Election 2008: Primary Coverage

Pennsylvania Primary Coverage

Big Upsets in Some Local Races as Voters Clamor for Change

April 23, 2008

The presidential race got top billing in yesterday's Pennsylvania primary but some local races proved to be interesting contests as well. The election results provided some surprises for the city's Democratic party. WHYY's Elizabeth Fiedler has full results and an analysis from some local experts. Listen to the mp3 »

Farnese Comes Out on Top in Hotly Contested Race to Succeed Fumo

April 23, 2008

The Democratic primary race for the State Senate's 1st District, which includes parts of South Philadelphia, Center City and the Delaware riverfront. Lawyer Larry Farnese eeked out a victory over IBEW Local 98 Business Manager John Dougherty with activist Anne Dicker in a distant third. WHYY's Elizabeth Fiedler was at Farnese HQ on primary night. Listen to the mp3 »

Obama Supporters Focus on Closeness of Clinton Win

April 23, 2008

Senator Barack Obama is taking comfort in making the Pennsylvania primary less than a blowout for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Obama narrowed Clinton's lead over the last several weeks to the single digits - spending an unprecedented amount of money on television ads in the commonwealth. WHYY's Susan Phillips reports. Listen to the mp3 »

Primary Win Means More Cash for Clinton

April 23, 2008

Clinton campaign officials say they raised more than two million dollars in the hours following her primary victory in Pennsylvania. It'll be a welcome injection to a campaign that arrived at Election Day with its tank nearly empty. WHYY's Bill Hangley has more. Listen to the mp3 »

Hillary Clinton Wins PA Primary

April 23, 2008

Senator Hillary Clinton won the PA state primary. The state's top Clinton supporter - Governor Rendell - says the Democratic Party can hold up to the continuing political fight.
Listen to the mp3 »

A Conversation with Cokie Roberts

April 22, 2008

WHYY's Rob Stewart talks with NPR analyst, ABC News correspondent, and best-selling author Cokie Roberts. In addition to talking about her latest book, "Ladies of Liberty," Roberts' reacts to todays PA primary. Listen to the mp3 »

Activism Among Students in Full Display on Primary Day

April 22, 2008

Students were out voting in Delaware County near Swarthmore College. WHYY's Alex Schmidt was there and has this report. Listen to the mp3 »

Turnout Meeting High Expectations

April 22, 2008

State election officials predicted a record turn-out in today's primary election. Across the city, poll workers are reporting higher than usual numbers. WHYY's Elizabeth Fiedler stopped in at a North Philadelphia polling place to find out who's voting... and why. Listen to the mp3 »

Election Provides Contest for Nutter and City's Unions

April 22, 2008

Philadelphia voters have two charter change questions on the ballot. WHYY's Susan Phillips reports one of those questions pits Mayor Michael Nutter against the city's unions.
Listen to the mp3 »

More info: Y-Decide 2008: "Yes" comes out a big winner on Philadelphia ballots.

DA Abraham on the Look-out for Election Violations

April 22, 2008

District Attorney Lynne Abraham predicts today's elections will be the busiest she's ever seen. Abraham's office will be keeping a sharp eye out for violations of the election code but she says that voters can take care of most problems on their own. WHYY's Bill Hangley spoke to the DA. Listen to the mp3 »

Voters to Choose Who Goes to Denver and Minneapolis for Conventions

April 22, 2008

Voters across Pennsylvania are heading into voting booths while election officials expect a record turnout - possibly as much as 50% of registered voters. While the choice for presidential nominee sits at the top of the ticket, voters from both parties will be asked to choose among people who are vying for spots at delegates to the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. WHYY's Elizabeth Fiedler explains. Listen to the mp3 »

Activists Mobilize the Homeless to Vote

April 22, 2008

A coalition of homeless organizations is working to get the homeless community to the polls. Vote For Homes! has been registering people in shelters and transitional housing. On Election Day they are working to transport these people to neighborhoods where they can vote. WHYY's Peter Crimmins reports. Listen to the mp3 »

