There Is Just One Place, That Can Light My Face
Tuesday's primaries could re-shape the Democratic race for the nomination.
May 06, 2008— -- INDIANA - Democratic Primary - open
Polls close: 7:00 PM ET
72 delegates at stake, proportional
NORTH CAROLINA - Democratic Primary
Polls close: 7:30 PM ET
115 delegates at stake, proportional
Semi closed – residents registered as Democrats or unaffiliated can vote in the Dem. primary
There has been only one voting contest (Pennsylvania) since the controversial comments of Rev. Jeremiah Wright surfaced on YouTube and were subsequently broadcast everywhere.
There are many question marks on just how the Wright issue has hurt Barack Obama's campaign for the nomination, if it has at all. Obama continues to outpace Hillary Clinton in superdelegate endorsements and most uncommitted superdelegates surveyed by ABC News said that while the Wright issue was a distraction in the race, it was not affecting their decision.
Tonight's results in Indiana and North Carolina could shed light on that key unknown – the Wright factor.
Per ABC News' Polling Director Gary Langer, preliminary exit poll results indicate that just under half of Democratic primary voters in Indiana and North Carolina alike call the controversy surrounding the Rev. Jeremiah Wright an important factor in their vote, a potential wildcard in the outcome of these two contests.
But Langer notes that the impact of the Wright controversy could be mitigated by early decision-making: "In both states around three-quarters of voters or more say they made up their minds before last week, when the debate over Obama's ex-minister heightened. That's more early deciders than usual; the average across all primaries to date has been 67 percent."
Both candidates are looking for the clean sweep tonight – Obama, so he can finally land the knockout punch, and Clinton so she can continue to make her case to those critical superdelegates to get on her side.
Asked today by ABC News' Kate Snow if she would stay in the race no matter what happens tonight, Clinton didn't make a firm commitment.
"I'm always interested in finding out what voters actually think," she said. "Because there's all kinds of speculation. It would be like predicting who would win the Indy 500 before it even starts. We don't know. People prepare. They work hard. They do their best. Life is unpredictable. Racing is unpredictable. Politics is unpredictable. So I'm just going to wait and see what the voters have to say."
Obama set his own expectations this morning at the Four Seasons restaurant in Greenwood, IN, per ABC News' Sunlen Miller. "I think it's going to be close," Obama said.
Election officials in both states say that turnout has been high and there have been no major problems at voting locations.
As always, ABC News' Senior Political Writer Rick Klein will be liveblogging the action-packed primary night
Where are the candidates tonight?
Hillary Clinton – Indianapolis, IN
Barack Obama – Raleigh, NC
Where we go from here – By the Numbers:
Primaries: 6
Pledged Delegates remaining: 217
Uncommitted Superdelegates: approximately 260
On the campaign front. . .
BARACK OBAMA
-- No public events scheduled, Chicago IL
HILLARY CLINTON AND CHELESA CLINTON
-- Attends a fundraising event in Washington, D.C.
As for the Republicans. . .
JOHN MCCAIN
-- 10:00 am EST: Holds a Town Hall Meeting at Oakland University East Campus, Rochester, MI.
At the White House and Beyond. . .
PRESIDENT BUSH
-- 1:15 pm ET: Makers remarks to the Council of the Americas, Washington, DC
LABOR DEPARTMENT
-- 8:30 am ET: Releases the productivity report for the first quarter, Washington, DC
FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD
-- 3:00 pm ET: Releases the March report on consumer credit, Washington, DC
POLITICAL NEWS STORIES ON ABCNEWS.COM
ABC News' Jennifer Parker: "Clinton, Obama Fight for N.C., Indiana" LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper and Olivia Sterns: "Groundhog Day: 6 More Weeks for Dems" LINK
ABC News' Kate Snow and Eloise Harper: "Clinton at Indy: Life, Racing and Politics are Unpredictable" LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: The Clintons' War Against the Math LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: "ElectionJournal.Org Documents Obama Electioneering at Indiana Precinct" LINK
ABC News' Teddy Davis and Rick Klein: "Gore: Race Will Be Settled Before Convention" LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: "The Clinton's War Against the Math" LINK
ABC News' Bret Hovell: "McCain Criticizes 'Activist Judges' LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: "The Clintons and Economist" LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: Dean: McCain "Is Back in the 1940s" LINK
POLITICAL VIDEO ON ABCNEWS.COM
Primary Voters
ABC's Jake Tapper speaks to early morning voters in Indianapolis. LINK
The Expectation Game
ABC's Kate Snow on what the Clinton campaign wants in Indiana. LINK
Another Tuesday, Another Cliff Hanger
Two primaries that could decide the Democratic nominee...or maybe not. LINK
Breaking Down Today's Crucial Contests
05.06.08: John Donvan and Karen Travers discuss today's important primaries. LINK
'The Note' Rewinds the Week's Best Moments
ABC News' Senior Political Reporter Rick Klein on the weekly political roundup. LINK
McCain Knocks Dems for Judicial Policy
GOP candidate indicts the federal court system for embracing "activist judges." LINK
Clinton 'On Track' at Race Track
Sen. Clinton gears her message to white, working-class fast car fans in Indiana. LINK
Sam on the Electoral Process
ABC's Sam Donaldson reflects on the old days when party bosses chose a nominee. LINK
Last-Minute Campaigning for Candidates
For Sens. Clinton and Obama every vote counts in the Indiana and N.C. primaries. LINK
The Bottom Line
George Stephanopoulos gives his take on the tight Democratic race. LINK
Spouses Play Key Role in Primary
It isn't just the candidates hitting the campaign trail anymore. LINK
Closing the Deal?
Go behind the scenes of a presidential campaign with Barack Obama. LINK
What's Madeleine Albright's Logo?
The real story behind Secretary Albright's obsession with brooches. LINK
Albright's Advice For the Next President
Madeleine Albright's "Memo to the President" outlining America's problems. LINK