Obama Strategist On Poll Stall: Barack Has "Hidden Vote"

Chicago Sun-Times:

A reason White House hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) is stalled in early primary and caucus state polls is that his "hidden vote" does not show up in surveys, so argues campaign manager David Plouffe in a memo released Saturday.

Plouffe also introduces a new notion in the 2008 Democratic primary: That chief rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) is a "quasi-incumbent" who presides over a "political machine."

Read the whole story: Chicago Sun-Times

Comments

[3443649]

10:24 AM on 09/24/2007

Does anyone know the history of the author of this article?? This is a turkey writting for the Washington post (a GOP rag) and is nothing more than an effort at "Swift boating" Obama. The a-- hole has not considered we the Nickle and Dime contributors, and we are far more than the insider butt kissers of todays political process, as this country will see in 2008. WE WAN'T A COMPLETE CHANGE IN WASHINGTON, NOT MORE DYNESTY!! GET IT?

[eaglecapri]

08:40 AM on 09/24/2007

I believe this poll has alot of truth to it. The baby boomers and the senior citizens are most likely to be the main majority of the people polled. I would love to see the demographics of these polls.

I also believe the black celebrities - like Magic Johnson and Quincy Jones - are supporting Clinton in the public eye, but privately they will vote for Obama. The way I see it, the Clintons were 'best friends' with many of the celebrities (black as well as white) and now they're in a very uncomfortable position and can't bring themselves to say, 'I'm just not feelin' you and Bubba any more. I really like this cat, Obama.'

[kmccaskill]

02:47 AM on 09/24/2007

This illusion that you get more presidential experience from the Senate is sheer nonsense. How many Senators have become President of America? Does Laura Bush have the experience to be President? Sitting in the front seat beside the driver for 8 years will never make you an experienced driver.

John Edwards spent six years in the Senate and had only 1 sponsored bill passed. Hillary has 2 insignificant bills passed in all her 9 years, while Obama has had 2 bills with his name passed in just over 2 years. And very important legislation he co-sponsored with Republican colleagues.
GovTrack describes Hillary’s sponsorship as “VERY POOR” and Obama’s as “AVERAGE”

In the State legislature he also passed significant healthcare, ethics reform, crime and poverty bills. Take a look at Senator Obama's bills in the State legislature:

http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2007/07/29/us/politics/20070730_OBAMA_GRAPHIC.html

Compare that with Hillary's record on her website. Even her ads make no reference to any tangible accomplishments of hers. Hiding behind Bill Clinton will not make her an experienced candidate. Only fools are deceived by her campaign's marketing skills.

[ResidentChimp]

09:48 PM on 09/23/2007

Obama must be counting on all the illegal aliens voting for him.

[MPeter]

07:13 PM on 09/23/2007

I think David and the rest of the team at the Obama HQ are doing well. They understand the timetable, the election cycle, the mindset of the electorate and how or when to focus the resources. They also read the delicate process of balancing honesty with forthright but not obvertly negative commentary that could turn off real or would be supporters. They are waiting for the right moment to throw in everything, just like a boxer who knows when to go for a knock-out. Best of all, they listen to suggestions coming from real supporters!!! You have anything helpful, foward it in good faith, do not insult people or demand that people get fired for no good reason.

[larry278]

06:13 PM on 09/23/2007

Sen O needs a new head honcho if he's serious about becoming Prez O in '08. Save the sping for the washer & the dryer. O's man is a clone of Ron Zeigler.

[themodernleader]

05:01 PM on 09/23/2007

Weak campaign staff will tell us and the candidate what we wish to be true. A strong campaign staff would have already surmised that the citizens are not going to buy a pig without hearing him scream.
Obama's problem is the problem of the entire timid, untrustful bunch of candidates of both parties: Fearing to discuss the issues as they exist rather than making promises that correspond to fantasy. For example:
On the Wars. Iraqis see us as aliens and enemies and are killing and wearing down our military through classic guerella warfare. Our real enemy is Bin Laden et al in Afghanistan.
On the Economy: We are a bankrupt, desperate country that is trading our industry, technology, occupations and job future for imported everything, while the benefactors of these policies pay inadequate taxes and control our media.
On Medicine: Elliminate the profit motive and rationally establish a non redundant health care system. The upkeep is provided by graduated income, corporate, and inheritance taxes.
On Social Issues: Homosexual marriages: abortions. Delegate those divisive issues to the States and let them do what they chose. Such special interest, mon-Constitutional threatening issues should not be demigogued to determine our National leadership.
On the Future: We must provide an environment which breaks up monopolies, mercantelistic trade and provides opportunity for redevelopment of our own industrial, technological prowess. Natural monopolies must be restructured and protected from "free market" speculators who time and time again have cornered the market on electricity, natural gas, gasoline heating oil, oil, telephone, cable, computer internet, water. On other products and services we must return to "fair competition" practices enforced by law to protect the powerless and uniformed. Virtually unlimited opportunity must be provided by legislation to rekindle the rebirth of initiative and human opportunity and growth.
Two bits that no politican will mention any issues that are contributing to our precipitious decline (including my hero, Obama).

[OckhamsElectricRazor]

03:49 PM on 09/23/2007

New spin on the 'Silent Majority'. His campaign must be in trouble.

[Earl]

03:48 PM on 09/23/2007

Unfortunately for Obama, those hidden voters have to be registered to vote. And they're not.

[MPeter]

03:10 PM on 09/23/2007

The premise was that since the democratic friends you hung out with are so prejudiced and it does not seem to bother you, it might not be such a stretch to think that you might share their pain. Rational people don't normally keep friends whose views are so diametrically opposed to theirs. But, I could be wrong in making that assumption and if so, I would definately apologize.