Polls Open

April 22, 2008

Polls are open across Pennsylvania for the primary elections and record numbers of residents have registered to vote. The democratic party can boast the lion's share of those new voters, as well as people who have switched from republican status. We sent WHYY's Kerry Grens out to speak with voters in Montgomery County, where registered democratics now outnumber republicans. Listen to the mp3 »

President Bill Clinton Says the Obama Campaign "Played the Race Card" On Him

April 21, 2008

During a phone interview WHYY's Susan Phillips asked the President how he feels about one Philadelphia official who says she switched her support after interpreting Clinton's remarks in South Carolina as an attempt to marginalize Obama as "the black candidate." Listen to the mp3 »

More info: Read WHYY blogger Dan Pohlig's thoughts on the interview.

Candidates' Healthcare Plans

April 21, 2008

The democratic presidential candidates are attacking each other's healthcare plans in a volley of television advertisements in Pennsylvania. From WHYY's health and science desk Kerry Grens has more. Listen to the mp3 »

More info:See the Annenberg Political Fact Check's analysis of the ads.

Machine politics in play as ward leaders seek to unseat incumbent

April 21, 2008

The last few weeks leading up to tomorrow's Primary election have been packed with campaign events for the Democratic Presidential candidates. Some local races haven't received much attention - including the 179th State Representative race which pits a young incumbent... against a party-backed challenger. Tomorrow the choice will be in the hands of residents of Hunting Park, Frankford, Feltonville, Olney, and Oxford Circle. WHYY's Elizabeth Fiedler reports. Listen to the mp3 »

More info: The Committee of Seventy: PA House District 179

Obama continues campaign push in the final hours

April 21, 2008

With only 1 day left until Pennsylvania's primary, the clock is ticking and the Democratic presidential candidates are squeezing in a few more campaign stops. On Sunday afternoon, Senator Barack Obama stopped at Reading High School for a town hall meeting. WHYY's Elizabeth Fiedler reports. Listen to the mp3 »

Click on the images to enlarge

After waiting in a line that wrapped around the school and down the block, hundreds packed Reading High School for a chance to see Obama in person. Among them was Wyomissing resident Robin Philippides (right) who is supporting Obama and is disillusioned with Senator Hillary Clintong's "campaign tactics."

Candidates vying for Fumo's Senate seat

April 21, 2008

With the presidential candidates and their surrogates stopping in the area every few days to campaign, some local races have been out of the spotlight. 30-year veteran State Senator Vincent Fumo announced in March that he would not seek re-election because of an upcoming federal corruption trial. Now the door is open for 3 challengers... who are vying for the residents of the first district - which includes parts of South Philadelphia, Center City, Fairmount, North Philadelphia, and the Delaware Riverfront. WHYY's Elizabeth Fiedler tracked down the candidates to talk about the issues... and in particular one that could change the face of the district. Listen to the mp3 »

More info: The Committee of Seventy: PA Senate District 1
Anne Dicker for PA State Senate
Larry Farnese - Democrat for State Senate
John Dougherty for State Senate

Formerly Republican Bucks County Prepares for History-Making Election

April 18, 2008

A different kind of history is being made in the Democratic presidential primary in suburban Bucks County. For the first time since Watergate, there are more registered Democrats than Republicans in the county. Eugene Sonn looks at how the two campaigns are working to capitalize on the record enrollment numbers. Listen to the mp3 »

Clinton Touches on Medical Research and the Environment at Haverford College

April 18, 2008

The Democratic candidates for president are heading into their final weekend of campaigning before Pennsylvania's primary next Tuesday. Both Bill and Hillary Clinton appear in the region today, while Barack Obama will host a rally on Independence Mall tonight. On Thursday, Senator Clinton spoke at Haverford College. WHYY's Bill Hangley has more. Listen to the mp3 »

Many Couples Split on Democratic Vote

April 17, 2008

As part of our series on families split between presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, WHYY Reporter Susan Phillips spoke to Stuart and Sandy Rosenberg of Elkins Park. The Rosenbergs attended Philadelphia's Democratic Party fund raising dinner on Monday night to hear the two candidates speak. Their minds were unchanged after the event - Stuart is still voting for Obama and Sandy for Clinton. Hear their reasons why. Listen to the mp3 »

