Hillary Clinton's overwhelming victory in West Virginia on Tuesday night, brings to light the significant problems that Barack Obama has with White Working Class and rural voters, not just in West Virginia, but across America in general.
Clinton Crushes Obama Across the Board
Results of West Virginia

There are many questions still unanswered by the Obama campaign as to why their candidate cannot close the deal on this nomination process. How can a "presumptive nominee" for all intents and purposes lose a primary in a major swing state by a humiliating 41%, and then boast about his prospects for winning a general election during a poorly worded speech in a conservative Missouri southeastern district on the eve of Clinton's smashing victory in West Virginia.
Obama in Missouri

There are many more questions that must be disturbing not only to voters but also to the superdelegates that will ultimately determine the nomination for either candidate. For instance, why can't Barack Obama connect with White working class individuals, especially Blue-Collar voters in those important swing states that any candidate would need in order to capture the White House. If Obama has any hope of winning over those voters than he will have to do a much better job of convincing them that he has their best interests at heart and will work hard for them every day.

Then there is the question of the demographics that make up particular regions of the country, especially in those all important rust belt states or swing states that could very well determine who our next president will be. Obama has a big problem with rural voters, possibly due to their distrust for an unknown candidate, but also because his recent comments towards "small-town" rural Americans were insulting, especially to those rural farming communities who "cling to guns" or attend church on a regular basis.
What the Exit Polls Say

Furthermore, Obama should be worried when exit polling is showing as it did recently in Pa, Indiana and West Virgina, that nearly 60% of Clinton's supporters will not vote for Obama in the Fall election, either voting for McCain or choosing to stay home on election day. Certainly these are troubling numbers for any candidate that will need their support in order to win on November 4th. Although some pundits and analysts will say that many of those defectors will come back to roost in the nest after the Democratic convention in late August, it is still discerning to consider the possibility that many will choose other options.
A Clear Rift in the Party

There is also the continued problem that exists with Rev.Wright. Early exit polling in West Virginia indicates that the controversial remarks made by Wright are still a factor for the Obama campaign. It is certain to be a continued factor raised by Republicans in the upcoming general election if Obama becomes the nominee.
Wright and Race are an Issue

It is now conceivable if not highly probable that Clinton will win the popular vote after the final tally is counted on June 3. Having erased most if not all of Obama's gains from the North Carolina primary in last evening's contest, she will now begin gaining on his overall popular vote margin, and will likely overtake his lead after the Puerto Rico Primary is completed. The Island primary which is scheduled for June 1, is reported to have more than 2.3 million registerd voters with at least 80% of those voters predicted to go to the polls. Clinton is favored to win that primary by a comfortable margin due to its overwhelming Hispanic and Catholic demographics, as well as Clinton's support among Puerto Ricans which make up a sizable voting block in New York. Hillary could very well come away with more than 500,000 more votes than Obama when all is said and done in that primary.
Why Puerto Rico Matters
Popular Vote Leads Directly to the Superdelegates

If Clinton should win the popular vote, and it now looks as if she will(exluding Michigan and/or Florida) it will be another valuable argument she can make to the superdelegates and party officials who are sitting on the fence until after June 3.  

Clinton's confidence is showing despite the media thrashing she endured over the past week, and the calls for her to quit. Her thumping of Obama in West Virginia indicates her strenghts and his weaknesses. Voters have sent a loud and clear statement that they want this race to continue and for every vote to be counted. Last nights primary results sent a message to the Obama campaign, as well as to their supporters, and especially the political pundits that it it very unwise to attack Clinton and denigrate her campaign, that it can cause voter backlash, as was evident in West Virginia.

Unwise to Attack Clinton

Clinton's continued persistence in spite of the odds to remain in the race, have overshadowed many of the gains made by the Obama campaign. She may be considered by some to be a thorn in Obama's side at this late juncture, but to many she is the candidate best poised to propel Obama into the White House. Without her help, his prospects are dim. To believe otherwise would be foolish and condescending.

It is safe to say that no candidate has won the White House without winning West Virginia since 1916, and the last Democrat to win that state not once but twice, was Bill Clinton. Hillary is by far the strongest candidate to go up against McCain not only in this region of the country, but in all of rural America.
So Goes West Virginia, So Goes The Nation

Next stop is Kentucky where Obama will face the same humiliation that he witnessed in West Virginia, which has to be embarrassing for the man who claims the label of "presumptive nominee." The candidate claiming the mantle of victory one week, but knocked down the next week in a major landslide, must explain himself to the American electorate. Obama if he expects to be the nominee which is still not his to claim, must act and demonstrate that he can win, even when the going gets tough. His lackluster performance in West Virginia and his willingness to write off a swing state as though it doesn't matter will only come back to haunt him in the end.
Kentucky, Another Clinton Landslide

Obama must soon come to a realization that the votes of all citizens are important if he hopes to win in November, and to overlook the wishes of those who don't support him can only lead to more trouble for him in his quest to be president. Being overconfident at this point in time, could cause a reversal of fortunes for the Obama campaign as the stakes are high and the road remains long and burdensome.