Is Clinton doomed in N Florida?

Hillary Clinton thumped her Democratic rivals Florida. But looking at north Florida primary results the conclusion seems inescapable:  Clinton is ominously weak in the Panhandle, a region where Democrats need to hold their ground if they want to win the state. All of the 19 counties Clinton lost in Florida were in north Florida.

John Edwards won 11 rural north Florida counties, while Obama won eight counties - not just liberal University counties like Alachua and Leon, or overhwhelmingly African-American counties. Obama also handily won Escambia.

"In the general election," said Clinton spokesman Mo Elleithee, "Floridians will have a choice between a candidate who wants to fix our economy, end the war in Iraq and provide universal health care versus a candidate who supports the Bush economic policy, the war, and opposes universal health care.  In that matchup, we like our chances — and that goes from the panhandle to the keys."

Comments

Once Edwards throws to Obama... Game on!

She is doomed no matter what!!!

She should win North Florida, I heard her speak and she has that nice little southern accent (that conveniently pops out only in the South!)

"... not just pointy headed liberal meccas like Alachua and Leon, or overhwhelmingly African-American counties."

WHAT!... are you that freaking stoooopid?

No wonder there's no "post" author.

well of course, altho i dont think "doomed" is exactly the right word.

maybe "challenged".

her -- and any 21st century candidate's -- challenge is to appeal to as many folks as possible who think "neeeegras" are real, live 'merikun citizens, that there is no "internationalzionistconspiracy" to mongrelize the white race and the like, so they wont be swamped, cancelling out the large numbers they will generate in 21st century florida.

lets face it, folks who are not generally inclined to live and behave as ignorant bigots LEAVE the panhandle as fast as they grow up and can, leaving behind...well, you can only imagine.

She is doomed for sure she and Bill are on the fast track to hell!!

So are you saying that people who choose to live in the panhandle are "ignorant biggots" and backwoods yokels?

Clearly, 3:31, by your post alone it is obvious that the Panhandle has no lock on “ignorant bigots”.

You, my twisted little hitlerite… and a freaking idiot.

make that "aer"... and in a big freaking way too.

... or are.

Yes especially since Barack won more of those counties than Hillary did. It's too bad all the stupid idiots flock to the Buzz Blog day in and day out.

You're here!... what's that make you Mr.Iinbred?

Clinton has bigger things to worry about than North Florida, like California. She is supposed to be way ahead in Cal., but Obama is raising lots of money and could close in enough on Hillary Tuesday to tip the scale his direction.

[Jonathon]

I hate hillary

3:31
You must have no clue about the demographics of the state, much less the public school standings.
The schools in the panhandle consistently rank among the highest in the state. Okaloosa ranked first 3 years in a row.
So, as far as being ignorant is concerned, our middle school students can probably out-think and out-perform you.
Anytime you have Naval bases and Air Force bases, as do Escambia, Bay and Okaloosa, you have well educated, well traveled people. And overwhelmingly Republican.
You, fool, are the bigot. You are even bigoted towards residents of the Panhandle.
Now, go read a book.

[Chris]

Escambia county is in the Mobile media market. Obama was already running a ton of ads there for the Alabama primary. Of course he's going to win the only market (as a whole he won the three counties in the Mobile market 38-34) where he's the only one on TV. Clinton and Edwards both got around 35% each to Obama's 26% in neighboring Panama City market, where no candidates ran ads.

Are you even suggesting that Obama will do better then Clinton in the red neck panhandle? You have got to be kidding.

[stacy m]

well...Obama won handily in DUVAL county...far from the Alabama commercials. We are a lucky nation that Clinton is in trouble. She IS trouble.

Have you seen the numbers when it comes to blacks in Duval? the panhandle has a very different makeup. Obama does noy win there.

[Life-long Republican]

If McCain wins the nomination, I'll vote for her.

In Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, S.C. and Florida, I believe Obama has beat Hillary handily among rural voters.

[Jason Straight]

Who cares about the panhandle they will never support Any Dem and most of you Hillary hate folk on this board are right wingnuts who hateherhateherhate her.You know down at First Baptist we teach that Jesus says that women must be subservient ro men .Knock um up and tellum to do what you want or slapum around the double wide!!.Thats your religious belief in the Panhandle and in most of N central florida .That ok your daddy did it too ..Right to life ,carry a gun ,support the war ,no insurance fer them socialists..Calm down watch and learn.There is a huge recession underway..Hillary will win florida its called SOUTH FLORIDA..loaded with all them NEW YORKERS Condo Commandos
agnostics blacks and puerto ricans.$ million voters that are pissed off about the war taxes and losing their homes and jobs .They have paper ballots this timeboys .Ok altogether now say PRESIDENT HILLARY..

[RJM]

Wow, Jason, you are all kinds of bigoted. I don't even know who should be more offended.
Obama has a good shot of winning the panhandle. There are high numbers of black people there and those "rednecks" are a lot less bigoted than you apparently.

8:53
I agree wholeheartedly.

I don't think Clinton vs Obama is the real issue. This election is going to be very partisan because the DEMs will band together regardless to keep this country from falling into the hands of another fascist regime, whereas the GOP is extremely well organized and unrepentant despite the obvious destruction they've caused, and will muster to vote GOP regardless of the many conflicting agendas of its "coalition of the ignorant."

