NPR: Updates from Alabama

Updates from Alabama

Voters here in Alabama are revelling in the success of today's primary ... And not just because it's Fat Tuesday (a state holiday in Mobile). They told me today they feel they have a say in the presidential nominating process for the first time. The state usually holds its primaries in June, long after the party's nominees are picked.

Candidates rarely came here, other than to raise money early on. That was different this time around. Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Mitt Romney, Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton all campaigned here.

Meanwhile, there was a real appreciation of the historical significance of the Democratic contest in Birmingham, a city that was known as Bombingham during the civil rights movement. At the polling site at Legion Field, an aging football stadium on the west side of town, older African American voters recalled a day when they could never imagine they'd have the opportunity to vote for a black candidate for president. Many said they would be happy with either Hillary Clinton or Obama, but felt compelled to cast their ballots today for Obama, who won the state.

-- Debbie Elliott

11:49 PM ET | 02- 5-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

I can appreciate the fact that I have a choice of an African American and a Woman to vote for, ITs about time.
But I do not understand voting for someone because they are the same ethnicity as I might be. For petes sake vote for the best candidate for the job. In this regard I believe Clinton is the best Person for the job.

Sent by Ron Rodriguez | 11:59 PM ET | 02-05-2008

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