Wild & Wonderful

May 12, 2008— -- West Virginia Democratic Primary

Polls Open: 6:30 am ET
Polls Close: 7:30 pm ET

Delegates at Stake: 28

Barack Obama is in a commanding position to win the Democratic presidential nod. But he is the underdog in Tuesday's West Virginia primary. The state's gun-owning, church-going, and economically struggling small towns are ripe targets for Hillary Clinton, who has tended to outperform Obama with these groups.

The former first couple has also put in more time on the ground than Obama.

Sen. Clinton has held 14 events and former President Clinton has held 15. By contrast, Sen. Obama has only held three events in the Mountain State.

In the hopes that the media will ignore a big defeat, Obama has worked to downplay expectations.

"She is going to do very well in West Virginia and Kentucky," Obama said Friday in Beaverton, Ore. "She'll win those states, in all likelihood, by significant margins."

The Obama campaign has effectively persuaded the media to focus on May 20 as the date on which the Illinois Democrat is expected to become the pledged delegate majority winner. But the Obama's campaign has not effectively answered why the Illinois Democrat is headed to such a big loss on Tuesday.

Per ABC's Jake Tapper, "If these Democrats vote for Clinton, the presumptive loser, overwhelmingly -- as is predicted -- that indicates a real problem for Obama… [T]omorrow's butt-stomping seems to me like it should merit some serious hand-wringing among Democrats."

For her part, Sen. Clinton has been working to paint her likely victory as a turning point in the race for the Democratic nomination. "It was West Virginia that made it possible for John Kennedy to become president," the former first lady said Monday in Clear Fork, W.Va. "Now John Kennedy didn't have the number of delegates he needed when he went to the convention in 1960; he had something equally as important. He had West Virginia behind him."

Tuesday's primary is open to Democrats and independents who select a Democratic ballot. The deadline to register was April 22.

GOP Plants a Flag in the Mountain State

Although registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans nearly two-to-one in West Virginia, the state hasn't gone to the Democrats in the past two presidential elections. On Monday, the RNC put West Virginia Republicans on the phone with reporters to hammer Obama.

"I'm quite concerned about a lot of his positions on the 2nd Amendment," said Ron Stone, Mayor of Winfield, W Va.

Jim Addy, the mayor of Harpers Ferry, painted Obama as weak and waffling, attacking him for "voting present when he has to make a critical decision."

Observations from reporters assigned to the candidates. LINK

Clinton Keeps Fighting
The New York senator is expected to win West Virginia's primary. LINK

A First Wedding
Jenna Bush and Henry Hager tie the knot in a low key but elegant ceremony. LINK

How Long Will She Last?
While McCain and Obama plan for the fall, the Clinton campaign fights on. LINK

Are Clinton's Comments Racist?
The ladies discuss how the media have made this election about race LINK

The Wedding Album
A sneak peak at Jenna Bush's private wedding. LINK

Reid Positive About Democratic Campaign
Sen. Harry Reid says Democratic party should "relax." LINK

McCain Surrogate Stresses Innovation
Carly Fiorina discusses Sen. John McCain's platform. LINK

Roundtable: The Electoral Game
George Will, Cokie Roberts, Sam Donaldson and Ruth Marcus. LINK

Will's Mama Would Love Obama
Behind the scenes with George Will, Cokie Roberts, Sam Donaldson and Ruth Marcus. LINK