Debate Gets Mixed Reviews from Voters

April 17, 2008

Voters reacted to last night's debate with both satisfaction and frustration. It took close to an hour before questions about personality and patriotism gave way to concrete issues like the Iraq war and gun control. Not everyone agreed on whether the right questions were asked. WHYY's Bill Hangley spoke to some of those voters. Listen to the mp3 »

More info: Y-Decide 2008: Too Many to Count - Blogosphere Reacts to Democratic Primary Debate

Debate Touches on Hot Issue in Pennsylvania - Guns

April 17, 2008

With less than a week to go before the Democratic primary, Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama squared off in a debate at the National Constitution Center hosted by ABC. The debate was wide-ranging but it did hit on one topic of intense interest to Pennsylvanians - the question of local gun laws. WHYY's Susan Phillips reports. Listen to the mp3 »

More info: Y-Decide 2008: Game On! Running Commentary of Wednesday Night's Debate

Candidate Spouses take their turns in Philly Suburbs

April 16, 2008

The Democratic candidates for president meet tonight for a head to head debate at the National Constitution Center in downtown Philadelphia. Tuesday it was the candidates' spouses' turn as President Bill Clinton and Michelle Obama toured the region. WHYY's Bill Hangley reports. Listen to the mp3 »

Poll Shows Little Change as Clinton Continues to Lead

April 15, 2008

Now one week before Pennsylvania's primary election, Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton is maintaining her six-point lead over rival Barack Obama among likely voters in the Commonwealth. WHYY's Jen Rehill reports from Harrisburg. Listen to the mp3 »

More info: Quinnipiac University Poll

Arts Get a Little Play in the Presidential Race

April 15, 2008

Top issues on the campaign trail are often the economy, abortion and the military. The arts don't usually get to share much of the spotlight. WHYY's Alex Schmidt reports that this year is different. Listen to the mp3 »

More info: Hillary Clinton's Plan to Strengthen the Arts (pdf)
Barack Obama: A Champion For Arts and Culture (pdf)

Caroline Kennedy Woos Women Voters for Obama in Mt. Airy

April 15, 2008

With one week to go before Pennsylvania's Democratic primary, today will be a busy day in the Philadelphia suburbs. President Bill Clinton will speak in Coatesville, Phoenixville, Quakertown and Easton while Michelle Obama speaks this afternoon at Haverford College. Polls say that only about one in ten likely Democratic voters remains undecided. WHYY's Bill Hangley joined the Obama campaign as it tried to woo a key bloc: undecided women. Listen to the mp3 »

More info: Latest Newsmax/Zogby Poll
Lifetime TV's Every Woman Counts Poll

Clinton and Obama Address Philly Democratic Establishment

April 15, 2008

Hundreds of Philadelphia Democratic party activists packed the Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall on Columbus Boulevard last night for the annual Jefferson-Jackson fundraising dinner hosted by the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee. Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama separately addressed the room full of top party leaders from Governor Rendell to neighborhood ward leaders and committee people. WHYY's Susan Phillips reports. Listen to the mp3 »

A Visit with Suburban Party-Switchers

April 15, 2008

Voter registration numbers show more and more suburban Philadelphians who live in areas that have long been Republican strongholds... are signed-up as Democrats. WHYY's Elizabeth Fiedler spoke with some suburbanites at a Barack Obama campaign event about their primary choice and looking forward to November. Listen to the mp3 »

Clinton, Obama to Appeal to Philly Party Machine

April 14, 2008

With eight days to go until Pennsylvania's primary, both Democratic presidential candidates are heading into town tonight. Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will take turns speaking to the committee men and women and ward leaders at the Democratic City Committee's annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner at the Sheet Metal Workers Hall on Columbus Boulevard. WHYY's Elizabeth Fiedler reports. Listen to the mp3 »

