Pennsylvania Exit Polls

In a democratic primary that has been defined by gender, race, slander, and insults, it should come as no surprise that the exit polls for the Pennsylvania Primary showed a clear division in the Democratic Party. Democrats are fighting with a do or die mentality to get their candidate elected. This is occurring at the expense of the party as a whole, and as a favor to Republicans nationwide. As more and more Democrats fight amongst themselves, John McCain is swaying voters from the Democratic side to vote for him in November.

Not all of the exit polls were surprising. There are certain things that are expected of the candidates, and in some areas, they delivered. Hillary Clinton did win among women and Barack Obama won the majority of the male vote, as expected. Obama also led the way with the younger voters, a demographic he has been courting since he announced his candidacy, while Clinton came through with the older voters.

There were other poll results, though, that show the effect of a long, drawn out, bitter campaign. One issue voters were polled on was the trustworthiness of the candidates. Most Clinton supporters said that she is a trustworthy candidate, but overwhelmingly stated that Obama cannot be trusted. With Obama supporters, it is believed that Obama is the only trustworthy candidate of the two. That can become a problem after the primary season. Only one Democratic candidate is going to get the nomination to run for President, and it is going to be imperative for that candidate to win over the voters of the losing Democrat. Democratic voters are showing that will be no easy feat.q

Another issue that divides the Democrats is race. Obama did more than carry the black vote, he dominated amongst African Americans. That is important for two reasons. First, there was a time when the Clintons were incredibly popular among black voters. They were believed to have done a lot for black Americans and they were well respected in the black community. That, however, has changed due to remarks Bill Clinton has made time and again during this primary. He has brought race to the forefront on several occasions, and shot his wife in the foot in the process. In the beginning of the primary season, Clinton was carrying a lot of the black vote, but she has lost that vote to Obama. Another reason why Obama's domination of the black vote is important is quite simple. Voters claim that race is not important in this election. Voters claim to not be voting based on the color of a candidate's skin. That would be believable if Obama and Clinton had closer numbers when it comes to black voters. By Obama carrying around ninety percent of black voters, it shows that there is a division between the races in this election.

The exit polls for the Pennsylvania Primary indicate that whichever candidate wins the primary season is going to have a lot of work to do. He or she is going to have to mend fences in order for the Democratic Party to win the White House. Democrats that are divided along the lines of race and trustworthiness cannot win elections. They will fail, and the next four years will belong to a Republican.

"Exit Polls," www.cnn.com