Ohio Exit Polls Show Clinton's Late Attacks Worked

Exit polls from Ohio suggest that Sen. Hillary Clinton's last minute aggressive campaigning against Sen. Barack Obama may have been effective in holding off his possible come-from-behind victory.

Clinton won 55 percent of those voters who made up their minds in the last three days, according to MSNBC's numbers. Traditionally, voters have gone to Obama's camp as the election approaches, either because of his momentum or because of his increasing name-recognition. (Voters who make their minds up on the very last day, however, have usually supported Clinton).

Clinton's attacks on Obama's position on NAFTA may also have had their desired effect. Union households in Ohio supported Clinton by a margin of 54 percent to 45 percent. In addition, 58 percent of voters whose family incomes were between $15,000 and $30,000 supported Clinton compared to Obama's 41 percent. Finally, those worried about their financial situation supported Clinton 52 percent to 47 percent.

Not all of the New York Democrat's attacks proved effective, according to the exit polls. Clinton's argument that her experience will help her produce change (more so than Obama) seemingly fell on deaf ears. Seventy-three percent of those Ohioans who valued a candidate's ability to affect change the most supported Obama.

And, as ABC News reported:

The ability to "bring needed change" beats "experience" as the most important quality in a candidate by about a 20-point margin in Ohio and by about 15 points in Texas, according to preliminary exit poll results.

Other highlights from the exit poll data include:

-- Republicans and independents again flocked to Obama but by margins that did not exceed 10 percent.

-- Fifty-three percent of Ohio voters thought Obama was the strongest of the Democratic candidates to beat John McCain.

-- Clinton continued to have a strong lead over Obama among women, 54 percent to 45 percent. Obama bested her among men but by a smaller margin: 52 percent to 47 percent. Women outnumbered men in the Democratic primary, 59-41, making their support for Clinton all the more significant.

Whites flocked to Clinton by a large margin: 61 percent to 38 percent. Clinton carried white men, 54-45, a setback for Obama who had been winning, sometimes by decisive margins, white men in such states as Maryland, Virginia, California and Wisconsin. Blacks, who made up 19 percent of the exit poll, continued to support Obama by huge margin: 89 percent to 11 percent.

Comments

[j0e]

Folks, there is a world of difference between "Fighting Back" and fighting dirty. I will vote for Ralph Jerkbag Nader before I vote for dirtballs like the Clintons have shown themselves to be. All Billary can do is win the Dem nomination. Her support will fold like a house of cards after that. There is a lot of anger out here. We needed something different to defeat McCain, not a carbon forking copy. I will not be voting for Billary, that Frankenstein is not distinguishable from a Republican to me, in action. Funny how she goes on and on about how meaningless words are... when you strip hers away, all she is to me is a person who voted for the Iraq war, the Iran war and not to ban cluster bombing children, while trashing a good man, a professor, for a lack of experience when hers includes union busting at Walmart. Ohioans remind me a lot of the Kansas farmers who voted for Reagan back in the 80s... twice. Want to know where those folks are now? In the city and government assistance while Big Agriculture hires migrants and the desperate for less than 50% of what they used to make. Way to America! Let's prove those "snooty" Europeans right about us, yet again... sigh......­..........­......

[ctom]

Amen.

[mlaiuppa]

Ditto.

[kylie]

I honestly think voters should choose to stay home in November. What if the American people told all the politicians(both sham parties) not to pick phony candidates for us.

Most Republicans aren't thrilled with Grandpa McCain who seems to have a penchant for lobbyists and Hillary Clinton who becomes weeping wanda and then Rovian Rachel who is the feminist control freak and willing to suppress minority voters in Ohio.

Both shills have lobbyist-controll all over their silly faces and would mean tax cuts for the wealthy, no real reform, neither can manage their finances, neither wants to allow the public to see their incomes/tax forms, both claim presidential experience they haven't earned.

We are in a type of dictatorship that makes us believe the media hype, sudden "wins" and I'm beginning to think the set-up was a done deal for some time.

A third party is really needed but not Nader. Ugh.

Obama and Edwards should run on an independent ticket. I am tired of being a pawn in the whacked political game the Republicans seem to run(with the money from oil, pharm., insurance, and Weapons/defense).

A seventy-one year old sell-out , a queen-complex wanna-be-what a choice, America. Aren't we just so proud!(Any more lobbyists hiding in your closet, sugar-daddy, McCain or Queen for an investment deal Clinton...

I think America deserves better than this pair of losers.

