Ohio: Obama Lands His A-Team
With Ohio's March 4th primary looming as the possible make-it-or-break it battleground for the Democratic nomination, Senator Barack Obama has landed his campaign A-Team three weeks ahead of the Buckeye State's D-Day.
Rival candidate Senator Hillary Clinton is also deploying her most battle-ready field marshals to Ohio. While both campaigns have had skeleton teams in Ohio since January, now the big guns have unpacked their bags and set up their state headquarters in Columbus. They've also brought their entourage of top managers, field directors, GOTV staffers and consultants with media buys planned, along with scheduled campaign events and candidate appearances.
Behind the scenes of the Obama-Clinton race to capture Ohio's 161 delegates, the biggest jackpot of states still in contention, it will be a killer match between each campaign's point man: Paul Tewes and Robby Mook.
Among campaign professionals,Tewes is widely regarded among the very most talented of political organizers in the nation - he's largely responsible for Obama's surprise win in Iowa, which proved that the "inevitable" nomination of Hillary Clinton wasn't so inevitable and that white voters, independents, and women could be lured to Obama.
Mook also comes with an impressive campaign record. He was Howard Dean's field director in the New Hampshire Primary and a former deputy field director for the Democratic National Committee. As the state director for Nevada, he led Hillary Clinton's impressive win there last month, successfully wooing Latinos and women back to the Clinton fold.
For each of these professional political operatives, winning means something different.
Mook is Clinton's new Ohio state director and needs to deliver a big win here for her, by at least 20 points or more. According to the Associated Press latest numbers, Obama leads with 1,232 delegates and Clinton holds 1,205 delegates and desperately needs a blow-out in Ohio.The latest poll conducted by SurveyUSA, between Sunday and Monday, reported that Clinton still holding onto the lead in here. She claims 56% to Obama's 39%.
Obama's Ohio state director, Tewes, just needs to keep it close enough for Obama to earn his proportional share of Ohio's delegates rich primary, which will be a battle that looks possible - even more than possible. Obama has a slim shot at an Ohio victory as of this moment, but as long as he just shows well (no less than 10-15 points behind Clinton in strategic areas), he stands to maintain his lead over delegates-won as long as he continues to outpace Clinton in the momentum game and grabs his expected smaller share of the Texas and Pennsylvania delegates on March 4.
Both campaigns are literally racing to get their respective Ohio teams onto the field. However, Obama's campaign looks to be outpacing the Clinton machine - at least, this week.
While Chelsea Clinton stumps for her mother in Ohio today (to decidedly mixed reviews), Obama is flying in his popular wife, Michelle, to campaign tomorrow. Senator Clinton is also winging toward Ohio.
The most disturbing number for the Clinton camp is the rising trend in Obama's momentum. He's gained a 20-point bump from Quinniapac's December 5th poll, which calculated Clinton with a 26 point lead over Obama. But his recent eight-state victory streak combined with Clinton's big margin losses, financial problems, and campaign shake-ups has helped Obama cut Clinton's Ohio lead nearly in half.
Bill Sloat reported on his blog that Obama's campaign has already tried to secure a on-ground beach, flexing its organizational muscle with 50 campaign events scheduled on his Ohio website over the next week compared to Sen. Clinton's three events promoted on hers.
"While Senator Clinton begins her Ohio campaign with support from much of the political establishment, we are confident that the strength of our longstanding grassroots support in the state will translate into a formidable organization," Tewes told Sloat.
Tewes is making good on his reputation as an ingenious organizer.
There are events scheduled all across the state over the next few days, and if a supporter would like, they can organize their own events with names like: "Vote or Die Generation to the Rescue" (women for Obama house parties) in Columbus, "Show Your Love for Obama (Valentine's Day honk & wave) in Akron, "Your Car is a Billboard" in Canton, and "Cleveland-Marshall Students & Alumni for Obama" in Cleveland. Then there are the numerous house parties:
Beth Hughes, a teacher who lives in Fairfield County, hasn't been involved in politics since her early 20s, but started volunteering for the Obama campaign in January by making telephone calls to voters in earlier primary states. She agreed to host an organizing event in her home next Monday but had to change the location.
"There were too many people to fit in my house, so I asked the pizzeria across the street to open up and let us use their place for the event," she laughs.
"I've never been involved at the ground roots level before. Well, the last time was when I worked for a presidential candidate was for George McGovern! I was attracted to Obama because of how effective he was at getting people interested in the discussion of government again; the loss of cynicism and the hope that he brings into the campaign. That's what turned me on."
