Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Gapology of the Obama Vote in the 2008 Democratic Presidential Primaries

  • Social Science and Public Policy
  • Published:
Society Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In their competition for the 2008 Democratic nomination, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton developed distinct demographic bases of support. This study will analyze the demographic divides in the 2008 Democratic presidential primaries, focusing on the “gaps” that emerged in the support of Obama. Obama’s demographic bases of support were African-Americans, younger voters, educated voted, those with no religion affiliation, wealthier voters, males, political independents, and ideological liberals. Despite the considerable amount of attention given to the gender gap, a number of demographic gaps were more significant. Race was by far the most important gap and a key component of Obama’s victory was his tremendous support from African-American voters.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

Further Reading

  • Abromowitz, A. I. 2006. Rejoinder. In P. S. Nivola & D. W. Brady (Eds.), Red and blue nation? (pp. 111–114). Washington: Brookings Institution.

    Google Scholar 

  • Almond, G., & Verba, S. 1965. The civic culture. Boston: Little, Brown & Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartels, L. 2000. Partisanship and voting behavior, 1952–1996. American Journal of Political Science, 44, 35–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burns, Q. 2007. “Black vote not sure thing for Obama,” ABC News, February 5.

  • CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. 2007. CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll, October 12–14.

  • Fiorina, M. 2005. Culture war?: The myth of a polarized America. New York: Pearson Longman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobson, G. C. 2007. A divider, not a uniter: George Bush and the American People. New York: Pearson Longman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Judis, J., & Teixeira, R. 2002. The emerging democratic majority. New York: Scribner.

    Google Scholar 

  • Layman, G. C. 1999. ‘Culture wars’ in the American party system. American Politics Quarterly, 27, 89–121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCarty, N., Poole, K. T., & Rosenthal, H. 2006. Polarized America: The dance of ideology and unequal riches. Cambridge: MIT.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagourney, A., & Thee, M. 2007. “Young Americans are Leaning Left, New Poll Finds,” New York Times June 27, A1.

  • Obama, B. 2006. The audacity of hope. New York: Three Rivers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaller, T. F. 2006. Whistling past Dixie. New York: Simon and Schuster.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Political Science, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, 07079, USA

    Patrick Fisher

Authors
  1. Patrick Fisher
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Patrick Fisher.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Fisher, P. The Gapology of the Obama Vote in the 2008 Democratic Presidential Primaries. Soc 48, 502–509 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12115-011-9487-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12115-011-9487-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation