First thoughts: Obama's big win
Posted: Sunday, January 27, 2008 10:28 AM by Mark Murray
COLUMBIA, SC/TAMPA, FL -- According to the AP, it was a rout. Per Fournier, it was a landslide. George Bush might have referred to it as a “thumping.” Whatever you want to call it, Obama’s victory last night in South Carolina was by the biggest margin we’ve seen so far in a contested race this primary season. Obama did it by winning about 80% of the African-American vote, as well as about a quarter of the white vote. Sure, his share of the white vote there dropped some 10-plus points compared to other states. But remember, this is the South, and the white vote was always going to be a little more difficult for Obama to capture southern whites. Perhaps the most telling stat in the exit polls highlights the southern challenge for Obama: White voters over 60 supported Obama at a clip of less than 20%, while their children -- white voters under 30 -- supported Obama at just over a 50% clip. If anything, Obama’s victory should calm the campaign down after a tough week; the size was greater than either camp expected. It also should help with rounding up another round of endorsements. It's interesting, by the way, how easily Obama and McCain are picking up endorsements after New Hampshire, but how difficult Clinton and Romney have had securing the big nods. Will Obama have an eyebrow-raising nod nearly every day before February 5? Don't be surprised. Caroline Kennedy dominates today, and there's also California Rep. Xavier Becerra (D). Who's next?
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/