In the papers
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
By Angela Yeoh
HILLARY CLINTON GETS A KEY WIN IN PENNSYLVANIA PRIMARY
There’s talk of Clinton surviving to fight another day, but there’s very much a cautionary tone in the US press about her victory and the consequences of drawing out the contest between Obama and Clinton.
Los Angeles Times (US)
Clinton’s Pennsylvania victory doesn’t do much for her odds
The language used here is not encouraging, with political scientists saying Clinton faces “an uphill climb” and the ongoing fight for the Democratic nomination is increasingly “bitter” and “divisive”. That divisiveness is only emphasised according to exit polls and interviews in the following article.
Boston Globe (US)
Voters again divided by age, income in Pennsylvania ballot
The same divisions that emerged in previous primaries have reappeared in Pennsylvania: older, rural and Catholic voters sticking with Clinton, and young, new and black voters leaning towards Obama. Those ongoing divisions may be damaging for the Democratic camp.
New York Times (US)
That’s why this top US paper now blasts Clinton for her negative campaigning. At the start of this year, the NY Times editorial board actually endorsed Clinton over Obama for the Democratic nomination, but now accuses her of being too much on the attack and turning off voters. Obama’s not entirely innocent either; he’s accused of rising to Clinton’s bait and mocking her. There’s a strong call for the debate to be a whole lot more nuanced – and for Clinton to call off the attack dogs.
US ELECTIONS & THE JEWISH VOTE
Pennsylvania is a state with a relatively large Jewish population, plus the new US president’s relations with Israel are, of course, going to be key for the US’s future Middle East foreign policy.
The Jerusalem Post (Israel)
How Penn’s Jewish governor tried to give Clinton a boost
To win over Jewish voters, Clinton had a heavyweight on her side: Ed Rendell, the governor of Pennsylvania, who is of Jewish background. He calls Clinton’s record on Israel “wonderful”, and was looking to Clinton to sweep the Jewish vote. But that’s not the case, according to post-voting analysis by the following online news site.
Huffington Post (US)
Obama improving among whites and seniors, holding among Jews
The breakdown in exit polls seems to show the Jewish vote split fairly evenly between Clinton and Obama. That’s good news for Obama – the anti-Semitic comments made by Obama’s pastor Jeremiah Wright perhaps not doing as much damage to Obama’s campaign as feared.
OBAMA’S NAME STILL PROVING TRICKY FOR SOME AMERICANS
The Centre Daily Times (Pennsylvania)
Voting Democrats notice incorrect spelling of Obama’s name
This college paper from Pennsylvania State University reports that, despite the time and money Obama spent on Pennsylvania, one county still didn’t manage to get his name right on the ballot. Voters noticed on ballot papers in Centre County, the Illinois senator appeared as “BARAK Obama”.
