Battleground: Ground-game edge

Posted: Thursday, July 24, 2008 9:15 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: States

Compiled by NBC/NJ’s Carrie Dann…

The Hill offers a numbers piece on Obama's organizational advantage in battleground states, citing the count of field offices in states that will likely be in play in November. For example: "In states where both campaigns have announced field offices that they've opened or plan to open, Obama has a definite advantage. In Ohio, Obama will have 18 offices open by the end of this week, while Sen. McCain (R-Ariz.) has eight. In Virginia, Obama has opened 20 while McCain has opened six."

Obama campaign manager David Plouffe took his battleground PowerPoint to Capitol Hill yesterday, asking House Democrats to join in the effort to push swing states into the (D) column. According to attendees, Plouffe "emphasized the need for lawmakers, particularly from safe districts in safe Democratic states, to join the effort to get out the vote in areas that are up for grabs."

From the Washington Post: Plouffe spent the time "huddling with House Democrats behind closed doors for nearly an hour and assuring them that Obama would be helping their election bids -- and that they would be asked to help his."

OHIO: It's a Republican full-court-press in the Buckeye State. McCain's there today, Bush is there next week, and RNC Chair Mike Duncan will be in Ohio tomorrow to rally state GOP leaders to McCain's cause.

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Comments

What about Arizona? Apparently Obama has started outraising McCain in his homestate:

http://strategy08.wordpress.com/2008/07/24/obama-outraises-mccain-in-arizona/

Dan, New York, NY (Sent Thursday, July 24, 2008 9:20 AM)

OH-IO, forced to suffer the incompetence trifecta. Too sad.

OHIOANS, please tell us you've had enough. There just isn't enough perfume in the bottle to make this one smell good.

I listened to about 20 minutes of McCain's townhall in PA yesterday and it was so painful. I think his dentures aren't fitting properly because his 'S's' were so audible it was like a whistle. Amazingly, his education plan is starting to look Democratic. His stance on drilling is so short sighted and UNvisionary, I can't imagine how anyone is on board.

PS. I read something yesterday that said the Repubs were actually claiming victory in Virginia because Obama is TOO organized. They really are trolling the LOW information voters. After the complete incompetence of the last 7 1/2 years, how could anyone find fault with a campaign that is educated, intelligent and ORGANIZED? Isn't that the least we should expect from our governement and officials. Obviously we haven't received it; but I don't think it is too much to ask.

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Thursday, July 24, 2008 9:27 AM)

Having campaign offices in key regions of states is important. Having 20 in a state like Virginia is a little over the top. Organization is important and the Obama campaign has been tremendously organized but offices don't automatically translate to votes.

Karen, Madison WI (Sent Thursday, July 24, 2008 9:30 AM)

Does anyone else get the feeling that this election is being "bought?" The kind of money that is being spent on this election is mind boggling. And for what? Another television ad, posters, fliers, concert tickets, decked-out airplanes. With people loosing their homes and jobs; not being able to feed their families....I'm just not excited any longer about this election. I'm actually becoming more and more depressed. There will be millions and millions of people (especially younger voters) who will have a rude awakening when they realize that the two people vying for the Presidency are BOTH politicians. Nothing more, nothing less. You may laugh and critize third-party candidates, but they do have the right idea -- more competition, more choices.

Karen (Sent Thursday, July 24, 2008 9:31 AM)

Battleground? Sounds more like a prelude to a good thumping.

It couldn't happen to a meaner bunch of serial liars, and thieves.

Asking Bush for help is like picking the last skinny kid on the bench with two left feet.

donna (Sent Thursday, July 24, 2008 9:40 AM)

If McGoofy can't bomb it, it doesn't matter...
it doesn't matter anyway because we'll bomb it.

A warrior want to be president is not what this country needs...

BJ, CA (Sent Thursday, July 24, 2008 9:59 AM)

Karen said: You may laugh and critize third-party candidates, but they do have the right idea -- more competition, more choices.

Last year we had 4 candidates for governor. They so split the vote up that the lousy incumbent Republican governor won with 39% of the vote. That means he DIDN't get 61% of the vote. Not a great outcome.

While I have sympathy for those losing their homes if its because they lost their jobs, if they are losing it because they were not credit worthy in the first place or were dumb enough to do an adjustable rate mortgage or a "stretch" loan, then they should suffer the consequences of their actions. Can't protect people from themselves.

GAB, Austin, TX (Sent Thursday, July 24, 2008 10:00 AM)

People in Ohio will get more of the same if the vote for McCain. Don't fall for it!

I wonder if they can even fill rooms...they sure didn't here in PA.

Obama '08

Fee, Philadelphia (Sent Thursday, July 24, 2008 10:01 AM)

Asking Bush for help is like picking the last skinny kid on the bench with two left feet.

****************************************************

donna,

That is too funny!

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Here's an update from Colorado:

I live in a notoriously Republican area (Highlands Ranch [a suburb of Denver]) and there is an Obama lawn sign out on someone's lawn and a couple of Obama bumber stickers on cars on my street.

As I drove into downtown yesterday I saw quite a few Obama lawn signs and a plethora of Obama bumber stickers. I did not see one McCain sticker or any kind of support. I really think Obama will take Colorado, can't wait until the convention!!

Steven, Highlands Ranch, CO (Sent Thursday, July 24, 2008 10:10 AM)

The kind of money that is being spent on this election is mind boggling. And for what? Another television ad, posters, fliers, concert tickets, decked-out airplanes. With people loosing their homes and jobs; not being able to feed their families....I'm just not excited any longer about this election.
Karen (Sent Thursday, July 24, 2008 9:31 AM)
_______________

I'm sure those people that work for ad agencies, printing shops, catering businesses, event organizing businesses, office space renters, hotels, car rental businesses, etc appreciate the money so they can pay their bills and mortgages.

Everyone gets so worked up about the amount of money being "wasted"... except its not being "wasted". It's being spent on AMERICAN products and services. Over a billion dollars will be spent with all of that going to American businesses. With the way the economy is right now... I don't have a single problem with that at all.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/BLinCinti

BL, Cincinnati OH (Sent Thursday, July 24, 2008 10:10 AM)

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