March 4, 2008
Posted: 10:02 PM ET
A senior citizen casts her vote in Bloomdale, Ohio.
A senior citizen casts her vote in Bloomdale, Ohio.

(CNN) — One of the statistics in the exit polls I wanted to watch out for was the senior vote — Clinton needs to win big among this group to stay competitive with Obama, and tonight's exit polls show she is doing just that.

The New York senator only won two age groups in Texas and Ohio (50-64 and 65+) — but together those age groups make up roughly 45 percent of the electorate in both states.

In Ohio, she's winning the 50-64 bloc by 20 points and the 65+ vote by 40 points. In Texas, her margins of victory in those blocs are 11 points and 30 points respectively. It's imperative Clinton's support among these groups hold to counterbalance Obama's overwhelming popularity among young voters and his edge with those who are middle-aged.

–CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider

Filed under: Barack Obama • Bill Schneider • Hillary Clinton • Ohio • Texas


simple thought ?   March 4th, 2008 10:09 pm ET

with age there comes wisdom.
respect your elders, they know more than you think?

SUE, Michigan   March 4th, 2008 10:13 pm ET

I'm middle-aged, and Obama doesn't charm me. I see Hillary as tough, fair, and a leader. She will be an awesome President for these United States!

Dwayne, Pa   March 4th, 2008 10:14 pm ET

The fact that Ohio is supporting Hillary Clinton reinforces why I love SO MUCH every time Michigan and Penn State pound the Buckeyes!

Grif   March 4th, 2008 10:14 pm ET

She's one of us. And we are one together…. May sound Old Fashion…

But, it's about time fashion took over: From Dreams….

KC Atlanta   March 4th, 2008 10:18 pm ET

Maybe because they have lived through a lot of Presidents, have a lifetime of experience and know experience does count. And let's face it folks, they ALWAYS get out and vote, no matter what. The youth vote may be coming out for Obama now, but what happens when their attention span goes elsewhere during the long months of a national election??

Mad gramma   March 4th, 2008 10:21 pm ET

Well, not all seniors are going to vote for Clinton. I'm 77yrs. old & I wouldn't vote for her for a dog catcher. What a witch.

Mad gramma
Michigan

Maybe our "great" govenor could show Hillary how to put "all" the states in the garbage, like she has done in Michigan.

Roxy   March 4th, 2008 10:23 pm ET

It makes all the sense in the world. Older people have more life experience and know better than the young and naive.

Reality check #1   March 4th, 2008 10:25 pm ET

Winning the older votes means she is winning those that have many years of hard work under their belt. Those that are concerned about health care and foreclosures. The true working poor that know she is the only candidate of all the candidates that can bring us out of a recession. People that know the economy vote Hillary.

jes   March 4th, 2008 10:26 pm ET

. After watching the coverage of the USA election all I can say is how proud I am to be a Canadian. I wish I had a opportunity to vote for a Hilary Clinton. When I watch Obama stutter & stammer along it scares me to think he may actually be the next president. After having Bush as President have you Americans learned nothing about having a BOOB for a leader!!

slim   March 4th, 2008 10:27 pm ET

older the wiser.

Sean McM   March 4th, 2008 10:28 pm ET

Democrats want to win the Presidency….if Obamacontinues to control every question, a failure in transparency for example, we could totally lose it by the Rove RNC machine!!!

So I ask about a story that surfaced a few weeks ago….but not a word in the media about both the story and where the case is. The situation in question is the man in Minnesota who has filed a suit in Federal Court there alleging that the DNC, Obama, and David Axelrod have attempted to shut him up. His story that the suit is suggesting is being suppressed by Obama and the DNC
is that he has claimed use of cocaine and sex with Obama in 1999.

This must be brought to the open…we are all grown ups….and it is a public matter in a Federal Court….???

Why is the media failing to report this to us????

nocom   March 4th, 2008 10:29 pm ET

Well, at least "Mad gramma" shows that it's not always the case that "with age there comes wisdom."

