California Independents Like Obama, But Will Have Trouble Voting For Him

With 441 delegates to the Democratic National Convention up for grabs in next Tuesday's California primary, the Golden State remains the golden ring of the Super Tuesday contests.

California's roughly 3 million independent voters - who make up the fastest-growing segment of the state's voter pool - have long been eyed by each of the Democratic candidates as necessary to push across the finish line on Feb. 5.

But California's complex primary voting rules mean that campaigns have to go the extra mile to get those independent voters to the polls and make sure they actually receive a Democratic ballot on Election Day.

Those efforts have taken on a new urgency inside the Obama campaign, with new data showing the Illinois senator now leading chief rival Hillary Clinton among independent voters in California.

According to a new Los Angeles Times/CNN/Politico poll released Monday of likely Democratic primary voters in California, Obama leads Clinton by 13 points among so-called "decline to state" voters, 41 percent to 28 percent. In an earlier poll conducted by the same media outlets in mid-January, Clinton was leading Obama 52 percent to 29 percent.

The latest poll was conducted before Obama's victory in the South Carolina primary, and has a margin of error of 3 points.

One week ahead of Super Tuesday, Clinton is still considered the favorite to win the California contest. But opinion polling conducted since early voting states went to the polls shows a tightening race.

Observers have long seen Obama as a favorite among independent voters nationally, with much discussion ahead of the New Hampshire primary as to whether the Granite State's famous unaffiliated voter pool would break for Obama or GOP candidate John McCain.

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The Obama campaign itself has told California reporters that "independent voters were crucial to Obama's win in Iowa."

But without a concerted effort by campaigns to educate independent voters about how to obtain a Democratic ballot, neither Obama nor any of his Democratic rivals can expect much of a boost from the unaffiliated set.

Californians registered as "decline to state" can vote in the Democratic primary, but they have to specifically request a Democratic Party ballot on election day. Otherwise, they'll be handed a ballot that only contains state measures and propositions.

And voters who want to cast their ballot by mail must specifically ask their county registrar for a Democratic ballot, another step that advocacy groups say is a barrier to getting independents to vote in presidential primaries. Independent voters cannot vote in the GOP primary in California.

"Independent voters are making an unprecedented impact on primary elections across America this year. But in California, if you don't know to ask for a Democratic ballot, you don't get to vote for President," said Rick Jacobs, founder of the Courage Campaign, a progressive grass-roots organization in California that has launched an effort to inform independent voters about voting in the presidential primary.

Jacobs' group points to the low number of independent voters who cast ballots in 2004 - 207,000 - as evidence that California's primary rules are a barrier to entry for independent voters.

The Obama campaign, recognizing that independents are key to pulling out a win in California, have been pushing precinct captains and volunteers to remind independents that they can indeed vote in the Democratic contest.

Comments

[rusdr61]

Independent voters tend to vote middle of the road not ultra liberal like Mr Obama-Kennedy.
Now that McCain in front runner with Repbs he will be getting many of them.
Edwards people will be evenly split between Clinton and Obama if all the exit polls are true.
I still say the best thing for America is to have a Clinton/Obama ticket. It will beat McCain. Seperatly we lose again.

[Dorian]

Obama has been pretty polite to the Clintons. Wait until the Republicans go after them. Defeat snatched from the jaws of victory once again.

[carmen2u]

There is no burden on the non-partisan voter in California to ask for anything.

I happen to be a trained Election Inspector in L.A. County and once the non-partisan voter approaches the polling table to introduce himself, he is automatically asked up front if he's also like to participate in voting for either the American Independent or Democratic contests.

To suggest that the voter is at the mercy of his own understanding of CA's modified closed primary is ludicrous.

[jonnie66]

ITS FUNNY TO SEE HOW IMMATURE OBAMA IS AND ACTING LIKE TO SCHOOL GIRL…following Teddy around like hired help.Kennedys are used to servants
Again Clinton was outstanding and will be the next president!!!! Obama continues to cry and whine and loose ALL non-black voters in record numbers! Each primary his non-black support is dwindling. And of course his black support is rising, but that what we expected with Michelle obama stumping with her continued racial comments and attacks on non-black voters, which the media isn’t telling. Obama has proven that he has divided the voters among race and now with OLD crazy man Ted hes theory of change doesnt appear to be true since he is running behind the old establishment (Ted Kennedy) like a butler, before that Oprah lead him by the nose, He is just a political BOBBLE HEAD and should be ignored…

[Listen2me]

"Obama Sets Sites"

We've all watched the deterioration of Huffington Post, into Murdochian tabloid-style pseudojournalism . . . and now we see an accompanying descent into illiteracy. You have hired Dan Quayle, evidently.