More info: New York Times: A Mayor in the Obama Mold, but Backing Clinton
Inquirer: Obama Goes on Offensive
Daily News: Obama Camp Makes Case for No-Shows in Philly's Black Neighborhoods
CNN Political Ticker: ON THE TRAIL - Monday, April 14, 2008

Volunteers Put Voting Machines to the Test

April 11, 2008

Thousands of voting machines are heading toward their final destinations today. At about 1 p.m., workers started moving the machines to the schools, community centers and homes that serve as polling places across the city. A group of Temple University students stopped by the voting machine warehouse this morning to run a final test. WHYY's Elizabeth Fiedler was there and has this report. Listen to the mp3 »

More info: The Committee of Seventy: Find your polling place

Click on the images to enlarge

A volunteer from Temple University goes over results of machine tests with Deputy City Commissioner Fred Voigt. And a collection of voting machines that will be sent out to the city's 1681 voting divisions in preparation for the April 22nd primary.

Clinton Unveils Crime Plan in West Philly

April 11, 2008

Democratic presidential candidate, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, wants to cut in half the murder rate in cities like Philadelphia and put 100,000 new cops on the street. Standing with Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, Clinton gave details of her crime plan at the West Philadelphia Y at 52nd and Chestnut Streets. WHYY's Susan Phillips reports. Listen to the mp3 »

More info: Google Maps: 52nd and Chestnut

Chelsea Clinton Makes Push for the College-aged Voters

April 11, 2008

With less than two weeks to go before Pennsylvania's Democratic primary, both candidates are getting ready for the final push. Senator Hillary Clinton speaks at Drexel University today while Caroline Kennedy stumps for Senator Barack Obama at St. Joseph's University. The school hosted Chelsea Clinton on Thursday and students say neither candidate has a clear edge. WHYY's Bill Hangley has more. Listen to the mp3 »

More info: Philadelphia Daily News: John Baer - In Dem primary, will youth vote make the difference?

Philly's Black Leadership Split Between Obama and Clinton

April 10, 2008

Nobody expected the Pennsylvania primary to matter. Especially some prominent Philadelphia black politicians and political leaders who came out early for Senator Hillary Clinton. But now that the majority of the city's voters are expected to vote for Barack Obama some of the very same politicians are questioning their decisions. WHYY's Susan Phillips reports. Listen to the mp3 »

Clinton Surrogates Descend on PA in Force

April 10, 2008

Senator Hillary Clinton's campaign continues its push for the youth vote today with Chelsea Clinton scheduled to appear at Villanova, St. Joe's and Penn State universities. Yesterday, former Secretary of State Madeline Albright stumped for Clinton at three other area colleges. One was Lehigh University in Bethlehem, where Clinton's supporters say they're working hard to catch up to the competition. WHYY's Bill Hangley has more. Listen to the mp3 »

PA GOP Wants Switchers Back, Wary of Fraud

April 10, 2008

Pennsylvania's Republican Party leaders say that they are concerned about the chance of widespread voter fraud in the November presidential election. As WHYY's Jen Rehill reports from Harrisburg, the concern comes on the heels of a record number of registered Democrats in the commonwealth. Listen to the mp3 »

Obama Goes Back to School in Malvern

April 9, 2008

Senator Barack Obama headed out to Great Valley High School in Chester County for a town hall meeting. Recent voter registration numbers show increasing numbers of Democrats in the Philadelphia suburbs. Senator Obama spoke to a packed room about creating "green collar" jobs, paying teachers higher salaries and fixing Social Security. A number of issues resonated with the younger crowd. More from WHYY's Elizabeth Fiedler. Listen to the mp3 »

More info: Inquirer: GOP loses 2 more county registration majorities

Clinton's PA Lead Shrinks in Latest Poll

April 9, 2008

The race between Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton continues to narrow in Pennsylvania. WHYY's Jen Rehill reports from Harrisburg on the latest figures. Listen to the mp3 »

More info: The Quinnipiac University Poll

Bucks, Montco Getting "Bluer"

