With the results of Ohio and Texas failing to yield a Democratic nominee, the primaries in the coming weeks will be critical for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Although Obama is favored to win this month in Wyoming and Mississippi, demographics favor Clinton in three of the next five major contests.
» Pennsylvania, April 22, 188 delegates: Clinton will be aiming for a big triumph in the Keystone State, which mirrors Ohio’s demographics. The electorate is older, largely white and includes few independents. Pennsylvania has many pockets of rural, working-class voters. These kinds of voters have historically favored Clinton, despite recent Obama gains.
» Indiana, May 6, 84 delegates: Although Indiana is next door to Obama’s home state of Illinois, the Hoosier State is just 9 percent black and its electorate is mostly comprised of white, working-class voters. Also in Clinton’s favor: A quarter of the population is older than 65. She also has the backing of popular Sen. Evan Bayh.
» North Carolina, May 6, 134 delegates: Obama will expect a big victory here. North Carolina is a growing state where 22 percent of residents are black and 64 percent of voting-aged residents are younger than 65. Obama scored a huge victory in neighboring South Carolina in January. Also, 23 percent of Tar Heel State voters are independents.
» Oregon, May 20, 65 delegates: The Beaver State leans Obama’s way given its progressive reputation. Obama won the February caucus in neighboring Washington. Oregon is a growing state of mostly white residents and a young population. “You are looking at an electorate that has a lot more voting groups where he does better,” veteran Democratic presidential campaign strategist Tad Devine said.
» Kentucky, May 20, 60 delegates: Kentucky’s demographics are a lot like Tennessee’s, where Clinton won on Super Tuesday, 54 percent to 41 percent. The population is made up of mostly white working-class residents, and few voters are registered as independents. There are few large urban centers, which tend to favor Obama.
