'It's the Map, Not the Math'?

May 13, 2008— -- The moment polls closed in West Virginia, ABC News was able to use exit polling to project that Hillary Clinton would comfortably win the Mountain State's Democratic primary.

Racially motivated voting ran somewhat higher in West Virginia than elsewhere.

"In preliminary exit poll results," writes ABC News polling director Gary Langer, "two in 10 whites said the race of the candidate was a factor in their vote, second only to Mississippi. Only a third of those voters said they'd support Obama against John McCain, fewer than in other primaries where the question's been asked."

Full analysis here. 

So where does the former first lady go from here?

Per ABC's George Stephanopoulos, "She tries to argue that this is a crucial turning point in the campaign, she almost certainly stays in until Kentucky and Oregon vote on Tuesday, and she argues to superdelegates that Obama cannot win these white working class voters."

The problem for Clinton is that Obama is still on track to become the pledged delegate majority winner on May 20th.

The Illinois Democrat is not planning to declare victory on that day, but Obama campaign manager David Plouffe reiterated Tuesday that May 20th will be a very significant date in the race since several high-profile Democratic leaders have indicated that the party would suffer if superdelegates were to hand the party's nomination to the runner-up in pledged delegates.

None of this, however, will protect Obama (who wore a flag pin for the second day in a row on Tuesday) from new scrutiny about his viability in November. In an effort to address concerns that his candidacy represents the (losing) McGovern coalition of affluent whites and African-Americans, Obama is planning three stops in Michigan on Wednesday including two in Macomb County, the place where Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg went in the 1980s to study the alienation of Reagan Democrats by government in general and Democrats in particular.

On primary day in West Virginia, Clinton takes a moment to enojy a cold treat. LINK

Can West Virginia Revive Clinton?
05.13.08: A preview of today's WV primary, plus a deadly earthquake rocks China. LINK

West Virginia Votes
Jan Crawford-Greenburg reports on the latest primary contest. LINK

Political Fonts
What candidates say with words -- and typefaces. LINK

Electability Factors
Are Dems at an advantage given 8/10 Americans say the country's off-track? LINK

Clinton, Obama Collide on Senate Floor
No snub on Capitol Hill today, Sens. Obama and Clinton share quick moment. LINK

Hillary's in Through Last Primary LINK

'The View': Obama and Religion
Can the senator deflect rumors and lies that target his religion? LINK

'The Note' Rewinds the Week's Best Moments
ABC News' Senior Political Reporter Rick Klein on the weekly political roundup. LINK

Joint Ticket in the Works?
George Stephanopoulos gives the latest on the Democrats in "The Bottom Line." LINK

Uphill Battle for John McCain
George Stephanopoulos takes a look at how Obama stacks up against McCain. LINK

Clinton Poised for Big Win
Will W. Va. primary victory help her bid for the presidency? LINK