I just voted about an hour ago here in NC. There was an AA man ahead of me trying to vote and a man and woman behind me. The man ahead of me gave an address that wasn’t even in the ZIP CODE of my precinct, poll worker sent him over to another area they had set up for either provisionals or to find out where his correct precinct was. The whole time the elderly poll worker was trying to explain to the man what he needed to do, the man behind me was loudly critical of the whole process and indignant. When it came my turn the lady said, as she was saying to everyone how are you today? The man behind me said in the nastiest most sarcastic mimicking way “how are you today, fine thank you”. I came so close to telling him how rude I thought he was. Don’t know if he was a supporter of BO, but given the kind of behavior I have experienced on line, it wouldn’t surprise me. I have voted at the same polling place for years and have never seen this kind of behavior from anyone before, nor have I ever seen anyone be at the wrong polling place.

My son who voted 30 minutes after me had a similar experience with a woman in front of the line with him, she hadn’t changed her address when she moved into this area so she wasnt in the books (how the heck did she even know to come to that poll? Asked her neighbor I guess). The lady told her she would have to go back to her old precinct and vote or she could vote provisional and she went off on the poll worker and made a comment after my son went through, you let him go through because he was white! and my son rolled his eyes and the woman went off on him!!! “don’t you roll your eyes at me…”!!!

There was also an Obama person right at the entrance door, my son told the poll workers and they told him he would have to move the legal distance away….

I’m really dismayed by the attitude of some of these people. Surely they know the rules, the rules apply to everyone. If it was so important for them to vote, why didn’t they put a change of address in?

It’s always been fun going to vote, nice poll workers, nice people in line, even people I suspected were repubs, everyone got along. If this is more of the “unity” BO proclaims leave me out!!

It was without a doubt the weirdest experience I have ever encountered voting. It’s pretty disheartening to me.

I think losing yet another midwestern state would further expose Obama's weaknesses. No way the democrats will win NC in the general anyway, nor IN, to be fair, but if the support among the working class rural voters is strong for Hillary in both states, regardless of the spreads, if I were an SD, it would worry me. It means Wright has had an effect. The AA vote will put Obama over in NC, but I doubt it will be 20%. If Hillary wins big with rural voters, that is going to hurt Obama's electability credentials.

Honestly, he should win IN.. it's in his backyard, if he doesn't, that's not good, no matter how they spin it. He has yet to win a swing state.

A reader in GA

He won Wisconsin. He won Missouri. He won Connecticut. He won Iowa. He won Virginia. Those are all swing states.

Bigotry is not confined to only white people.

A reader in GA

So you think someoene using the phrase "these people" to characterize all blacks, isn't bigotry? So you think that post wasn't inappropriate at all? Is this what you are telling me?

janetwickham

You are right, it isn't. But two wrongs do not make a right, does it?

I must be dumb, because I thought that AA stands for Alcoholics Anonymous not African American.

janetwickham

I have seen people of all races express frustration with our voting process. But to single out a few people and then generalize it to encapsulate the behavior of an entire race of people, that is not only bigotry, but ignorance on an unforgiveable level. I am white. And it embarrasses me when i see other white folks come in here and spew nothing but HATE for blacks. People like you justify the insane anger of idiots like Rev. Wright.

lol @ Lovy. Very funny.

Interesting views Rick. I leave in IN and I think that Hillary will come out winning by more than 5%, 8.5% to predict more precisely with the support of the white-and blue collar workers. I think we have a surprise in store in NC; Obama will win closer to cities w/ the heaviest african-american population but it will not be a grand slide, it will be very competitive specially among those undecided...the surprise will come with the rural pockets--Hillary might pull it of by 2% overall (the poll I trusted must in NC was the insider advantage and it showed a 4% Obama lead. I heard the poller on the radio XM Potus 08 and he seemed the must objective) My perspective is that a lot of the polls samples were more than likely taken in the cities with less samples from the rural areas, thus I feel must of these population will lean towards Clinton. I think Bill's strategy will pay off at the end.