[Rog49Thomas]

Think about these two things.

First, the choice does matter

The next president will very likely appoint new judges to the supreme court and other federal benches - lifetime appointments.

While the next president may not get us out of Iraq as quickly as we might like, he or she might get us into new and equally dangerous foreign adventures.

The next president will have an impact on the future of our economy.

I for one think that Hillary or Obama will make better decisions than Honest John on all of these issues. Will any of them make all the decisions exactly as I or you think? Not bloody likely.

That leads to the second point: the lesser of two evils is the only choice you get.

Why?

'Cause the perfect individual - Buddha or if you prefer, Jesus, -- never stands for office.

Candidates are just plain folks - warts and all.

As humans, they compromise their principles, make mistakes, and sometimes do things because they don't care enough or think them through. In short they act as humans do.

[Krazime]

absolutely correct joe.....we are all feeling your pain.

[Gumpster]

Hillary "As Ohio goes, so goes the nation"? From everything I am reading, Ohio is going in the crapper. Exactly where it went under Bush (which voted for Bush twice). Is it a sign of things to come should Clinton be the nominee?

[ErnestineBass]

In a word...NO!

[Gumpster]

Convincing argument ErnestineBass. I look forward to her endless complaining about how unfair the media is, how the caucus system is unfair, how Michigan and Florida should count, etc., etc., etc.

I fail to see how she is going to unite this country, lead us out of the recession, and make the kinds of decisions necessary to restore our country's respectful place in the world. If her choice of cabinet members is anything like her choices for her campaign staff, we are going to get caught in the same life long political insider bickering that produces no results.

Put your head up, look to the future, and think.

[Bacowall]

I agree, signs of things to come. The Repulicans will win a third term. How sad!

[j0e]

yep, sorely tempted to write this joke of a nation a Dear John letter.

[Kordo]

I should have looked at that before hitting "comment". Your're right, Hillary. Anyone who disagrees with you or George is a dangerous, muslim, waffling, free-trade pussy. I think you should wrack your staff's brains, and come up with even more outrageous slime for as long as the Democratic party allows you to occupy a national stage. Endless, bloody, utterly non-sensical trench-warfare can only be good for America, right?

[Rog49Thomas]

in 2004, the Republican Secretary of State

- ruled that voter registration forms had to be on a particular "weight" paper thus invalidating forms already submitted from newspaper or similar flimsy paper - most of the voter registration effort was designed to increase Democratic voters particularly minorities

- arranged it so that voting machines were allocated accordingy to political party affiliaiton - thus black precincts had fewer voting machines than white ones with resulting much longer waits to vote - thus depressing voter turnout

[Zeusthunderbolt]

I feel tonight what Clinton supporters must have felt all these weeks. I predicted this in last few days. I give Clinton the pat on the back that she deserves. She put up a great fight and won.

If senator Obama will not stand up and fight back then it does not matter how many delegates he has he will not win this nomination nor will he deserve it. If he is going to continue the sickening rhetoric like “Senator Clinton will make a great president “then she will be.

If obama lets her get away with all lies and spins, and lets her define him as a talker, full of empty rhetoric, inexperienced, not ready to lead and full of air and all he can do is keep prolonging his stump speeches with boring policy manuals, keep repeating the same old words we have all heard a hundred time now, then he will be the one to blame for his own defeat.

He needs to get up, and fight her. I am watching him give his acceptance speech, and I am proud for him to address senator McCain and Senator Clinton both. He needs to fight for us who believe in him. He has to defend us who believe in him, He has to lead us, for the leader we believe him to be and if it means standing up for who he and we are and calling the Clintons out, then that is what I expect from him.

If this is my campaign and I am the PAC, supporting Senator Obama. Stand up and make us proud.
And if it demands throwing back a few punches then so be it.

Zeusthunderbolt

[applespider]

You're more generous than I, Zeus. I won't give Clinton a pat on the back for the outright lies and racebaiting in SC and now in OH.

If this is where the Democrat Party is headed, it'll go there without me and my family.

It's Clinton's racebaiting that has my blood boiling.

[Zeusthunderbolt]

Guys this is our money on this guy. We have to figure out how to win. This hate talk is not going to vote for her is too early. How can we do it? I have put up ideas.
You tube videos redefine her as just talk and no experience?

How do we redefine her as just talk and no solutions?

How do we redefine her as self centered and not a champion ready to fight for the common man?