I guess I won't feel quite so bad about all those posts of mine that have been censored for no apparent reason. It's time for lowered expectations all around.

[SubparDude]

:
Let me assure you, Obama has an incredible ground-level precinct based volunteer base that is focused on turnout for Declined to State and Independent voters.

Hey World: Get ready for the
FEB FIVE SURPRISE!
:

[rblackbird]

One post above says that independent voters are independent because they "think" rather than vote the party line. "They choose the person for integrity and honesty." Another post says that independents are "smart." Well, I have three university degrees including a law degree from one of the top rated law schools in the country and a master's history degree based on research in American legal and political history. I am a dedicated Democrat. Based on my education and experience, I long ago concluded that independents are petty dilettantes. They are "mugwumps," the birds identified by Teddy Roosevelt, that sit on the fence "with their mugs on one side and their wumps on the other." Independents will wait until the party activists have done the work to set up the election campaign machinery, organized, contributed money, and selected candidates before they will bestir themselves to vote for one candidate or the other. They are too good to take principled political stands as members of parties which requires working with other community members to forge a consensus and work for political victory ("independent" is not a stand; it is a dodge). They arrogantly pride themselves on their aversion to party politics, ignoring that our system of representative government based on compromise in a country of many differing opinions and interests requires parties to make the system work. Parties are not only necessary, they are inevitable. The last "independent" president elected was George Washington. As soon as he retired, the people realized that the only way to settle long-range political policy disputes was for like-minded people to join together in parties to work together to acquire the levers of government power. Parties have been with us ever since. So, independents, figure out what you really believe that is constant from election to election and join a party. Stop leaving to others the work that all citizens must do at every level to keep our system working. Your votes alone are not enough.

[texmexlib]

The big test will be if he can attract Hispanic voters away from Hillary.

I thought this was an interesting perspective.

http://www.hispaniclatino.com/archives/21

I think it will be an uphill battle for him.

[TommyMcCarthy]

This should start some trouble........If someone wants to vote in the Democratic primary......is it too much to ask them to REGISTER as a Democrat?

It would take the same 2 minutes and one stamp to RE-REGISTER after the primary and regain thier coveted "independent" status.

If they can't be bothered to do even that much....then who cares what thier opinion is regarding the nominee of our party?

Here's something I almost never get to say:....On this one the Republicans have it right!....................................tm

[Mapleave]

This CA "decline to state" (and her husband) has NO trouble voting for dems. We show up and we are asked which ballot we prefer, republican or democrat . INDEPENDENTS--just show up and ask for the democratic ballot!

GO OBAMA in CA !!!!

[PTTY]

Obama will unite our Great Country as well as the World. The Clinton's did not unite our Country, much less the World when they were President.

Hillary did not go to the MAT for Health Care when they were Presidents, why is she saying she will go to the MAT now. Another lie, she breaks her word and her signature on contracts.

Hillary said if Obama is elected President, the Terrorist will Attack.

What is she talking about, The Terrorist attacked the World Trade Center first under her husband President Bill Clinton and the Terrorist Attacked the Cole.

Clinton had a chance to capture Bin Laden, but he didn't. WHY?

The Clinton's will do, say and sign anything to get elected, but will break every thing they do, say and sign.

Nothing is sacred to get Bill a third term in The White House Oval Room.

[LeftVetPatriot]

Sights, y'mean.

[oshpd1]

Most of the independent voters I know choose Obama over Clinton. The independent voters are independent because they think, not just vote party lines. They choose the person for integrity and honesty. Max Follmer is not correct in his thinking.

[TheHandyman]

Doesn't anyone at Huffington Post know the difference between sites, cites, and sights? How about they're, their, and there? Who writes these headlines? Were they home schooled or are they in the third grade. Damn Arianna, if you want to censor something, why don't you censor some of the stupid crap that your people do! Send them to take a college English Grammer Class!