Exit polls reveal some hidden secrets of California's voters

Nationally, Super Tuesday seems to have been the election that nobody lost. Everybody won something, enough to stay in the competition a few million dollars longer.

In California, exit polls produced a few nuggets of revealing information about voters' concerns and desires:

Despite the best efforts of Sen. Barack Obama including advertising, endorsements and the campaigning of Sen. Edward Kennedy, the Illinois senator made no significant inroads into the strength of Sen. Hillary Clinton in the state's large Latino community. So he lost the state.

About seven in 10 Latino voters chose Clinton, while only three of 10 voted for Obama.

And what made a significant impact was that about three in 10 Democratic votes ...

were Latino, almost twice the share of the Democratic vote as in 2004's primary. Unfortunately for Obama, who counted on his demonstrated strength in the African American community, less than one in 10 Democratic votes were black.

Of those, though, Obama reaped nearly eight of 10 black votes. Clinton got the other two.

About nine out of every 10 Democratic voters believe that Clinton is prepared to be commander-in-chief, while only about two-thirds think Obama is ready for that role. Yet there's not as much animosity between Clinton and Obama supporters as you might expect. More than half of each's voters say they would be satisfied with the other candidate.

On both the Republican and Democratic sides, the economy was the most important issue. But Mitt Romney, who ran as the candidate with the most business and economic acumen, got only slightly more than half the vote of those who saw the economy as most important. Sen. John McCain, who recently said he didn't know much about economics, still got nearly half that vote.

Romney did score, however, with those concerned about illegal immigration. Those who worried about that went strongly for the former Massachusetts governor.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[JS]

There's a reason Asian Americans voted for Clinton over Obama. Asians value substance over flash. Obama, while charming and charismatic, is just an empty suit. He touts change, but has changed nothing of note during his time in the Illinois legislature and in the Senate. All we know about him is he's very good at voting "present" instead of "yes" or "no", conveniently helping him avoid controversy and criticism. Smooth words must be backed up, or they are nothing more than empty words, which like liquor may make us feel good for the moment but leave us with a hangover the next day. Hillary on the other hand has done things in the past to try and reform and bring change, despite having to face criticism and controversy. E.g. her controversial but noble effort to reform health care in the '90s.

[Frank]

It amazes me that people are saying that Latinos have a problem with voting for an African-American because of race. They seem to ignore the fact that Obama is getting 8 out of 10 African American votes, but can it not be said they are voting for him because of his race also, which in my opinion is just an equally moronic conclusion. Clinton has a long history of supporting Latinos, her campaign chair is a
Latina for heavens sake. Mr. Obama as good a politician as he is, only began taking notice of this demographic, if someone is to blame it is his advisers for being so short-sighted.

[kat]

I've heard pundits say that Hillary has done a lot for Latinos, but I'm hard-pressed to think of what. She and Bill didn't even propose putting a Latino on the Supreme Court, and Hillary's stance on drivers' licenses doesn't exactly make her Ted Kennedy. Hillary has done a good job or raising the profile of the health care issue, but her biggest association with the health care was when Bill handed her the issue during his presidency and she utterly failed to deliver. Senators Kennedy and Hatch then had to clean up her mess and came up with SCHIP for kids, but that made it through Congress because of Kennedy and Hatch's leadership, not Hillary's. So what exactly has she done for the Latino community?

[wow]

i find it troubling that the people who say that race never entered the picture defend their racially biased vote using racist stereotypes: "obama never held a job" "hillary is just more competent", "asians value substance over flash", etc... WHAT?! as one astute latino voter observed, it is hillary clinton who has the more latino-unfriendly stance, yet latinos voted for her overwhelmingly--against their own best interests! then to turn it around and say that black people when faced with a viable, brilliant, capable black candidate are RACIST for supporting him...? how ridiculous (and disingenuous) is that kind of reasoning?? should black people simply vote for the inferior candidate (clinton) in order to prove that we are not 'racist'? please. i will not support hillary clinton under any circumstances, even if she were to be on an obama ticket. and frankly, i would lose respect for senator obama should he choose to select her as a vice president.

[Ruben]

As a Latino, I am shocked and appalled that Obama would be whining that he only got a miniscule amount of Latino voters to choose him over Clinton. Obama talks a good talk of people of all ethnic backgrounds forging a union to fight the gop. Let's not forget Obama hails from Chicago; a segregated city. Latinos in one area, Whites in another, Blacks in the South Side. Sure, I know Obama is biracial, but Obama chose a Black woman to be his wife. It goes to show, Obama will always choose Black over Latino, White, or Asian. I am insulted that all of a sudden when Obama stumps in California or any Latino heavy populated state, he will utter a few words of Spanish expecting all Latinos to have an epiphany and vote for Obama. Clinton on the other hand has a tract record of helping Latinos, Blacks, Asian, Gay, et al.

