February 5, 2008
Posted: February 5th, 2008 09:39 PM ET

(CNN) - Hillary Clinton’s campaign is pointing to her victories in the Republican-heavy states of Tennessee, Arkansas and Oklahoma as proof she can win in areas far from the coasts. “With these first two victories, Hillary Clinton has demonstrated that she can compete and win in red states,” read a Tuesday night campaign statement.

The Obama campaign has pointed to its major endorsement haul from Democratic elected officials in majority-Republican states.

Sen. Clinton spent many years as Arkansas’ first lady. Tennessee allows Democrats, Republicans and Independents to vote in its Democratic primary, but according to CNN’s exit poll, Obama actually scored marginally higher than Clinton among independents who chose to vote in the Tennessee primary (CNN did not poll Republican voters in the Democratic primary).

Oklahoma, for its part, has a “closed” Democratic primary, meaning that only registered Democrats can vote; so there’s no way to know what choice Oklahoma’s registered Republicans would make.

– CNN Political Producer Alan Isenberg

Filed under: Arkansas • Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • Oklahoma • Tennessee


Lawyer2B   February 6th, 2008 2:44 am ET

Didn't Obama grow up in Hawaii? Or was that Kansas...

Nevermind, those aren't major battleground states either and Hillary won all those.

Mike timmons   February 6th, 2008 1:54 am ET

Didn't Hillary grow up in illinois? It must hurt to lose your home state. Or is that Arkansas? New York? Oh no, she is the epitome of the Washington D.C. Democrat. The ones who refused to impeach Bush, and put helped put Mukasey the torture excuser in the AG seat.

Lawyer2B   February 6th, 2008 1:33 am ET

Hillary dominated Super Tuesday, and the egg on the faces of the CNN pundits is starting to set in.

Perhaps I'm mistaken, but isn't the media supposed to be unbiased? Did CNN get the memo that their job is to report the news, not use every opportunity (including Hillary WINNING) to bash the Clintons and try to make Obama the second coming of Spider Man?

Don't worry...Obama will save us...he doesn't say how but he will...

Uh that's why Obama lost tonight. America doesn't need Obama's hope, we need Clinton's help.

Randall in Austin   February 6th, 2008 12:44 am ET

Ari Fleicher just said it best a few minutes ago – the Repugs are praying for a Hillary win. They know they can win against her because the national anti-Clinton sentiment among Republicans is very strong. Regardless of whether you agree with that or not, that is something to consider. She will drive Republicans to the polls. Frank Luntz even said that he can find no way to campaign against Obama. Wake up people, our future is at stake here. Vote Obama!

Pablo Lopez, Jr.   February 5th, 2008 11:43 pm ET

All of the pundits and experts were calling the end for one or the other candidate. Super Tuesday has proved them wrong. How can you call the race over after Iowa or New Hampshire when over half of the delegates still hadn't been voted on. Look at Huccabee. After being told that he was helping Mccain by staying in, he has won almost as many states as Mccain and Romney. His only problem is that a lot of states were winner take all. And look at Clinton and Obama. They are neck and neck. Nothing has been solved. We in Texas will probably have a say in who gets the nomination. Either way, we can't go wrong!

moaaz in NM   February 5th, 2008 11:38 pm ET

I"m a New Mexico high school student and i happen to know a lot more about the politics of America than most of you people and i can tell you the only reason hillary clinton is getting votes is because people believe she will be the next bill clinton, and because hispanics don't like obama. come on people she stole obama's platform of change and proceeded to cry twice in public, COME ON! thats not presidential, CLINTON IS OLD NEWS. THIS IS THE NEW AMERICA, OBAMA'S AMERICA. I GUARANTEE YOU HILLARY CANNOT WIN THE GENERAL ELECTION!

ha   February 5th, 2008 11:21 pm ET

qing, obama does have public service. he was a community organizer, turning down a prestigious Supreme Court clerkship to do so. as a Harvard Law grad, there's no doubt he would have had some plum offers. he also has more years of elected office than clinton. look it up. and fyi, don't give the flak about clinton being first lady. that's not substantial nor significant public "service", nor should it count as "experience". in fact, the more i think about it, the more i realize that the candidate running on fluff is clinton. she's not bill, so i don't understand why she keeps touting his accomplishments yet there is very little about what SHE actually did in the senate.

rightnow   February 5th, 2008 11:09 pm ET

oooooops, jennyp i meant.......sorry Felicia........

