Barack Obama cut into every part of Hillary Clinton’s base of supporters, including women, older voters and the working-class, to claim a deciding victory Tuesday in Vermont’s primary.
According to exit polls conducted for The Associated Press and television networks, Obama won about three of five women. He did about as well among voters 65 and older and won two-thirds of voters who earned $50,000 a year or less.
The war in Iraq proved to be a key issue in Vermont. Three-fourths of voters who thought the Iraq war was the most important issue facing the country voted for Obama.
Clinton gained momentum in the campaign’s last moments, taking about half of voters who made up their mind in the last three days. But four of five voters made up their minds earlier, and they overwhelmingly supported Obama.