New Mexico Democrats split along racial and ethnic lines in their presidential preferences, with Hispanics strongly favoring Hillary Rodham Clinton but Barack Obama leading among white voters.

That's according to preliminary results from exit polls conducted for The Associated Press and television networks.

As in other presidential contests, there was a sharp division among New Mexico Democratic caucus goers over what quality mattered the most in a candidate.

Obama also ran solidly among those looking for a candidate who could bring about change.

Clinton was the choice of voters who said the candidate's experience mattered most.

Among Hispanic voters, both men and women preferred Clinton. She did slightly better among male Hispanics.

Obama was the favorite among white voters regardless of gender.