At the L.A. Times, Peter Wallsten reports on Barack Obama’s new organizational and outreach efforts in the Sunshine state:
The extended fight with Clinton helped Obama build volunteer networks and burnish his get-out-the-vote techniques in less populous general-election battleground states, such as Colorado. But winning Florida’s 27 Electoral College votes will require him to build his campaign machinery almost from scratch.
***
The Florida efforts are being replicated nationally, with staff being dispatched to Michigan, where Obama’s name did not appear on the disputed primary ballot, as well as the key battleground state of Ohio.
As in Florida, Obama’s campaign has begun a national voter registration drive that uses some of the same “microtargeting” techniques honed by Republicans in the 2004 presidential campaign, which sought to locate new, GOP-leaning voters who might otherwise have been overlooked.
TNR’s Noam Schieber seems impressed by these efforts, but the 2004-style microtargeting may show how far behind the Obama campaign is in states like Florida. Obama’s organizational efforts are much more advanced in other parts of the country. Obama would do well to get the dispute over the Florida primary resolved quickly, so that he could tap into the already-established Democratic network there.
Aside: As some have wondered about the future of DNC chair Howard Dean, I note that Obama organizer Paul Tewes is already in discussions to run the party for the general election. Tewes was in charge of Obama’s operations in Iowa and Ohio.
(h/t Memeorandum.)
Pass the popcorn …
Karl, does this orgnazing signal anything to you?
Some days I’m more tired of all this than others. I don’t understand why, really. I like watching them fight each other, but I know that ultimately it will make no difference in the long run.
BECAUSE OF THE IDENTITY POLITICS!!
The Tewes thing was to be expected, as the nominee generally does this. I’m not sure what to make of the LAT story, largely because I’m not sure how accurate it is. I f you read the “much more advanced” link, you’ll see that Obama should in theory have some sort of base to tap in FL, even if he did not campaign there, so it sounds like he’s lagging there. But it could be that the LAT writer heard “microtargeting” and didn’t explore what O! is really doing there — if he’s just doing ’04-level stuff with commercial databases, or the more advanced stuff he’s been doing with his own social network.
They planned to call the UN before January 29? I don’t know if what they are doing is fair, but calling the UN usually involves making deals for cash. Soft power and civil society usually are for voting reform in countries like Kenya, etc. I guess Americans need UN voting help like everyone else.
Why don’t I feel safe?
Obama and Hillary have lost the election.
Well, they hardly could do worse than Howard Dean as their chairman. What an awful, stupid choice.
– Stepping back for a minute, it could also signal that both campaigns have been told the DNC is going to come up with a way to run primaries in both states, or at least a reasonable way to divvy up the delegates and make it seem like the voters count. They have to shut Hill-Bot up about the “disenfranchise” thing, or the convention is going to be even more of a madhouse than it already promises to be. Remember, if they go into the convention with both states status unresolved it will be like waving a red flag in the face of both delegations as far as the Obama express is concerned If they end up only a handful of delegates apart on convention eve, he loses.
GO AWAY SEN. OBAMA, FLORIDA IS A HILLARY STATE!!!!
If the situation were reversed and the Republicans were rewriting their own primary election rules, would the left be silent to that? Somehow I doubt it.
Is this thread a good place to hide from nishi? (ducks head)
Karl. I’m, going to put you on the spot: What do you think will be the ultimate decision with regards to Fl. and Mich. and about when do you see that happening?
BJTexs,
I much prefer analysis to predicitions, but if pressed, I would say that the FL and MI delegations will both be seated, most likely with HRC taking the delegates she won and O! taking the rest — though with half-votes, which would be the standard sanction. The DNC sitdown on the disputes is May 31st.
In an interview on New Hampshire Public Radio last fall, Clinton explained why she was the only candidate who did not agree to New Hampshire’s request that she take her name off the ballot in Michigan.
“It’s clear: This election they’re having is not going to count for anything. I personally did not think it made any difference whether or not my name was on the ballot,” she said.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=19188859
Fordy,
I’m not inclined to rehash that whole debate, but just to balance things out, I would note that Obama was the driving force behind the effort to get candidates to withdraw from the Michigan ballot, because he was heavily invested in Iowa.
– Well Hillery took her stand today, announcing she “will follow this through all the way to the convention….”. Most pols say its a shot across the bow on the eve of the May 31st sit down, and a message to the rules team that she has a staff of lawyers just waiting to swing into action.
