Obama To Launch General Election Strategy

Pivoting to general election mode, Sen. Barack Obama's campaign announced a 50-state voter registration drive that will kick off four days after the May 6 primaries in North Carolina and Indiana.

"Vote for Change" will summon the volunteer army that Obama has amassed in the 47 states and territories that have already held primaries or caucuses this year, along with the nine yet to come. Deputy campaign manager Steve Hildebrand described the effort as a "sustained 6-month campaign" aimed at driving up turnout for all Democratic candidates in November.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[cordier]

Pictures speak a 1000 words and the shot of BO coming down the airplane steps shows me who will best serve our country. Here is an intelligent individual in the prime of life with an abundance of confidence and energy which is needed to reverse the disastrous policies of the past 8 years.

[TrollsTakeYourMedstoo]

I would like to see his "first hundred days in office" plan. Senator Clinton released hers a week or so ago. I would be interested to see where he places his priorities.

[StillIRise]

Both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama have had a similar policy platform throughout the primary; the difference has been in details. However, the difference between the candidates themselves is character. Whatever his "first hundred days in office will be," and however similar it may be to Hillary's proposal, it is the substance of his character that will elevate him heads and shoulders above his former opponent, and will enable him to actually get the job done.

[olivia]

Senator Clinton is too much of a divider to accomplish any of the grand plans she claims she has. It's one thing to dream something up, another to get it done.

Hillary does not bring people together the way Obama does. She does not inspire people to action the way Obama does.

[zorrobozo]

The hell with Hillary! We have a country to win back! Republicrats be damned!

[ErikW65]

The slogans of the Obama Campaign are Hope and Change, but the subtext, and the strategy, is "Thinking Outside the Box." And this voter reg drive is just one aspect. The indirect benefit to local Dems from these and other kinds of grassroots, far-from-Illinois efforts, is potentially the difference in upcoming elections. Some Hillary supporters will be registered at these Obama sponsored events, and some local Dems who support Hillary will indirectly benefit as well, regardless of who wins the nom. This should add to whatever good will still exists amongst the two warring factions of the Democrats. I don't like the idea that all of this is making Rush Limbaugh so damn happy!

[grumbles]

Anybody know the whereabouts of Michelle??? What is this bunch hiding?

[cramos]

This guy is what we call in business an empty suit........the party is ruptured and this is it........he and George W. have alot in common.........arrogance!

[Hadok]

I expected this to be an outline about how he plans to attract middle class blue-collar workers. Instead, the plan is to register new voters.

Has he and the DNC written off middle America - as Jackson Williams describes elsewhere on this site, "Older voters, working class whites, adult women, and Catholics?" Obama strategist David Axelrod has stated "white working class has gone to the Republican nominee for many elections going back to even to the Clinton years" and that Democratic candidates "don't rely solely on those votes." One hopes that the Obama camp's political perspective extends a bit further back than the past 15 yrs.

It appears that the left wing has taken over the Democratic party. Forget the traditional base. However, the realization has begun to sink in that Obama is not guaranteed a victory over McCain this fall.

And so, we are seeing some pre-emptive excuse making on the part of the Obama camp as to why Obama may fail to win the election (It's all Hillary's fault). Or why, if elected, he will be an ineffective President (4 years of blaming Bush for everything, and that he fouled things up so much that NOBODY could fix it).

The Obama camp should stop blaming everyone but themselves for their conundrum. Obama is the Democratic nominee. If he can win the general, it will be to his credit. If he loses, it is his failure.

[ErikW65]

Did you read the original article? Rep. Clyburn stated that Barack Obama will need Hillary's support to win over those voters who voted for her in the primaries. Registering new voters is not tantamount to giving up on those other votes in November.

Where exactly are "we seeing some pre-emptive excuse making on the part of the Obama camp..."? Are you seeing things? Or just imagining them?

[Hadok]

I don't see the part where it was stated that "...Obama will need Hillary's support to win over those voters..."; however, your observation makes my point. It is not Clinton's job to win over the middle class voters for Obama. It is Obama's job to win the middle class for Obama. If he fails to do that, it is his failure and his alone.

An example of "pre-emptive excuse making" is in your comment. If Dems such as Clyburn feel that it is Clinton's job to deliver the middle class to Obama in November, and if in fact the middle class is not delivered, then the stage is set to blame Obama's failure on Clinton. Hillary is out of it. She CANNOT win the nomination. She is a nothing-burger now. So why does the Obama camp continue to focus on her and demonize her? In need of a convenient scape-goat for anticipated future failure?

[ErikW65]

I disagree in principle with the statement that "Hilary is out of it." The required number of Delegates is 2025. Niether can get there with just pledged dels. It's up to the supers now, barring some wild swing in projected outcomes. Remember that no delegate, super or otherwise, is really "pledged" in the Clintons' minds! A pledge means absolutely nothing to them, obviously!

[ErikW65]

First of all thanks for responding. I forgot to mention that although I don't agree with your post, I'm envious of it's effectiveness at political framing, and your skill in writing.

I'll just respond quickly to your first par.,here's the quote of Clyburn on Obama's need for the Clintons' help later:

""And if (Obama) is the nominee he is going to need her help and her husband"s help getting white voters that he is not now getting."

[MissingAmerica]

Obama is a man with a plan in all areas. What I like is that he's spending most of his time telling us what actions he will take, why and how. Hillary just seems to be spending most of her time picking him apart, much like a predatory bird picks apart its victim. We don't need anymore predators in the Oval Office.