GO HILLARY!!!

qing   February 5th, 2008 11:08 pm ET

History will prove that American's enthusiasm goes too far again. I predict if Obama gets elected, he won't be much better than Bush. Look forward to next four years...

He does not have much public service experiences nor he seems care about obtaining them but believes himself is an ever brilliant person who can run the country without learning! I've never voted for Republicans. I guess I may change if Obama wins.

umcanes800@yahoo.com   February 5th, 2008 11:06 pm ET

To Russel: Obama is NOT winning that many southern states! The only ones he's winning are those with the largest black representation in the country! Lets be honest here...neither of these candidates will win a single state south of Virginia. We're going to have another republican president (as ridiculous as it sounds), because the only democrat who could have carried even a handful of southern states in a general election is John Edwards. The only chance Obama or Clinton have is that maybe the media will turn its back on McCain the way it did Edwards which is highly unlikey! It has been proven time and time again (Gore, Kerry, etc.) that democrats CAN'T win if they can't pick up a few southern states. Gore could win a general election, Edwards could have won a general election, but Clinton and Obama cannot! Even CNN polls are showing Clinton and Obama tied with McCain in bipartisan polls. And this is before the Republican political machine has even had a real chance to take a crack at them!

rightnow   February 5th, 2008 11:04 pm ET

........umm, i think Felicia needs to go back to Math 101.......
seems the fluff has hit the proverbial FAN!!!!.......way to go Hillary!!!!

Mr. T   February 5th, 2008 10:58 pm ET

Obama is cleaning the red states: Georga, Alabama, Kansas, Utah, Colorado and North Dakota.

Clinton: OK and Arkansas

An Arkie   February 5th, 2008 10:57 pm ET

Arkansas heavy Republican? WHAT? Since when... geez you produce one Republican into the national arena.. one.. and wham tarnished forever.

umcanes800@yahoo.com   February 5th, 2008 10:53 pm ET

So...because Hillary beat another democrat in a democratic primary she will win a republican state? Was no one supposed to win? Turns out 1+1 DOES equal 4 1/2. I'm not an Obama fan, but I think this might be the stupidest thing a camp has said yet

Benjamin   February 5th, 2008 10:52 pm ET

Hillary can destroy any Republican candidate. All she has to do is point out the last 8 years...

...and if that fails, loop a tape of McCain singing "bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran."

ha   February 5th, 2008 10:50 pm ET

so someone mentioned that the reason clinton won those states is because of "campaigning". really? i live in a red state (that went to obama by a heavy margin, btw) and i received NO phone calls from her campaign. she had one tired old commercial on tv. she didn't make any trips here. on the flip side, obama came here at least twice in the past two months, had volunteers who called at least three times, and put a variety of commercials (granted, he had the support of two prominent politicians here, so it was a good mix-up). the bottom line: clinton only cares about the big states or the states comprised of groups that tend to favor her. obama has a good plan, to treat all of America with at least some dignity. i feel clinton has taken a lazy approach and only campaigns in places where she can win, but once she realizes that she doesn't have an advantage, she doesn't fight for it. obama has come from behind pretty much everywhere and he fought for it. he didn't have the luxury of having states that had established support from previous elections like hillary did. and he utilized the college students who were absolutely dedicated to the cause. it was AMAZING.

Felicia   February 5th, 2008 10:40 pm ET

WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO. This is shaping up to be a very exciting race. We are making history. Either Democratic candidate I think would make a better President than any of the republician candidates.

jennyp   February 5th, 2008 10:38 pm ET

I just left the caucus in LaPlata County in Durango, Colorado, and I am a Obama supporter. So far we are sweeping the county, in some precincts taking all the delegates, in some taking 90%. If that is the way it is across the state, I bet Obama will take Colorado too!

PennSpeak   February 5th, 2008 10:36 pm ET

To Brandy NJ

I am a Dem for 40 years. If I were a Republican, I wouldn't have voted for Bush the 2nd time around. As we all know, he is both an awful individual and an awful President.

