2008 West Virginia Primary

- Held: May 13, 2008
- Poll hours: 6:30am-7:30pm EST
- Open primary
- Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee was declared the winner of the Republican Caucus with 52% of the vote

The 2008 West Virginia Primary was held on May 13, 2008. Hillary Clinton took the state with a more than two to one margin over Barack Obama.
The following day, the media focussed on Clinton's tenacity (in the face of almost certain defeat), Obama's four new superdelegates, and the fact that Obama now aims his rhetoric at John McCain (barely mentioning Clinton's name, according to The Economist).
MSNBC WV Exit Polls
1. 75% white women voted for Clinton
2. 69% white people voted for Clinton
3. 17-29 year olds: 59% voted Clinton; 35% voted Obama
4. 45-59 year olds: 66% voted Clinton; 24% voted Obama
CNN WV Exit Polls
1. Federal gas tax: 72% of Clinton supporters approved compared to 43% of Obama supporters
2. 36% of Clinton supporters said they would support Obama in a presidential election
Delegates and Campaigns

28 Democratic delegates were up for grabs. Clinton's camp hoped for - and received - a landslide victory in West Virginia, a win that might convince remaining undecided superdelegates to endorse her.
Clinton's campaign faltered after losing in North Carolina and only winning by a small margin in Indiana.
As the Obama camp expected Clinton to win the state, he spent just a few hours campaigning there before moving on to the future battleground states of Florida, Michigan and Missouri.
In a defiant victory speech, Clinton claimed the race for the democratic nomination was "not over yet".
Pre-election Polls

Results of a poll of West Virginia Democrats released on May 12, 2008, showed Clinton (60%) leading by a wide margin over Obama (24%). The most important issue to voters in deciding their choice for nominee was the economy.
Quotes
1. "Democrats don't get elected president unless West Virginia votes for you. I'm here today because I know what's really going to matter tomorrow: It's the votes of the people of West Virginia."— Senator Hillary Clinton
2. "There is an election here tomorrow. I'm extraordinarily honored that some of you will support me, and I understand that many more here in West Virginia will probably support Senator Clinton."— Senator Barack Obama