Obama predicts Clinton win in Pa.
SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - April 21, 2008 "I'm not predicting a win," he told Pittsburgh radio station
KDKA. "I'm predicting it's going to be close and that we are going
to do a lot better than people expect."
Clinton aides tried to downplay expectations, insisting they
would be grateful for a single-digit win. While the New York
senator began the race with a hefty 20-point lead in several polls
in the state, Obama's extensive campaigning and heavy ad buy have
significantly cut into Clinton's lead.
She told supporters in Scranton, "We really need to bear down
in these last few days. The whole world is watching."
Clinton was hoping a big win could boost her chance at the
nomination. A loss would increase pressure on her to exit the race,
with Obama leading in delegates and the popular vote.
Pennsylvania is the largest of the 10 contests remaining, with
about 4 million registered Democrats and 158 delegates up for grabs
in the primary.
The demographics suit Clinton. The state has a higher median
age, a higher percentage of whites, a lower median household income
and fewer bachelor's degrees than the country overall. These are
the voters - working-class whites and voters older than 50 - who
have flocked to her in past contests.
There are some encouraging signs as well for Obama. Thousands of
new voters have registered for the primary. The largest bounce has
been in Centre County, home to Penn State, and Obama tends to fair
best among college students.
"We've run a tough race here in Pennsylvania," he said in the
radio interview. "Senator Clinton obviously was heavily favored.
She was up 20. And you know, we've just been trying to chip away."
The two candidates had packed schedules on the eve of the
contest. It comes after a six-week break in voting allowed them to
spend more time in Pennsylvania than in any state since the
primaries and caucuses began at the first of the year.
Both candidates planned final appearances in Pennsylvania's
largest urban centers - Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Both also had
extensive national schedules, taping interviews with all the
network morning shows to be aired Tuesday. Clinton also scheduled
to appear Monday evening on MSNBC's "Countdown" and CNN's "Larry
King Live," while Obama planned to be on Comedy Central's "The
Daily Show."
Clinton also released a new television ad summarizing her
closing argument. "It's the toughest job in the world," an
announcer says as images throughout history air on the screen - the
stock market crash, Pearl Harbor, the Soviet threat, the collapse
of the Berlin Wall, Osama bin Laden, Hurricane Katrina.
"You need to be ready for anything, especially now, with two
wars, oil prices skyrocketing and an economy in crisis. Harry
Truman said it best, `If you can't stand the heat, get out of the
kitchen.' Who do you think has what it takes?" the announcer says
at the end, as an image of Clinton at a rally appears. Obama's
campaign said the ad appealed to people's fears.
Both candidates started the day in Scranton, a heavily
Democratic working-class area of northeast Pennsylvania that is
struggling economically.
Clinton held a rally and touted her local roots - her father was
born and buried in Scranton and her grandfather worked in a local
lace mill for 35 years.
As the crowd chanted "One Day to Victory!" and "Madam
President!" Clinton urged supporters to go to the polls. One
yelled out, "We got your back, Hillary!"
She replied, "I appreciate your having my back. As your
president, I'll have your back."
One mile north, Obama got an order of waffles and sausage and at
least one more vote at the Glider Diner. Larry Perry, a 57-year-old
Vietnam veteran from New Milford, pressed Obama on what he would do
for troops returning from Iraq.
"You want my vote? Let's hear it," Perry said. Obama gave a
quick outline of his proposals, including opening more Veterans
Affairs clinics.
"He convinced me," Perry said afterward. "I liked what he
said. I'm tired of the Clintons. I'm tired of the Bushes."
---
Nedra Pickler reported from Washington. Associated Press writer
Beth Fouhy in Scranton, Pa., contributed to this report.<
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On the Net:
http://www.hillaryclinton.com
http://www.barackobama.com