In other words, irregardless of my party affiliation, I try to vote the right individual for the job. For me it's not Obama, but yes I'm still a Dem, so...Go Hillary and Go away Obama !!!

And if Obama wins...then Go McCain, or Go Romney, or Go Huckabee!

Mark   February 5th, 2008 10:34 pm ET

Yea, I won the state where my philandering husband was a long-time Governor and a few neighbors!!!! What a role model for young women!

Gag me.

This thing is far from over.

Anonymous   February 5th, 2008 10:31 pm ET

uhh...I think that race, religion, gender, are all stupid reasons for choosing or not choosing a candidate.. for the record, many candidates that were thought to be weak candidates became pretty good presidents. (Harry Truman was thought to be weak (""inexperienced") but I think he did a pretty good job, especially considering he was the President after FDR, those are some big shoes to fill.) Having said all that, we should all keep in mind, that the candidate that wins, usually doesn't do all the things they planned to do anyways. Your lucky if they even suggest it to the congress so that they can say "at least I tried".

Mike   February 5th, 2008 10:29 pm ET

The mail vote appears to be breaking strongly for Obama in ND, ID, CO, KS, UT, etc. Schneider needs to look at this closer.

jeff   February 5th, 2008 10:29 pm ET

is time on obama's side? a campaign with so much fluff is susceptible to time my friend, and he has a lot of fluff in his promulgations.

He is snooty partly because he knows he is playing fast and loose with inspirational phraseology.

irma   February 5th, 2008 10:21 pm ET

John Smith; none of the data supports your statement. In fact it is the opposite, the Republicans (id as independents) are voting for Obama. Remember, he's the uniter of apparently Republicans.

Abe   February 5th, 2008 10:18 pm ET

GO HILLARY!!!!!!

shes doing great tonight

Perhaps Obama is not drawing as many republicans as he said

Vic   February 5th, 2008 10:15 pm ET

Someone mentions that Hillary will owe a lot of people with her win tonight. One thing's for sure - and it's a rah! rah! - she doesn't owe Teddy Kennedy and the others who followed him around. To be sure, the Kennedy legacy has slipped somewhat with daughter Caroline's endorsements and stumpings. But we'll never forget John F. Kennedy, who we think would have abhored his progeny running around cheering one particular Democratic candidate over others. He would have been true first to his party above all, whether it was represented by Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton.

So it's on to the next primaries with lots of luck and best wishes for Hillary Clinton for President.

James Recto   February 5th, 2008 10:15 pm ET

It's been pretty quite out there. I don't hear too much from CLINTON haters.
That's a sign that Democracy is actually working NOW! I see a FLIP FLOP from OBAMA supporters here very soon! GO HILLARY and RESTORE OUR AMERICAN DREAMS THAT WAS STOLEN AWAY FROM US BY THE REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION!

Carol   February 5th, 2008 10:14 pm ET

CNN just cannot give Hillary the kudos she deserves. She is winning with real campaigning. I'm not voting for her because she is white, I am voting for her because she is brillianttttttt!

just the facts   February 5th, 2008 10:13 pm ET

CBS is putting on the unbias show. Democrates will unite and drive the BUSH gaurd out.. McCain had zero economic plan, nor does he have a plan to balance the budget in this country. The war will work its way out in safe conclusion, non issue. Internal concerns are the real issue.

m. chan   February 5th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

As a Canadian watching your political process and your lopsided coverage of the candidates, it seems profoundly discouraging to see uneven commenting reflected by your analysts and commentators.

Watching objectively from north of the border, many of my friends, business colleagues and family cannot believe that when presented with the opportunity to elect a leader who is as capable, competent, accountable for her actions, as exceedingly smart and accomplished, and as extremely effective, strong and steadfast as Hilary Clinton, your country could possibly want to encourage the "flavour of the year" candidate named Barack Obama.

I hope before the end of Super Tuesday and beyond, that your democratic delegates and your country as a whole vote for the SMART CHANGE and vote for Hilary Clinton.

If your country wants to allow your citizens to have Universal healthcare – where no one has to go bankrupt trying to save their children, spouses, family or themselves from sickness by getting the medical care they deserve – then America needs to vote for Hillary Clinton. If your country wants vote for someone who can achieve thoughtful change that will lead to a better, more prosperous tomorrow and will want to focus on keeping your homeland safe and successful, you need to vote for Hillary Clinton.