Kevin - he won all those states when no one knew who he was? Big scripted speeches and generous desperate Democrats who wanted "change". Just as Obama said he should have "vetted" his pastor in his kick Wright to the curb speech....after 20 years he didn't know who he was dealing with? It took me about 20 minutes to vet Obama and the Republican attack machine will take even less time exposing him.

makemyday2day

Couldn't have written it better. I thought we had made great racial progress in this country until this election rolled around and tested us. We have failed it miserably, both blacks and whites, but especially whites. Rev. Wright has given white bigots and racists in this country license to preach their bigotry without qualms. They think they are being patriotic, but they are nothing but racist Americans and the LOWEST of what this great country has to offer.

Gas Tax issue:

Why does Obama take half of clinton's answer and make stories out of it. She give immidiate solution of rthis summer as well as long term. Do you have a solution for this summer. Will pay the gas bill out of Tony rezco funding..

I watched the meet the press when question about his ad that he doesn't take money from lobbists. He answers that he takes less that doesn't make him that he never took money. Accept you are a liar.

I agree that even winning NC, Barack Obama support should be questioned if the African American turn out is below 40%.

Considering this is a historic election electing an African American, Barack Obama should match the votes received by John Kerry among African Americans in the 2004 general election.

John Kerry received 1.525 million votes in NC-2004, and 45% or 690k votes were from African Americans.

NO, I thinkn the phrase "these people" was refering to Obama supporters who are rude and obnoxious, often hateful, screem racism if someone doesn't support their candidate and don't follow guidelines for appropriate behaviour at polling places, certainly caucuses and even Jefferson Jackson dinners.

I'm sure some people who even voted for him will get so fed up with "these people" in Nov that they will vote for Mc Cain.

Do we really want 4-8 years of this kind of behaviour ruling the white house. Anyone is racist if they question saint Obama, even when his supporters want to commit fraud at caucuses and polling places.

Yeah "these people" isn't racist, it just describes most Obama wing nuts.

Lovy...GOOD ONE...it took me a few minutes to figure out who they were talking about until I read the prejudgeous between the lines.

Angel...what happened to Hillary saying every persons vote should count?

Thank you Rick for your testament to the voting process going on in your state.

I'm sure all the issues will be worked out.

It's amazing to me that the media constantly talks about Obama needing to win the working class white vote, even though many of these will vote for him once he's the nominee, and many aren't going to vote for either one. The question and analysis is never done on "why" in the world can't Clinton win the black vote and how she MUST have this vote to win in November. Why isn't this discussed as much as the 'white' vote?

There's something else not being reported as well. We all know the Independents are not going to vote for Hillary and Obama has a better chance of taking them against McCain, but the major thing being missed is how many "white" democrats will NOT vote for Hillary after the win at all cost campaign that she's waged (and I could elaborate but think it's all been written). My family is an example of this group of true blue democrats I refer to. And right off I'll say these are people who "at one time" loved Bill Clinton - but no longer. The media doesn't report on this but the democratic party has a rude awakening coming that isn't just about the black and young voters if the pledged delegates are overridden by the superdelegates.

My family is white, some with college degrees others without, salary ranges all over the place, living in the south, west and northeast. Two sisters in their 50's, mother 82, me 49, my husband the independent of the group (once considered a Republican) 47, brother in law is 56, AND the one thing we all have in common as far this election goes, we all voted for Senator Obama, and none of us, not one of us will vote for Hillary if she's the democratic nominee. And we all have friends that feel the same way.

So as the media concentrates on the white working class vote not voting for Obama, maybe some reporting on why she can't get the black vote and young vote and how's she's going to need them to win in November and then reporting on this large group of "white" democrats will not vote for her.

Rick: It was without a doubt the weirdest experience I have ever encountered voting. It’s pretty disheartening to me.

-----

Multiply your experience by about a hundred to understand what Democrats in Texas felt about their precinct and county conventions this year.

Sitting here in Raleigh...My wife will be glad this day is over. She has been called 12 times since Friday by the Clinton campaign and 3 times by Obama. My son has been called 3 times by Obama as well. I told them that's what they get for registering Democrat. I am a registered Independent. No one has called me.....I guess I am just the forgotten voter in this contest....not that I am complaining at this point...Oh, btw...I didn't vote for HRC...I simply don't trust that she knows what truth is...

