He won in Illinois because nobody else was on the ticket. He had them all thrown out in a courtroom. He was running against Allen Keyes, give me a break. IL is Democrat not Republican.

Marie - he had a tough race for the Democratic nomination during that Senate race, in which he wasn't picked early on to win.

Also, I'd say that Obama has done well since Iowa. Despite taking the full broadsides of a Clinton campaign of personal destruction, he's actually won the delegate race in the two following states.

Sure, it would have been great to get the momentum that would have continued from a popular vote win in New Hampshire, but all in all, this 'innexperienced novice' is holding up pretty well against the machine.

Clearly Marie is repeating right wing talking points. Obama won a hard fought primary against the party organization's candidate. It isn't his fault that the kinky Republican Senate candidate had to be replaced by Alan Keyes.

Give me a break! for Obama to use his Illinois victory to the U.S. Senate is another one of his exaggerations! We know here very well and you can check in the records that Obama was just lucky, he was running 3rd, he never was the favorite on that race, fortunately for him the Republicans got into all the scandals, not candidate real against any Democrat and they had to bring Alan Keyes from D.C. at the last minute. Obama won practically by default! I voted for him just to get a Democrat back in the Senate and because Obama promised to work hard for the people of Illinois and serve his full term, little we knew he can't keep any promise for long and started running for the Presidency after 2 months in the Senate!

And then John, how did he win the primary. Did Hynes have a sex scandal or did Barack just out and out beat him? He won a hard fought primary and isn't doing too bad right now either. After all, by your calculations, Hillary should be running away with it right?

Obama should not use that election as evidence he can win elections, ha-ha; this guys is trying to fool everyone. They should come back here to Illinois and learn the real facts. The fact is that on that election for the first time the people of Illinois have to chose between two African American candidates, Obama was the Democrat African American and Alan Keyes was the republican candidates at the last minute - he wasn't even living in Illinois. We were to chose between an unknown candidate like Obama and a "crazy candidate" named Alan Keyes, that was and easy choice for some, we voted for the best of two evils.

Mr Obama claims that he is running a uniting, clean positive campaign. And yet, time and time again, he tells the afro-american voters "we can do this" while claiming that the other candidates (for example, Mrs Clinton) are playing the "race". I think that he is being a hypocrite!

Nate, who do you want for president?

I agree with the assessment that Obama wants to win based on his race. He uses that with White people as well, like they should vote for him because it will make them feel good. It's so Rainbow Coalition. Then he alludes to it in order to play the victim. Please. This is one person who is voting because of what I want as a citizen. What is even more disturbing to me, is when people stand on his side claiming the whole yeah, "they" are trying to keep you down 'cause you're a brother. Please, is this how he will make it to the Presidency? How insulting to voters who use common sense.

Hillary Clinton is using a race-baiting strategy that if Obama wins SC it'll turn off whites who'll see it as "blacks vs. whites". And sadly all you dummies are playing right into it. So what if blacks vote for Obama. Whites have been voting strictly for whites since......FOREVER!! The fact that so many of you are caught up on what blacks voters do, speaks volumes to what you REALLY think about a candidate that just happens to be black.

Obama is addressing a community that has serious issues being recognized and heard in this so-called "democracy". Black people have a very valid concern. Face it, America is racist primarily because whites deem it so. That's why there is a "Bradley-effect" (look that up), because whites aren't comfortable aligning themselves with someone NOT white. What you see in Obama's church, his wife's speeches, and his speeches to blacks is a REACTION to the mentality American racism has cultivated and supported. None of you white posters on here deal with that reality. So you may NEVER get the point. Some of you cry if you are the only white person in a room. Its just hilarious how whites accuse blacks of being racists if they try to maintain a positive identity while being targeted by racism. Defensive and IRONIC.

How about wondering why whites in SC vote for Clinton 43% to Obama's 20% ??? Has anyone considered THAT? Would Obama have a snowball's chance in Hell in SC was ALL white?

Hey ABC, give us THAT story.

Obama, like Hillary's sex, has to address the issue of race. Clearly some black Americans are not sure the people of this country will elect a black man as President.

I think some of our friends here are projecting about Barack thinking that he wants to win based on his race. He wants to win because he has a vision for America and the passion to get things done.

What is the man supposed to do? Ignore the issue, tear up and almost cry? Hey, that might do it!

Irma, I will vote for anyone but Obama. I already voted for him here in Illinois and I am very disappointed on him; even more troubling is to see how the media have elevated him to a level that we never knew he was at. Not to put the guy down; but he isn't really what they are marketing out there or at least we have had miracles under his leadership in Illinois and we haven't seen any miracle or big contribution to the State after he was elected to the U.S Senate. They are promoting Obama like this hero better than anyone else and capable to make miracles, and that's overreaching. We can see the skilled marketing hands of Oprah and his big friends in Hollywood trying to promote and introduce a new product in the market; well this is not a game we are talking about electing the President of the most powerful nation of the world and I don't think Obama has shown -other than words- anything that can prove be is capable to do a job at that level or real leadership. He is just not ready!!!!

What about Michelle Obama, all she talks is about the time of blacks to vote for a black President, she is bringing the race card every time she talks and the press don't print that!!!
Obama and his followers think we should elect and African American candidate because is their turn???? even if the candidate is unqualified??

I agree Rob, clearly one of the reasons she has been staying away and Bill has stayed in the State will be there attempt to "discount" Obama's victory.

Now, having grown up in Chicago politics, I expect there to be some type of outburst against Bill as he campaigns in the black community that he will play for all its worth.

They have clearly made the decision to throw blacks overboard to go after lower income whites and hispanics in an effort to win some of the the Feb 5 states.

They are really beginning to anger me to the point that I may not vote for her if she gets the nomination.

I never thought they could play this rough -- "fairy tales" indeed. This is going to leave some really hard feelings.

You folks can continue the bickering and infighting between Hillary and Obama, enough of that. They are trying to prove who is the nasty one, who has the biggest machine, who rise the more money from big corporations, etc. Enough of the same divisive politics and playing in the hands of the Republicans! I will vote for Edwards!

Hull and Hynes were always the Democrat favorites for the 2004 IL Senate. They both ran into controversy as their divorce records became public. I'm sure that was the doing of the Obama campaign as many in IL believe. They bowed out of the race and it was only Barack Obama on the Democrat side and Ryan until Ryan too backed out and was replaced by Keyes. Keyes is a freak that ran his campaign preaching God. Obama was a shoe in, no ifs ands or buts about it. It was a free ride. He has never ever won a hard fought campaign. Period.

It's the human race people... Hillary or Obama can win - chances are one will be president and one will be vice so get used to it - it's 2008 and we are human first!

PTC has the Senate race flat wrong. Hull was leading because of his money and lost because of his divorce issues.

Hynes was the candidate favored by the machine and who had, due to his family connections, all the big endorsements and plenty of money.

Obama beat the machine on this one.

How can anyone say he had an easy time of it?

He didn't hit the race issue, he threw it out. He is not runnign to be the first non-white President, he is running to be President and happens to not be white. that is is point. Can the media and Clintons try to join in on this elevation of the conversation?

Posted by: Keith
They are throwing the blacks overboard in the same manner, Clinton told Kerry to throw the gays overboard in 2000, except Kerry didn't do it. I guessing he didn't do it because not everyone is willing to f- over people for their political ambitions. For some people, convictions are very important.

That is exactly what they are doing. They are splitting the party. Edu. among HS, women among men, blacks among whites, blue collar and white collar, etc. It is a total shame people cannot see that. I saw early on and that is why I pulled my support for Hillary. I want sanction their win at all cost bull.