.html) > > With all of the votes there in, Caines said, the preliminary count is: > > ``` > Obama: 1772 votes (89.9%) > Clinton: 149 votes (7.6%) > > ``` > > “We believe Senator Obama will receive all three of our pledged delegates,” said Caines. SWEEP! ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factors-in-handicapping-the-democratic-race-to-the-white-house-post-super-tuesday/436510/158 "2008-02-10T03:51:31Z")
[QUOTE=Shayna] He won the VIrgin Islands, too. SWEEP! [/QUOTE] Oh, good- I’d been expecting to hear about that, but hadn’t yet. Not exactly a huge factor (3 delegates), but good to hear. ---
**Author:** ![burundi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burundi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burundi)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factors-in-handicapping-the-democratic-race-to-the-white-house-post-super-tuesday/436510/159 "2008-02-10T07:19:32Z")
[QUOTE=jaydotbeedot] Having said that, I’d add that if Hillary wins the nomination by getting FL and MI counted, I will not vote cast a vote for president in November. I’m an independent voter backing Obama, and if she can win the nomination fairly, she’ll probably have my vote – even though I believe Obama is the better candidate by far. [/QUOTE] I’m right there with you, **jay**. At the ripe old age of 29, I’ve become self-protectively cynical about politics. Feeling actual enthusiasm about a presidential candidate is a new and strange thing for me. I’m waiting for my hopes to get crushed by dirty pool on Clinton’s part. ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factors-in-handicapping-the-democratic-race-to-the-white-house-post-super-tuesday/436510/160 "2008-02-10T07:51:23Z")
[QUOTE=Damuri Ajashi] So she thinks that there is a chance to have delegates representing the current primary results from Michigan and Florida seated and there is little to no downside to insisting on on seating delegatres from those two states based on the currnt primary results. [/QUOTE] Except Obama and the other pulled their names from the Michigan ballot (why didn’t Clinton?). If these delegates get seated as is, it will be a stolen election… but I guess that is normal in the US now. So much for democracy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factors-in-handicapping-the-democratic-race-to-the-white-house-post-super-tuesday/436510.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factors-in-handicapping-the-democratic-race-to-the-white-house-post-super-tuesday/436510.md?page=9)