Calif.'s complex politics, rules in the spotlight

Fight for black votes
Among Democrats, the fight for Hispanic votes is being matched in the black community.

Clinton counts basketball legend Ervin “Magic” Johnson among her supporters and holds an edge with other prominent endorsements, including Sen. Dianne Feinstein and the mayors of San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Obama’s campaign acknowledges an uphill fight but is relying on a sprawling grass-roots operation to deliver delegates.

But he also has plenty of star power in his corner: Last summer, Oprah Winfrey helped him rake in $3 million during a fundraiser at her estate near Santa Barbara, as Stevie Wonder performed for a full house of A-list celebrities.

Whites are expected to make up the majority of California voters next week, 72 percent, followed by Hispanics at 14 percent, blacks with 6 percent and Asians, 5 percent, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

Clinton and Obama held a polite face-to-face debate here Thursday before she set off across the state Friday and Saturday. Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea, who attended Stanford University, also are expected to make appearances.

Obama headed to other states but will send Sen. Ted Kennedy and 2004 Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry to rally supporters throughout California.

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