Clinton 2008   March 4th, 2008 10:30 pm ET

Go hillary!! :)

Craig   March 4th, 2008 10:30 pm ET

We must also remember a lot of these people remember a time when someone of Obama's color would not be on a ticket it is not a real indicator of voting on any real issue other than solely for or against a candidate. I am hopeful however if Obama does not get the nomination his supporters are willing to support HRC.

Sukie   March 4th, 2008 10:32 pm ET

Nothing wrong with us oldsters!

We know a quality candidate when we see one!

Been around lots of blocks leading to our senior years.

Gurgalax   March 4th, 2008 10:33 pm ET

Ugh, who wants another Clinton in office? Do you want families to dominate the policital spectrum? Do you want a dynasty, a continous line of Caesars and Pharaohs?

Come now people, release the ghosts of the past and look forward to something different.

Lynette Stapleton   March 4th, 2008 10:36 pm ET

It just goes to show the wisdom of old age

OBAMA 08   March 4th, 2008 10:37 pm ET

SENIORS HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS COUNTRY IS IN FOR, NEITHER DOES HILLARY. MOST OF THEM ARE VOTING WHITE, NOT POLICY.

Yeah, I said it!!!! so what??   March 4th, 2008 10:37 pm ET

Or maybe a certain percentage of older Americans harbor a lingering time when certain people couldn't drink from certain water fountains…

Yeah,…. I said it….

Please… deny some of that is NOT taking place!!!!!

look in the mirror, people.

Karen   March 4th, 2008 10:37 pm ET

to Mad Gramma…. I'm guessing with that trash mouth of yours, your children refuse to bring the grandchildren to visit you. What a nasty piece of work you are. Get lost, it's past your bedtime.

Melissa, Tarpon Springs, Fl   March 4th, 2008 10:41 pm ET

I'm a 53 year old woman and I would not vote for Clinton. I see her as a conservative Democratic warmonger who will say and do anything to win . Obama is my fourth choice among the Democratic contenders who started out running but at least the guy has better judgement about Iraq and can admit it when he makes a mistake. That beats the hell out of what we have had plus he is bright and has a very smart wife!

Glen   March 4th, 2008 10:41 pm ET

Obama is a LIAR

This Guy is a liar ( He told the Canadian Government that he is O.K with NAFTA ; behind close door he is saying NAFTA IS O.K and in public he is saying he will negoiate NAFTA )

HE IS A LIAR !!!! OBAMA IS A LIAR !!!

IS THIS CHANGE ?

OR

IS IT YES WE CAN LIE ?

YES WE CAN LIE !!!

YES WE CAN LIE !!!

Gurgalax   March 4th, 2008 10:41 pm ET

You know what else is sad…looking at where Obama is winning and where he is losing(the Cities vs Rural areas), im willing to bet that its a racial issue with Whites.

Im willing to bet that a lot of white people are not comfortable with a black man in office. Essentially, we still have a racial divide among white and black americans that needs to be addressed. A shame.

BTW, Im latino.

D.L.   March 4th, 2008 10:42 pm ET

Thank goodness for our elders…
I was raised to respect my elders and understand the wisdom
of their age.
This point is what without a doubt is what turned me off to the Obama
campaign. They are turning out to be rude at best…

Johana Miami,Fl   March 4th, 2008 10:42 pm ET

Hillary U CAN DO IT!!!

Sheri, MI   March 4th, 2008 10:46 pm ET

Amen to that, Mad Gramma! Reports also say that Granholm is going to be given a spot in Hillary's "administration". What a clown show.

R M Gopal (Hollywoodog)   March 4th, 2008 10:47 pm ET

I found a way to scoop you:

Clinton wins Ohio 51 to 48

Clinton wins Texas 50 to 48.5

10:46 PM, March 4, 2008

Roy   March 4th, 2008 10:48 pm ET

That's funny…I always thought "old, white people scared of change" was a Republican demographic.

Joanne   March 4th, 2008 10:51 pm ET

AH,,, GURGALAX, your mom say get off the internet.

ao   March 4th, 2008 10:52 pm ET

if you think about great generations - it's NOT ours (I'm 21 years old ! ). The elders do not only hold wisdom but keep the balance in society. They won WW2, they were part of Civil Rights movement, and they ended Communism. Instead of living by a dream, let ask ourselves my fellow young Americans, what did we change, what ACTUAL change we made? Instead of throwing our elders to nursing homes, how about asking them WHY they vote as they vote.

