Clinton vs. Obama: The Political Wind in Southern California

[writes3000]

I live in LA. And for the past three months, I've been paying close attention to the political temperature here. Listening to snippets of conversation. Listening to talk radio. Looking for signs, bumper stickers, buttons, etc. My rule usually is to just listen to what people are saying. If you don't show a preference one way or another, you can learn alot. Back on Super Tuesday, my sense was that Clinton was definitely favored here. More and more people were liking Obama but many weren't familiar with him at all.

My, how things have changed.

In the past three weeks, I cannot believe the number of Obama bumper stickers I've seen. They're everywhere in LA. And even more surprising to me is the variety of people who have them. I've looked for Clinton signs or bumper stickers but I haven't seen any. I will keep looking for them.

But what was most telling was my interaction yesterday with three white women here (approximately ages 35, 42 and 50.) I didn't know any of them but I eavesdropped on their conversations. First, I was at a bookstore. The 50 year old woman was talking to the 42 year old woman behind the register. The 50 yr old was talking about her frustration with Hillary over the Mark Penn/Columbia deal. "How could she not know what Penn was up to?" She explained to the 42 yr old that Hillary had to get rid of Penn, even though Bill supported the deal. Clearly, the 50 yr old was actively angry with Hillary. When the 50 yr old left, I stepped up to the register and the 42 yr old said "Poor Hillary. I'm so disappointed in her." I asked her why she felt that way. She told me how excited she was about Hillary's campaign in the beginning but she felt that Hillary had blown it. There was no anger aimed at Obama. She was placing all of the responsibility on Hillary. And she spoke of her excitement and passion for Hillary in the past tense.

Later in the day, I overheard another conversation where a random 35 yr old white woman was passionately hoping that Obama could win PA. The two people talking knew that Obama would most likely lose there but she was ready to move on to the GE. She was passionate and excited for Obama.

Since Super Tuesday, Obama's support in this area has grown significantly.

[Hepburn]

1. SoCal ~~ South Bay area

Yep, the shift has def been to Obama...and not just with Dems that I know. The Pubbies I know are coming over, too.

[writes3000]

4. Are you seeing lots of bumper stickers? I've seen a couple of John Edwards'...

Many, many Obama stickers. No McCain. No Clinton.

[Hepburn]

5. Have seen -0- McCain stickers, 1 Hillary sticker and the rest are Obama.

I did notice, tho, that I have not seen a lot of bumper stickers. But of the ones I have seen, all but one have been for Obama.

[oberliner]

2. How did you know the exact ages of the women?

Did they actually identify themselves as being 35, 42, and 50 in the conversation?

[writes3000]

3. I should have said "approximate". I'll change that. Thanks. n/t

[oberliner]

6. No worries

I'm in SoCal as well and have noticed the trend you have observed, too.

[writes3000]

7. Ha! Believe it or not, I just saw my first "Hillary" bumper sticker...

on my way back from picking up breakfast. It was on a white pickup truck.

Had to report on it. Fair is fair.

[FrenchieCat]

8. Saw an Obama sign in the window of the car in front of me yesterday......

Of course, due to my Obama Bumper sticker on my car, I felt like I was part of a caravan! LOl!

[cooolandrew]

9. This is very ture on liberal radio very few are speaking up for HRC at this point.

[XemaSab]

10. It's certainly the case in Santa Barbara

I usually see about 1 Hillary sticker every couple weeks... I usually see 5-6 Obama stickers a DAY.