April 8, 2008

Voter registration for Pennsylvania's presidential primary may set an all-time record. State officials released updated numbers on Monday that show that there are now about 8.3 million registered voters, fewer than 50,000 voters shy of the record set in the presidential election. Longtime Republican strongholds in the Philadelphia suburbs are showing signs of tilting towards the Democratic Party. WHYY's Susan Phillips reports. Listen to the mp3 »

More info: The Caucus: 2 Suburban Philadelphia Counties Flip to Democratic Party
Philadelphia Inquirer: Another GOP Bastion Falls

Vet Vote '08

April 7, 2008

With just over two weeks to go before Pennsylvania's primary, both Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton are going after the vote of military veterans. This weekend, Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts met with veterans to stump for Obama while Congressman Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania did the same for Clinton. WHYY's Bill Hangley joined the congressman in Delaware County. Listen to the mp3 »

More info: Doylestown Intelligencer: Kerry Stumps for Obama

Third Choice Stumps in Philly

April 7, 2008

Ralph Nader was in Philadelphia over the weekend to campaign for the presidency. He spoke to a crowd of about 150 people at the National Constitution Center on Saturday night. WHYY's Peter Crimmins reports.
Listen to the mp3 »

More info: Daily Pennsylvanian: Nader Denounces 'Two-Party' Dictatorship

State Officials Struggling to Process New Voters

April 4, 2008

With two and a half weeks to go before Pennsylvania's April 22nd primary election, county and state officials are still processing the flood of voter registration forms filed by the March 24th deadline. Jen Rehill reports from the state capital in Harrisburg that if officials don't complete the task soon, many new voters may be voting by provisional ballot. Listen to the mp3 »

Obama is Seeing the Money

April 4, 2008

Senator Hillary Clinton raised $20 million dollars in March. That amount is half of what was raised by her rival Senator Barack Obama. The money Obama is raising allows him to outspend Clinton on television ads in Pennsylvania by a 3-1 margin. WHYY's Susan Phillips reports on how political strategists vary in their opinions on the effect of this spending.
Listen to the mp3 »

Voters Express Healthcare Concerns

April 4, 2008

Voters around Pennsylvania are gearing up for the April 22nd presidential primaries - often with debates around the dinner table. For one Collegeville couple, the discussion centers around healthcare. He's a republican and she's a democrat. And while they agree with the candidates that expanding health insurance coverage is good, they can't agree on how to do it. From WHYY's health and science desk, Kerry Grens has more.
Listen to the mp3 »

Clinton Continues "3 a.m." Theme in Latest Ad

April 3, 2008

The campaign for Senator Hillary Clinton has launched a new statewide ad calling her the best choice to manage the economy. The new ad brings back the them of the 3 a.m. phone calls that Clinton used to position herself on national security. Analysts say the ad highlights one of Clinton's perceived strengths even as Barack Obama chips away at her opinion poll lead in Pennsylvania. WHYY's Bill Hangley has more.
Listen to the mp3 »

More: Watch the latest Clinton ad.

Watch the response ad by Senator John McCain.

Read The New York Times "Ad Campaign" analysis.

Barack Obama Makes a Stop in Wallingford

April 2, 2008

Senator Barack Obama ended his cross-state bus tour on Wednesday - holding a town meeting at Strath Haven High School in Wallingford, Delaware County. The Philadelphia suburbs are one of the most contested battlegrounds in the state... And recent polls show Obama is now overtaking Hillary Clinton in the burbs. WHYY's Susan Phillips reports. Listen to the mp3 »

Barack Obama at AFL-CIO Convention

April 2, 2008

Today Senator Barack Obama spoke at the AFL-CIO's Pennsylvania convention. Yesterday Senator Hillary Clinton made a campaign stop of her own. The AFL-CIO is not expected to make an endorsement, but the candidates are stopping in anyway, to talk about worker's issues. WHYY's Elizabeth Fiedler reports. Listen to the mp3 »

Clinton Talks Trade Policy with PA Labor Leaders (Pt. 2)

April 2, 2008

Senator Barack Obama gets his turn to court union voters today and speak to 800 delegates at the Pennsylvania convention of the AFL-CIO. Senator Hillary Clinton spoke at the event Tuesday. The AFL-CIO is not expected to endorse either candidate but Obama and Clinton have picked up the support of various international and local unions. WHYY's Susan Phillips has more. Listen to the mp3 »

