SNEAK PEEK: Waiting for Godot
Could Tuesday's primaries finally give McCain the delegates he needs to win?
March 04, 2008— -- March 4– Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont primaries
370 Democratic delegates at stake
256 Republican delegates at stake
The build up to Super Tuesday Part Deux has focused mostly on the Democratic nomination fight – what combination of wins/losses will keep Hillary Clinton in the race or force her out? Can Clinton claim victory if she comes out tonight with a W in one of more states, but is behind Obama in the delegate allocation tonight? Will Barack Obama be able to use his momentum from 11 consecutive wins and close the deal?
(Obama certainly is acting like the Presumptive Nominee, appearing in an ad for Bill Foster, a Democrat who is running for Illinois' 14th congressional district, the seat vacated by Dennis Hastert.)
So many questions, few answers, plenty of speculation and Magic 8-ball shaking. But on the Republican side, there may be an end in sight.
It looks more likely that tonight is the night some news organizations will put John McCain over the magic number of 1191 delegates to clinch the nomination.
The RNC expects that they will have their nominee soon. "Once the voters have spoken, we will comment," an RNC official said tonight.
That sounds like curtains for Mike Huckabee, who has continued his campaign despite the nearly insurmountable odds he has been facing in the delegate count.
ABC News' Kevin Chupka that while Huckabee is quick to say he expects nothing short of victory here in Texas, he spoke at length about the possibility of a McCain nomination.
"I think Republicans are going to support the nominee and if John McCain is the nominee I think Republicans will support him," Huckabee said.
Chupka reports that Huckabee outlined his plans going forward, but did not provide much detail, offering only that he hoped to be able to spend a night or two at home in Little Rock with his dogs.
ABC News Polling Director Gary Langer has this from preliminary exit poll results:
"The theme of change continues to resonate in Ohio and Texas, but not by as wide a margin as in most previous primaries. The ability to 'bring needed change' beats "experience" as the most important quality in a candidate by about a 20-point margin in Ohio and by about 15 points in Texas, according to preliminary exit poll results."
More from Langer:
Preliminary exit poll results also suggest a healthy turnout by Latinos in the Texas Democratic primary, where early results indicate they're accounting for just over three in 10 voters; if that holds that'll be a record.
Blacks account for about two in 10 Texas Democratic voters, closer to their customary share of the electorate. In these early data blacks also account for two in 10 in Ohio, which if it holds would be up from 2004.
Turnout among women looks to be up in both states in these preliminary results – they account for about six in 10 voters in Ohio, and not quite as many in Texas, compared with 52 percent in Ohio and 53 percent in Texas in 2004.
ABC News' Rick Klein will be live blogging the results and twists and turns all night.
Plan your Tuesday night around…
7:00 PM ET POLL CLOSING
VERMONT - Democratic Primary - open
| Polls open: | 6:00 AM ET |
| Polls close: | 7:00 PM ET |
VERMONT - Republican Primary - open
| Polls open: | 6:00 AM ET |
| Polls close: | 7:00 PM ET |
7:30 PM ET POLL CLOSINGOHIO - Democratic Primary - open
| Polls open: | 6:30 am ET |
| Polls close: | 7:30 pm ET |
OHIO - Republican Primary - open
| Polls open: | 6:30 am ET |
| Polls close: | 7:30 pm ET |
9:00 PM ET POLL CLOSING
TEXAS - Democratic Primary (open) and Caucus
| Polls open: | 9:00 am ET |
| Polls close: | 9:00 pm ET |
TEXAS - Republican Primary - open
| Polls open: | 9:00 am ET |
| Polls close: | 9:00 pm ET |
RHODE ISLAND - Democratic Primary – open to independents who affiliate at polls
| Polls open: | 7:00 am ET |
| Polls close: | 9:00 pm ET |
RHODE ISLAND - Republican Primary – open to independents who affiliate at polls
| Polls open: | 7:00 am ET |
| Polls close: | 9:00 pm ET |
Clinton follows up her Saturday Night Live cameo with a satellite appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart tonight. And if you are awake to catch The Daily Show, stay up an extra 30 minutes and log on to www.abcnews.com for the latest ABC News/Washington Post election poll, released at 12:01am ET. (http://abcnews.com/pollingunit)
On the campaign front. . .
BARACK OBAMA
-- No public events announced
HILLARY CLINTON
-- No public events announced
As for the Republicans. . .
