Clinton Clings Tight to Her Lead

GLENSIDE, Pa., April 22, 2008— -- For the first time in six weeks, the Democratic race is not in the hands of the candidates, the activists, the parties or the media — but finally in the hands of the voters.

Philadelphians lined up early Tuesday morning outside Palumbo's Recreation Center at 10th and Fitzwater, mostly, it seemed, to cast votes for Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. Obama is expected to win the city, despite the endorsement of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., by new mayor Michael Nutter.

Obama's Supporters

Obama is expected to do well with his core constituencies today: African Americans, young voters and the well-educated. Many of them said that they liked the senator's refreshing character and what they perceived to be his authenticity.

"I think what the country needs is someone who is going to inspire people," 18-year-old Becky Zarkh said today in Cheltenham. "I know a lot of young people who have been inspired by him, who go out there, get involved ... inspire other people to make a change."

Her classmate Dan Rosenfeld, said Obama "was against the war from the start ... we don't need another Clinton, we had eight years of that already."

Philadelphia furniture store entrepeneurs Jennifer and Terry O'Shea liked the fact that Obama is "new."

"He's new, everything he stands for isn't old politics," said Terry.

"I think it's time for a change," said Jennifer. "I think he's the person who's gonna do it."

Psychologist Patricia Coughlin said she thinks Obama is "the real deal."

"I love him," she said of Obama. "I just feel he's passionate, articulate, and authentic." She added that her view of Clinton "has continued to decline ... I don't know if dishonest is the right word, but she is very Machiavellian."

Clinton's Supporters

But some believe the demographics in the state are hardwired for a Clinton win.

"This state was ideally suited demographically for Sen. Clinton," said Terry Madonna of Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa., pointing to the state's large population of Catholics, blue collar workers, and seniors.

Harriett Gottschalk of Elkins Park said, "I want to see a woman in [the White House]."

Voter Jeanne Pierce liked that Clinton is "strong."

"Part of what I really like about Hillary is she doesn't give up," said a woman in Pittsburgh. "Things have been tough in this campaign and I think she sticks to it and gets what needs to be done to get the job done."

Abby Auerbach, one of the more than 160,000 Republicans in the state who have switched voter registration to the Democratic party since Jan. 1, said Clinton "is the surest bet to win against the Republicans."

Auerbach has concerns about Obama. "I was never entirely happy with his answer about why he stayed in that church for 20 years without challenging the pastor himself," she said.

The candidates spent these last few hours visiting polling locales, pressing flesh, eating cheesesteaks and playing the expectations game.

'We've Got to Win Big'

Today, Obama argued that with Clinton enjoying demographic advantages, and the support of popular Gov. Ed Rendell, a close showing for him would be an achievement.

"Sen. Clinton had a 20-point lead to start with and we think we have closed it, but we still — I think — have to consider ourselves the underdog," he said.

But Obama is the frontrunner and is flush in cash. He has outspent Clinton in Pennsylvania at least 2 to 1, and Clinton points out that Obama's problems winning this state may foreshadow trouble come November, should he be the nominee.

"Maybe I'm old fashioned about that. But, you run a very competitive race at a considerable financial disadvantage. I think maybe the question ought to be why can't he close the deal?" she asked reporters in Conshohocken, Pa., today.

A Clinton campaign mailer sent out today reiterated her pointed question, "After their record-breaking spending in the state, a fundamental question must be asked: Why shouldn't Sen. OBAMA win?"

Democratic strategist Steve McMahon said Obama needs a win in a classic Clinton state like Pennsylvania. "He needs to find a place where he beats Hillary Clinton where he's not supposed to. Indiana probably becomes, then, the next bellwether."

But even with a Pennsylvania win, Clinton will still likely trail in pledged delegates.

So, what's her strategy? "We've got to win big," filmmaker and Clinton campaign surrogate Rob Reiner told voters in York, Pa., on Sunday.

As Reiner explained, a big victory will help Clinton catch up to Obama's popular vote lead of more than 700,000 (not including the Michigan and Florida contests the Democratic National Committee does not recognize), and show superdelegates her strength in important states.

"We're going to have more votes, then it will be a very tough decision for those superdelegates. They are going to make a decision," Reiner said.

The Obama campaign argues that since Clinton is behind in delegates with a record of 14 wins and 30 losses — not good enough even to make the NBA eastern conference playoffs, they say — she needs a blowout to stop Obama.

Meanwhile, Clinton says a win is a win, especially in a state where she has been outspent by a ratio of more than two to one.

Avery Miller, Richard Coolidge, Eloise Harper and Sunlen Miller contributed to this report.