Barack Obama’s Arkansas primary problem

Washington Post ^ | 05/22/2012 | Chris Cillizza and Aaron Blake

[Qbert]

Two weeks after an imprisoned felon received 41 percent of the vote against President Obama in West Virginia’s presidential primary, Arkansas could provide another potential embarrassment for the incumbent.

That’s because only Obama and John Wolfe, a Tennessee lawyer, are on the Democratic presidential primary ballot in the Razorback State. (Wolfe took 12 percent — and nearly 18,000 votes — in a four-way fight in the Louisiana Democratic presidential primary in late March.) And a recent independent poll showed Obama running just seven points ahead of Wolfe in the southern Arkansas 4th district, which covers one-quarter of the state.

All of this takes place on a backdrop that is decidedly less than friendly for Obama. Even while he was sweeping to a national victory (and 365 electoral votes) in 2008, Obama received just 39 percent in Arkansas — six points worse than Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry did four years earlier.

“Arkansas voters are informed voters and are fully aware that John Wolfe will not make it out of the primary,” said one well-connected Arkansas Democrat. “However, if John Wolfe has a strong showing tomorrow, it’s a sign that Democratic voters in Arkansas are frustrated with the administration’s policies and further reiteration that Southern Democrats simply cannot identify with President Obama.”

And, if the press coverage of Keith Judd’s surprisingly strong showing two weeks ago in West Virginia is any indication, you can expect Wolfe to draw significant attention in the immediate aftermath of today’s vote.

[verga]

Well we knoww hy the Halfrican refused to debate him on the issues

[Vigilanteman]

I have to pity Newark Mayor Cory Booker just a little.

He got caught telling the truth.

Now he has to backtrack and denounce the very truth he got caught telling just to unkink the pipeline flowing federal dollars to Newark.

The only thing more illuminating than seeing a Democrat politician caught telling a lie is to see one caught telling the truth and trying to wiggle out of it.

[Jeff Head]

Booker is on the board of directors of a capitol investment firm very similar to Bain. He lives and breathes the stuff and his initial comments were clearly where his heart is on this...how embarassing for him to back down like that, he should have stood up to the machine.

[ecomcon]

I think what is important is whether Mr. Wolfe is challenging from the left or right. If he is to the right of Obama, bad news for Barry.

Can’t tell from the article, as it is devoid of any reasons why Mr. Wolfe is challenging the Marxist, let’s get on to the all important beatdown of Booker.

[RightGeek]

It wasn't widely commented on, but in the North Carolina primary (same day as WV), 21% of Democrats voted for No Preference instead of Obama - http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NC/36596/82375/en/summary.html

[kcvl]

in the southern Arkansas 4th district

I did my part! And I am not the only one either.

Many people around here who are usually liberal lapdogs are sick of Obama. They make their living off oil & gas, timber, etc.like the regular folks (even the trust fund babies need gramdma & grampa royalty checks) and Obama has put his foot on the neck of those industries to appease the environmentalist.

[Retired COB]

It wasn't widely commented on, but in the North Carolina primary (same day as WV), 21% of Democrats voted for No Preference instead of Obama -

Here in West Virginia we also had 20% of voting Democrats not choosing either candidate in their primary election. If that 20% would have voted for Judd he would have won the state.

Maybe Obama should take note that if he screws with us he'll get it back.

Both North Carolina and West Virginia are solid red states this cycle.

[Graewoulf]

PING!