JOHN MCCAIN
-- 6:00 pm ET: Attends fundraiser with supporters and Governor Charlie Crist, Gulf Stream, FL
At the White House. . .
PRESIDENT BUSH
-- 9:55 am ET: Delivers remarks to the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference 2008, Washington, DC
POLITICAL NEWS STORIES AT ABCNEWS.COM
ABC News' Jennifer Parker Reports: Clinton Fights for Political Life, Obama Hopes to Seal Deal in Texas, Ohio LINK
ABC News' Rick Klein Reports: Live Blogging During Election Night Returns LINK
ABC News' Gary Langer Reports: Should She Stay or Should She Go? LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper Reports: Setting the Bar LINK
ABC News' Karen Travers Reports: OH Weather Affecting Voters in Jefferson County LINK
ABC News' Eloise Harper Reports: Clinton: I Have Earned Every Wrinkle LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper Reports: To Pass the Time Until the Exit Polls Come In LINK
ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: Obama Plays Underdog, Chides Media as Texas, Ohio Vote LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper Reports: Clinton Texas Coordinator: '3 AM' Ad Too Late LINK
ABC News' Kate Snow and Eloise Harper Reports: Clinton: "Never Underestimate the Intelligence of a Voter" LINK
ABC News' Kevin Chupka Reports: Huckabee's Alamo "Our Flag Waves Proudly from the Wall" LINK
ABC News' Ron Claiborne and Bret Hovell Report: A Good Sign for McCain LINK
ABC News' Teddy Davis Reports: Tex Dem Party Not Singling Out One Candidate for Rule Breaking LINK
ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: Obama: "We Are in This for the Long Haul" LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper Reports: Michelle Obama's Brother Slams Clintons LINK
POLITICAL VIDEO AT ABCNEWS.COM
Clinton: I Have Earned Every Wrinkle
Sen. Clinton plays of her message of experience during her last rally in Texas. LINK
Hasselbeck Fears Too Much Clinton
"View" co-host cringes at the idea of having another Clinton in the White House. LINK
McCain Is Kind ... He Rewinds
The senator saves the day by rewinding a supporter's disposable camera. LINK
Hillary: Bill Didn't Get Nomination Until June
Clinton on ABC Poll Results: "Never underestimate the intelligence of a voter." LINK
Candidates' Signature Dishes
What do Sens. Obama, McCain and Clinton cook when they're at home? LINK
Kiddie Political Pundits
Eight-year-olds weigh in on the presidential race for '08. LINK
'The Note' Rewinds the Week's Best Moments
ABC News' Senior Political Reporter Rick Klein on the weekly political roundup. LINK
Clinton Gives Press Bathroom Treatment
Press corps file stories near urinals after being told to work in a locker room. LINK
Final Hillary/Barack Showdown?
George Stephanopoulos Speculates on Dems Chances in Ohio/Texas Primaries. LINK
Senator Supported in Obama, Japan
This Japanese fishing town prints pro-Obama paraphernalia. LINK
Clinton on the Ropes
New York senator's campaign depends on two big wins in today's primary. LINK
Senator Supported in Obama, Japan
This Japanese fishing town prints pro-Obama paraphernalia. LINK
Crunch Time
Barack Obama talks about what's at stake. LINK
Will Clinton Drop Out?
George Stephanopoulos analyzes what the polls indicate for Democrats. LINK
Celebrities on Campaign Trail
ABC's Rick Klein on the big name endorsements in this political campaign. LINK
Interns for the ABC News Political Unit:
The ABC News Political Unit is now seeking three full-time summer interns in Washington, D.C.
The internship begins Monday, May 19, and runs through Friday, Aug. 22.
Not only do Political Unit interns attend political events and contribute to The Note and the politics page of ABCNews.com, they also help us by conducting research, maintaining contact lists, and updating the political schedule.
In order to apply, you MUST be either a graduate student or an undergraduate student who has completed his or her first year of college. The internship is NOT open to recent graduates.
You also must be able to work eight hours per day, starting early, Monday through Friday. Interns will be paid $8.50/hour.
If you write well, don't mind getting up early, and have some familiarity with web publishing, send a cover letter and resume to teddy.davis@abc.com as soon as possible, with the subject line: "INTERN" in all caps. Please indicate in your cover letter the dates of your availability.