Clinton Talks Trade Policy with PA Labor Leaders (Pt. 1)

April 1, 2008

Speaking to the Pennsylvania convention of the AFL-CIO, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton said she forcefully battled the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Clinton is wooing union support in the state and NAFTA is a big issue for organized labor who say that it sends good jobs out of the country. WHYY's Susan Phillips reports. Listen to the mp3 »

Clinton stops in North Philly

April 1, 2008

Senator Hillary Clinton is stumping through town hoping to garner enough support to challenge Senator Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination. This morning, she toured a sheet metal factory in North Philadelphia. WHYY's Shai Ben-Yaacov reports. Listen to the mp3 »

Clinton to Stump for PA Labor Support

April 1, 2008

Senator Hillary Clinton is in town today to speak to the biennial convention of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO. Senator Barack Obama will appear at the convention tomorrow. The two candidates will try to rally support among the 800 convention delegates. WHYY's Susan Phillips reports. Listen to the mp3 »

Registration Deadline
From Delaware Tonight:
Today was the final day to change political parties in Delaware. The state is seeing a number of voters switching over to the Democratic party. WHYY's Kyle Schmoyer has more on the story.
Original airdate: 3/31/08 Watch

PA Superdelegates Face Dilemma

March 31, 2008

Senator Barack Obama continues his statewide bus tour today with Senator Robert Casey, Jr. along for the ride. As a Democratic superdelegate, Casey pledged himself to Obama last Friday. But as WHYY's Susan Phillips reports, Casey, along with other state superdelegates faces a dilemma.
Listen to the mp3 »

State Officials Investigating
Breach of Voter Registration Website

March 27, 2008

Nineteen voter registration applications were viewed by an unknown person or persons through the state's Bureau of Elections website before that portal was shut down last week. Officials say all of the affected applicants have been notified by state officials. The records included driver's license numbers, addresses, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers for registration applicants. WHYY's Jen Rehill reports from Harrisburg. Listen to the mp3 »

TV Ad War Begins in PA

March 26, 2008

Television viewers in Pennsylvania will be seeing a lot more ads for the Democratic presidential candidates in the coming weeks. Senator Barack Obama is pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into Philadelphia's media market while Senator Hillary Clinton aired her first ad in the state on Tuesday. WHYY's Elizabeth Fiedler reports. Listen to the mp3 »

Candidates Continue to Spar Over Tax Records

March 26, 2008

Senator Barack Obama's campaign is calling on Hillary Clinton to release her tax records to give voters enough time to consider them before Pennsylvania's April 22nd primary. WHYY's Jen Rehill reports from Harrisburg. Listen to the mp3 »

Nutter Calls for Discussion of "Urban Issues"

March 25, 2008

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter wants to put urban issues at the top of the agenda for Pennsylvania's Democratic presidential primary. Nutter is proposing an informal debate between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. WHYY's Susan Phillip reports. Listen to the mp3 »

"Vets for Hillary" tour
kicks off in South Philly

March 25, 2008

The Democratic presidential candidates are taking a break from Pennsylvania. Both campaigns pushed hard yesterday to beat the voter registration deadline. Today at the Penrose Diner in South Philadelphia, the Clinton team kicked off a 37-city, month-long, statewide "Veterans for Hillary" tour. The war wasn't a hot topic of discussion at the diner but Clinton's candidacy was. More from WHYY's Elizabeth Fiedler. Listen to the mp3 »

Housing Experts React to Clinton's Foreclosure Plan

March 25, 2008

Local housing advocates give mixed reviews to Senator Hillary Clinton's plan to stop the national wave of home foreclosures. They say help cannot come soon enough, but they're not sure if Clinton's picking the right people for the job. WHYY's Bill Hangley has more. Listen to the mp3 »

