2008 Woodie Awards
It's Primary Season, and it's getting hot
Eva Oliver, News Editor
Issue date: 2/12/08 Section: News
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"If you like politics, this is an interesting year," said Pete Golis, former columnist for the Press Democrat, at the Post-Super Tuesday Analysis, which was organized by Dr. Dave McCuan and moderated by Dr. Catherine Nelson, on Feb. 6 in the library. His sentiments are shared by most other political-enthusiasts, and can be seen through the huge increase in voter participation during this primary season.
Sweeping most of the Super-Tuesday states, McCain was able to get a definitive lead in front of both Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee. This delegate-gap forced Romney to drop out of the race on Thursday, Feb. 7.
"If this were only about me, I'd go on. But it's never been about me. I entered this race because I love America, and because I love America, in this time of war I feel I have to now stand aside for our party and for our country," said Romney at the Conservative Political Action Conference after suspending his bid for presidency.
However, Huckabee, despite trailing McCain by more than 500 delegate votes, has refused to drop out of the race.
"I think Americans need a choice. This idea that the process of an election becomes a coronation is about as far away from the process… elections are about giving people an option, letting them choose, make their decisions," said Huckabee, according to CNN reporter Rebecca Sinderbrand.
As of now, McCain is working to unite with Romney, and thus win the support of his delegates and fans.
Over the weekend, Huckabee made a good showing by winning the Republican Kansas Caucus, as well as the Louisiana Primary. McCain, however, was able to sweep up Washington. The weekend left McCain with 723 delegates, and Huckabee trailing with 217.
As for the Democrats, we have a neck-and-neck race. Although Obama took 14 of the 22 states on Super Tuesday, Clinton took the big ones including New York, Florida and California. So, this left voters without a clear leader. Over the weekend, Obama won Kansas, Nebraska and Washington. These victories managed to close the gap between Obama and Clinton to only 27 delegates, creating anxiety for the Clinton campaign and its supporters.
This tight competition is stirring much conversation in both Democrat and Republican circles as to whom would be the better ticket: McCain vs. Obama or McCain vs. Clinton. Most polls are indicating that McCain vs. Obama would be the better race, for the Democrats.