Long-term Memory   March 4th, 2008 10:52 pm ET

Gurgalax, if we voted against people based only on their last name, we wouldn't have John Quincy Adams or Franklin Delano Roosevelt–two quite good presidents actually.

It would be best if people decided to vote based on their intellectual engagement with the issues rather than ambiguous sentiments–desire for change, something different, etc. Hope is fine, but for what exactly are you hoping? I would like widespread health care, social security stability, education reform, a humanitarian commitment in post-war Iraq, fair trade agreements, a commitment to environmental protection, fiscal responsibility, and so on. Older voters pay attention to this (as do I at age 32). If Barack Obama fits the bill for you, then fine. But this election should be about capability not likeability.

Francesco   March 4th, 2008 10:53 pm ET

Yeah! I agree 100% with that! "We know a quality candidate when we see one" …That's the same way you recognize G.W. Bush as the Sept 11 Super Hero! Yeah right! Thanks but no thanks. How many times should you make the same mistakes to recognize that you screwed the country up for the past decade? How many times???
OBAMA 08 ! FOR GOD, FOR THE COUNTRY AND FOR US ALL!

Chris -- Cleveland   March 4th, 2008 10:57 pm ET

Enjoy when McCain slaps Clinton down in the general. There's a reason Hillary goes into the general election with an official 49% against — divisive, obnoxious, and a disturbing amount of scandals and baggage to her name. I really hope that America can be smarter than electing the same two families from 1988-2008. Oh well. Obama is still crushing her in delegates.

Observant   March 4th, 2008 11:00 pm ET

Old people voting for Hillary? I'm sure that has nothing to do with them being racist, scared, and un-educated.

Old people have screwed up enough elections lately. It's about time to revoke their drivers licenses and voting rights… along with any women that are gullible enough to vote for Hillary just because she's a woman.

Tommi   March 4th, 2008 11:01 pm ET

Hillary is going to the White House . When are you going to say something positve about her? te other channels are ahead of you realizing what a dynamo she is.

Come on CNN. She is a triumphant fighter.

R K Portland OR   March 4th, 2008 11:02 pm ET

The grim determination (desperation) of the Clintons continues. Scare mongering ads may give her a way to claw her way to "victory". They may claim momentum. They may rain confetti. They may try to spin their way out of this tight bind that they have been in since Iowa.

However……… the presumptive frontrunner for over a year does appear pathetically desperate when the delegate count/state count/popular vote is against her. The only thing going for her is her raw naked ambition.

Long live the Democrats….. snatching defeat from the jaws of victory … AGAIN :-)

Nathan   March 4th, 2008 11:02 pm ET

Regarding Obama and cocaine. Whoever keeps bringing up this ridiculous trash… don't you think the Clinton campaign would be all over this if there was any truth to it? Or do you think you're such a "sleuth" that you've discovered some big secret?

Anyone can sue anyone for anything. The fact that some homeless person has perhaps been paid some cash to make some false accusations and sign a complaint does not make a story.

Get over it.

Martin Brown   March 4th, 2008 11:02 pm ET

I just wonder how the Clinton camp got hold of the fact that the meeting with the Canadians took place. Did they set the meeting up, or is the economic adviser connected with anybody from the Clinton camp? I dont think that issue ends here, it was just too convenient considering where the respective Democratic candidates were at that point.

CNN want to do a bit of investigative journalism?

JJ   March 4th, 2008 11:03 pm ET

Hillary leading in Ohio, Mcain is getting my vote!

JR, Texas   March 4th, 2008 11:04 pm ET

I WANT ANOTHER CLINTON IN OFFICE! I WANT ANOTHER SURPLUS! NO WAR! MOMMA CLINTON WILL CLEAN THE WHITE HOUSE WITH HER BARE HANDS SO WATCH OUT GOOD 'OLE BOYS! MOMMA IS COMING TO HOUSE - WHITE HOUSE THAT IS!