[Kordo]

I'm with you, Zeus. He should keep it real, but it's time to take it right into her teeth. The fact that she would actually try to benefit politically from Harper's slam-job (NAFTA-gate) is beyond the pale. She's actually using Republican talking-points to advance her personal ambitions!

[Zeusthunderbolt]

The deal is this. Republicans and the Clintons know how to win. They know how to define the opponent. Obama has to define her. He also has to redefine himself, and reintroduce himself. What does he do about white woman, lower middle class problem? He has to stand up. He has to call her out. He has to FIGHT.

I get an opportunity daily to talk to lots of folks. Every one is a parrot. Last 3 days I have seen the most dramatic change. All the independents and republicans have completely stopped moving towards him. Every one is saying he has no experience. All the white women are back with her. He has to fight back hard on the experience, speeches only, paper tiger impression. His character is also under attack. People are showing doubts. Redefining his followers as a cult, kids, stupid, and zombies has been very effective. People are not ready to be part of a cult.

All this has to change now or it is all over.

[k6007]

She damned well be able to win the GE with her taco eating, red necked, inbred, DoDo
chickenhawk, special-ed consitiuents. I'm working for Mcgeriatic in Nov.

[denver]

That is sad for you to say that.Are you saying that the millions of people who voted for Hillary are not as important as the millions that voted for Barack,anyone that would go and work for Mcain really holds no democratic values or wants real change....­........Sh­ame on you!!

[k6007]

What the fuck ever,
Our country,
Our planet
out very way of life is on the brink of extinction


I hold everyone who voted for this Neo-Con Bitch
RESPONSIBLE

[j0e]

It seems to me that tonight proved Hillary can win.... if she's willing to follow Rovian tactics and his advice to go negative, and thus, destroy the party. Doesn't it bother any of you hillarites that her success comes at the expense of the party? Rush Limbaugh must be chortling to his fat little self in glee...

[rinpochet]

This will be the story in October which is why if Hillary is the nominee, the Democrats will lose the General.

Clintons to face fraud trial
Judge setting date, testimony to include ex-president, senator
Posted: February 19, 2008
11:27 pm Eastern

© 2008 WorldNetDaily

Peter Paul and President Clinton (Courtesy Hillcap.org)

While Hillary Clinton battles Barack Obama on the campaign trail, a judge in Los Angeles is quietly preparing to set a trial date in a $17 million fraud suit that aims to expose an alleged culture of widespread corruption by the Clintons and the Democratic Party.

At the conclusion of a hearing tomorrow morning before California Superior Court Judge Aurelio N. Munoz, lawyers for Hollywood mogul Peter F. Paul will begin seeking sworn testimony from all three Clintons – Bill, Hillary and Chelsea – along with top Democratic Party leaders and A-list celebrities, including Barbra Streisand, John Travolta, Brad Pitt and Cher.

Paul's team hopes for a trial in October. The Clintons' longtime lawyer David Kendall, who will attend the hearing, has declined comment on the suit.

The Clintons have tried to dismiss the case, but the California Supreme Court, in 2004, upheld a lower-court decision to deny the motion.

(Story continues below)

Bill Clinton, according to the complaint, promised to promote Paul's Internet entertainment company, Stan Lee Media, in exchange for stock, cash options and massive contributions to his wife's 2000 Senate campaign. Paul contends he was directed by the Clintons and Democratic Party leaders to produce, pay for and then join them in lying about footing the bill for a Hollywood gala and fundraiser.

The Clintons' legal counsel has denied the former president made any deal with Paul. But Paul attorney Colette Wilson told WND there are witnesses who say it was common knowledge at Stan Lee Media that Bill Clinton was preparing to be a rainmaker for the company after he left office.

Paul claims former Vice President Al Gore, former Democratic Party chairman Ed Rendell and Clinton presidential campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe also are among the people who can confirm Paul engaged in the deal.


Hillary Clinton with Peter and Andrea Paul (Courtesy Hillcap.org)

Paul claims Rendell directed various illegal contributions to the DNC and Hillary Clinton's campaign and failed to report to the Federal Election Commission more than $100,000 given for a Hollywood event for Gore's campaign and the Democratic National Committee in 2000. McAuliffe, Paul says, counseled him in two separate meetings to become a major donor to Hillary Clinton to pave the way to hire her husband. Paul asserts top Clinton adviser Harold Ickes also directed him to give money to the Senate campaign but hid that fact in "perjured testimony" during the trial of campaign finance director David Rosen.