Competition for Pennsylvania's "Super" Delegates

March 25, 2008

With voter registration over in Pennsylvania the Clinton and Obama campaigns are shifting gears. Much of the race comes down to strategies over math. Who has the most pledged delegates? Who is winning the popular votes? And, who can grab the support of the so-called superdelegates? WHYY's Susan Phillips reports. Listen to the mp3 »

Yes, Pennsylvania, There Are Other Candidates

March 25, 2008

In a year in which national attention is focused on how Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama fare in Pennsylvania's Primary election, other statewide candidates seeking attention may have to spend more than ever before. In Harrisburg, WHYY's Jen Rehill reports. Listen to the mp3 »

Campaign Volunteers Hustle for Last Minute Registrations

March 24, 2008

Supporters for both Democratic presidentidal candidates hit the streets of Philadelphia today to help potential voters sign up. WHYY's Elizabeth Fiedler spoke with some of the volunteers who were stationed around Center City streets. Listen to the mp3 »

Easter Thoughts on Obama's Speech

March 24, 2008

Barack Obama's speech on race last week in Philadelphia got positive reviews according to a poll conducted by CBS News. In the speech obama denounced statements made by his pastor Jeremiah Wright - but still embraced Wright as family. Sixty-nine percent of those surveyed said Obama did a good job discussing race in America. WHYY's Susan Phillips spoke to church-goers on Easter Sunday to get their reaction. Listen to the mp3 »

Party Switchers Hurry as Deadline Approaches

March 24, 2008

Pennsylvania's voter registration deadline for the April 22nd Primary is today. Over the weekend, WHYY's Bill Hangley spoke to several former Republicans who decided to make the switch so they could vote in the Democratic primary next month. Here are a few of his conversations. Listen to the mp3 »

Democrats' PA Registration Lead Widening Quickly

March 21, 2008

Pennsylvanians are rushing in record numbers to sign up as Democrats so they can vote in the Presidential Primary between Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton. The number of party changers are especially high in the Philadelphia suburbs. The two campaigns are targetting Independents and Republicans. WHYY's Susan Phillips reports. Listen to the mp3 »

Voter Deadline Approaches

March 21, 2008

Monday is the deadline to register to vote in Pennsylvania's Primary, and supporters of both candidates are working across the city. WHYY's Elizabeth Fiedler stopped to talk with one North Philadelphia resident who's been spending her days registering voters at a local supermarket. Listen to the mp3 »

Reactions to Obama Speech on Race Continue

March 19, 2008

Hillary Clinton is widening her lead over Barack Obama in Pennsylvania according to a new poll released Tuesday by Quinnipiac University. The latest survey also shows the split among black and white voters widening inthe state. Both candidate were in town yesterday. WHYY's Susan Phillips sought out analysis of the speech from an academic and a political consultant. Listen to the mp3 »

Clinton Delivers War Speech at Philly City Hall

March 18, 2008

With five weeks to go until Pennsylvanians head to the polls, both Democratic presidential candidates made stops in Philadelphia. Hours after Senator Obama's speech at the National Constitution Center, Senator Hillary Clinton took the mic at City Hall to criticize the war in Iraq. WHYY's Elizabeth Fiedler reports. Listen to the mp3 »

Obama Speaks Out

March 18, 2008

Barack Obama has condemned divisive comments from his longtime pastor in a major speech at the National Constitution Center in downtown Philadelphia. The address was meant to repair damage to his presidential campaign. But Obama also embraced the pastor as family, and says black and white America need to continue to come together over issues of healthcare, the economy, and the war in Iraq. WHYY's Susan Phillips reports. Listen to the mp3 »

March 14, 2008

Yesterday was a busy day for this region's supporters of presidential hopeful Barack Obama. The junior Senator from Illinois picked up the endorsement of Philadelphia's oldest association of black clergy, while his wife Michelle campaigned at rallies across the northern and western suburbs. WHYY's Bill Hangley has more. Listen to the mp3 »

March 14, 2008

Many suburban Republicans had the chance to see their presumptive presidential nominee face-to-face today. Senator John McCain held a town hall meeting this morning at the Springfield Country Club in Delaware County to talk about the war in Iraq, the economy, and the Democratic contenders. WHYY's Elizabeth Fiedler reports. Listen to the mp3 »

