January 26, 2008
Posted: January 26th, 2008 08:32 PM ET

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) – During the last six months, each of the three Democratic frontrunners made campaign pilgrimages to a series of dilapidated schools along Interstate 95 that make up the so-called "Corridor of Shame."

That strip of run-down, rural schools gained national attention in a 2005 documentary that angered many South Carolinians, who saw the schools as a residual symbol of racial discrimination in rural parts of the state.

Though John Edwards and Hillary Clinton made those schools a focus of many speeches throughout their campaigns, Barack Obama won the counties that encompass them by wide margins.

Marlboro, Dillon, Clarendon, Florence and Darlington Counties all went big for Obama on Saturday.

– CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby

Filed under: South Carolina primary


Gretchen   January 28th, 2008 11:37 am ET

The reasons may not be as obvious as you think. I'm a white female who voted for Obama.

Helen   January 28th, 2008 2:35 am ET

I agree with kay, the reason is pretty obvious.

Trevor SC   January 27th, 2008 11:32 pm ET

"Kay" I can't agree with you more.. I'm an SC citizen and I know why he won.

Martha   January 27th, 2008 6:20 pm ET

Marlboro County 48%-White 48%-African American
Dillon County 50%-White 43%-African American
Clarendon County 43%-White 56%-African American
Florence County 60%-White 38%-African American
Darlington County 59% White 40%-African American

Kay, what's your point.

arica   January 27th, 2008 6:05 pm ET

No Kay, we obviously dont need an explanation because we have such bright individuals like yourself to draw that conclusion for us!!! By the way, I do need some help understanding why he won in Iowa and did so well in New Hampshire, you know the states without any black people?

Steve Blaine Washington   January 27th, 2008 5:59 pm ET

Anyone that has live in the South knows that white students go to private schools
and black people go to public schools and do not plan sports together because of the potential for a fight after each game.
Yes, the public schools are a blight in slum areas.
Looks like the black people are finally going to get their civil rights that they were supposed to have received after the Civil War or even after the 1964 Civil Rights law.

nell   January 27th, 2008 5:56 pm ET

Well perhaps it was beacuse he actually talked to people in those Counties?

Roland   January 27th, 2008 5:53 pm ET

No, the biased pro-Obama overswhelming black vote is self-explanatory. Equally self-explanatory will be Obama's loss and Hillary victory in the Super Tuesday primaries. You'll say – Uuh?

Aj   January 27th, 2008 2:45 pm ET

goo point, Kay!!!

charlotte   January 27th, 2008 2:30 pm ET

Is anyone surprised that OPAMA won an almost all black state? Jessie Jackson won that state. A man of the future who relys on the accomplishment of men of the past. JFK, MLK and don't forget he mentioned Reagan. He is no JFK, who I might add was a Washington insider at the time. JFK who was a master debater, a war hero and a man of vision. A man who inspired us with out preaching, yes we can. To compare yourself to him is an insult. JFK did not win the popular vote he won the electorial college. The rest of the country is not 50% black. The debates, not Opamas strong point, could determine this primary election. Unless he pulls an upset, which I doubt . He will have a tough road to hoe

Dee Ward Mena, AR   January 27th, 2008 2:18 pm ET

Kay, you are right on....he won from the AFRICAN AMERICANS that don't think they are just AMERICANS but have to be AFRICAN... IF they want equality, then they should be AMERICANS, not AFRICAN AMERICANS, MEXICAN AMERICANS ETC. We don't say AUSTRALIAN AMERICANS, BRITISH AMERICANS, ENGLISH AMERICANS but they want to be special, not equal...This saddens me. I am not voting for obama but not because he is black, but because he is not the most qualified and I want the most qualified running our country. He is difinitely not JFK.

veronica lynne   January 27th, 2008 2:08 pm ET

It's easy for us to see why he won in S.C.
On to Feb. 5th!

Vivien CA   January 27th, 2008 1:58 pm ET

Anybody surprised?

Amanda   January 27th, 2008 1:32 pm ET

Agreed!

Amy in Cincinnati   January 27th, 2008 1:25 pm ET

No we don't need an explanation since everyone knows the reason why he won...it's because he is the best candidate. Nice try, though.

rick   January 27th, 2008 1:03 pm ET

okay i don't see what the big deal is here,, obviously black americans feel most comfortable with someone who looks more like them,, just like many white and latinos feel more comfortable with someone that looks like them,, that is not racial but personal preference,, it was not suprising that this would happen just as it was not suprising that it happened in N.H. and Nevada,, nor will it be any different when we look back after super tuesday

J. Dean, Juno Beach, FLORIDA   January 27th, 2008 12:54 pm ET

SENATOR BARACK OBAMA SHOULD NEVER WORRY ABOUT JOHN McCAIN. McCAIN AT 72 AND WITH A HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE HEALTH PROBLEM IS NOT AND WILL NEVER BECOME AN EFFECTIVE PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER. WHAT WE HEAR FROM McCAIN ARE ONLY LIES AND DISTORTIONS. YOU CAN ASK GOVERNOR MITT RUMNEY ABOUT THES SUBJECTS.
I BELIEVE IN THE END, BARACK OBAMA AND MITT RUMNEY WILL BE THE BEST AND THE ONLY CHOICE FOR AMERICAN TO CHOOSE THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF AMERICA.
A REPUBLICAN FROM FLORIDA.

Kay   January 27th, 2008 12:28 pm ET

Umm...do we really need an explanation of why he won?

Emmanuel   January 27th, 2008 9:53 am ET

I think the one point that most people aer not paying attention to is "trust". I saw all three candidates go to dilapidated schools. However if you saw the genuineness in the face of Obama at that school in Dillon, you will have no doubt in your mind he's in for the good of the people. The political polarization in this country has reach the point where another one of the same old typical politicians will do us no good. Obama seems to be the best person to bring us all together for a common purpose. Remember, throughout the primaries, only voters who describe themselves as typical Democrats are voting for Hillary. This is not good for the Party when it comes to the general election. If Obama is the nominee, all the democrats will most likely vote for him but so will all the young people and independents. Maybe even Republicans.

Katy Hill Prescott Az.   January 27th, 2008 8:54 am ET

Obama offers hope to those seeking change and promise for a country that Dick Cheney and George Bush have brought to ruins by their greed, lies and corruption.

Rich Semptimphelter   January 27th, 2008 3:22 am ET

Obama ...Yes! Good day for America. Thank you South Carolina.

angelina_ MN   January 27th, 2008 12:49 am ET

I am very proud of everyone who voted, I am very proud of Senator Obama, I am very proud of our system and I am very proud of being part of history in the making.

Antonio Cabral   January 26th, 2008 11:50 pm ET

God Bless Hilary C. God Bless Obama. May the best candidate win.

Peace.

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