Edmonton   March 4th, 2008 11:04 pm ET

What the heck is CNN heralding this thing as going on, Yippee! I thought everyone said Clinton needed wins in Ohio and Texas of AT LEAST 15%. She didn't get that. It's OVER!

nocom   March 4th, 2008 11:06 pm ET

What's wrong with another Clinton in office, as long as she is capable of the job.

How do you know that the "something different" you are looking forward is good to you and the country? Any credit (based on past experience, right) on that, except promise (or illusion)?

Toronto   March 4th, 2008 11:07 pm ET

How can you be the president without the vote of California, NY, New jersey, Ohio, Texas, Michigan, Florida? They don't do caucases in general elections so what's Barrack got to fall on. African-American, Independent and Republican votes? Well 1 of those 3.

Tara   March 4th, 2008 11:07 pm ET

I want an other Clinton in office, Gurgalax! Go Hillary 2008!

kathleen   March 4th, 2008 11:09 pm ET

Ohio was fooled by a professional liar. She
lied and made Obama look very bad the eve
of the primaries. Obama did not even have time
to defend himself. Ohio new that Bill and Hillary
were responsible for Nafta and lost tons of jobs
because of it. But still voted for her. It is not a
good thing because they evidently believed her
lie about Canada and Nafta. Obama said nothing
to Canada. ON CNN Permalink you will see
Canada's response to Hillary's blown out of
proportion lie.

Voters let us now start looking into Hillary's
misgivings and write what we know about
her past which the Republicans already know
and do not have to do a search. She will
lose the election for President because of
her rotton personality and tricks to do
ANYTHING TO WIN. Like theysay, CLINTONS don't lose.
They will this time, even if it is to a Republican. Rush
Limbaugh wants her to win the nomination. Wonder
Why?

OBAMA 2008

From Los Angeles   March 4th, 2008 11:12 pm ET

I am a 51-year-old white female who has found the way Hillary has conducted her campaign sickening. No doubt she wishes well, but she is most concerned about her own ambition, and she will therefore stoop to anything. Indeed, she even stands by a philandering man no matter what, contrary to what she said about not doing so and not baking cookies while in the White House. And this is a feminist?!

I think that people of my age should make way for people for younger people. Obviously you will have some women my age saying, "I want a woman elected in my lifetime." How selfish, especially when it is not the right woman. Shame on Hillary Clinton. Obama has fresh plans and fresh ideas, and unlike Hillary is a "person" of integrity. Let's get past this gender and age stuff.

Black Man For Hillary   March 4th, 2008 11:14 pm ET

Now there's a demographic that no one in the media was talking about. Seems everyone wants to put all voters in little packages and label us all the same.

I'm BLACK. I didn't vote based on my race. I believe if I had voted according to race alone, I would have been throwing MLK and the whole Civil Rights movement into the dirt.

Hillary '08

kathleen   March 4th, 2008 11:15 pm ET

I LOVE SENIORS BUT THEY MUST BE MISLEAD.
HILLARY DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THEM. ONCE
SHE WINS, SHE IS NOT GOING BACK TO OHIO,
TEXAS, VERMONT, RHODE ISLAND. SHE DON'T
CARE ABOUT YOU.
A PERSON THAT LIES TO GET AHEAD, JUST DOES
NOT CARE ABOUT NO ONE BUT THEMSELVES.

I AM IN SHOCK THAT HILLARY WON OHIO. BILL
AND HER STARTED NAFTA AND OHIO LOST
MORE JOBS THAN IMAGINABLE AND SHE WON
OHIO???? THAT JUST DON'T ADD UP

OBAMA 2008

Vig   March 4th, 2008 11:17 pm ET

Senior Power Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ann, MI   March 4th, 2008 11:18 pm ET

How nice. She terrified the elderly with her politics of fear and negativity, and got their vote. They obviously want four more years of gridlock in Washington, because that is what we will get with Hillary Clinton and her scorched earth policy. She has alienated so many people within her own party and I don't see them coming back.

She is much smarter than George Bush, I will certainly give her that. No one however, can make people run to pull that Republican lever faster than she can.

