7 takeaways from the Clinton-Sanders race in Kentucky

LOUISVILLE — Hillary Clinton narrowly defeated Bernie Sanders in Kentucky's Democratic primary on Tuesday, thwarting the Vermont senator's recent momentum and giving her a much-needed boost heading into the final six primary contests.

Here are seven key takeaways from the race between Clinton and Sanders in the Democratic presidential primary:

1. Coal remark almost cost Clinton

If you want to win in Appalachia, don't say you're going to put coal miners out of business. Clinton almost lost the Kentucky primary because of poorly chosen words during a town hall meeting in Columbus, Ohio, last March, when she made a gaffe while explaining how she would rebuild the economy in coal-producing regions. After Eastern Kentucky had long been a Clinton stronghold, Clinton won only four coal field counties Tuesday.

2. A few more calls the difference?

The margin was so close that Bernie Sanders potentially could have won had supporters made just a couple of more phone calls in each of the state's 3,730 voting precincts. In the end, the election came down to less than one-half of a vote per precinct.

3. It was about momentum

The race matters more in bragging rights and perception than it does in the delegate count. Democrats plan to allocate the delegates earned Wednesday, but whatever the final totals are, based on the narrow margin of victory, it's unlikely that Clinton will greatly increase her 763-delegate advantage because of her win in Kentucky.

4. Jefferson County key for Hillary

Clinton really owes her win in Kentucky to Jefferson County, which provided her with a 19,000-vote cushion that Sanders could never overcome.

5. A name is just a name

Clinton put an end to an interesting, yet dubious streak. Heading into Kentucky, she had lost Clinton County in Iowa, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and Indiana. Finally, she outdistanced Sanders 58% to 36% in Clinton County, Ky. All that's left is to see who wins Sanders County, Mont., on June 7.

6. Clinton claims victory late

Clinton announced on Twitter that she had won Kentucky about 11:15 p.m., about the same time Sanders, speaking from California, said it looked like Clinton had won, but cheered his crowd, saying that he would come away with a near-split of delegates. Meanwhile, the Associated Press was declaring the race too close to call.

7. Recount a costly proposition

Sanders’ campaign didn’t immediately say whether it would seek a recount, according to the Associated Press. Sanders can ask for a recanvass, which entails rechecking vote tallies on machines and would be conducted free of charge. If he asks for a recount, which includes a recounting of votes, he would have to pay for it.

Follow Joseph Gerth on Twitter: @Joe_Gerth