(Charleston, West Virginia)
"It's not over! "It's not over!"
That was the chant tonight from hundreds of supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY). Clinton captured the West Virginia Democratic primary by a huge margin; and, while her campaign for the presidential nomination remains a statistical long shot, she's still in it. Clinton won West Virginia by a whopping 67 to 26 percent over Barack Obama.
According to CNN exit polls, Clinton won over 70 percent of female voters; she also won over 72 percent of white voters without college degrees. In other words, Clinton won a landslide of working class, "blue collar" white voters. She did the same thing in Ohio and Pennsylvania, raising serious questions about whether Sen. Barack Obama can capture those same voters should he be the fall nominee. There are concerns among Democrats that some of those "Reagan Democrats" will bolt the party as they did in 1980 and 1984 and will support the Republican - in this case the more moderate Sen. John McCain.
To a roaring crowd, Clinton laid out her case as to why she's the better fall candidate, "We won in states that we must be prepared to win in November," she said, alluding to key states such as Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and - yes - West Virginia, if the Democrats want to take back the White House. Clinton won all four of those primaries and by decisive margins. "I am strong enough for this challenge," Clinton said. "You know I never give up!" And the crowd roared again!
Clinton did not speak ill of her opponent, Sen. Barack Obama, who is still the front runner. "I deeply admire Senator Obama, but our case is stronger," she said. She also commended Obama on the quality of his campaign. She added "I will work my heart out for the Democratic nominee of our party, so we have a Democratic president." Whether this was all to position herself for a vice-presidential selection should her run for the nomination fail, only Mrs. Clinton knows.
Jim Cochran is a 61-year-old Vietnam veteran who is backing Clinton and is hoping for a brokered convention in Denver this August. "I hope it gets to the (convention) floor, like the old days," Cochran said. "That's when the Clintons will bring out their charm!" Cochran's scenario is possible, though not likely right now. However, if neither candidate has enough delegates and "Super Delegates" by August, there could be a floor fight at the convention. Much of this rests on the five remaining primaries and the disputed Michigan and Florida delegations. Clinton needs much of those groups to go her way if she is to win. Again it's possible, but not probable at this point. Cochran is supporting Sen. Clinton because West Virginia saw better economic times when Bill Clinton was in office from 1993 to 2001. "We need someone to bring the budget back," he said. "And I am a Vietnam veteran, but it's time to end this (Iraq) war."
As for Clinton taking the VP spot on the ticket should she lose the nomination, Cochran says, "I think it would be a 'dream ticket' but he (Obama) has got to make that decision."
The night rang through with shouts of "Madame President, Madame President" thoughout the crowd of hundreds of Clinton supporters. They hope to ride another day, or perhaps more!
Wednesday morning I will have a complete wrap up of the West Virginia primary "live" on KTVU's "Mornings on Two" with Ross McGowan. I will do so with the help of my friends at CNN. As always, check in often at www.MarkCurtisMedia.blogspot.com.
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