And......the obama campaign and obama claim they haven't played the racist card? Really? Look at these posters - those for obama are going nuts....Now it has become politically incorrect to use AA - what next? The word black will have to be removed from the English language? Then after that, what word has to go.
Just look at what obama has done to this nation - how he has divided people who generally get along ok - what a bigot obama, his follower and his campaign are. I can't believe the hypocrisy of all this. Unbelievable and getting sicker by the day. The AA of this nation have absolutely gone berserk.

I can't believe that after this long, drawn out contest that anyone would actually want to vote for Clinton. I am white, and I vote for Obama, not because of race, I simply believe he is the better candidate to lead us out of this hole our government has dug for us, Clinton has made this whole campaign look more like a mud slinging contest than, a presidential race. The lies that have come out of that womans mouth are outrageous and to use another mans words (Wright) to use against someone else is just plain petty, Hillary needs to suck it up, pull in her bottom lip, and EXIT while she still has any self respect left!!

Multiply your experience by about a hundred to understand what Democrats in Texas felt about their precinct and county conventions this year.

---------

And, yo ... that isn't "racist", folks. Even adult African Americans were embarrassed by the rude -- frequently white -- Obama supporters shouting in everybody's face and "herding" the African Americans around as if they owned them.

Obama needs to drop out. He is tearing this country apart and causing too much damage for the democratic party to heal.

He's too ignorant to be President. Maybe someday he can run again when he grows up a bit and learns about America aand how a President should act. Rural America is still upset over his remarks.

Bye Obama, good luck next time. Afterall it is better for America and better for the party.

It is true that Illinois news stations have been covering Wright extensilvely. But it is also true that Se. Obama has been running very frequent ads over the last few days on the main Chicago channels: CBS, NBC and ABC. Duirng one show we counted the same ad five times.
All that advertising may offset any negatives from Wright coverage.

Does anyone wonder when Rev. Wright will come out from his lock down position? He can't be bound and tied until November! CNN is now stating Rev. Wright IS a problem with voters. Duh?

If Hillary doesn't get the nomination, all the women of the world will be RIOTING!

ha ha, just kidding.

This voter will vote for John McCain if Hillary doesn't get the nomination.

I just voted in NC and was very surprised because no one asked me for an ID. I moved here from the West Coast and have voted in elections for a good long time ---I am going on 70. But no one here asked to see an identification. How do they keep these elections honest? So I have a registration card, anyone can easily get one. I moved here and got mine through the mail without ever showing any ID. The only thing that I thought was unfavorable was that there were signs for Obama right outside the voting doors, which I have never seen before over the years. Generally the day of the primary the advertising goes away and you are let to vote your conscience. That seems to have changed with the rules not to show ID?

Rev. Wright will be back . Obama has trashed him and he will not let his friend do this to him.

You folks who believe Obama played the race card first are insane. The way I remember it is that Obama was not drawing black voters when this election first started. Clinton was. When Obama began winning it naturally struck up a sense of pride in the black community and they began to shift from supporting Clinton to supporting Obama. When the Clintons saw this happening they attempted to downplay this migration by marginalizing Obama as the "black candidate" after the New Hampshire primary..This, as anything the Clintons' do, was a calculated political manuever and is resulting in driving a wedge into the Democratic party. It was their strategy all along. Divide and conquer. This was also the point when this "average white person (male)" decided I've seen enough of the Clinton politics (and lies) and vowed never to vote for a Clinton again. You folks who now want to revise reality really deserve the Clintons since their version of truth (lies) matches yours. The reality is the country deserves better.

I definately comfort myself on these sites when I'm reminded that most bloggers are in the tank for Obama due to age/computer access. Think of all the millions of Americans who work day and night, aren't 18-25 and believe in their country, bibles and someone who will try to fix our economy...Hillary!
She has solutions, takes questions from anyone, even Obama supporters at Sunday's town hall meeting in Ind. Doesn't run in fear to the basketball courts for a photo op instead of having a debate with Hillary for the undecides.
I wish someone would explain his platform of "uug, uum, ahh" to me.

