We have a new writer at TheRag: Archana Prasanna, a Virginia Tech graduate with degrees in Political Science & International Studies. Prasanna will be paying special close attention to the ‘08 Presidential Race.

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As the Democratic presidential candidates prepare to face off in the Pennsylvania primary election on April 22, Barack Obama is in the lead with pledged delegates. By securing more primaries than his opponent Hillary Clinton, he has established himself as the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential race.

However, it is increasingly apparent that the superdelegates may be the determining factor for the Democrats. Nearly 40% of the superdelegates have yet to declare their candidate of choice. As of now, Clinton has a narrow lead with 250-219 according to Politico and is hoping to maintain this margin throughout the remainder of her campaign.

Party officials, a large representation of these delegates, have had a watchful eye on national opinion polls in order to decide which nominee to support. This is significant because in recent weeks, the polls have been swinging back and forth between both Obama and Clinton.

Throughout the majority of February and early March, Obama has consistently been ahead of Clinton in various national polls. The daily survey conducted by the Rasmussen Reports showed that he averaged about 45% while Clinton typically had 43%.

On Mar 16, controversy erupted and rattled the Obama camp. Jeremiah Wright, a pastor closely associated with Obama, stirred up a storm after his sermons were publicized. His subject matter angered many because Wright seemingly blamed the United States for September 11^th and criticized America for being racist.

“No, no, no, not God bless America, God damn America - that’s in the Bible - for killing innocent people,” Wright said during a sermon that landed on Fox News. “God damn America for treating her citizens as less than human.”

Clinton benefited during the height of media coverage of Wright’s lectures. The Gallup Poll of March 15-18 showed voters siding with Clinton. On Mar 18 she had a 7-point lead - her highest lead in months.

Soon after, Obama had the difficult task of recovering from a set back. He delivered a powerful speech in Philadelphia regarding his relationship with Wright and touched on the topic of race in a sensitive manner. He distanced himself from the Pastor and asked for unity. The most recent Gallup poll taken on March 21-23 indicated that Obama regained his momentum with 48% to Clinton’s 43%.

But in Pennsylvania, Obama hopes to compete for a state that has shown to favorite Clinton. A unionized state with many Catholics, older voters, and four million registered voters, the April 22^nd primary is the next major competition for the candidates. In a poll conducted by Franklin Marshall College, it is evident that Clinton has a significant advantage. She is ahead 44% to Obama’s 32%.

In recent weeks, the Obama campaign has focused on helping Independents and Republicans seeking to vote in the Democratic primary to register as Democrats - a Pennsylvania requirement. The Pennsylvania Department of State reports that more than 234000 voters have either newly registered as Democrats or switched from other parties. Tens of thousands of new democrats, citizens that have switched parties or are first time voters, are registered in Philadelphia. His campaign is hoping to do well in this region and also in Pittsburgh, areas that have a high population of African-American voters.

Clinton on the other hand has the overwhelming support of the other demographic groups. She is winning with blue-collar union workers (67% to 26%), older voters (60% to 34%), and women (61% to 33%) (Quinnipiac University Poll). Just as she did in Ohio, she is also expecting to win in rural areas.

As the race gets tighter, the nominees will face more scrutiny with their every move. The ever changing polls are an indication of how close this contest really is.

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