Obama Staff Leaves North Dakota: Guess He Isn’t Rewriting That Electoral Map, Is He?
By Anita Finlay ("Ani") on September 22, 2008 at 1:20 PM in Barack Obama, David Axelrod, John McCain, Political Strategy
I think this article found in USA Today speaks for itself. It is ironic, however, that one of the reasons the DNC was so anxious to nominate Senator Obama, aside from his deep, deep pockets, is that they were so sure those “Obamicans” would reshape the electoral map and turn classically red states blue this year.
Well, not so much…
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Barack Obama, who has deployed more than 50 staffers in North Dakota in an attempt to become the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry the state since 1964, is pulling out.
An Obama spokeswoman, Amy Brundage, confirmed Sunday that the campaign’s North Dakota staffers were being sent to Minnesota and Wisconsin, where recent polls have shown a tight race between Obama and Republican John McCain.
She declined to say how many campaign workers were being shifted, but other Democratic activists put the number at more than 50. Obama has opened 11 North Dakota campaign offices and run television advertising in the state, which is unusual for a Democratic presidential candidate.
This must be more of the good fiscal management and sound judgment that Senator Obama is exhibiting – throwing money and staff at the problem.
But the 50-state strategy seems a little ridiculous now. I understand he also spent a bunch of dough in Alaska…
McCain’s campaign has no paid staff or offices in North Dakota.
I guess John McCain didn’t think he needed to spend much money there. He must feel pretty confident that, as per usual, the state is going to go Republican in the fall.
Some though, are still touting the DNC party line:
Minot attorney Jim Maxson, who was the first North Dakota “superdelegate” to the Democratic National Convention to back Obama, said he believes the Democrat still has a chance to beat McCain in North Dakota.
Okay.
Lyndon B. Johnson was the last Democrat to carry North Dakota when he swamped Republican Barry Goldwater in 1964. George W. Bush twice won the state easily, with Democratic foe Al Gore getting 33% of the vote in 2000 and John Kerry attracting 36% in 2004.
Maxson concluded by stating:
“In Minot, these folks have been working seven-day weeks, 12 hours a day, since July,” Maxson said. “They’re reaching a point of diminishing return on their efforts. I think this is a wise move for them to relocate, and we’ll be fine.”
“I’m not a trash talker, but I’ll go out on a limb and say that it looks like Obama is going to be doing substantially better than the Democratic presidential candidates have done in the last two races, with or without these (Obama) folks here.”
Substantially better than what? Al Gore getting 33% of the vote in 2000 and John Kerry attracting 36% in 2004??
I guess Obama campaign manager David Axelrod’s new creative electoral map is not looking as plausible now as it was when he was selling kool-aid to the party powerful last Spring. Obama also pulled out of Georgia recently, didn’t he? If I recall correctly, back in June, Axelrod was bragging that Georgia was the new Florida.
Uh oh.
I think it’s safe to say the Super Duper Delegates are stocking up on some antacids right about now.
by Ronald Scott
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