Rosen was acquitted in 2005 for filing false campaign reports that later were charged by the FEC to treasurer Andrew Grossman, who accepted responsibility in a conciliation agreement that fined the campaign 35,000. Paul points out the Rosen trial established his contention that he personally gave more than $1.2 million to Clinton's campaign and that his contributions intentionally were hidden from the public and the Federal Election Commission.

Rosen, accused of concealing Paul's in-kind contribution of more than $1 million, was acquitted, but Paul contends the Clinton staffer was a scapegoat. Paul points out chief Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson told the Washington Post he was aware of the donation, yet he never was called as a witness in the Rosen trial.

Paul contends his case will expose "the institutional culture of corruption embraced by the Clinton leadership of the Democratic Party," which seeks to attain "unaccountable power for the Clintons at the expense of the rule of law and respect for the constitutional processes of government­."

The complaint asserts Clinton has filed four false reports to the FEC of Paul's donations in an attempt to distance herself from him after a Washington Post story days after the August 2000 fundraiser reported his past felony convictions. Clinton then returned a check for $2,000, insisting it was the only money she had taken from Paul. But one month later, she demanded another $100,000, to be hidden in a state committee using untraceable securities.

"Why wouldn't that cause someone to inquire?" Paul asked. "Especially since it was days after she said she wouldn't take any more money from me."

Paul has the support of a new grass-roots political action group that is helping garner the assistance of one of the nation's top lawyers

Republican activist Rod Martin says his group plans to highlight Paul's case as it launches an organization based on the business model of the left-wing MoveOn.org but rooted in the principles and political philosophy of former President Reagan.

Martin's group also is assisting in Paul's complaint to the FEC asserting that unless the agency sets aside the conciliation agreement and rescinds immunity granted the senator, it will "have aided and abetted in the commission" of a felony.

Paul's case is the subject of a video documentary largely comprised of intimate "home movies" of Hillary Clinton and her Hollywood supporters captured by Paul during the period.

[browndoe]

I'm in this party and I expected Hillary to fight back. I would not have happily folded ranks behind an Obama campaign at an earlier time. Hillary didn't do half of what the Republicans will bring on in the fall. I am not alone in wanting to know what Barack is made of. Not having control over his economics advisor, coupled with his response to Bhutto's assassination and the comments about elections in Kenya: I see Obama is not aware of how to lead a team, how to engage in diplomatic discourse. This is no joke and some of us are not so sure about Barack. This vetting had to happen. Better now than in the fall. Keep in mind, I was once a strong Obama supporter and came back to Clinton when we had our caucuses in Washington state.

[j0e]

Excuse negative campaigning with whatever makes you feel better about it. Unfortunately, this is precisely what's wrong with this country.

[Mollye]

Congratulations Hillary!!!!

[ErnestineBass]

Cripes on a cracker!

Whaaat? A "state full of dumbass, inbred rednecks" like Alabama can vote for Obama...bu­t NOT Ohio?

Maybe you FOLKS in O-HI-OOOO need to move south.

We have an abundance of jobs here...if you can compete with US!

Stupid, racist, and somehow historically entitled to a well-paying job. That describes the overall mentality of most "Rust Belt" inhabitants.

The south has risen again, and you can kiss our butts!

[k6007]

That FUCKING BITCH!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!

I hate her .

I hate everybody that voted for her.

Stupid assholes.

Braindead Bush-league nincompoops.

[yorkie]

HI. it's a call to action! TIME TO LAUNCH NATIONAL BOYCOTT OF ALL SPONSORS OF RUSH AND HANNITY'S RADIO SHOWS ON ABC RADIO. THEY CALLED ON THIER FOOLS TO GO VOTE FOR CLINTON ETC. IGNORANCE IS WHAT MAKE S UP THIER AUDIENCE AND MUCH OF CLINTON'S VOTERS!!!!!!!!! WE MUST BAND TOGETHER BY THE MILLIONS, SEEK OUT TRUTH, MARCH FOR PEACE, WRITE TO ALL YOUR PAPERS, FLOOD YOUR CONGRESS,STATE HOUSES WITH DEMANDS FOR FUNDING FOR EDUCATION FROM K-COLLEGE! BUSH'S BRAIN ROVE FOOLED TOO MANY IN 00 AND 04 , KATRINA,IRAQ, DEFICITS, GUNS,RECESSIONS ARE ONLY PART OF THE TRAGEDY WE ARE EXPERIENCEING BECAUSE OF IGNORANCE AND FOOLS IN THE MEDIA. FRAUDS AND LIARS MUST BE THWARTED AT ALL TIMES!!!!! HOW MANY MORE LOSSES AND WARS,GUNS KILLINGS HERE CAN WE TAKE! ????

