June 3, 2008
Posted: 08:44 PM ET

From
  Voters in the last two states, Montana and South Dakota, wrapped up the grueling coast-to-coast Democratic nominating marathon.
Voters in the last two states, Montana and South Dakota, wrapped up the grueling coast-to-coast Democratic nominating marathon.

(CNN) — Two very white, working-class Western states. But look closer: there are some very real differences between the two sets of Democratic primary voters in tonight’s final primary contests.

South Dakota’s primary was closed, only registered Democrats were allowed to weigh in. But roughly one in three primary voters in Montana are independent – and that group is heavily supporting Barack Obama.

Hillary Clinton may have had an easier time winning over the party’s base — but Obama’s campaign will be counting on his ability to go toe-to-toe with John McCain over independent voters

Filed under: Barack Obama • Bill Schneider • Exit Polls • Hillary Clinton • John McCain


susanne   June 4th, 2008 10:25 pm ET

What could have been a "dream ticket" is now clearly a "nightmare ticket". When will the media give it up.

vic nashville,Tn   June 3rd, 2008 11:26 pm ET

Congratulations Hillary
You won more popular votes

Clinton Supporter   June 3rd, 2008 11:06 pm ET

No, Michael Maddox, Clinton supporters who vote for McCain are saying that the DNC is corrupt and worse than the Supreme Court was when the election went to Bush. We can wait 4 years if we have to for the Dems to begin acting like Dems instead of Nazis. Don't you presume to tell us what is important to us. This is still a free country, and we can vote any way we want. I've been voting for the lesser of two evils for my whole voting life. I'm tired of it, and I'm not doing it anymore. I'll either stay home or vote for McCain - at least he is a respectful human being - a good start, I'd say.

Obama supporters are among the nastiest people I've ever encountered. They are a reflection of their candidate's values - racist, sexist, ageist. That's why they're attracted to him. Read the above comments here and on other articles if you doubt that. Hillary Clinton deserves the respect of all Americans, win or lose. Obama mouths that now, but obviously the supporters haven't gotten the memo. Unite the party? Don't hold your breath.

Michael Maddox   June 3rd, 2008 9:54 pm ET

This is a message for Senator Clinton Supporters.

Now if you truly wish to put your own selfish ambitions ahead of your future, and ahead of your children's future, then fine- vote for McCain.

But keep this in mind: you all have been complaining, just as us Obama supporters have, about the economy, the high gas prices, the foolishness of the war, and the increased foreclosure rate. Now if you truly vote for McCain, you'll be saying that you don't mind paying $4.00-$5.50 a gallon for gasoline. You'll be saying that you don't mind choosing to pay to fill up your car, as opposed to feeding yourself and your children. You'll be saying that you don't care about what your kids will go through during the next 4 years. You'll be saying that the economy is just fine when you're working 2-3 jobs a day just to barely pay the bills. If you truly love suffering, which is what the Bush Administration has delivered and what the McCain Administration will only continue, then you can by all means vote for John McCain. If you truely care about this country, about your children's future, then you'll vote for Senator Obama.

California Women for Obama   June 3rd, 2008 9:54 pm ET

Let's go Montana!

Mary S. Stickney   June 3rd, 2008 9:53 pm ET

"With malice towards none, with Charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the natiion's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and all nations." Abraham Lincoln, President

Hasn't even been to Iraq???   June 3rd, 2008 9:47 pm ET

Could it be true that Obama has never been to Iraq to talk to the people, the new govenment, our troops, our military leaders on the ground???? Just what we need someone shooting his mouth off with no first hand knowledge. Makes me feel real confident of his abilities… NOT…

A Victory for Civil Rights.....   June 3rd, 2008 9:39 pm ET

All I have heard about how the nomination of Obama is a "historic moment". Since when did this become a civil rights victory, I thought we were trying to nominate the best person for the job. You out there who are voting for Obama because he is black, shame on you for being racist. If he weren't black would you vote for him? I doubt it.

Mary McConnell   June 3rd, 2008 9:38 pm ET

Our polls haven't closed yet, but this time Montana has gotten noticed. Congrats to Senator Obama; Senator Clinton ran a great race. Bill Richardson gets my vote for Vice-President.

Mary S. Stickney   June 3rd, 2008 9:35 pm ET

Hillary shows the strength of which this country was made. Mary

chris   June 3rd, 2008 9:35 pm ET

I think it's sad that all these superdegate are going the way they are going they all know that hillary would make a better president then obama they need to change there mind and move to hillary before it's to late Go Hillary Go Hillary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MD   June 3rd, 2008 9:33 pm ET

Let's not keep talking about what doesn't matter.

Tired of the teleprompter speeches   June 3rd, 2008 9:30 pm ET

I am so tired of watching and listening to John McCain read his speeches using a teleprompter. I find it hard to believe him when he needs three Teleprompters (read left, read center, read right…), to tell me his plans for the future of America. I feel like I’m back in college at a lecture with a boring monotone college professor. Only difference, my professor memorized and knew most of his material. McCain needs a public speaking coach and a lot of practice. It even appeared that the audience was being prompted to cheer, chant and clap. Is this the man most of the upset Democrats and Republicans want for a leader.
I look forward to watching the first debate of McCain and Obama, to see McCain communicate without using a teleprompter.

