2008 Connecticut Democratic presidential primary
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60 delegates to theDemocratic National Convention(48 pledged, 12 unpledged) The number of pledged delegates received is determined by the popular vote | |||||||||||||||||||
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 Primary results by county Clinton:40–50%50–60% Obama:50–60% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Elections in Connecticut |
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The2008 Connecticut Democratic presidential primarytook place onSuper Tuesday,February 5, 2008, with 48 delegates at stake. The winner in each ofConnecticut's five congressional districtswas awarded all of that district's delegates, totaling 31. Another 17 delegates were awarded to the statewide winner,Barack Obama.The 48 delegates represented Connecticut at theDemocratic National ConventioninDenver, Colorado.Twelve other unpledged delegates, known assuperdelegates,also attended the convention and cast their votes as well.
Connecticut held aclosed primary,meaning only registered Democrats could vote.
Campaign[edit]
TheConnecticut Legislaturevoted to move Connecticut's presidential primaries to February 5 in order to increase the state's stature in the presidential nominating process, as many other states also did for the primaries of both parties. Largely due to a close Democratic race, the legislature's dream came true, as both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama devoted much attention in the state through television advertising, and even campaigned in the state the day before the primary:
- Clinton campaigned inNew Haven,conducting a round-table discussion atYale University.She had campaigned inHartfordone week earlier.
- Barack Obama held a huge rally at theXL Center(formerly theHartford Civic Center) in Hartford, attracting over 16,000 people.
Going into Super Tuesday, the state was viewed as a toss-up and was seen as an importantbellwetherfor the overall race on Super Tuesday. The predictions were right as the results gave Obama a narrow victory over Clinton; the second-closest race on Super Tuesday (only inMissouriwas the race closer). Connecticut was considered an upset by the media and the Clinton campaign due to Connecticut's close proximity to Clinton's home state ofNew York.
Polling[edit]
Up until late January 2008, New York Senator Hillary Clinton seemed clearly favored to win the Connecticut primary, taking a wide lead over her second closest rival, Illinois Senator Barack Obama, in every poll. However, a poll on January 27, 2008, showed a tie between Clinton and Obama. After that, polls showed a close race. Clinton took a 13 point lead over Obama in one poll, but Obama led by 2 and 4 in 2 more polls. The final poll showed Obama leading Clinton with 48% to 46%.
Results[edit]
The turnout of almost 355,000 voters shattered the previous record for a primary election in the state, even topping the bitterly contested2006 Connecticut Democratic U.S. Senate PrimarybetweenJoe LiebermanandNed Lamont.
| 2008 Connecticut Democratic Presidential Primary Results | ||||||
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| Party | Candidate | Votes | Percentage | Delegates | ||
| Democratic | Barack Obama | 179,742 | 50.70% | 26 | ||
| Democratic | Hillary Clinton | 165,426 | 46.66% | 22 | ||
| Democratic | John Edwards | 3,424 | 0.97% | 0 | ||
| Democratic | Uncommitted | 3,038 | 0.86% | 0 | ||
| Democratic | Christopher Dodd | 912 | 0.26% | 0 | ||
| Democratic | Dennis Kucinich | 846 | 0.24% | 0 | ||
| Democratic | Joe Biden | 440 | 0.12% | 0 | ||
| Democratic | Bill Richardson | 436 | 0.12% | 0 | ||
| Democratic | Mike Gravel | 275 | 0.08% | 0 | ||
| Totals | 354,539 | 100.00% | 48 | |||
| Voter turnout | % | — | ||||
Analysis[edit]
Barack Obama's narrow win in the Connecticut Democratic Primary can be traced to a number of factors. According to the exit polls, 82 percent of voters in the Connecticut Democratic Primary wereCaucasianand they narrowly favored Clinton by a margin of 49-48 compared to the 9 percent ofAfrican Americanvoters who backed Obama by a margin of 74-24 and the 6 percent ofHispanic/Latinovoters who also backed Obama by a margin of 53-43. Obama won all age groups exceptsenior citizensages 65 and over who narrowly backed Clinton by a margin of 50-47. Obama also won more affluent voters making over $50,000 while Clinton won less affluent voters making less than $50,000. Obama also won higher-educated voters (college graduates 57-42; postgraduate studies 58-41) while less-educated voters backed Clinton (some college or associate degree 53-43; high school graduates 55-41). While registered Democrats narrowly favored Clinton 50-48,Independentslargely favored Obama by a margin of 62-32; he also won all ideological groups. Pertaining to religion, Obama won all major denominations exceptRoman Catholicswho backed Clinton with a 59-39 margin – Obama wonProtestants61-36, other Christians 63-33,Jews61-38, other religions 65-32, andatheists/agnostics52-47.
While all counties in Connecticut were extremely close, Obama won six of the state's eight counties – Clinton wonNew LondonandWindhamcounties in Eastern Connecticut.