She isn't alone.
Eddy Hooper and his partner, Brenda Jarvis, are hosting an organizing meeting for Obama in the northern suburb of Dayton, next week. When Hooper asked Brenda if they could host the meeting at their home, her only question: "Do you think we can get this house cleaned before next Monday?"
"I've never done this before but I feel compelled to do it even though it's a little scary, it's also cool. Our daughters can learn that running for president and keeping this democracy safe and free is a lot more than just voting," said Hooper.
Hooper agrees that Senator Clinton is a competent leader in the senate, but admitted that it was Barack who stole his heart.
"Barack got me back in 2004. I heard every word. That speech ranks right up there with the greatest speeches and his campaign includes everyone. We need to unite the country and repair our reputation in the world. Breaks my heart to what is going on with this country's good name. Obama reaches out to Dems, Republicans, and Independents. He's willing to work with other people and he asks us to be involved, not just rely on Washington. We're in this together, but you are the change and we all need to do something to make the world better," said Hooper.
Although Mrs. Clinton continues capturing big-time endorsements and on Thursday she will be sharing the stage in Columbus with former Ohio Senator of astronaut fame, John Glenn, the new Obama Ohio team was quick to dampen any positive press coverage.
An email press release from Obama's Ohio press spokesman going out Thursday that the Clinton campaign had declared Ohio a "must win state" also warned that "Senator Clinton will face a formidable opponent in Ohio: her record."
And so it begins and it won't end in Ohio until March 4, when voters not accustomed to receiving phone calls at 7:30 in the morning from strangers and from robo-polls, cast their preference and perhaps, become the next kingmakers in this fluid Democratic contest.
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Obama and I have a lot in common...w
Worse for Senator Obama he voted to fund it and time and again and we never saw him mobilize the people ,as he claims will happen when he is president, to stop the war. And where was this great anti-war candidate.
the republicans are going to eat Obama alive.
Ummm: Didn't Hillary expressedly vote FOR the war in irak - and than voted for funding it over and over again...? Think about 'Splinter vs. Beam', mate.
BEVERLY DAVIS(the cap is meant to get your attn).
I think this huffpo headline of yours have put the fear of Obama in the Clinton camp.
Obama lands A-team in Ohio? Say it aint so, I mean, say we don't have to win Ohio. lol
I HEAR YOU Zhonni! If 'we' means Obama, no, it doesn't appear that he has to win Ohio but he does have to show well there and in strategic districts to maintain his share of the delegates.
No, the "we" is the Clinton camp.
Remember the Clinton camp said that they would win Ohio and Texas?
That was before I saw your headline and I was assuming that the Clinton camp saw the same headline. Thus, your headline putting the fear of Obama into the Clinton camp. To which the Clinton camp said "Say it aint so, Obama's A team in Ohio? I think we are screwed and please go tell the press we don't have to win Ohio".
I guess my comment wasn't as clear nor as funny as I was hoping it would turn out. I'll try a little harder next time.
Please pay attention. States determine if they will have caucuses or ballot voting. Washington has both. There have been and will be more debates, so watch and learn. It's amazing! American voters are the most uninformed electorate, relying on gossip rather than facts. Education yourself; research the candidates and the issues. Don't be a follower or allow others to tell you what or how to think. Become an informed voter and then Vote with knowledge. Name calling gets you nowhere and tells you nothing.
Barry has a team? What in the world do they tell him: "For the love of God, don't say anything! These stupid liberals can't take anything with substance. Brings out their hate-filled derangement syndrome."
He's listening so far.
So Mook is responsible for Hillary's impressive win in Nevada...w
and HRC won New Hampshire even though Obama won one more delegate there too...but we're talking the popular vote here...fai
I pity the fool who is not endorsed by Mr. "T".
http://ima
Has anyone checked the latest polls? Hilary has no worries, she is up by more than 12 points in everyone I saw, in TX, OH, and PA.
Obama has tons of work to do if he is to catch up.
I know polls can be unreliable but all I have seen so far are pretty consistent.
Has anyone checked the latest polls.
Lets wait until a week from now. My guess is Hillary will be lucky if she is even with Senator Obama.
(mig991)
Keep telling yourself that. The polls looked great in: washington, colorado, virginia, maryland, louisiana, maine, minnesota, georgia, south carolina, iowa, nebraska, alabama, north dakota, utah, kansas, delaware, idaho and connecticut. Did I forget any?