JJ in NY   June 3rd, 2008 9:26 pm ET

No way would I vote for Obama with hillary on the ticket .

JC   June 3rd, 2008 9:25 pm ET

Obama/Clinton = THE Nightmare TIcket.

Obama/Hillary = the Nightmare Ticket.

Marie in California   June 3rd, 2008 9:22 pm ET

Obama's ship is already sunk…..it's called the Titanic.

McCain - 2008

Tim from Ohio   June 3rd, 2008 9:22 pm ET

I will not vote for Obama and will do everything in my power to make sure Hillary supporters vote for McCain.

Proud American   June 3rd, 2008 9:22 pm ET

Yes we Will!!!!!!!!!!
Obama '08

Jay   June 3rd, 2008 9:21 pm ET

Ok someone has to say this: Most of the Clinton supporters are utter fools.

They say Obama is sneaky with a straight face, even though they are supporting one half of the most corrupt couple in American politics. They claim to support Democratic values, but say they will vote for an ultraconservative candidate who said he didn't know anything about the economy and thinks we should stay in Iraq for "as long as it takes". After all the whining and screaming about how bad Bush is, why would you vote for his protege, even though Clinton and Obama generally have the same positions on most issues. Obama has even tried to reach out to Clinton supporters, but they remain hostile because they feel Clinton lost because she was a woman (she lost because she ran a bad campaign and didn't have a clear message) or they don't want to vote for someone who is non-white.

Since the media never wants to say this out loud, I'll say it. Does Obama have a "white blue collar" problem? No. The Appalachian blue collar voters have a problem with HIM because he's not white. Spare me the excuses and denials.

No Broken Record, Dearie . ..   June 3rd, 2008 9:21 pm ET

It's REAL. WE will absolutely, positively NOT vote for Obama!

ginger   June 3rd, 2008 9:13 pm ET

Broken record. I'm voting for McCain if Hillary doesn't win.

Why would any intelligent person say or do this? If Hillary had won how do you think John McCain and the Republicans would have treated her? Not good at all. So now you are ready to foresake the party and run to him. No problem because we Obama supporters have a plan. We are going to register new voters each and every day state by state. We want you on the team because this not about Barack or Clinton. This is about US. We are sick of Bush and what he has done to this country.

Fire it up get ready let's go.

Obama/Lakers 08

Kriskros 4 OBAMA, from Brussels, Belgium   June 3rd, 2008 9:11 pm ET

We are so happy for him and america and the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The hope is that this will cahnge the face of the world

Jae   June 3rd, 2008 9:08 pm ET

How dare John McCain would deliver a speech from a suburb of New Orleans, Kenner, LA, and claim that he is in New Orleans? Kenner REFUSED to allow any of those same persons he described displaced by the floods to enter into their city. Kenner is the city where the former sheriff said he would shoot any body who "looked" like they didn't belong in the city. How dare you John McCain?
How dare you patronize? How dare you defame the memory of those who died in the floods and those who have since died because of the floods? The carcinogena trailers? The failed legal system? The failed Emergency Management Administration. How dare you? When the city is still attempting to recover from the destruction and desertion of the federal and state governments? How dare you?

Patty   June 3rd, 2008 9:05 pm ET

I am a 51 year old white female, that supports Hillary Clinton. In November I will be voting for McCain not obama. He cheated on the election in 1996 to get elected. I watched the whole thing on CNN, I guess that is Chicago politics, is that how it will be if he becomes President?

Olie Tucker   June 3rd, 2008 9:05 pm ET

Ryan Asbert, your got some stuff wrong. The Left is going overwhelmingly for Obama. He won the nomination especially the caucus votes from far left anti war activists.

Ali   June 3rd, 2008 9:04 pm ET

"…But roughly one in three primary voters in Montana are independent – and that group is heavily supporting Barack Obama

Hillary Clinton may have had an easier time winning over the party’s base — but Obama’s campaign will be counting on his ability to go toe-to-toe with John McCain over independent voters"

EXACTLY!! Congratulations Senator Obama!!

Texas Vet   June 3rd, 2008 9:01 pm ET

We many, we happy many, we band of brothers and sisters. For those that vote with me in November for Obama shall ever be my Family. That vote shall change our condition. Voters that stayed away or voted otherwise shall think themselves accursed. And they shall stay silent while any speak that voted with us on that blessed day.

Stolen from Will….mangled by me

Greg   June 3rd, 2008 9:01 pm ET

It is a travesty that all primaries/caucuses are not open to all voters.

Independents deserve the opportunity to have their votes count.

No McWar   June 3rd, 2008 9:00 pm ET

Here is comes… a major projection.

YAY! OBAMA IS THE NOMINEE!

Tailor, FL   June 3rd, 2008 9:00 pm ET

Please read..

I am a VERY proud Hilary supporter!! Have been from day one..
I feel strongly that Hilary would have made a better president!

