By JOAN SOLEY and EUN SIL KANG
Observer staff
Feb. 13, 2008

The District of Columbia and its neighboring states added fuel to the presidential nomination fires of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., yesterday, when voters in the region faced the cold temperatures and flocked to the polls.

Obama’s hefty wins in the primaries of Maryland, Virginia and D.C. have left his rival for the party nomination, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., anxiously looking to the voters of Ohio and Texas for support. The Associated Press reported last night that Obama has edged into the lead with 1,223 delegates to Clinton’s 1,198– a minor difference in numbers.

Observer art by CAITLIN LUKACS
Democratic results in Maryland.

Observer art by CAITLIN LUKACS
Republican results in Maryland.

Several Maryland, Virginia and D.C. voters said they hoped the Potomac primaries would have an impact on the presidential election bid.

“Even though they [Potomac primary delegates] represent sort of a small percentage of the overall primary electorate, since it’s neck and neck, especially in the Democratic primary, it’s going to be fairly important to grab as many delegates as you possibly can,” said D.C. resident Nelsen Woehrle, 36.

“At this point in the game, the Democrats are still fighting for status and whoever captures the Potomac states is symbolically significant since these are the people who work in the bureaucracy,” said Alexis Serote of Arlington, Va. “Middle America and everywhere else is important, but there is something about having the backing of the political center that I think the Democrats could leverage.”

Observer art by JODI WESTRICK
Democratic results in the District of Columbia.

Observer art by CAITLIN LUKACS
Republican results in the District of Columbia.

In terms of states, Obama leads Clinton 22 to 12. As Clinton squares up to the pressure of the two March primaries, she won’t have the help of her campaign manager or deputy campaign manager, as they have both recently walked away, according to the BBC.

“Obama has all the momentum in the world right now, and if Hillary doesn’t crush him decidedly in Ohio and Texas – I think it’ll be all wrapped up”, said Patrick Coan, a former John Kerry campaigner.

Indeed, Obama’s gain in popularity among voters is visible in the large crowds who gather at his campaign rallies. Although it may seem that Obama has overwhelming support, some people worry that voters may be caught up in the fervor of Obama’s campaign, rather than thinking about his political experience.

“I wonder, though, why the Democrats are suddenly in love with Obama. I wonder if they have examined his record and his past so thoroughly as to merit their votes,” said Priscilla Tacujan, of Falls Church, Va.

Similarly, one Maryland voter said that the most important aspect he is looking for in a candidate is his or her experience and how he or she stands on issues like helping veterans.

On the other hand, D.C. resident Evelyn Cason believes in a candidate’s honesty. “Their word is their bond,” said Cason.

But not everyone bases their vote on a candidate’s experience or honesty.

“I used to think experience, but I’m finding that’s a little less relevant as it used to be, so I’m certainly looking for somebody that has sort of a new approach,” said Woehrle.

McCain also had decisive wins in all three primaries, but former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has shown that he intends to “rage, rage against the dying of the light”, as the poet Dylan Thomas wrote.

Observer art by JODI WESTRICK
Democratic results in Virginia.

Observer art by JODI WESTRICK
Republican results in Virginia.

“McCain still has some work to do to unite his party, amid continuing criticisms from leading party members who have questioned his conservative credentials,” reported the BBC. “Mr. Huckabee has been under pressure to stand aside for the sake of party unity, but has said he has no intention of pulling out. Exit polls suggest he won the support of very conservative voters in Virginia by nearly three to one, while Mr. McCain was backed by somewhat conservative and moderate Republicans.”

But even though Huckabee performed well in Virginia, not everyone believes it will help him on the long road toward the White House.

“Among Huckabee supporters, this gives them hope that their candidate may still have a chance of winning the party nomination, but this is unlikely,” Tacujan said. “Huckabee is not making a dent among Republicans in the south. And with a large military vote in the north, plus McCain’s already well-known persona, I don’t think Huckabee has a chance.”

Despite the tenacity of Huckabee, McCain only needs 379 more delegates to secure the Republican nomination. March 4 –the day of the primaries in Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas and Vermont– looks to be a defining day for both Republicans and Democrats.

Observer reporters Caitlin Lukacs and Jodi Westrick contributed to this report.