In NC you do not need an ID. You just mark Hillary.

Anybody but Obama. Not because he is black, but because he is a left wing liberal and his wife is just a plain ugly human

"The exit poll estimated blacks made up about a third of voters in the North Carolina Democratic primary, about one in seven in Indiana. More than half of voters in both states were women, which is typical for Democratic primaries. About one in seven voters in Indiana and slightly fewer in North Carolina were under age 30; about a quarter in North Carolina and somewhat fewer in Indiana were over age 65."

Mitchell does look ill.

Angel your stats are great..keep informing us with your posts. Go Hillary!

Hillary does not represent my values. I am a college educated single father with two kids (ages 8 and 10), who can see through Hillary’s smoking mirrors. Hillary Clinton is an ELITIST. She has become like The Pied Piper of Hamelin...where many voters follow her without question...not realizing that she's driving them towards the abyss.

Regarding Michigan and Florida, 50% for each of the delegates per candidate is reasonable and fair. Everyone knew the rules and agreed upon them before the game started. All of the candidates knew the rules. All of the states knew the rules. Suddenly, in the middle or near the end of the game, because Hillary is not winning, certain people want to change the rules.

We, the people of the United States, have a moral obligation to maintain such rules that were agreed upon by everyone. If we change the rules now, what are we teaching our children? Let’s play the game fair. Majority wins.

Larry , he has too many shady friends and is out of touch with working class americans.

EXIT POLLS

WORRIED ABOUT THE ECONOMY

"The economy was on voters' minds in Democratic primaries in Indiana and North Carolina. Two-thirds of Democratic primary voters in Indiana and nearly as many in North Carolina said the economy is the most important issue facing the nation. That's more than have said so in 28 previous competitive Democratic primaries with exit polls this year."

"Only about one in five in each state said Iraq was the top issue, and even fewer picked health care from a list of three issues."

"Four in 10 Indiana Democratic voters said the current recession or economic slowdown has affected their family a great deal. Nearly as many said that in North Carolina"

It's only the race issue that has feared the 'other kind of whites' away from Obama...even though he's half white too.

Otherwise, who would vote for a nasty, lying, power hungry Clinton... whose a woman and the worst example of our sex?

Hillary won Florida and Michigan. The voters spoke.

I live in Texas... with all the racist stuff coming out about Michelle and Obama's pastor...

That dog wont hunt here. McCain is going to stomp Obama.

Sad really, this was the year we were supposed to stomp the republicans.

Fox news poll today said of the three candidates who cares more about the economy...40% Hillary, 30% McCain and 30% Obama. Early exit polls on Fox also saying Wright has been a problem with voters. Votes are trickling in.

You can't blame Obama for any racist divide in this country. It was here long before he came along. He largely succeeds at transcending race (unlike his former pastor), but we as a country clearly have a long way to go.

I believe it was Ferraro, a Clinton surrogate who first played the race card with her absurd comment that the Obama campaign's success was due to his being a black man (Really??? Because black men always win presidential campaigns??????)! She then lashed out at those who rightly criticized her crude bigotry, saying she was being attacked for being white! Bill Clinton followed that with his comparison of Obama to Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, implying that Obama only appeals to blacks. Remember this happened after Obama won Iowa - not exactly the blackest state in the union. It was also the Clinton campaign which released the photo of Obama in traditional Kenyan garb in a disgraceful attempt to imply that he "looked like a terrorist". There are multiple other examples of this kind of dirty politics coming from the Clinton campaign.

Now, Obama is no saint - he has made a few gaffes himself - but calling him a racist is beyond absurd. You might try to remember that his mother was white. Also try to remember that Rev. Wright is NOT Barack Obama. From the posts I read here, there are few, if any, who have attempted in the smallest way to understand Rev. Wright and why he might have a reason or two to be angry. Nor do they understand the years of service this man put into defending this country during a time of war. Also, It is entirely possible to love someone like a father, and still hate some of the things he says. I know my father has said a few bigoted remarks in his day. Should I disown him, too?