But i am FURIOUS at fellow clinton supporters who say they will vote John McCain!!

They are dishonouring the one person they've been supporting!! They are Traitors..by all means, write Hilarys' name on the Ballot! but PLEASE dont contribute to another 4 years of HELL in America! I can hardly afford to feed my 3 young daughters thanks to the republican party..

CLINTON SUPPORTER FOR OBAMA!!

(but you obama supporters have got to be more welcoming)

fred   June 3rd, 2008 9:00 pm ET

We don't want Obama as President!!!

Obama will lose by a landslide in November!!!

There will be Millions of Democrats voting Republican in November!!!

Carrie Pa   June 3rd, 2008 8:58 pm ET

McCain was talking about how Hillary inspired his daughters. Is this the same person who voted against equal pay for women?

Anyone listening to Mcain??   June 3rd, 2008 8:57 pm ET

Is it just me or what? this guy makes me wanna sleep just listening to him.

rachel   June 3rd, 2008 8:56 pm ET

If Obama loses S.D tonight that is a statement all by itself. Dem leaders have been crying for hillary to leave for months now so their guy Obama looks good. It says something that even though reports that its over Obama won the nomination that people still went out and voted for hillary. Its funny people keep saying hillary trashed barrack, she hasnt said anything about him in weeks. He flipped her off brushed her off his shoulders and had his clergy croonies make fun of her at the pulpit. It amazies me that people say oh why blame Obama. That preacher worked on Obama's campaign, Obama gave him money, He is an extenstion of Obama. I really have had it with the dem party.

WOMAN THAT BELIEVES HILLARY IS A PARTY SPOILER!   June 3rd, 2008 8:56 pm ET

I am a Independent that will stand with Obama through most everything except his choosing Hillary as VP.

I am watching McCain now on TV his group sounds as old and listless as he is, they are boring, it's as if they realize they are there in support of someone that is feeding them a chrock of BS. McCain don't believe half the mess he is dishing out, this joker does not stand a chance against Obama unless he can sway a bunch of mindless sombies to believe he is different than Bush.

WE DO NOT WANT HILLARY FOR VP!!!!!!!!!!

Ryan Asbert   June 3rd, 2008 8:55 pm ET

And the bitter angry feminists storm to chime in with their, "I'm not voting Obama because I'm like everyone else who votes for the candidate with the familiar last name."

Come on, America… Are we REALLY that immature? Grow up.

paul   June 3rd, 2008 8:54 pm ET

Hillary didn't get a chance to tell the Montana voters, "My granddad used to take me fly fishing all the time. I had my own rod when I was in the White House, and whenever I was feeling fed up with the way the press was treating us I would sneak out with Chelsea and a Secret Service agent and we would all give it a go with the trout."

TXBad1   June 3rd, 2008 8:51 pm ET

Facts, Obama , can not Carry the Major states, and alot had no dems in Local races so People Voted Republican to fix problems in County's and Citys, so in November Most will not support Obama and Maybe Hillary should run as Independent! Its time Dean and the Others Learn were tired of Being Fed a Candidate that can not win in November! and the super Deligates that Hold office, Hillary supporters Target in there elections! time to remove them also!

WHY DOES MCCAIN'S SPEECH INFLECTION SOUND LIKE HE'S TALKING TO CHILDREN???   June 3rd, 2008 8:51 pm ET

Good Lord, if he's not the poster child for pandering, I don't know what is. I CAN'T WAIT for the debates!!!

No to McCain and his 100 year war!

Congrats OBAMA!!!

Aliou FL   June 3rd, 2008 8:50 pm ET

McPain looks like a scarecrow. autorized the war. will stay a 100 years

Linda   June 3rd, 2008 8:50 pm ET

I am one that will not support Obama. I will not vote for him at all …if it was Hillary she would have my vote. Looks like i will be crossing party lines.

Ryan Asbert   June 3rd, 2008 8:49 pm ET

This election seems to represent a very obvious trait.

The Right is going McCain.

The Left is going Clinton.

The Moderates/Middle are going Obama.

Personally, after hundreds of years of this bipartisan blood bath, it's refreshing to see some balance finally emerging… It's all very zen.

seah   June 3rd, 2008 8:49 pm ET

Hillary is the better candidate to go against McCain.

Hillary would be the better President.

If Obama is on the Democratic ballot in Nov, I will be voting republican

EJ   June 3rd, 2008 8:48 pm ET

Are you sure you want McCain. Listening to his speech if you elect him we are in trouble America. Huge trouble. The Economy will be at its worst ever. worse then bush for sure.

fred   June 3rd, 2008 8:48 pm ET

He will never get them and he will not be able to get most of Hillary's supporters. Goodbye Obama….Hello President McCain!!

Lorraine Jackson   June 3rd, 2008 8:47 pm ET

Go Obama!!

dave   June 3rd, 2008 8:47 pm ET

For all women out there, even if you dont like Hillary Clinton. June 25 th is Hillary Clinton's Day!!
To show that a women could anything she wants!!!

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