11:29
It continues to amaze me how so many supposed liberals on this blog continue to spew such venom and hate. I thought the Democrats were supposed to be the party who cared about people. If Republicans are truly the "coalition of the ignorant", don't you think you should have a little more compassion for those who are clearly so less fortunate than you in that we have not yet seen the error of our ways?
Why can't you just state your viewpoint rather than attack?
Oh, one more thing. You must be so proud of your Democrat controlled Congress. After all, they have accomplished so much in the past months.

12:36 There is no hate in my message. That is my political viewpoint. You can take the "Neville Chamberlain" approach to fascism or you can call people to action to oppose it vigorously. As for the (barely) DEM controlled congress - I think they have more than enough grounds to impeach the traitor and his staff and I'm very dissapointed that they haven't done so. Please join me and abandon the party of corporate wh*res and I will gladly call you my brother.

12:51
Au contraire, my fine fractured friend.
The very tone of the first portion of your post smacks of bigoted intolerance of those with whom you do not agree. And no, I am not a Baptist, nor do I agree with everything the religious, (and not so much), right stand for. I am, as so many are becoming, a fiscal conservative and social moderate.
As to your last post, I'm afraid you could not call me your brother, as I am a woman. One should try not to assume too much.

I must say, I am impressed by the intellectual prowess of the South Florida Liberals on this blog. They defend their politics so eloquently and articulately with statements such as, "red-necks in the panhandle," "inbreds," and flinging accusations of keeping women "subservient, knocked up and slapped around the double-wide."

I don't blame you. Honestly, if my political philosophy required me to defend the implementation of socialized programs which have failed consistently throughout history, if it required me to divide people based on race and tell "minorities" they aren't as good as the rest of us and will never amount to anything unless we subsidize their efforts, if it required me to oppose our military and call for surrender and accept defeat, if it required me to defend with an almost religious zeal the practice of sticking forks into the heads of babies, then I would certainly prefer name-calling instead of debating issues. So, I understand and I don't blame you. Your policy positions are indefensible and I do not envy your predicament.

2:04 Thanks you for your own eloquent but basically empty post. Against whom am I bigoted? I believe that my characterization of the current regime as fascist is entirely accurate. They are trying to reshape our government into one which is wholly controlled by large corporations. Anyone who disputes this is ignorant of the facts, and ignorant of the well-organized and funded movement to disenfranchise and disempower the majority of voters in our political system. Taking a moderate tack against this threat is to practically guarantee defeat. As for your gender, well the ZZZ factor with regards to long blog posts negates my ability to nuance every word I write. Assuming you are really a female, and not just saying so to try to score a quick point, even if you were my sister, I would still be your brother, so the offer remains the same... (ZZZ!)

[Dee]

2:07 Your post sums up the reality of the situation quite well.

3:43, 2:04 here
You do quite well with long posts. If you can't see that your remarks concerning Baptists, et al. are bigoted, (no, not witty), then you are truly clueless.
And yes, I really am a woman. I don't need to lie to score points, or for any other reason.
I have my own beliefs and listen to others views with an open mind, if they in fact have their own views. We don't have to agree, but spewing venom never gains us anything.
Now, since I do have a very good life, I will get back to it.

[slackker]

While Bill was selective of who he gave it too, it sounds like Hillary wants to give it too everyone.

Hillary is a socialist that will get crushed in the general electio by McCain.

Even Obama supporters are defecting

If Hillary is nominated, it will be the greatest thing for Republicans.

No one galvanize conservative more than Hillary.

[Live With Your Means]

If Hillary is nominated, it will be the greatest thing for Republicans.

No one galvanize conservatives more than Hillary.

If McCain is nominated, the winner of the Dem Primary will be our next President. I won't be voting McCain.

"I cannot in good conscience support a tax cut in which so many of the benefits go to the most fortunate among us at the expense of middle-class Americans who most need tax relief"

"I would not support repeal of Roe v. Wade, which would then force X number of women in America to [undergo] illegal and dangerous operations."

"I think we can set up a program where amnesty is extended to a certain number of people who are eligible"

"Amnesty Has To Be An Important Part"

"What you really need is a sea change in public opinion on earth. Global warming has to become a campaign issue, and it never has, either in congressional campaigns or senatorial campaigns or presidential campaigns."

Who said all of the above? Was it McCain or was it Hillary? Or does it even matter? If McCain is the nominee, I'll vote against the GOP for the first time in my life!

[Jason Straight]

No one will galvanize the Dems like Hillary.By the general election the economy will be in full blown recession.While hated universally by the republicans evangelicals gay and abortion haters the Clintons know how to win.They will never allow themselves to be swiftboated ..McCain is the best candidate of a poor old tired GOP field.The Economy massive budget deficits with a 100 years war will benefit the Dems.By the way who has been in the Whitehouse destroying this nation for 7 years and the constitution..with 29 % approval ratings.Chimp boy Bush is your man. I just love collective GOP candidate amnesia.Hillary dont gotta do anything but put McCain in Chimp boys cage give him a big banana..its over.

For any Republicans who still actually think McCain has a prayer of beating any Dem in November, notice how all of the Dems and Libs are calling McCain "the best GOP candidate." This is like the Giants telling the Patriots, "I hope you go with that Brady guy, we'll crush him. But that Matt Cassell, he's the best player on your team. Cassell is the Pat's only hope of winning."

The US Congress approval rating is much. much lower than Pres. Bush.

Hillary Clinton is part of that rating, lol

Polls show McCain will beat Hillary and that is before she gets "swiftboated" a la Karl Rove style