I, for one, am joining Obama's volunteer force and hoping for an opportunity to take part in election that, as in the days before Bush, is positive and fair. Bush stole his position; we want this candidate to legally win it, and then return America to the people for which it stands.

[flyguy14222]

We all like to plan for the future. But this seems more tailored as an item for the media to make himself look more Presidential. More plans....yippee!

[Bad actor]

He seems to like basketball so he could perform a real service to the game by insisting that the basket be at least 15 feet from the floor.

[brend]

I think he is putting the cart before the horse.

[NickFuryII]

His strategy is simple

Unite Elitist, liberal, anti-American, Euro Socialists and Black racists into a coalition that will deliver the most embarrassing 50 state landslide defeat in Presidential history.

[AWest]

Boy Howdy, did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed.

Wake up! It's actually a nice day.

[RonnieDebb]

Indeed, I feel sorry for McCain already.

[BlueOnBlue]

This story has real substance and importance. That must be why most posters on this site and the media in general are ignoring it.

[S1m0n]

"Deputy campaign manager Steve Hildebrand described the effort as a "sustained 6-month campaign" aimed at driving up turnout for all Democratic candidates in November."

...all superdelegates please take note. Obama is pointedly reminding undeclaed superdels that he (unlike HIllary) can do a lot to make their re-election efforts more effective.

Subtle? No.

Persuasive? You bet!

[NoHolyCows]

I saw Bill Moyers interview with Pastor Wright. Nothing anti-American. just some innocent and legitimate questions about how, who and for whom the history of our nation was / is written. Also a challenge for our hearts and minds not to hesitate when the time is near...

Unfortunately (sadly) some people think they can avoid choosing a side by standing in the gray middle...

Obama is right not to disown him. and wrong not to embrace him.

[brend]

Yes moyers, is a coward, he wouldn't ask baseball questions, only softball ones.

[ErikW65]

Describing Bill Moyers as a coward is too harsh. Moyers is effective, because his interviewees tend to let their guard down, and expose their true feelings, and that's when the truth can come out. And that's also when gaffes can easily occur. I think Wright's statement about him saying what he has to as a pastor, and Barack saying what he has to as a politician, is vague enough for some to misconstrue it, or misuse it, as a tacit wink wink, as Chris Matthews has portrayed it. So Moyers' technique allowed Wright to relax enough to put his foot in his mouth in that one instance. Notice how comfortable and smug the Reverend looked when he said it. Almost too comfortable, not on guard enough. I'll bet the Obama Camp is not liking the spin Matthews laid out, or the fact that Wright allowed that to come out the way it did.

[ceasenake]

Softballs? More like nerf balls or beach balls!

[AWest]

Baseball questions?

The man does tremendous charity work, lives according to Christ's teachings, and served multiple tours as a Marine. What do you want?

He questions the effect of Imperialism? He thinks there's still racism in America? And you disagree with him why?

Here's a baseball question: Who's on first?

[BlueOnBlue]

Since Wednesday morning, I've been urging local Obama activists in my corner of Pennsylvania to stay engaged with the Democratic Party starting. With Obama committing to a national registration drive and possibly even joint fundraising, it is obvious he agrees this is the way to go.

Too many people become active in politics only during the peak periods of a campaign, but there is much to do in between to build the party and get ready for the next opportunity. If you're an activist for either major Democratic candidate and don't live in an upcoming primary state, you should contact your local Democratic Party to find out how you can help.

Posting here isn't enough. Stay active this summer and we'll win not only the presidency in November, but the legislative majorities we need to save this country.

[AWest]

Good post, and right on target. This election, and Obama's campaign, is as much about an active populace as anything. WE need to make the changes to restore America's greatness.

[justrealty]

Ok, if your win the presidential election and senate majority, who is there to balance the Democrat party. John Stewart Mill said when everyone agrees with the government, then the government can do what ever it wants without being seen. Hmmm, And the average republican will work to save their family before saving the government, so they won't say anything. I guess the rich people running the Government if completely Democrat can do what ever they want. I don't seeing rich people giving up their money now to help homeless people. Which one are you closer to, being rich or homeless?

[YellowDogInRedCounty]

I'm guessing you didn't complain much when the Republics had the presidency and senate (as well as house) majority for 6 years.

And what about the rich people running the government when it was completely Republic?

[wretch]

It's actually the 'Democratic' party, but thanks for playing.

[brend]

You've got to be kidding. I win.

[BlueOnBlue]

Well, we went through six years where the Republicans ran the White House, the House, the Senate and the Supreme Court. Seems to me that "balance" requires the pendulum to swing the other way for a while.

If we screw it up, you can take it back. That's how the "balance" can work.

BTW, I'm not very close to "rich." I'm retired and living on Social Security and a small pension. Pretty far from "rich."

I'm not complaining, though. I see plenty of people worse off than me who need better opportunities, better education, better health care. You know, that stuff rich people take for granted.

[justrealty]

The things Hillary is talking about, health care for all not just the 45 million without it, that is baracks plan.

[UnbiasView]

"Too many people become active in politics only during the peak periods of a campaign"

Too many people have real jobs.

[BlueOnBlue]

"Too many people have real jobs."

That won't be a problem if McCain wins.

[justrealty]

You just don't get it, a true republican values the family unit more than anything, more than an individualistic society. The only way to keep the family unit healthy is to keep them working.

[kellygrrrl]

Whoa! are you kidding me?

talk about some serious scrub-down!!!!

WTF happened here?

[ErikW65]

I've noticed some unusual "down for maintenance" events on many threads today; longer than usual.

[rivrgrrl]

A 50 state strategy. Good move. It worked for the DNC in '06, no reason it shouldn't work for Obama in 08.