[Jackson]

Hillary Clinton didn't just win against Obama ... she won against the endorsements of Oprah, Ted Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, Maria Shriver ... and the LA TIMES!

[troy]

First, no one really knows why people vote for what, so the LA Times shouldn't make assumptions just to fuel the flames. If I'm not mistaken, Obama had many latino politicians endorsing him. He was also endorsed by La Opinion, the biggest latino print media in California. On the other hand, yes there are latinos who would rather be led by whites than a black person, and Mayor Villarigosa influenced many latinos to vote for Clinton. So, so black voters need to remember this when he and other latinos seeks future political offices.

[ab]

For someone that is suppose to be able to bring change to Washington, Obama plays same old same old politics. He has twisted the truth to his advantage and distorted comments made by Clinton. He seems more of the same. Also I don't follow the argument that Latinos are racist if they don't vote for Obama. Its like saying African Americans are racist because they did.

[troy]

Asians and latinos can try to stop Obama all they want, but they cannot stop the rise of black American influence. Just the fact that Obama is competing says alot about black American empowerment. You ever wonder why there are no prominant asian or latino politicians on the National Level? Whites, with all their bias, at least see blacks as being true Americans. Asians, and especially latinos, are just foreigners who burden this fine country's prison and welfare system. When the chips are down, whites will chose blacks over latinos any day.

[troy]

When all is said and done, the race between Clinton and Obama will be the downfall of democrats. The more I read about latinos favoring Clinton due to racial issues, the more I, a democrat, am inclined to vote for the most anti-immigration republican I can vote for.

The democratic party will self implode over this, and President McClain won't be so immigrant friendly once he gets the big seat.

If Obama doesn't get the nomination, I'm done with the Democratic party. I'm voting Romney.

[Sick of the hate]

It seems to me that a lot of Obama supporters spend the majority of their day posting comments about Hillary's unelectability. I am deeply saddened by these messages. Let's be honest. Both candidates have similar stances on 90% of the issues with subtle differences. The only reason I can think of for defecting from the Democratic party if Hillary gets the nomination is that you have no bearing on the issues and are simply deciding on this because of some unmentionable reason. I am sick of all the hate.

[Greg]

Clinton primarily won in states that are immaterial to the Democratic Party's chances come November. California, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts have all been consistently carried by the Dems since 1992.

Her wins in Oklahoma and Tennessee are more impressive, but even more impressive was Obama's ability to galvanize a much larger portion of voters in Republican strongholds. As a moderate, McCain is going to be difficult for either Obama or Clinton to beat, but Obama stands a better chance because black, independent and younger white voters in the South and Midwest will stand taller for him than Hillary. McCain's ability to make inroads into states that Kerry won in 2004 has to be offset by a Democratic candidate who can deliver Southern states. Otherwise, the Democrats lose again.

[JS]

Let me clarify my prior comment. Asians have nothing against African Americans and are not voting racially against Obama because he is black. Our culture just values people who are more qualified and experienced than someone who, at this point, appears nothing more than a smooth talker. This is a fair comment because he has a very limited track record and has done very little and barely voted on any issues during his brief time as a politician. If the reverse were true, i.e. Obama was the more qualified and experienced, he would be the one getting the Asian votes.

Also, nobody is against "the rise of black American influence". The issue here is not of race. The issue is whether we, as a country, will vote based on popularity or whether we will vote based on who is most qualified. Too much is at stake.... the economy, health care, housing crisis.... to gamble on an unknown like Obama just because he gives eloquent speeches.

[Thabiti]

Dave

performing whatever kind of work Obama performed in his early legal career was a job. One reason people get law degrees is to not be subject to a reduction in force situation.
That does not mean he cannot identify with people who are struggling financially. Remember, he did not come from a rich family. He was primarily raised by his grandparents while his mother was in college and after she died.

[Chelicera]

I'm a 40-year-old white woman and I voted for Clinton. Did I vote for her because she's also a white woman? NO. I waffled back and forth between Obama and Clinton for a few weeks and up until the day before thought I'd vote for Obama. But after I watched the last debate between the two of them, I began to realize that although he talks a good game and has a good, albeit short, voting record in the Senate, I'd have to vote for him on faith that he'd be able to pull off what he's promising. He's not been around long enough to really know what he can do and how he'd do it, and that's why he sticks to the inspirational talk. He can't get down to brass tacks. I don't agree with everything Clinton does (the initial war vote, censorship "for the good of the children," etc.)and she's not as charismatic, but on the most important issues to me right now (getting out of the war, healthcare) she seems to be the one who could get it done. Stop trying to sensationalize race and talk about something that matters, LA Times!