– Shes basing everything on the wrath of the voters that are going to be left out in the cold, which means she has perception on her side, and we all know what appearances mean to the Left. basically everything.
– Obama, for his part, did some limp wristed praising of her during his “non-victory” victory speech last night. I don’t think anything he does matters at this point. Shes a queen who feels her crown has been stolen. Just to make sure no one alive misses that point, she even used the “uncounted votes” from the 2000 election as her prime example. Apparently “for the greater good” doesn’t work on Left cult hero candidates, only the peasants.
– Fun, fun, fun.
[…] Protein Wisdom – Barack Obama starts getting organized in Florida [Karl] […]
I feel for the American citizens in Michigan and Florida and I’m sure that these citizens realize that in the 11th hour (at least in Florida) Obama seems interested in considering counting their votes. It is clear that Obama will only make offers when he feels it is to his advantage, I suppose that is what politicians do; however, with all the talk about meeting with Hamas and America’s enemies, if he were to become President, I find him noncrediible and unbelieveable. How can he have the courage to meet with such entities, yet refuse to go to such places like Kentucky or West Virginia? At least McCain to his credit found the courage to go to Selma and apologize for making the wrong decision regarding the Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday. The relationships (Politicians and US citizens) in America should be the priority for the future President of the United States more so than relationships with our enemies, if we are to truly be respected around the globe. Obama either is missing this simple fact or believes Americans lack the ability to reason.
“….or believes Americans lack the ability to reason.
– Close, but its more like they think we lack the ability to listen. If you’ve followed the “unconditional” gaffe’, you will notice that the countries in question have gone from “tiny little insignificant countries that America could crush in a heartbeat” to “a grave threat”. So, in the parlance of the NFL, its a pick-em. If you don’t like what he stands for, wait a minute.
– Incidentally, if you keep repeating the same question to a Lefty, within a few minutes you’ll get every possible answer including “You racist!”. Flip-floping seems to be indigenous to the breed.
The problem with Hillary Clinton is not leadership, intelligence or whether or not the USA is ready for a woman president. My sense is that without the baggage Hillary Clinton would win easily. I watched the debates, and saw Hillary and Barrack speak @ google, and it’s clear that she is the superior politician. During each debate she making a strange expression, it doesn’t last long, but makes me uncomfortable. More importantly, she’s using the same-ol, same-ol campaign style (We expected something new from her), her strong ties/obligations to US and international powerborkers (poitical/biz/banking), the strange statements wrt her support base, Bills involvement boarders on interference and finally there is the issue of trust, the sniper-fire and especially wrt Arkansas, her home state. Taken together there’s just 2 much stuff, and no way to explain it away.
For those concerned that it will be many years before another woman will be ready to run for US President, watch Michelle Obama closely. Michelle Obama stands beside, not behind her man. Like Hillary Clinton she is at least as smart as her husband. Dispite a few serious gaphaws, twelve years from now she may very well become the first minority woman US President. Although defered and somewhat inexperienced for the moment, Michelle Obama comes without the clinton baggage.
Something odd about Obama is that he won three of the primaries in the Washington DC area, supposedly without help form Washington insiders, while insiders may or may not vote they must excecise considerable influence in DC, Maryland and Virgina? In addition, both Barack and Michelle are members of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Obama needs to state openly and clearly that despite the CFR’s power and influence, especially wrt foreign relations, that any CFR role or responsiblity will in no way hinder/conflict with or interfer with his ability to lead the people of the USA, as should Hillary Clinton and John McCain. Something all the front runners, democrat or republican have yet to explainy, or be honest about, with the notable exception of Ron Paul. Even Dennis Kucinich is a member of CFR. It may be the case, that in today’s USA it is not possible to become president, or even a senator or congressman without becoming a CFR member, idk?
Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich should serioulsy consider a presidential bid as running mates.
The Vast Swedish Chef Conspiracy!
In 1992 a lot of people thought “Clinton baggage” was either Samsonite or American Tourister. The Obamas don’t need any Clinton baggage, they have plenty of their own.
twelve years from now she may very well become the first minority woman US President.
Twelve years?
I noticed that too. Considering the world’s gonna end on Dec. 21, 2012, it does seem a tad over-optimistic.
I thought it was 2112, but maybe I’ve been listening to too much Rush.
…no, not Rush Limbaugh. Idiots.