Oh, just California, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Arkansas, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee.
Migg991,
"I know polls can be unreliable but all I have seen so far are pretty consistent"
Yeah, just like the ones in New Hampshire.
Enough said.
All of the polls except one being reported by the Texas Credit Union which has Clinton up 49 to 41, has been taken before the Potomac primaries. So I would expect the next polls to see a bit of a bump for Obama, but probably still down around 10 points.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha!
I wonder if A Team is comandeering the no smoking venues. Obie-wan's health care plan should start with his quitting smoking, seriously.
Maybe you SHOULD be wondering why Hillary is getting spanked so badly.
Tobacco addiction is so yesterday. Seems he's not strong enough to get a handle on one of the most self-destructive habits there is. Thought he was supposed to be all about inspiration and all.
Where have YOU been. The smoking ship has sailed. Hes a non-smoker now.
Hillary supported NAFTA. People who are losing their good jobs can understand how NAFTA is the thing that has hurt them and their families.
How do you say NAFTA in spanish?
westseattle asks, "How do you say NAFTA in Spanish?"
Answer: Increased illegal immigration to the states.
Turns out she probably didn't. She just kept her mouth shut while her idiot husband signed one of the most destructiv
She has stated that she supports what NAFTA was "supposed" to do. Not sure what that means, but it's typical Clinton-speak
Except that she did. Shortly after NAFTA's passage she went to the World Economic Forum in Davos and thanked the Clinton administration's corporate masters for helping to encourage (read: bribe) congress into approving it. At the same meeting she spoke for some length on how NAFTA was going to be peachy-keen for everyone (presumably she meant everyone there at the WEF, not the rest of us).
Now whe wants us to believe A) she always thought it was a bad idea, and B) it was Bush 41's work and the Clinton admin had nothing to do with it.
I guess we'll see how smart the folks in OH are shortly.
But, more importantly, the mailer misrepresents what former Clinton administration officials and biographers say was Hillary Clinton's long-held opposition to the legislation.
"In August in 92, we had to make a decision," Mickey Kantor the former U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Clinton adviser, and free trade advocate recalled for the Huffington Post. "President Clinton had to make a decision as governor, whether or not he would support [George H.W. Bush's] NAFTA, and of course he did... Hillary Clinton was one of the great skeptics in the discussion as to whether he should do. So she was always skeptical beginning in 1992 and onward."
And HRC complained in the Milwaukee paper today about Obama misrepresenting her position on NAFTA. She says she wasn't in the Senate. Right, she was in the White House when her husband signed it into law. Part of her 35 years of experience. So, the Milwaukee journalist asked her what her position was at the time she was in the White House, she dodged it TWICE before totally switching the conversation to Barack and healthcare.
All liberals and Democrats owe HRC and Bill a huge thank you.
They have given Obama the training to destroy the GOP slime machine.
And there are those who say that the Clintons don't care about the party...
I've been thinking the same thing. I'm glad he didn't get this in a cakewalk
He hasn't got it yet. I'm among those who want him to get it, but let's not count our chickens before they hatch.
Check how Obama is buying his A-Team
ABC News Rick Klein Reports: They're by far the most influential 796 Democratic voters in the country, and they're being . . . showered with cash by the two remaining Democratic candidates?
It's not quite as unseemly as it sounds. But an eyebrow-raising study from the Center for Responsive Politics shows that "superdelegates" have received at least $890,000 in political contributions from Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton -- going back to 2005 -- with Obama sending a larger share of cash to the influential party insiders.
The study found that Obama has sent more than $694,000 from either his campaign account or his political action committee to superdelegates -- the members of Congress, governors, and other party leaders who receive automatic votes at the Democratic National Convention.
About 40 percent of the elected officials who have endorsed Obama have received campaign contributions from him, the center reports. Those superdelegates have received a total of $228,000 from him.
By contrast, Clinton sent out only $195,500 to superdelegates, and only 12 percent of her superdelegates received money from her for their campaigns, according to the report.
So we should all vote for Hillary. Come on everyone, Hillary is losing because Barack has been buying people off. We can't let him get away with it! They must hate us!
If he wins the pledged delegate race, would you think Clinton is going to keep quiet?
So you are proving that Obama is more effective in helping down-ticket Democrats get elected and re-elected. That is EXACTLY why the Democratic Party needs to get behind him. The Clintons are about themselves. Barack Obama is a team player that is all about helping put other Democrats in office.
