The Garden State's Choice
A comprehensive analysis of the 2008 New Jersey Democratic presidential primary, exploring the pivotal contest between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
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Primary Overview
Key Details
The 2008 New Jersey Democratic presidential primary, held on February 5, 2008, as part of Super Tuesday, was a crucial contest for delegates. New Jersey, with 107 pledged delegates at stake, represented a significant battleground in the nomination race between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Outcome
Hillary Clinton secured victory in the primary, although her margin was narrower than initial projections suggested. Despite Obama's late surge in polling and strong performance in urban centers, Clinton's established support base in the state proved decisive.
Turnout
The primary witnessed record-breaking voter turnout, reflecting the high level of engagement and competition between the two leading Democratic candidates. This surge in participation underscored the national significance of the election cycle.
Campaign Strategies
Clinton's Support
Hillary Clinton was widely considered the frontrunner in New Jersey due to her strong name recognition and established institutional backing. She garnered endorsements from key state figures, including Governor Jon Corzine, Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts, and a majority of county Democratic chairs and state legislators, solidifying her campaign's presence.
Obama's Alliances
Barack Obama secured crucial endorsements from prominent local leaders, notably Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy. These endorsements were instrumental in bolstering Obama's appeal among urban constituencies and younger demographics within the state.
Ballot Example
The sample ballot provided a glimpse into the choices voters faced. It listed candidates like Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards, Joe Biden, Bill Richardson, and Dennis Kucinich, alongside options for "Other" and "Undecided," reflecting the competitive nature of the primary.
[Image: Sample ballot for the presidential primary would be displayed here]
Pre-Primary Polling
Public opinion polling leading up to the New Jersey primary indicated a competitive race, with Hillary Clinton generally holding a lead, though the margin varied across different surveys. These polls provided insights into voter sentiment and candidate support levels.
| Aggregate Polls | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Source | Dates | Hillary Clinton | Barack Obama | Other/Undecided | Margin |
| RealClearPolitics | Jan 30 - Feb 4, 2008 | 48.3% | 40.6% | 11.1% | Clinton +7.7% |
Detailed Polls
Various polling organizations conducted surveys throughout the campaign period. These detailed breakdowns illustrate the evolving dynamics of voter preference, including support across different demographic groups.
Primary Results
Hillary Clinton won the New Jersey Democratic primary, securing a majority of the votes and delegates. The results reflected a competitive race, with Barack Obama also receiving significant support.
Vote Counts
Official results show Hillary Clinton receiving 613,500 votes, representing 53.76% of the total. Barack Obama garnered 501,372 votes, or 43.93%.
Delegate Allocation
Hillary Clinton secured 59 national delegates, while Barack Obama received 48 delegates. Candidates who withdrew prior to the primary, such as John Edwards and Joe Biden, received no delegates from New Jersey.
County-Level Results
The primary map illustrates the distribution of support across New Jersey's counties. Clinton's strength was evident in several areas, while Obama performed well in others, particularly urban centers.
[Image: Map showing New Jersey Democratic presidential primary election results by county margins, 2008 would be displayed here]
Detailed Results Table
A comprehensive table provides the final vote counts, percentages, and delegate allocations for all candidates who participated or had previously withdrawn.
Demographic Analysis
Exit polling data provides critical insights into how different demographic groups voted in the New Jersey primary, highlighting key trends in candidate support.
| 2008 New Jersey Democratic Presidential Primary Analysis | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic Subgroup | Obama | Clinton | % Vote | Obama | Clinton | % Vote | Obama | Clinton | % Vote | Obama | Clinton | % Vote | |
| Total Vote | 44% | 54% | 100% | ||||||||||
| Sex by Race | |||||||||||||
| White Men | 39% | 58% | 25% | White Women | 27% | 72% | 34% | Black Men | 85% | 15% | 10% | ||
| Black Women | 81% | 14% | 14% | Latino Men | 36% | 62% | 5% | Latino Women | 26% | 74% | 7% | ||
| All Other Races | 38% | 58% | 5% | ||||||||||
| Age | |||||||||||||
| 17–29 years | 59% | 39% | 13% | 30–44 years | 50% | 47% | 29% | 45–59 years | 38% | 60% | 35% | ||
| 60 and older | 35% | 63% | 23% | ||||||||||
| Religion | |||||||||||||
| Protestant/Other Christian | 56% | 40% | 35% | Catholic | 28% | 69% | 38% | Jewish | 37% | 63% | 9% | ||
| Something else | 61% | 35% | 8% | None | 51% | 49% | 11% | ||||||
| Family Income | |||||||||||||
| Less than $50,000 | 40% | 58% | 29% | $50,000 or more | 45% | 52% | 71% | ||||||
| Most Important Issue | |||||||||||||
| The economy | 44% | 54% | 47% | The war in Iraq | 45% | 51% | 31% | Health care | 42% | 56% | 18% | ||
| Candidate Quality That Matters Most | |||||||||||||
| Can bring needed change | 64% | 35% | 52% | Cares about people like me | 43% | 46% | 13% | Has the right experience | 3% | 94% | 26% | ||
| Chance to win in November | 40% | 60% | 8% | ||||||||||
Note: Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding or undecided voters. Data is based on exit polling and may have margins of error.
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References
References
- Al Gore with 24%, John Kerry and Russ Feingold each with 5%, Christopher Dodd with 4%, and Wesley Clark, Ed Rendell, Tom Vilsack, Mark Warner, and Evan Bayh each with 1%
- Al Gore with 20%, John Kerry with 5%, Russ Feingold with 4%, Christopher Dodd with 4%, and Wesley Clark, Ed Rendell, Tom Vilsack, and Evan Bayh each with 1%
- Al Gore with 17%, Russ Feingold with 5%, and John Kerry, Ed Rendell, Tom Vilsack, and Evan Bayh each with 1%
- The Green Papers
- New York Times Election Guide 2008
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not political or electoral advice. The information provided on this website should not substitute for professional analysis or consultation regarding political events or electoral strategies. Always consult official election results and reputable political science resources for definitive information.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.