Obama’s Win Changes Battle for Party Nomination

U.S. Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama is riding high after his decisive win in the South Carolina primary Sunday. Many experts say his overwhelming victory over rival Hillary Clinton is an important boost to his bid and has changed the dynamics of the race.

Unlike the previous four primaries, Super Tuesday on Feb. 5 will be the ultimate test for each candidate’s nationwide campaign strategies and political capacity, as 22 states will vote for their picks for president.

▽ Achieving Fresh Momentum

Despite his main rival Clinton and her husband’s mudslinging and tricks, Obama won a commanding victory in South Carolina. The Illinois senator stressed his differences from candidates representing the "status quo in Washington."

He also insisted he is different from black civil rights activist Jesse Jackson, who unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988. Faced with opposition from conservative white males, Obama highlighted his image as a candidate transcending race and political factions.

▽ Demographic split

In contrast to the previous four primaries, the results of Super Tuesday will be determined by Hispanics voters.

Hispanics make up 36 percent of the electorate in California, the state which holds the largest number of electoral votes with 441. More than 15 percent of registered voters in New York (281 electoral votes) and Illinois (185) are also Hispanic.

▽ Fierce Battle Beyond Super Tuesday

With Obama claiming a landslide victory in South Carolina, Clinton’s campaign strategy will likely undergo change. She had intended to secure her party’s nomination by beating him on Super Tuesday.

Many experts say Super Tuesday will see a neck-and-neck battle for Clinton and Obama. Obama is expected to draw the black vote in his home state of Illinois, as well as in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee, where blacks account for the majority of the electorate.

Other political pundits say the winning candidate will not arise until the end of March or early April, when more than 80 percent of primaries will be held.

triplets@donga.com