Hillary smokes Bernie in South Carolina primary

Hillary Clinton swept to a commanding victory over Bernie Sanders in South Carolina's Democratic primary, with strong support from black voters who hope to see her carry on Obama's legacy.

With results from 45 out of 46 counties counted, Hillary showed 73.49 percent and Sanders 25.96 percent. Voter turnout was 12.51 percent.

Clinton's margin is poised to exceed Obama's 2008 victory, with black voters favoring her over Sanders by a stunning margin of 87 to 13, according to exit polls. This positions her to sweep the South on Super Tuesday, which may result in a "significant and possibly irreversible lead."

Hillary sent out a grateful tweet to supporters after her win:

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Coming on the heels of tense primaries in New Hampshire and Nevada, her win provides an important boost for her campaign and erases, in part, the bitter memories of her loss to Barack Obama eight years ago.

Polled showed Clinton with a strong lead over Sanders, 58.2% to 30.7%. Polling places closed at 7 p.m. EST.

In Greenville, several voters cast Hillary Clinton as a practical choice while acknowledging the abstract appeal of Sanders' values.

Hillary was expected to win South Carolina by the wide margin. However Sanders continued to campaign, looking for a strong second-place finish.

"A blow-out win for Clinton won't just be bad publicity for Sanders; it will drop him ever further behind in the delegate count," noted OregonLive. "That's why he kept campaigning in the state this week even though Clinton maintained a sizable lead in the preference polls."

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Sanders won by a wide margin in New Hampshire, but Clinton came back and won in Nevada. After Saturday's primary they'll head to Super Tuesday, when 11 states vote.

Sanders sent out an optimistic tweet looking to the future:

Still, Hillary carried a great deal of baggage into the election, ranging from unanswered questions on Benghazi and her email scandals, to health concerns after numerous coughing fits prevented her from finishing speeches.

The strain of campaigning on behalf of his wife appeared to catch up with Bill Clinton during an appearance in Bluffton, South Carolina on Friday. The ex-president lost his temper when a former Marine interrupted Clinton's speech and asked him to address what Hillary was going to do about the VA. Another woman in the audience also jumped up and began shouting, "Hillary lied over four coffins!"

Clinton snapped, "Shut up and listen to my answer," but sheriff's deputies removed both people. The former president never did address the accusations.

Clinton and Sanders went into the South Carolina primary essentially tied in terms of earned delegates, the number they win at primaries and caucuses. Clinton had a big lead in "super delegates," who can change who they are supporting. There were 59 delegates up for grabs in South Carolina.

Job creation and economic growth are the most important issues facing voters, followed by health care and national security.

The State reported other primaries in that race ha on some voter opinions:

Lei Horne, 60, of Beaufort said she voted for Hillary Clinton on Saturday because "we've seen presidential politics from a man's perspective for long enough." And 73-year-old Bluffton resident Barry Rosen voted against Clinton, saying he preferred U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders' wage equality policies.

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"I voted for Sanders because I think his policies on wage equality will give my grandkids a chance at the American Dream I want for them," said Rosen, a retired museum director.

In Rock Hill, 49-year-old loan adjuster Michelle Roseborough voted for Hillary Clinton, citing her experience.

"I felt like she had the most experience with her being a former senator and she was also the Secretary of State," Roseborough said. "I feel like she has already developed relationships with presidents or other people who are in a presidential position, so I feel like she's the most experienced and most suited person for the job."

Lancaster real estate business owner Linda Blackmon-Brace said she had similar reasons for picking Clinton today.

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"I am a die-hard Hillary fan," Blackmon Brace, 60, said. "I think it is about her qualifications and experience. I've been out since 2015 campaigning for her. I think she's the most qualified for the position."

But in Chester County, 20-year-old college student Khalil Davis cast his first-ever vote for Sanders.

"I voted for Bernie Sanders because I feel like his political views fit what I want for the country, and I feel like he is going to make it better for me and my fellow peers," Davis said.

The Palmetto State differed from other primaries in that race has played a huge role in state politics in the past year, and was expected to be instrumental for voters deciding between Clinton and Sanders.

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Eight years ago, black voters turned their back on Clinton in favor of Obama, who won the primary by 29 points. This time Hillary had the support of many black voters; but their votes were likely motivated less by her ability to mobilize them than by their trust that she'll continue Obama's legacy.

Black voters in South Carolina told BuzzFeed News their enthusiasm for Clinton paled in comparison to the excitement they had for Obama in 2008.

"Voting for Obama was about this –" said Barbara F. Pettett, 72, patting her hand to indicate skin color. "It's just voting this time. It's voting for a Democrat."

Pettett placed her vote for Clinton.