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South Carolina Black Women Key for Dems

Early primary could make or break Obama in battle with Clinton

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 26, 2007 12:39 PM CDT

(Newser) – The Jan. 29 Democratic primary in South Carolina might come down to black women, the Los Angeles Times reports. Half of Democratic voters in the state are African American, and most of those are female—40% of whom have yet to pick a horse. That decision may hinge largely on whether gender or race is more important to those voters.

The primary is seen as crucial for Barack Obama, who can stand to lose Iowa and New Hampshire but probably not South Carolina, where voting was scheduled early specifically to give voice to African Americans. While local black men favor Obama—and he's outspent rival Hillary Clinton nearly 3-to-1 there—the decisive demographic also has a soft spot for Clinton’s husband.

Senator Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.,), right, and State Representative, John Matthewes, left, speak to supporters during a private gathering at, The Cinema, in Orangeburg, S.C., following the first Democratic Presidential Debate at South Carolina State University, in Orangeburg, S.C., on Thursday, April 26, 2007. (AP Photo/Brett Flashnick)
Senator Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.,), right, and State Representative, John Matthewes, left, speak to supporters during a private gathering at, The Cinema, in Orangeburg, S.C., following the first Democratic...   (Associated Press)
Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., shakes hands with supporters after speaking during the National Convention of College Democrats during their convention Thursday, July 26, 2007, at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)
Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., shakes hands with supporters after speaking during the National Convention of College Democrats during their convention Thursday, July 26, 2007, at the...   (Associated Press)
Presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., at podium, speaks at the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus annual legislative dinner, Friday, April 13, 2007, at the Columbia metropolitan convention center in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Anne McQuary)
Presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., at podium, speaks at the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus annual legislative dinner, Friday, April 13, 2007, at the Columbia metropolitan convention...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., is greeted by supporters as she arrives for the South Carolina Democratic Party Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Columbia, S.C., Friday, April 27, 2007. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., is greeted by supporters as she arrives for the South Carolina Democratic Party Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Columbia, S.C., Friday,...   (Associated Press)
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SC's critical for GOP as well, which traditionally picks its winner in the Palmetto State
Politico

Hillary's first SC spot targets black women
The Atlantic

 
Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • Iowa • African Americans • New Hampshire • South Carolina • Bill Clinton • Democratic presidential primaries • female voters • African-American voters

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