Given that the idea that race will be a bigger factor in Pennsylvania than will sexism, I thought I'd share my perspective as a native of the Pittsburgh area. The issues of racism in that state are different than those in the South, I think, and I have seen many people confused by it. This is my take on things, so grain of salt and all of that.
First, I'll start with the idea that Pennsylvania by rights should be three states. The Philadelphia part of the state is more "East Coast." The center, other than the enclave of Penn State's Centre County, is more standard rural but with more racism than most places outside of the South -- big KKK influence there. And western Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh, which is the one with which I am most familiar and offer some thoughts on today. Midwestern, but it has some interesting quirks. It's western Pennsylvania with which I am most familiar, and that's where my thoughts today will focus.
So, on western Pennsylvania. I don't think people appreciate that all ethnic identities hold a greater influence in this area than in most places in the country. My mother walked into a Meijer's here in Ohio and started to explain the ethnic derivation of the name. Meyer would be British, but this is Meijer, and therefore it's Dutch. And she cared deeply about making that distinction. Not in a negative way, per se, but it matters where you're "from" in Pittsburgh, even if you're only from there in a generations-removed sense. She actually has tried to measure out how "Native American" my kids are, because, well, that's cool to her. My kids are, in reality, culturally as Native American as Miles Standish, but there seems to be an idea that somehow some deep spirituality will come to them because my husband's family has links there.
When I would meet a new "boy" back in those pre-marriage days, I was always asked "what is he?" And there was always a sense of amazement if I hadn't asked if someone was Polish or Italian or German or whatever. A last name would do; people would puzzle out the derivation. Ethnic identity matters in Pittsburgh. It's very tribal to this day, with ethnic neighborhoods remaining even among people who likely have long since assimilated in most ways.
It is a racist area in a lot of ways. The unions, like most organizations, didn't admit black members for a very long time. Many people were raised to see black people as competition for their jobs, which black people would take at lower wages because they weren't allowed to be union members. (Vicious cycle, anyone?)
Now, my mom is a huge Obama supporter. But I find that she more excuses his race than embraces it. "Well, he's half white." "Did you know he was Irish? No wonder he's so charismatic and caring." And she means this stuff. It's not post-racial irony or anything. It really means something to her that he's a smidge Irish and that somehow means he's a better person, just as my dad really believes the Irish saved civilization and that somehow reflects on him.
I think that as we look at the Pennsylvania primary, it's important to keep in mind that there are these very real ethnic divisions that still exist. These aren't religiously based, necessarily, and therefore the "well, voters who would vote against black man will vote against woman" are not valid. There is a real tribalism in the region that I don't think people appreciate.
As for me, I've decided that the answer to "what is he?" can just be American unless and until I decide to delve deep into genealogy. But I can tell you that I know the last name is German. :)