[MPeter]

02:48 PM on 09/23/2007

You hung out with the wrong crowd. By the way, it is no big revelation here that some democrats are racists just as are some republicans. What you and your friends will soon learn to live with is the fact that there is a tsunami of change coming and a cross-section of Obama supporters are going to override the few racists in both arties and will give America a President with both the brains and the credibility to lead the free world again. That is Obama. The sooner you get used to this idea the less painful it will be for you when he finally takes the oath of office.

[Doug]

02:51 PM on 09/23/2007

Painful to me? Did you read what I wrote?

[starrianna]

03:11 PM on 09/23/2007

...and now, on the count of three...

...you will WAKE UP from your dreams...

...one...
...two...
...three...
.

[Doug]

03:53 PM on 09/23/2007

denial.

[Doug]

01:14 PM on 09/23/2007

Obama has hidden votes?

This is wishful thinking more than reality. If we were going to have a democrat for president, I'd want him.

But that's not going to happen unless Hillary screws up and even then, there is no chance either of them would win the election. As much as I could careless whether the president is black or female, I doubt many in this country feel the same (democrats and republicans alike). And before you go off on your republicans are racists rant.... most of the people I know are democrats and very prejudiced against blacks.

[ang4ever]

11:38 AM on 09/23/2007

If these "hidden voters" are outside the bell curve, in my view they will not effect Hillary's lead.
.
I was not asked in this survey, so it's also true that I am included in the "hidden voters" category, which means, 1 less vote for OBAMA .
.
OBAMA will best serve our nation if he remains as SENATOR for the next 20 or so more years. He's only been in Washington for less than 3 and much of it were spend campaigning, promoting his books, and photo shoots with the "Talk Show Queen", who for the last 19 years never even bothered to vote. Oprah managed to elbow in some celebrities, but the downside is, they may only showed up to suck up to her. Who knows really, how they are going to vote ! $2300 is just a "change" for them. Their votes may even be tucked away and saved for Hillary. You never know !
.
For now, I view OBAMA as a good-looking-charismatic-gifted w/ words-top selling author-but clearly inexperience babe, whose best foreign policy position is to invade Pakistan.
.
Yes, in 20 years or so, with experience he may again try to run for president. My bet however is, he'll be writing books, which I might say where his talent truly rest.
.
Hillary 2008.

[Trollstakeyourmeds]

12:49 PM on 09/23/2007

He's a "babe"...as in gorgeous, or as in young. That made me laugh. Either of those definitions suit him to a tee. He IS cute as a button!!! Experience? Hmmm....I seem to remember people saying the same thing about JFK. I would love to get a sneak peek at who his cabinent would be, if elected.

[ang4ever]

04:55 PM on 09/28/2007

Yup Mr. Troll - that's all he is - pretty . The audacity to run for President ?
.
To borrow a phrase : OBAMA IS NO JFK.

[Jazz42]

01:28 PM on 09/23/2007

If you bother to find out the facts, you would see that Ms. Winfrey said she haven't endorsed a Presidential candate.
ang4ever

[ang4ever]

05:01 PM on 09/28/2007

Oh yes - I bothered. She has not voted since 1988. Period. Go check the Register.
.
"She has not, not "haven't"; candidate, not "candate".

Regardless, that she has not endorsed a candidate is just another spin for not voting.

[Bluesman48]

11:11 AM on 09/23/2007

Iowa is a three way tie, people, despite Edwards practically maintaing a second life there for the last several years. There are months to go. Obama has a great field organization and millions of dollars to get his message across. It will be a fair contest and we will see what we shall see.

[amst]

09:53 AM on 09/23/2007

I don't know who's gonna win the Primary and haven't made a firm decision myself as to who I'll vote for. However, I have always felt that this election in some way, will be a surprise. I say this because I don't know, and those I've asked don't know, one person who says they'll vote for Hillary, yet she's ahead in these polls. I've always thought the rightwinged media is the one trying to program us into thinking she's the frontrunner because they'll love attacking her. (Although, I'm sensing they may be worried now because I do think she's coming off as capable at least)

The people who mentioned cell phones have a point. This IS a new age with both the internet and cell phones. It's very possible that these pollsters and maybe most people are not taking these forms of comminucation as seriously as maybe they should. Until we get our candidate I'm not going to assume anything. Btw, I have never been polled either fwiw.

[Trollstakeyourmeds]

10:57 AM on 09/23/2007

I know many, many people who say they will vote for Senator Clinton, including several acquaintances who are lifelong republicans. And, she has strong, strong support among Independent voters who are trending towards the Dem. candidates. And I live here in Ga. The Redneck Riviera. And as far as the rightwing nutjobs attacking her? I'm thinking not only can she take it, but she can give it back with both barrels. They have spent untold millions of dollars attacking her and her family. What is left to say? All of it was disproven in court. And, at least this time, they will have to attack out of their own pockets. No more taxpayer dollars.

[amst]

11:36 AM on 09/23/2007

I imagine the State/area one lives in can make a difference. I am in CA, and many, many people, both sides of the political aisle in my circles anyway, hate Hillary (unjustifiably IMHO). She is strong, but I feel many men don't like that and simply wouldn't want a woman President. I'm really glad there are some areas where she is popular because although I haven't decided who I'm gonna vote for, and she certainly isn't frontrunner here, I could live with her as President. One good reason is that Bill Clinton would be the perfect person to mend fences with some of the foreign countries (just about all of them) that Bush has alienated.