Get real! How much do you think the Clintons raised in fundraisers for these super candidates over the last few years? Millions. They've been all over the country allowing themselves to be used as headliners for fundraising events. Most of the Ohio super delegates benefitted from a number of events headlined by Bill Clinton. One was in Columbus that raised over $500,000 that was put together in less than two weeks. I know, I was there.
It's why they have such a hold on super delegates and state and local party organizations. That's the way it is all over the country.
If you read the article you would see that his PAC (and hers) have been contributing since 2005. Surely you are not suggesting that he had any clue he would be running for president back in 2005 much less know who was going to be a super-delegate 3 years later in the future so he could start paying them off. If he does have super human powers to see the future, as you suggest, then he really should be president, don't you think.
Come on now people, use the little brain god gave you for once.
Good point. THANK YOU BILL AND HILLARY! We're going to really enjoy having Barack Obama as our president!
Sure hope you have that "warm and fuzzy" feeling a few years from now if he is elected our president. Your statement sort of makes me wonder if the little children said, "Why thank you Mr. Jones I am sure we will enjoy your kool aid!
The Republicans are enjoying watching you Democrats and Liberals tear each other apart. Will make for some easy pickins' in November.
Easy pickins? How is: Illegal war, Illegal wiretapping, Illegal torture, Illegal signing statements and a binLaden on the loose going to be easy pickens? Oh, don't forget the stregnth of the economy under the repubelicans as well.
The only thing Repubs will be pickin' in November are McCain's dentures off the ground.
Quick reminder..
The most incompetent, corrupt Government in the history of the Union. We have prisons for people who break the law and some of them even occupy the White House!
uh yeah. beachbum - you might want to tune into rush and laura and annie and see who is tearing new ones!
Mc-McCain just voted for torture/water boarding. Because he think water boarding is torture but not some of the other Enhance Interrogation Techniques like stress positions.
Mc is a Maverick because he is doing exactly the opposite of the Democrats. Standing up for the people and principle.
From reading about McCain's time in Vietnam, I think he knows first hand whether stress positions are torture or not.
The republicans have their own problems. And once they solve them They are getting their butts kicked.
Obama needs to hammer NAFTA in Ohio above else. He can catch up with The Clintons in Ohio, but, given Ohio in the last presidential election, he needs a very good margin to off-set the voting hanky-panky that is going to go on there.
But, more importantly, the mailer misrepresents what former Clinton administration officials and biographers say was Hillary Clinton's long-held opposition to the legislation.
"In August in 92, we had to make a decision," Mickey Kantor the former U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Clinton adviser, and free trade advocate recalled for the Huffington Post. "President Clinton had to make a decision as governor, whether or not he would support [George H.W. Bush's] NAFTA, and of course he did... Hillary Clinton was one of the great skeptics in the discussion as to whether he should do. So she was always skeptical beginning in 1992 and onward."
So she sold out American labor for a healtcare program that never materialized. Why not just admit it? See the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel today and how she dodged this question twice: What was your position on NAFTA at the time your husband signed it into law? She won't talk about what her position was because that would be telling the truth: She was opposed to her husband but didn't have the power to change his mind. SHE COULDN'T GET IT DONE!
Wonder if they're flying the Cuban/Che Guevara flag!
Ohio will get it right this time,having grown up in the Buckeye state,I can assure you Sen. Clinton will not win the majority of that states deligates.
I'm not a lock step moveon.org supporter but I do believe that pledge delegates NOT super delegates should decide the Democratic nominee except if the pledge delegate counts are exactly tied.
FROM MOVEON.ORG
"You've probably heard about the "superdelegates" who could end up deciding the Democratic nominee.
The superdelegates are under lots of pressure right now to come out for one candidate or the other. We urgently need to encourage them to let the voters decide between Clinton and Obama—and then to support the will of the people.
I signed a petition urging the superdelegates to respect the will of the voters. Can you join me at the link below?
http://pol
Thanks!"
I don't think that the superdelegates will decide the election, because of their political futures. If they represent an area that has voted ecisively for one candidate over another and they select the opposing candididate at the convention that would be a hard sell come their next election or appointment or whatever. Their opposition could simply point out that they either do not take the opinions of the public seriously or that they fo not actually believe in democracy. Given that the superdelegate issue has become a much discussed public issue the superdelegates are surely aware that the public is watching this issue very closely and a decision made against the consensus of those that they are meant to reperesent would definitely shorten their political futures.
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