Clinton Beats Back 'Uncommitted'

Democratic presidential candidate Hilary Clinton beat off a challenge in yesterday's Michigan primary from a new tough contender—the "uncommitted" choice that 40% of voters checked off to the 55% who voted for the New York senator. Blacks and young voters favored "uncommitted," which is largely viewed as a vote for Barack Obama or John Edwards. Neither candidate ran in the state and supporters of both urged voters to choose uncommitted.

 Of blacks voting, 68% chose uncommitted to 30% for Clinton, and 48% of voters aged 18-29 picked uncommitted over Clinton, according to CNN exit polls. The racial disparity could mean big trouble for Clinton as she heads to South Carolina, where half of Democratic voters are black. Michigan's uncommitted voters could also be represented at the Democratic National Convention, which could help sway candidate choice. (More primary stories.)