Look, I know that Clinton's supporters want her to win, but this kind of race-baiting ugliness will not help Democrats in the fall. The more we allow hatred and distrust to tear us apart, the more likely it is that we will see another 4 years of Republican rule. Just because Hillary Clinton isn't doing much to ease up on the racial divisiveness doesn't give license to her supporters to lose their minds. Democrats will not win unless we are all in this together. The only candidate I hear talking about this kind of coming together is Barack Obama. I would love to hear more Clinton supporters suggesting the same. Let me start - I forgive those of you who have made racist remarks. Please forgive me if I have offended any of you. Now, can we all start looking at the big picture?

Fox news poll today said of the three candidates who cares more about the economy...40% Hillary, 30% McCain and 30% Obama. Early exit polls on Fox also saying Wright has been a problem with voters. Votes are trickling in.

I believe Obama has been race baiting Hillary. Obama learned this from his friend Rev Wright.

No one is turned away from the polls for not having ID. They can cast a provisional ballot and provide ID within 10 days.

You can check the IN sec of State web site.

If anyone was turned away its because they decided to go back home and get their id.

Obama said small town people are bitter and they cling to thier religious faith and thier guns. This statement has a racial tone to it.

Ok just read the story. They should have cast provisional ballots. The worker made a mistake religious exemption for no photo ID is also allowed. A 98 year old nun with no worldly posessions would qualify.

Her fellow sister was being a bit strict I think.

Someone should inform her of the religious exemption and get those nuns to the poll to vote.

Letty, I don't think that racism is a big issue everywhere, but it IS a big issue if we let it into the White House. Obama listened to racist rhetoric for 20 years and talks about "typical white people". If HRC had done either one of those things she wouldn't still be in this primary. Come on IND & NC and get us an electable nominee - send the phony Obama home to his shady Chicago friends!

Letty...you are right in so many ways, and although I support Obama as a human being, nice enough guy, I just cannot support him for the highest office in this country. He hasn't earned it. Inexperience, poor judgement, track record....if I was hiring him as an accountant in my company, I would feel the same. You look at a resume.
I would probably have more fun with him at a party...he seems likeable "enough", as he once said about Hillary at a debate.
I won't lie...I like him, his wife scares me and you probably can figure out how I feel about Wright.

What a waste of everyone's time. Don't you people care about the problems facing this country? I guess it's easier to fling personal attacks than to understand those things that matter. Those take too much thought.

Rev Wright was bitter and Obama didn't make a statement about him clinging to guns and religious faith. Rev Wright was busy clinging to someone's wife instead.

letty, comendable statement. I have personally spent way too much time reading and blogging on politics, you haven't spent enough. Sad but true, the obama bloggers have collectively been as harsh, vile, and nasty as anyone can be. It's nice you can call on Jesus when your candidate needs votes. It would be even better if you also chastised the devisive element within your own cadre. Your right, no one should propagate hate. Also, disliking a candidates platform, attitude or religous affiliation is not limited to the color of their skin, or culture.

This is why nuns should rule the Democratic Party. Nuns believe in rules. Rules as they are written. Hillary. Rules.

Hillary is just the best candidate anyway you cut it.

Big surprise...watching the news and 91% of the black vote so far going to Obama. He could smoke crack with Rev. Wright on national television and they would still support him. If Hillary smoked crack with Maya Angelou (an HRC supporter) I'd be done with her. Fortunately, she's never done "blow" like Obama has. Not interested in an ex-druggie in WH.

1/3 black vote in Nc by what 4 o'clock is not good for Obama. That number will be going down. It was 40%

Rev Wright was the man who influenced Obama for 20 years. He was Obama spiritual advisor. He is part of Obama's life and character and Obama has tried to distance himself from him for political gain. Is there nothing Obama would do for his own selfish gain.

Obama has tried to keep Hillary from getting the votes in Florida and Michigan that were given her by the voters and he campaigned some in Florida. This is wrong.

There is so much hate in this room not funny.I will be glad when this circus is over...

Obama's health care plan is a disaster for working class people.

