Barack Obama has been projected by CNN as the winner of the South Carolina Democratic Primary, with 54% of votes over Clinton’s 27%, and 67% of precincts reporting. These results significantly exceed expectations from a Reuters poll on January 25 that showed him leading Clinton 41% to 26%.
Obama has easily doubled Clinton’s vote. Much of this shifting support may be among African-American voters, who have been a major enigma for pollsters in this election. Although Obama has received mixed support from the black community as a whole, there has been some speculation that Clinton’s recently harsh criticism of the Illinois senator may have spurred a backlash among many voters that otherwise would have remained divided, and could not be convinced to go back even with the constant urging of former president Bill Clinton.
Whether this situation is restricted to South Carolina, or will also occur in other Southern states such as Alabama and Georgia will be decided on February 5.
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