I just got back from the Public Library Association's biannual conference in Minneapolis. It is a big deal for librarians, where in their thousands they can catch up on the latest trends and see new technology. Now, librarians are overwhelmingly female and those who get to go to national conferences are usually at the top of the organization. Since librarians like reading, knowledge and the Constitution, they are mainly Democrats. They would seem to be custom made for Clinton, but...
One of the best booths in the conference exhibits gave attendees a chance to have their picture taken with their choice of cardboard candidates - Obama, Clinton, McCain or George Washington. They swipe your registration card and email you the photo with an ad. Quite a gimmick. Most librarians couldn't resist and had their picture taken.
They didn't keep actual track of our choices, but when I asked they confirmed that Obama was way ahead. They did display a montage of photos which reflected that observation. I also walked past the booth several times. It was clear that Obama was the run away winner, with Clinton a distant second. McCain lost to Washington I think since I never did see a photo of anyone with McCain. They mainly just displayed the two Dems and people flocked in to get photos.
I had dinner later with my mother and sister (who live in the Cities) and mentioned the booth, which was a mistake. They are both still Clinton backers. mutter, mutter rock star what can you expect.
Frankly, I expected that a group of politically interested, well educated women of a certain age with no particular military ties would be Clinton supporters. I was surprised to see so little support for Clinton.
In my case, my spouse and I are both for Obama, mainly because of Iraq. Two of my sons are due for redeployment in early 2009. That has made us single issue voters.