Debra

Count me with those that will NOT vote for Obama if he is the nominee.

The results should prove interesting.

So far 61 Hillary, 39 Obama in Indiana...his neighbor state. Outspending and five ads every hour in Chicago area to quell the Wright flak.
Looks like Hoosiers aren't buying BO's ideology and alignment with all the wrong Anti Americans. Will be interesting where the 40% black population of NC puts his numbers in the next couple of hours.
If they put these two on the ticket it still won't work. That's what they are saying now and I for one, won't ever vote Obama!

From CNN
Clinton 60% Obama 40% in Indiana. 2% counted.

Anyone notice that Hillary is running 20% lower in rural Indiana counties than she did in Ohio and Pennsylvania?

Hillary received 70% of the votes in these counties. So far, Indiana rural counties have been 61%.

It's still very early, but the media leading up to the election indicated anything more than 35% for Obama would open a flood gate of super delegates toward Obama.

Hey Debbie...Hillary can't be doing too bad in Indiana if she's at 61% to Obama's 39%....nice spin tho.

Debbie "anything more than 35% for Obama would open a flood gate of super delegates toward Obama."

Ah I see. Lowering the bar for Obama and then still calling it a win for him. Where I come only getting 35% is known as getting spanked.

Give the Clintons points for HONESTY? Wow did I miss Something?

Hillary will win and Obama will lose and Obama supporters will sing the blues.

The next time any white American doubts that racism in America is still alive and well all they have to do is scroll to the top and continue reading down to the bottom. These posts here are a testament on how far apart we are on the matter or race. Never in my adult life have I seen so many so called life long democrats threaten to vote Republican if Obama or Hillary wins the Democratic nod. Of all the bad things that the Republicans have put us through in the past eight years to even think to vote that way is heresy. I hope all you folks get what YOU deserve in the end, knowing McCain will not gave a rats ass about the middle class or the poor. I hope all of you who say you'll vote republican if your desired (democratic) candidate doesn't win don't have young adult children in the armed services. It amazes me that we all live in the same country but we live so far apart.

Hi Debra,

I like your name.

It's not spin. In Ohio and Pennsylvania Hillary has done well by winning rural counties with around 70% of the vote.

In higher counties, Obama typically wins.

I'm not trying to spin anything.

Hillary will need to do receive 48% of the vote in the counties with several hundred thousand voters.

CNN just reported the same thing I'm talking about.

A Reader in GA: Obama has won nearly every mid-western state in the country.
Exactly what are you talking about?

hey Debra if you are not interested in an ex druggie in the white House what is Bush doing there?

Kevin: Your forgetting one thing, the battleground states he did not win. He won some nickel and dime states. That' what gave him more states. The battleground states that Hillary do not want his as president that's why they didn't give him the vote.

Obama does give more money to superdelegates than Hillary does.

People who support Obama is doing him a disservice. The fact is that he is damaged. If Obama win the primary and lose the election, he will be forever banned from running as the candidate. I would not hesitate to vote for him if he have few more years of experience and exposure. While some people think the business with his pastor and radical left wing fanatics is not a big deal as a 2nd generation immigrant, this is a BIG deal. He may or may not think as his pastor, but politics is about perception. If I am an immigrant and a minority can not accept this then you can bet that the majority of American will not accept. It's not about his pastor, who cares about him. It is about the candidate itself. With a slim resume, he call to people to trust him on his words, that words matters, ideas, judgment are worth it. The pastor incident disproved all of these. If words, ideas mattered, why didn't he say and do anything for the past twenty years. If he claims that he has the ability to bridge the race, why didn't he start right at his pastor, his grand mother, his church.Most presidential candidate have one and only one shot at it. If he step up into the ring now, he will be forever damage. The best option for him is to take a VP position or bow out, which give him time to rehabilitate his image and improve his weakness (experience). Eight years from know, if someone ask him about the pastor, he can answer very honestly that it was a mistake, and he can prove that he correct it during the 8 years as VP and full of experience. I know this is not going to convince any of Obama's supporters and I might be called all kinds of things but it is reality plain and simple.