And if your country wants to vote for a nice guy who is backed by Actors and ex-candidates who ran for presidency but never got elected (managing to loose to Gorge W Bush twice), then you will get what you deserve with be staying in a state of deficit and danger if you Barack Obama. Can America afford to allow your country to be Barack's testing ground to see how effective he can be?

We up north will cross our fingers and have some hope and faith that most Americans will wake up and smell the reality that is you country and elect the person best suited to fix your broken America.

Mary   February 5th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

Obama is a hyped-up Oprah blow-up. Clinton has mettle. And in answer to the question, does race trump gender or does gender trump race – it's gender – these males just can't give up the control, can they? You go girl – Hillary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dana   February 5th, 2008 10:07 pm ET

Just because Obama has been a senator for 4 years does not make him presidential material. That's like the guy that read a book on flying and then tried to fly a plane.

Jeff   February 5th, 2008 10:07 pm ET

Obama's kumbaya rhetoric will not get it done at the end of the day. You can say you want "change" and "hope" all you want, but politics is not a game of tiddlywinks. Obama has had very VERY weak opponents prior to the presidential campaign, and to be brutally honest, I don't think he has the survival skills Washington will require (the skills change depending on which end of Pennsylvania Avenue you are on...and Senate survival is NOT in the same league as Presidential survival). His Senate record puts him to the left of Harry Reid, regardless of how he and David Axelrod spin it. McCain BEGGED him to be part of the Gang of 14 (which was an expression of the bipartisanship he says he can do), but Obama said "no thanks". Who's the REAL bipartisan....hmm, I'm thinking McCAIN and not the stuffed suit from Hyde Park.

Brandy, NJ   February 5th, 2008 10:07 pm ET

To say that you would not support a democratic candidate, if you are a democrat, if your first choice candidate does not get the nomination, and to go as far as to say that you would just vote republican MEANS THAT YOU WEREN'T A DEMOCRAT TO BEGIN WITH.

Clinton today.
Obama tomorrow.
Think ahead dems.

If my first choice candidate does not get the nomination I will certainly support Obama.

I believe in financially supporting the education system, end the war and bringing home our brave troops, supporting and renovating the healthcare system, upholding roe v. wade, not having a constitutional ban on gay marriage.

These core beliefs, and others, are apart of the democratic party. Just because your first choice candidate does not get the nomination is not a reason to abandon the party.

Use your heads.

Judy   February 5th, 2008 10:06 pm ET

Go Hillary.

Jim J (Giants Fan!!!)   February 5th, 2008 10:04 pm ET

1000 total people voted in west virginia.. is that a JOKE

BOB   February 5th, 2008 10:02 pm ET

OBAMA AND ROMNEY

MONEY DOESNT BUY VOTES!!!!

GO HILLARY 08 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

goofus   February 5th, 2008 10:01 pm ET

alto got it right, if HRC win the nomination theres going to be a lot of democrats polishing up their resumes. All the down ticket dem's are shaking in their boots.

Martin   February 5th, 2008 10:00 pm ET

Of course Hillary is going to win the Red States votes, she might as well be a Republican anyway.

Pat   February 5th, 2008 9:56 pm ET

LATINOS FOR HILLARY

manny   February 5th, 2008 9:55 pm ET

Senator Hillary Clinton, has the experience, and the back-up of her husband Bill Clinton, she was two terms in the White House, as the first lady, she is an excellent attorney, senator and she wants to have a big change in the direction of our countrty, no more republicans, enough with the BUSH MAFIA.

I hope she wins the elections, we need to give the chance to a woman, to prove her political experience.

Brandy, NJ   February 5th, 2008 9:51 pm ET

Finally a positive blog for Hillary.

Clinton today.
Obama tomorrow.
Think ahead dems.

The internal organs of the nation need fixed; healthcare, education, social security, infrastructure, poverty-poor-homeless, etc. Fixing our own country is top priority.

Unless you are changing out all of congress – the people who actually introduce legislation and who actually vote on legislation. Then Obama will not be helpful. It takes a politican to fight politicians. There will be a lot of fights when trying to repair the many of the issues in the US.