[Cy08]

Dirty Tricks, Dirty Tricks. The NAFTA card my have worked in Ohio. and The red phone in Texas. But where did she get the money to make these ads. I find it very interesting that according to the Washington Post that Saudis gave Bill Clinton $10 Million and Hillary Clinton gave her campaign $5 Million. I also find it interesting the media has not reported this. This is a clear cut case of media bias on the part of ABC, Fox, CBS, CNN, MSNBC and NBC. With of the Fix News channel, the others appears to have a fix on Clinton. The real story is to follow the money, just follow the money. Remember Ron Brown.

[PuffAndStuff]

"I find it very interesting that according to the Washington Post that Saudis gave Bill Clinton $10 Million and Hillary Clinton gave her campaign $5 Million. I also find it interesting the media has not reported this." ........

Interesting, yes: but surprising -- sadly, no.

The mass media, at least the overwhelming majority of which, proved their incompetence in the job of disseminating nformation to the public during the build-up of, and 1st year+ of military force in, "Iraqi Freedom".

Moreover, after Mrs. Clinton's loud cries during the past 1-2 regarding the media's supposed unfair/biased treatment toward her vs. Obama, I'd surmise that the media, now - more than before, won't want to touch this Saudi/Clinton $ exchange hot potato of a story. Sad, very sad.

[k6007]

We have no News Media in this fucking country!!!
They're nothing more than the Industrial Military Complex Propaganda Networks.

MSNBC owned by the largest Arms producer on the planet: General Electric.

Fox: Right wing Nut Job Rupert Murdock

CNN: Time warner, I have no Idea What the fuck Ted Turner is up to.

[PuffAndStuff]

It's a good ad ... and I'm not suprised that it worked. However, the abhorrent use of fear-baiting and fear-tactics of this ad brings even more clarity to the enlightened among us that Bush=Clinton=Bush.

Desperation is bringing out the worst in our party: Shame, shame, shame on you Hillary & Co.!

[LoRiseAntlers]

I thought polls were evil.You people really need to make up your minds.

[ErnestineBass]

Polls suck.

I will never deviate from that position.

[wndrwrthg]

If these tactics are considered the key to victory, look for them to continue and to escalate. I wonder how much the appearances on the comedy shows attributed to her win?

[PTTY]

Does anone considers it odd that this man in the Obama camp goes to Canada and says listen up, Obama does not intend to follow through with what he said during the Debate? No way..

Why would anyone do this before the Primary? Is this man a Plant?

Also Farrakhan, he deliberately interjected himself into Obama's campaign all because he wanted to sabotage Obama. Just like Tavis Smiley man do they get jealous.

[HowardRoarke]

Do Clinton supporter have a problem with spreading that lie of a rumor? No. Tho half of them just trust it's the truth because it makes her look better. The other half are disgusting.

The Canadian embassy in Chicago invited the advisor guy over for an informal chat two weeks BEFORE the debate. Obama did not send him, or authorize the visit.

Why would the economic advisor take it upon himself to do this? Must have the Ego of Wolfson or Penn.

[rinpochet]

Hillary's rep was also there so wonder when details of that meeting come out.

[Marmann]

Ah, Canada. Now, CONSERVATIVE Canada. Before it became CONSERVATIVE Canada, wasn't there some talk about yet another Bill Clinton affair with one of Canada's politicians?????

[Zhonni]

Wow, it looks like Hillary just won the nomination with all the comfetti and all or maybe she just won Ohio.

[HowardRoarke]

She's using the Bush Florida method to winning elections.

[Marmann]

And Florida's governor wants a redo in Florida so the Rush Limbaugh republicant zombies can vote for her, too.

[rinpochet]

I thought it was a replay of her Florida "victory".

If she gets the nomination she will lose independents, the young, the Republicans for Obama, the moneymaking machine of Obama .. and the General election. She is hated by so many Democrats that they'd rather vote for McCain than Hillary.

And when the Clinton's fraud trial begins in October, it's all over anyway.

[InternationalObserver]

I'm surprised no wag has produced a parody ad: "It's 3AM - do you know where your husband is?" complete with an image of a woman waking to find the other side of the bed empty.

Maybe the Swift Boaters are saving that one for when Hillary wins the nomination ...

[IndependentMeans]

OK, that is too funny International Observer, good for you!