If she is the candidate, I will vote for Nader.

Jack Tourince   March 4th, 2008 11:20 pm ET

Yes. Dynasties seems to be the correct term for it.

Our nation seems to be in disarray on too many fronts. Both political parties have had their people in the Congress, Senate, and White House during these times in which many of this nations problems have been created.

Points?

I don't think Hillary is a cure for this nations ails. She is the cure for the Republican dominance…and self inflicted blunders.

Both parties have had plenty of time to fix problems instead of creating more and they have created these problems together, not separately with some mysterious unilateral power as some of the intellectual elites have led themselves to believe.

I think we need a complete overhaul of the government. Presidential candidates who will get the right people to work with them in their administrations. I don't think any of these candidates will do anything noteworthy.

We also need a complete overhaul of the people in the Congress and Senate. They are "old and wise" and have plenty of "experience" in screwing up our country.

Votes from the old, young, fat, bald, religious, agnostic…what have you: it does not matter. We still keep getting the same stale do nothings that we have been for too long.

This is not an endorsement for any of these weak candidates.

rose, texas   March 4th, 2008 11:21 pm ET

2 all those young people out there that don't think they r going 2 get old that's where u'r headed, think again we don't stay young 4ever. go hillary all the way i know u can do it and bring all r soldiers home.

Cherina Hsia   March 4th, 2008 11:21 pm ET

My mother is 75 yrs old. I am so proud of her because she sees through Hillary. She simply stated that Hillary is a fake and she is in it for herself not for the country. We would all like to see a woman lead but not just because she is a woman but because she has integrity. Hillary's dirty tactics is reminiscent of the GOP in 2004. In good faith I will not vote for her.

Sheri, MI   March 4th, 2008 11:22 pm ET

I love how Hillary supporters fall for her disingenuous campaign tactics and maudlin theatrics. Really intelligent, informed voting from Ohio - the parking lot of the United States!

Sylvia California   March 4th, 2008 11:24 pm ET

A candidate isnt ready on day 1 or do they deserve the presidency when all they have in their bag of tricks is the trash that Hillary Clinton has dished out.

Hillary has proven that all she knows is how to be the best scumbag!

H   March 4th, 2008 11:25 pm ET

Seniors always know who is the best president for American people. Obama started losing peoples' trust, confidence.
Bye-bye Obama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dan   March 4th, 2008 11:26 pm ET

I just want to say that the photo of the old lady voting is absolutely adorable. Let's remember all the wisdom and experience that these people possess, and never lose respect of that.

Curtis   March 4th, 2008 11:30 pm ET

Here's the deal, which is brought to the fore by this post:

If the Democratic nomination goes to Clinton this, the new generation of the Democratic party, will be completely disenfranchised. You disenfranchise a generation of voters, you don't have seniors in the future. Democrats like to talk about "looking towards the future". Do it then. Don't disenfranchise a generation of voters, that is not the solution.

radi AZ   March 4th, 2008 11:31 pm ET

I AM SO HAPPYYYY TONIGHT
GO CLINTON ALL THE WAY TO WHITE HOUSE, YOU DESERVE IT!!!!

Kathy   March 4th, 2008 11:32 pm ET

You GO Hillary !!!! I know with you there is hope for a better America,I know that you can bring our Country back to a future,and back to proud to BE AN AMERICAN!!!!!!

Joanne   March 4th, 2008 11:32 pm ET

harharhar, according to kathleen, she cant add up what happened to Obama. Should we say now, STAY IN SCHOOL.!! so you can think clearly and not be swayed by the HOPE-CHANGE rhetorics.
HAR HAR HAR

CA Supporter   March 4th, 2008 11:33 pm ET

I'd like to see Hilary Clinton try to force me to buy her health care…

I'd also like to point out the statistic that shows the education level of those who vote for Hilary…

Way to go Ohio - you bunch of Dummies….

Santayana2008   March 4th, 2008 11:36 pm ET

WAY TO GO HILLARY!! Obamaniacs are SUCH POOR LOSERS!! BOO HOO HOO!

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