Obama has a lot of inspirational rhetoric. But he is too freshman to have an understanding of the nations issues and what options are available to him to fix it. If he doesn't have that first had information – it makes him a powerless president. Hillary – as much as you might like to hate her – she has the fight to use the bully pullpit to make things happen in congress.

Obama backed down quickly from strong legislation that he drafted and then took money from those same people he was attempting to regulate. He's just too freshman to go up against washington powers and special interests.

You can have 16 years of dems. Or 4-8 years of dems. Hillary today. Obama tomorrow. Think ahead dems. A more educated and knowledgable Obama in eight years after Clinton takes 8 years to fix major issues.

alto   February 5th, 2008 9:51 pm ET

Kennedy, Kerry and Patrick might want to polish their resumes. Not only did they choose the wrong candidate, it's their timing that people won't forget.

Yea Clinton!!!

Pat   February 5th, 2008 9:51 pm ET

HRC takes EAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

dax23   February 5th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

She will eat, chew and spit out the republicans.....inspite of everything people have to say abt Bill!

ThomasKennedy   February 5th, 2008 9:48 pm ET

Hillary! Hillary Hillary!

Hey, but the night is still young people.

beno   February 5th, 2008 9:47 pm ET

uh..... helo? she won a democratic primary. how in the world can that be construed to mean she can compete with republicans there? she has not a chance.

Jeff   February 5th, 2008 9:46 pm ET

I knew the voters would see the front runner. Experience is the key and the word change is just an idea, Hillary can handle the opposition, so let's give credit to Sen. HIllary. Go HIllary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Justin   February 5th, 2008 9:46 pm ET

Ok. They are red states, but they are not REPUBLICANS VOTING IN THOSE RED STATES THEY ARE DEMOCRATS... Just because she wins a DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY... DOES NOT MEAN SHE CAN WIN A REPUBLICAN PARTY WHEN REPUBLICANS ACTUALLY VOTE IN A GENERAL ELECTION.........

Jim J (Giants Fan!!!)   February 5th, 2008 9:46 pm ET

There was so much talk about antcipated turn-out being well above average but no reporting on national levels (albiet not all but...)

BOB   February 5th, 2008 9:44 pm ET

LOL..EXCELLENT POINT CANADIAN CATE..

YES CNN SAID WHOEVER WINS MISSOURI IS A GOOD PREDICTION FOR

PRESIDENT

LETS SEE IF CNN FLIP FLOPS

HILLARY 08 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BRING ON THE FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Russell   February 5th, 2008 9:44 pm ET

Umm...Obama is winning just as many southern states.

Republican   February 5th, 2008 9:43 pm ET

Welcome to the Liberal States of America.

John Smith   February 5th, 2008 9:43 pm ET

Indeed, Kerry won most of these states. But let us wait and see when the Republicans begin to turn their attention to the Clintons!!!

It is even my understanding that the Republicans are sending WOMEN out there to VOTE for Hillary!!

Does any DEM really believe that any REPUBLICAN voting fot Hillary TODAY will vote for her in the nationl? Keep on DREAMING Dems!!!!

Ron   February 5th, 2008 9:43 pm ET

Dem for 40 years if Obama wins nom will vote Rep

DemFan   February 5th, 2008 9:42 pm ET

Trumping Wins already? The night is not over. Delegates, Delagates, Delagates.

NORVEF   February 5th, 2008 9:42 pm ET

CONGRATS TO SEN. CLINTON , BUT I AM FOR OBAMA!

AND IF SHE GET THE TO WIN THE DEM. NOMINATION I'M GOING TO VOTE FOR A REPUBLICAN.

Honkintodashin   February 5th, 2008 9:42 pm ET

Hillary owes too many people favors..... she cant even do what she wants.

Canadian Cate   February 5th, 2008 9:42 pm ET

Didn't CNN say that whoever wins Missouri – is a good indication as it's the "bell weather" state for predicting President's – hmmm wonder if they will FLIP FLOP or not mention that once Hillary wins Missouri!

chris   February 5th, 2008 9:41 pm ET

its nice to hear about clinton victories, but to be realistic, she probably won't win the states in a general election

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