Jan 7, 2008 7:02 pm US/Central
How Will Obama, Clinton Do In South Carolina?
COLUMBIA, S.C. (CBS) ―
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Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) got a boost in South Carolina when talk show host Oprah Winfrey appeared at a campaign event there on Dec. 9, 2007 in Columbia.
Stephen Morton/Getty Images/Getty Images
Democratic voters in South Carolina go to the polls in more than two weeks, when Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton will face the first real test among black voters.
CBS 2's Derrick Blakley reports Obama is already surging there.
A strong showing in New Hampshire, on top of Iowa, would further prove Obama can win white votes.
The South Carolina primary is January 26 when 54 delegates are at stake.
The confederate flag still waves at the state capitol and Strom Thurmond's statue stands proud. But here in the heart of the old confederacy, it's African-American voters who hold the key to the Democratic primary and perhaps, the party's nomination.
"The South Carolina Democrats are at least 50 percent African-American, and there's a huge interest in African-Americans in this election," South Carolina Democratic party chairman Carol Fowler said.
That interest surged to greater heights after Obama's Iowa victory, convincing wary African-Americans here that Obama could win white support.
"The impact has been in terms of emotion and optimism and enthusiasm. People on the street are just talking about he did it, the brother did it," Obama supporter I.S. Leevy Johnson said.
The big three candidates have hit Couth Carolina hard. John Edwards was born here. Hillary Clinton's drawn endorsements from politicians and ministers. But even before Iowa, Obama got a boost from Oprah Winfrey's rally here.
Andy Cobbs was there. "I was sitting right there listening to make sure I know what was going on before I vote for somebody. I came back and I told my wife, I'm going to vote for this man," Cobbs said.
Whether gathering on street corners or neighborhood cafes, African-Americans here are carefully weighing their primary votes.
"I think Hillary is the best candidate," Stacey Jones said.
"I think we all realize we're a big part of the Democratic voter base and this time what we have to say is making a difference," Obama supporter Nate Barber said.
Clinton supporters acknowledge Obama's momentum, and in reaction, now say, the road to the White House won't end in South Carolina.
"It's not over after Iowa. It's not over after New Hampshire. It's not over after South Carolina. February 5 will determine the Democratic nominee," Kelly Adams, Clinton's South Carolina campaign director, said.
That comment tells you everything you need to know about how wary the Clinton forces are about Obama's momentum. They're not throwing in the towel here by any means. But if Clinton goes 0-for-3 in the first three primaries, the mantra will become: look to February 5, when several big states, including Illinois, go to the polls.
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