March 13, 2008

This was supposed to be the year that New Jersey's electronic voting machines were retrofitted with internal printers that would create a "paper trail" that could be examined if there were a dispute over the electronic vote count. The deadline was pushed off once and this week the state legislature is moving ahead with another extension. So unmodified machines will be in use come November. Critics say the state wouldn't have to extend the deadline if it went back to paper ballots. Election officials aren't convinced that would be a better option. Eugene Sonn reports. Listen to the mp3 »

March 12, 2008

The fight for the Keystone State is on. Mississippi voters cast their ballots and now Pennsylvanians get six weeks in the spotlight with visits from the candidates, their spouses and local politicians who support them.

Yesterday, Senator Obama stopped in Bucks County to meet with employees at the Gamesa wind turbines manufacturing plant. WHYY's Elizabeth Fiedler reports. Listen to the mp3 »

Senator Clinton was in town last night to campaign at Temple University. The capacity crowd at McGonigle Hall was filled with students, union members and older voters. WHYY's Peter Crimmins was also there. Listen to the mp3 »

March 12, 2008

The Philadelphia media market will be saturated over the next month with advertisements and appearances by the two Democratic presidential candidates, each vying for voters. In a volatile election families find themselves split between the two candidates. Today, WHYY's Susan Phillips visits a mother and daughter in West Philadelphia who are at odds over Clinton and Obama. Listen to the mp3 »

March 11, 2008

Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have begun the long, hard road to Pennsylvania's April 22nd presidential primary with appearances in the state today. Over the next six weeks, the candidates will have to navigate a very large and diverse region in the battle for the last big cache of delegates. Senator Hillary Clinton began her day on the phone. She spoke with WHYY's Jennifer Lynn. Listen to the mp3 »

March 10, 2008

With only one more nominating contest to go until all eyes are on Pennsylvania's April 22nd Primary, the campaigns are ratching up their presence in the Philadelphia area. Both recently opened local offices, and over the weekend their volunteers and staff were out in full force. WHYY's Elizabeth Fiedler reports. Listen to the mp3 »

March 7, 2008

The head of Pennsylvania's Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation says they're seeing an enormous "surge" of applications from folks who want to change party affiliation in time for the state's April 22nd primary. Pennsylvania residents must be registered as Democrats or Republicans to participate in that party's primary. The deadline to register is March 24th. Jen Rehill reports from Harrisburg. Listen to the mp3 »

March 7, 2008

Congressman Bob Brady says that former President Bill Clinton will meet with Philadelphia's 69 Democratic ward leaders on Friday. Brady says a prominent surrogate for Senator Barack Obama is also expected to attend. The former President also plans to campaign for his wife, Senator Hillary Clinton, at the Penn State Brandywine campus in Philadelphia. WHYY's Susan Phillips has this report. Listen to the mp3 »

March 7, 2008

There are still two nominating contests to go before the Democratic Presidential candidates turn their full attention to Pennsylvania's April 22nd Primary. Today Philadephia's ward leaders got a visit from some surrogates who were hoping to gain support for their candidates. WHYY's Elizabeth Fiedler reports. Listen to the mp3 »

March 6, 2008

The Democratic Presidential candidates are both busy bringing volunteers and staffers into the area to campaign on their behalf ahead of Pennsylvania's April 22nd primary. Yesterday WHYY's Elizabeth Fiedler visited Senator Barack Obama's Pennsylvania campaign headquarters. Today she stopped in to talk with Senatior Hillary Clinton's team at a phonebanking event at the Philadelphia Federation of Teacher's Center City headquarters. Listen to the mp3 »

March 6, 2008

Get ready to see a lot of Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama. The two candidates are getting geared up to invade Pennsylvania so they can fight over the state's 188 Democratic delegates, including superdelegates. It'll get harder and harder for Pennsylvanians to turn on their televisions without seeing campaign ads. Residents are already girding themselves to be the next big campaign battleground. Capital News Connection's Todd Zwillich filed this report for WHYY. Listen to the mp3 »