New School Politics

McCain and Clinton Win California

Ryan | 5 02 2008

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To cap off an eventful night, sources have called California for Hillary Clinton and John McCain pretty early on. The state is not winner take all for either party, but it still has the most delegates for both. The state was really a big swing primary for both as polls had it as a tossup going into tonight. Hence, it is a really big swing in momentum for the Clinton and McCain campaigns. At this point in time California and Super Tuesday as a whole leads me to conclude that McCain is pulling way out in front for the GOP, while Clinton retains a slight edge for the Dems.

In hind sight I do not think that we should have been so surprised at Clinton or McCain winning. First of all, CA has a huge hispanic population (around 30% of Dem electorate), two-thirds of which voted for Clinton. This was more than enough to overcome white and black voters–the majority of both voted for Obama in CA. (Exit polls here). On the GOP side, Gov. Arnold Schwartzenegger’s endorsement in the past week may very well have put McCain over the top in what was thought to be a close race.

Additionally, sources have just called Missouri for John McCain with more than 97% reporting. This primary is winner take all, and has the fourth most delegates of the night for the GOP. It was up until now a tossup between the Senator and Gov. Huckabee who has done extremely well in the south tonight. McCain beat Huckabee by just 1% there.

MO has yet to be called for the Dems. With 97% reporting, about one half percent separates the two candidates.

UPDATE: Missouri is called for Obama with 98% reporting. He is ahead by about .6% as of now.