[Margaret]

Wow Ruben - you're criticizing Obama for choosing a black wife? That means he always chooses blacks over whites? Hillary then -- based on your logic -- will always choose WHITE over any other race because she chose a white husband?

There's no reason that wouldn't be the case, unless -- oh of course -- you have a different set of rules for black people and Hillary is allowed to marry whomever she wishes, without having to PROVE HERSELF RACIALLY TO YOU.

Now I understand why the statistics say Clinton has heavy support among the uneducated. Thanks for clearing that up!

Signed,

White Female Obama Voter

(Because on top of his got 11+ years elected official experience at State and National level, great policies and judgment, record and such? He's a SMART fighter, less driven by cowboy-warmongering than even HRC and can be trusted to rightfully lead the country through internal and global restoration.)

[pushkina]

Hillary lost me at the January debate when she spoke about freezing interest rates for 5 years; I couldn't believe my ears! Ii swear Ii almost could hear international markets dropping! No US president (or any other political leader) can freeze interest rates: they are governed by the markets. Later in the debate she clarified that she meant freezing mortgage interest rates, it made more sense but I still remained concerned that someone supposedly so ready for high leadership could make such a grand faux pas. Imagine if she were at an international summit, speaking off the cuff and made an equally 'odd' statement.

I also am sure that the same sorts of Republicans who spent 8 years crucifying her husband are just waiting to to do same damage to her administration, forcing it to divert attention to whatever 'conversation' they choose. Those sorts of folks never give up. As much as I loved Bill Clinton as president (and wished that he could have had at least 4 more years without Republican interference) I cannot back Hillary. I believe that if she is nominated, she will lose and the US will be lost.

[bribribri99]

I am a 27 year old white male who voted for Clinton. With all the parsing and division of the Democratic electorate into sex and race categories by the media, you would think that all white males would be running away from Hillary and voting for Obama. I did not watch any of the other Democratic debates, but Hillary impressed me at the last debate in LA with her SUBSTANCE rather than just a bunch of nonspecific happy talk that seems to be Obama's MO. Having an attractive media persona does not make one qualified to be president. To use an extreme example, many people voted for George Bush in 2000 because he seemed "like a guy you could have a beer with." Experience, shrewdness, and the ability to stand up to adversity (including all the bitter talk-radio listening conservatives who hate her beyond reason) is what makes a good president. Hillary '08!

[J. Green]

Most Asians support Clinton because she has come out to support their community.

My friends from a small Tibetan community contacted both Clinton and Obama for support. They only heard back from Clinton. Asian communities, especially ones who are new immigrants vote in blocks and they are loyal supporters to those who come out to help them.

My Tibetan friends changed my mind. Their community is one of the most disenfranchised. They don't have a lot of money, and they don't have the population to affect voting outcomes, but they all told me they love the fact that Clinton comes out to support them.

[Raul]

I am an American, of Mexican descent. I voted for Hillary even though I don't like Hilary's plan of helping those Americans that are in the housing trouble. I mean i really want the house prices to tumble so i can purchase a house at a reasonable price. But even though i dont like that plan, I do love her Health insurance plan and it takes priority over anything else. Reason is, because when I do decide to buy a house, i don't want to loose it because i didn't have health insurance.
I also like Obama, I sometimes believe i made the wrong choice, but every time the media says that the rich favor Obama i feel i little bit better with my decision.

[David Suen]

Lost among these few nuggets is the Asian-American factor. The group went overwhelmingly to the Clinton column. One can argue that indeed, Mrs. Clinton, has a larger base than Obama. This is very significant because, in more ways than one, California looks more like the real America.

Manny: Your quote there made no sense?! If you look at Obama, his background albeit only caucasian/african is going to be the America.

And I disagree with the fact that California is the real America. Here we have Ethnicities segregated into different areas of land and not living amongst each other. If you want to see the real America.. Go to the bible belt states.

I'm half Asian(father)/Caucasian(mother) with siblings that are half black/caucasian. It won't get any better than that, I guarantee you! Because, people are to afraid to cross over because of discrimination!

And yes, I find it unfortunate that those same asians would vote for someone that went along with Bush's lies on Iraq... "more of the same" to me!

Good luck Asian America and Latino America! When McCain is elected, don't say I didn't warn you....

[alex j]

I am a Jewish gay man with an Asian boyfriend and i voted for Obama. People, Let the healing begin.

[Yogi]

As a Republican hunkered down behind the Orange Curtain I only had Ron Paul to vote for. It appears the choice in November is which socialist you want in the Whitehouse. I will not vote for another RINO. If McCain wins the GOP nomination, I will vote Libertarian.

[Booky]

How many African-American babies does Obama intend to kill with his pro abortion stance?

[Radical Raul]

Asians are people of substance not flash? Interesting concept. That would be like saying they are most generous of employers, which is probably the underlying reason they chose not to support Obama.