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Election 2008
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Saturday, April 26, 2008, 3:00 AM
N.C. votes are magnified By Matt Shaw | Daily Times Staff Writer 'We actually have a chance to matter' The 2008 presidential primary race, as large as 15 candidates four months ago in Iowa, is now down to three contenders and only one real choice for North Carolinians. But, even though N.C. voters have already begun heading to the polls, some Democrats are still struggling with that last choice -- Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton? "I am really torn between the two, I could go either way," said Tammy Whitley on Friday afternoon. She joined dozens who filed on to a sidewalk about a block away from the county board of elections office for free tickets to see Obama Monday at Beddingfield High School. "(Clinton) would be the first woman president and (Obama) would be the first black, so either way, it's going to be history if they win," Whitley said. Whitley wanted to see what Obama might say about "getting gas prices under control." She also wants to know what the two Democrats have to offer for the economy. Karen Padilla, owner and stylist at Distinctively Yours Hair Salon, says the Democratic race is a hot topic at her shop. "It seems pretty close to me," she said Friday. "A lot of people like Obama, but a lot of women, blacks too, are for Hillary. This election is not just about race." "Times are really hard -- gas prices are crazy, food prices are high -- and we really need a change," she said. She relates to Obama more than Clinton because he is from a working class background, she said. "He watched his mother struggle, and he rose up from that." Douglas Overton sees Obama as having more potential to unite the country than Clinton does. "I truly believe that America needs to come together. Hopefully, white Americans will not be threatened by a black man running for president. It's a positive thing," he said. North Carolinians are excited to be a significant part of a presidential primary process for the first time in a generation.' It's been since 1976 -- when Tarheels gave Ronald Reagan the nod over incumbent President Gerald Ford -- that the state's primary elections have been important from the national standpoint. And even then, Reagan didn't benefit from the boost until his 1980 presidential run. For the upcoming elections, one-stop voting began April 17 and continues through Saturday, May 3. Then all polling places will be open for the primary on Tuesday, May 6, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Technically, North Carolina voters are choosing between seven presidential contenders -- three Democrats and four Republicans. But realistically, only three are still in play. U.S. Sen. John McCain, who won the Republican nomination, is now raising funds and beginning his general election campaign. Meanwhile, Obama and Clinton continue to battle over Democratic delegates. Following the Pennsylvania primary this week, Obama had won 1,490 regular delegates and had commitments from 238 superdelegates (congressmen, party officials and others), for a total of 1,728. Clinton has won 1,334 delegates and has the support of 262 super delegates for a total of 1,596. The Democratic nominee needs 2,025 delegates. North Carolina is the biggest prize left on the board with 115 delegates and 13 uncommitted superdelegates. Six of the state's superdelegates have committed their votes, with five, including Wilson Congressman G.K. Butterfield, for Obama and one for Clinton. A decisive win for either candidate here and in Indiana, also voting May 6, could push the nearly 300 undecided superdelegates into one camp or the other. Some have suggested the prolonged primary fight will weaken the eventual nominee. But Chris Boykin, Wilson County chairman of the Democratic Party, says the party faithful are happy to be part of the decision-making process for once. "From what I hear, people are excited about the presidential race. We actually have a chance to matter," Boykin said. The presidential candidates will attract people to the polls, which could help Democrats this fall, he said. "I know that folks are focused mostly on the president and governor's races right now, but they need to look at other races. I can't stress enough to people to cast ballot in every race," he said. mshaw@wilsontimes.com | 265-7878 =========================================================== These are the seven presidential candidates on the North Carolina primary ballots: DEMOCRATS HILLARY CLINTON Born: October 26, 1947 Political background: U.S. Senator from New York, 2001-present; First Lady of the U.S., 1993-2001; First Lady of Arkansas, 1979-81, 1983-1993 Other background: Attorney Family: Husband, Bill; daughter, Chelsea. Website: www.hillaryclinton.com MIKE GRAVEL Born: May 13, 1930 Political background: U.S. Senator from Alaska, 1969-81; Alaska State House,1962-66. Other background: He quit the Democratic Party in March and announced he would seek the Libertarian Party's presidential nomination, but he remains on the N.C. ballot. Family: Wife, Whitney; two children; three grandchildren Website: www.gravel2008.com BARACK OBAMA Born: Aug. 4, 1961 Political background: U.S. Senator from Illinois, 2005-present; Illinois State Senator, 1997-2005; gave keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention Other background: Attorney, author, former director of non-profits in Illinois. Family: Wife, Michelle; daughters, Malia, 9, and Sasha, 6 Website: www.barackobama.com REPUBLICANS MIKE HUCKABEE Born: Aug. 24, 1955 Political background: Arkansas governor, 1996-2007; lieutenant governor, 1993-96. Other background: Baptist Minister. Huckabee ended his presidential campaign in March but remains on the N.C. ballot. Family: Wife, Janet. Website: www.huckpac.com ALAN KEYES Born: Aug. 7, 1950 Political background: Assistant U.S. Secretary of State, 1985-87; ran unsuccessfully for U.S. president in 1996 and 2000 and U.S. Senate in 1988, 1992 and 2004. Other background: Keyes announced in March that he was leaving the Republican Party and running for president from the Constitution Party, but he remains on the N.C. ballot. Website: www.alankayes.com JOHN MCCAIN Born: Aug. 29, 1936 Political background: U.S. Senator from Arizona, 1987-present; U.S. Congressman, 1983-87; Director, U.S. Navy's Senate Relations Office, 1977-81 Other background: U.S. Navy officer, 1958-81. As a Navy pilot, he was shot down over North Vietnam in 1967 and held as a prisoner of war in Hanoi for 5 1/2 years. Military decorations include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. Family: Wife, Cindy; seven children; four grandchildren Website: www.johnmccain.com RON PAUL Born: Aug. 20, 1935 Political background: A Texas physician and a 10-term U.S. Congressman Other background: Paul announced he'd "scale back" his campaign after early primary defeats, but he has not officially dropped out and remains on the N.C. ballot. Website: www.ronpaul2008.com =========================================================== ELECTION 2008 THE WILSON DAILY TIMES is running special coverage this week of the races on the May 6 ballots. The schedule is: Today: Presidential candidates Monday: Congressional races Tuesday: Governor Wednesday: Lieutenant Governor Thursday: Statewide races Friday: Judicial primaries Saturday, May 1: Sales-tax referendums
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