Whew! And now it's on to the Potomac Primary

[rodeodance]

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Campaign 2008
Whew! And now it's on to the Potomac Primary
Democrat rivals push in Virginia, D.C. and Maryland, seeking opportunity for knockout punches

Tribune staff and news services

February 6, 2008

This story contains additional material, published Feb. 7, 2008.

So long, Super Tuesday. Bring on the Potomac Primary.

That's the next major day on the presidential nomination calendar -- this coming Tuesday, when Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia will vote.

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But first it's the Potomac Primary, where many analysts believe Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has the edge over Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.).

Virginia's Democratic primary rules allow independents to cast ballots, which could work in Obama's favor. Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine has endorsed Obama.

In Maryland, a recent poll gives Obama a double-digit lead. Michael Cryor, chairman of the Maryland Democratic Party, is neutral in the race, but he noted that Clinton has the endorsements of many party leaders, including Gov. Martin O'Malley and Sen. Barbara Mikulski. Obama, however, could run strongly in Baltimore, the Washington suburbs and many rural areas. Both candidates have started advertising and sending out mailings.

The city of Washington has a black majority, and Obama is likely to do well there.

Then, on Tuesday, Feb. 19, Wisconsin holds a primary on the same day the Democrats conduct caucuses in Hawaii, where Obama grew up.
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Another slew of delegates is up for grabs on March 4, when primaries will be held in two of the biggest states, Texas and Ohio.

Clinton campaign spokesman Howard Wolfson pointed to strength in early polls in Ohio and the endorsement of its governor, Ted Strickland.

"Gov. Strickland is popular, and I'm sure he'll bring some ground troops out for her," Robert Bennett, chairman of the Ohio Republican Party, told the Times.
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Remaining primaries and caucuses

Saturday: Louisiana, Kansas (R), Washington (D), Nebraska (D) (the Nebraska Democratic caucuses has been added to this list)

Sunday: Maine (D)

Feb. 12: Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C.

Feb. 19: Hawaii (D), Washington (R), Wisconsin

March 4: Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont

March 8: Wyoming (D)

March 11: Mississippi

April 22: Pennsylvania

May 6: Indiana, North Carolina

May 13: Nebraska, West Virginia

May 20: Kentucky, Oregon

May 27: Idaho (R)

June 3: Montana (D), New Mexico (R), South Dakota

SOURCE: National Association of Secretaries of State

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