Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hillary Captures Base Critical to Primaries

She's solid among vital women, seniors, blue-collar voters

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 8, 2007 4:05 PM CDT

(Newser) – While cautioning that it's still early, the LA Times reports that Hillary Clinton’s frontrunner status owes largely to her dominance among groups that are stalwarts in the Democratic nominating process. Barack Obama rules among the young and affluent, but likely primary voters are women, seniors, and blue-collar voters—all Hillary-friendly demographics.

Fully 51% of women aged 18 to 49 support the first female presidential frontrunner; her pollster chalks up seniors' support to an abiding interest in experience. But Clinton still faces a challenge in Iowa, where women don’t break as heavily for her. Her narrower lead there might be because of the relative unimportance of name recognition, or because Bill never placed a premium on the Hawkeye State.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

Local residents listen to Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., speak during a town hall meeting, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007, in New Hampton, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) (Associated Press)

Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., speaks during the Johnson County Democrats' annual barbecue, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) (Associated Press)

Democratic Presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-NY, speaks to supporter on stage during a campaign rally in downtown Washington, Wednesday, June 6, 2007. Sen. Clinton launched 'Club 44'... (Associated Press)

Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., laughs as she is introduced to speak at the Johnson County Democrats' annual barbecue, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007, in Iowa City, Iowa.... (Associated Press)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Hillary Clinton addresses AARP in Boston (patriotledger (YouTube))

View larger videos >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Ex-Gov. Helps Obama Sling Mississippi Mud

Mabus deplores divisiveness, Clinton's 'derogatory' statements

(NEWSER) - A Barack Obama radio ad airing in Mississippi ahead of Tuesday’s primary features the ex-governor arguing that Hillary Clinton looks down on the state, CNN reports. Entitled “Respect,” the ad refers to remarks Clinton made about a lack of elected female officials in Iowa, when she said, “How can Iowa be ranked with Mississippi? That’s not the quality.” More»

Hillary's Not a True Test of Gender Bias

Dowd: Maybe you want a woman president —but not this woman

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama's sweep of eight primaries in the past four days has put Hillary Clinton on the ropes, and New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd wonders if women will once again come to her aid as they did in New Hampshire. But the "national seminar on gender and race" that is this year's Democratic primary has a strange tenor: while Obama aims to transcend race, Clinton often tries to use her sex as a tool, or worse, as an excuse, says Dowd. More»

Women Crucial to Clinton Victory

Obama takes youth and affluent vote, but Hillary still rocks Granite State

(NEWSER) - Hillary Clinton's surge from expected second to sudden victor in the New Hampshire primary may be largely thanks to the ladies, writes Salon. Clinton's backing by 46% of female voters—compared with 34% for Barack Obama—boosted the New York senator to 39% of the overall vote, edging Obama's 37%. That marked a critical change from Iowa, where Obama won more of women's votes. What else allowed Hillary to shock the pundits? More»

So Much for Clinton's Air of Inevitability

Obama's message of change sits better with voters

(NEWSER) - Hillary Clinton is suddenly an underdog and must now prove she has the same resilience her husband showed after a sluggish start in the primaries 15 years ago. The strategy of running as an incumbent didn't play with Iowans, Margaret Carlson notes on Bloomberg. "The folks in Iowa didn't seem to be yearning for a third Clinton term, hers if not his," Carlson writes. More»

Obama Wins Iowa; Edwards 2nd, Clinton Close 3rd

With 100% of Democratic precincts reporting, Edwards just ahead of Clinton

(NEWSER) - Riding a record turnout of young, independent and new voters, Barack Obama decisively won the Democratic caucuses in Iowa last night, with John Edwards narrowly edging out Hillary Clinton for second. With all Democratic precincts reporting, Obama, aiming to be the first black president of the United States, prevailed with a commanding 38%; Edwards took 30% and Clinton 29%, CNN reports. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Hillary Captures Base Critical to Primaries