Despite the largest single day of presidential primaries in this nation’s history on Feb. 5, the electoral picture is still mired with uncertainty. Pennsylvania’s primary will be instrumental in deciding the democratic nominee, and could potentially clarify on the Republican side as well.With 22 states up for grabs Tuesday, California served as the top prize for both parties. Senator John McCain (R- Az.) was victorious in the Golden State for the Republicans, taking 149 of its 156 delegates. The Democratic race was much tighter as Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) earned a 195-155 advantage over Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.), while taking 52 percent of the popular vote in California as well.
Elsewhere on the Republican side Tuesday night, McCain emerged as the clear frontrunner in the race for the White House, securing 602 delegates to the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., according to CNN.com. Tuesday’s victories raised his total to 714 delegates but he still stands 477 shy of the total required to emerge as the final nominee.
“We’re continuing campaigning and not taking anything for granted,” McCain said in an Associated Press interview. “I certainly think that we have enhanced our chances.”
For the Democrats, Senators Obama and Clinton battled to what amounts to be a stalemate, as Obama won 15 states and 758 delegates while Clinton countered with 12 states and 784 delegates to the Democratic National Convention. It should be noted that a Democrat must secure 2,025 total delegates to earn the nomination.
“There is one thing on this February night that we do not need the final results to know: our time has come,” Obama said to supporters in Chicago on Tuesday night.
“Our movement is real and change is coming to America… This time we have to seize the moment.”
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney was the lone casualty of Super Tuesday, as the former Republican front runner ended his campaign on Thursday, February 7.
“I must now stand aside, for our party and our country,” Romney said. “If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and make it more likely that Senator Clinton or Obama would win.”
Romney’s departure leaves McCain battling former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and Texas Congressman Dr. Ron Paul for the GOP nomination. Huckabee possesses 181 total delegates and the Paul campaign vows to fight on towards a brokered convention, currently holding 43 delegates.
Pennsylvania and its 188 delegates vote on April 22. Traditionally the Keystone State’s contest comes on the election calendar long after the nominees are known in both parties, but that will not be the case this year and many pundits feel that Pennsylvania could tip the scale enough in both parties to finally draw some finality to this year’s primary process.
Matt Lombardo is third-year student majoring in communication studies with a minor in journalism. He can be reached at ml606516@wcupa.edu.