asu in the news 02-06-08 to - ASU News - Arizona State University

the Arizona delegates, even if he didn’t close the gap.
The candidates generally appealed to two wings of the Democratic party, with Clinton claiming the
traditional voter who values experience and Obama appealing to the idealistic young and new voter.
"There’s this kind of tension, at least within the Democratic party, between what we want and hope
for versus what we think we might need," said political strategist Bob Grossfeld.
"It’s going to be a choice between one’s head and one’s heart."
The Democratic contest doles out its delegates proportionate to voting results both statewide and by
congressional district, so neither Clinton nor Obama would grab all of them Tuesday. Nor will their
wins in the rest of the Super Tuesday states determine the Democratic nominee.
But they’ll be able to claim bragging rights to Arizona, which has emerged as a key swing state with a
treasure trove of Hispanic, independent and women voters.
Clinton was expected to grab most of the Hispanic vote in Arizona.
During Tuesday night’s Clinton celebration, cheers of "Si se puede!" erupted each time her opponent
appeared on the TV screen.
And as prominent Democrats took to the stage to lead the celebration, former state party chair Jim
Pederson asked, "How do you say Madam President in Spanish?"
"Senora Presidente!" the crowd roared back.
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Clinton state director Rick Ridder said the two-term New York senator spoke to the concerns of
Arizona voters, outlining plans to freeze home foreclosures and interest rates and create "green" jobs.
"People in this state are hurting," Ridder said. "It just may be the economy, stupid."
The pollsters and pundits have had trouble predicting the Democratic race all along thanks to two
dynamic candidates with barn-storming campaigns and similar platforms.
"People truly are making up their mind late," said Patrick Kenney, chair off Arizona State University’s
political science department. "They’re waiting, they’re waiting, they’re waiting."
The indecision was reflected in the comments of some East Valley voters, who agonized and then
literally made up their minds in the voting booth.
"I was completely torn. I sat there for five minutes," said Lareina Reyes of Mesa. "Did I do the right
thing?"
Reyes eventually came down on Clinton’s side, persuaded by her policy positions on health care and
the economy, as well as her personality.
"Hillary comes from a standpoint that there’s a lot of tough love for her," said Larenia Reyes, 22.
"She’s not a soft person. But she’s the kind of person we need in office"
The race has been billed as change versus experience, and in maverick Arizona, Obama’s message
of hope and unity rang true with many voters. Even with Democrats who favored Clinton, there were
the inevitable comparisons between Obama and former President Kennedy.
But Mesa Community College nursing student Eddie Koch, 25, said he was sold on Obama’s
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