Eight reasons why extending the campaign helps Obama

[grantcart]

1) Since Obama went on a 12 state streak and virtually won the race in February, he has added another million donors. Largely small donors they will help him build a warchest for the GE.



2) Right now in PA, Indiana and NC, people are signing up by the tens of thousands to go out and volunteer for Obama. How many new volunteers is McCain adding in Pennsylvania? None





3) It allows Obama to go neighborhood to neighborhood like he did in Iowa and connect with the people at the street level



4) It allows Obama to still go and electrify entire cities as well



5) It allows Obama to study the problems in key states up close and in detail



6) It allows Obama to connect with local officials

Click on the video to see how local city officials are getting involved. This will help not only the GE but it helps build stronger Democrat cohesion at all levels.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/caitlinharvey/gGBkKX

7) It allows the kitchen sink to come out now instead of October



8) And finally it allows Obama to practice his "debate game face" for facing down McCain.
(I had to find some reason to get this picture in)

[IndependentDem]

1. i hope #7 holds up...

its basically like he has been running against the right wing smear machine... at least now he has practice and more time for damage control. I just don't like that republicans will be able to use one democrat's words against another democrat.

[Radical Activist]

2. Primary money has to be spent during the primary.

So #1 doesn't apply.

Hillary in the race also means Obama has to spend time in places that don't make strategic sense for the general election. Money and time are the two most important resources on a campaign and Hillary is forcing Barack to direct both away from where they need to be spent.

[grantcart]

3. The point of # 1 is that he is getting more donors that will be invested in and on board for the GE

But because the Convention is held so very very late - in August. There will be a long time of GE election campaigning that will take place before the primary season actually ends - so a lot of the money will be spent for GE.

[Radical Activist]

33. Or will they run out of money in the primary?

It also means people are giving to Hillary would might otherwise be giving to Obama if we didn't have such a long, bigger primary. How many donations from her supporters is Obama losing for good right now?

[mkultra]

47. well, there are many who wait for the GE before they donate

Im personally planning on donating around $500 but up till now ive only given $50 and that was mostly to get a shot at dinner.

[LiberalAndProud]

4. Strategic sense for the long-term health of the Party maybe?

He is accomplishing astounding party building in the long-starved, not-yet swing states. And the idea that these states aren't strategically important is part of the reason they are not swing states.

It's the 50-state strategy. And a new Deal for Democrats in strategically unimportant states.

[MindMatter]

12. I like the list, but let's get real

Hillary is not paying her bills. Obama is paying his. But her deadbeat campaign is forcing Obama's campaign to spend money that would be better saved for the general. Yes, we can all dig deeper, but why should we permit Clinton to do this to us, especially when she isn't even paying her bills? It would be different if her legion of loudmouths were actually putting their money where their mouths are.

[ms liberty]

18. Yes...like here in NC...

NC can be turned blue - we have gone back and forth at the state level for as long as I remember. We currently have a Democratic governor (on his 2nd term), we have other state level Dem's in office, and even here in my rural red district we sent Democrats to the state house and senate in the last election. It's the same on the local level; we've gone back and forth. Right now our county commission is majority GOP, but a couple of terms ago it was majority democrat.
I think we have the potential to pull out a surprise win this GE. We've had awful problems with jobs from outsourcing; we used to be the state where textiles and furniture were made. Our economy has suffered from an overdose of GOP policies.
There is an ad running in the Charlotte market now of Obama's; I first saw it this weekend and I've seen it several times now, in it he hits on that very point. It is very effective.

[grantcart]

30. NC can be turned blue

every state has elected democrats at some point or another

Idaho had Sen Church and Governor Andrus in power at the same time

You have to have the attitude first,.

[Radical Activist]

34. 50 State is good for party building.

But a Presidential campaign can't be focused on party building if you want to win. That's the DNC's job.

[DerekJ]

8. No.

[ekwhite]

48. I thought it depended on how the money was pledged

I thought that if you donated on the website and didn't designate it to the primary or general election, it didn't matter. What are the FEC rules on this?

[TheDonkey]

5. This election must stop soon. I think going to IN and NC should be the final stop

we need to start building a NATIONAL coalition to defeat McCain. Obama will have no problems signing them up with McCain as his opponent rather than these regional squabbles with Clinton.

[Forkboy]

6. I was starting to think that I was the only one who didn't mind this going on.

I don't think it's hurting us to be honest. Once our candidate is chosen and we focus on McCain he's not going to know what hit him, regardless of what polls say now.

[TheDonkey]

7. But there will be a time when we need to have a national machine to get out the vote

I'm concerned that Democrats are starting to buy the Clinton BS that this long race until August is a GOOD thing all the while McCain is quietly getting set up. I'm not for shutting the lights off now but we need to get ready to end this soon. Obama is not using money for national ads or opening national officies. We do have a GE to win in a few months!!!

[LiberalAndProud]

10. I'm no expert. As much as I'd really like to see it

I doubt that this is going to make it all the way to June 2 (two whole months, I know). National Offices and National Ads are important, but boots on the ground will win the election, as they have the primary. Folks are energized, and we have some fantastic young people getting involved. wanting to make a difference. It seems to me that the national machine is being assembled as we speak.

But like I said, I'm no expert.

[LiberalAndProud]

9. It's what I think too.

Hope our psychic powers are in sync with the universe.

[PetraPooh]

11. I agree and have mentioned many before and I'll add below, but

but I would like it much better if the MSM wasn't characterizing this all as "candidates throwing punches at each other" and characterized it more accurately as Clinton throwing punches and Obama effectively deflecting them. This idea that it must be two people to blame in a fight is just ridiculous. Obama has been gentlemanly and calm through out all the kitchen and even the garbage disposal crap that has been thrown at him, he has been quick, honest, and conciliatory. Hillary has been the banshee from hell.

Added reasons;

the more Hillary is attacking, the more she is losing face and support.
the more Hillary lies/exaggerates/forgets, the more she is losing her imaginary credentials
the more Hillary digs her heels in, the more voters are feeling disenfranchised, ignored, dismissed, etc.

[grantcart]

29. She will continue until she has no money.

[Tatiana]

13. His numbers will be stronger come fall. I don't have a problem with Hillary staying in the race.

She does have bills to pay, after all.

She will lose in pledged delegates.

She will lose in superdelegates when all is said and done.

She will lose the fight to gain FL and MI delegate advantage at the convention due to the pro-Obama members of the credentials committee.

The prolonged primary has helped build a formidable grassroots network on the ground and online fundraising base that will make the difference in the general election.

Hillary has made Obama a better debater.

Hillary has illustrated the advantage of having a president with a thoughtful, cool, calm and collected demeanor when facing challenges.

In my opinion, the positives outweigh the negatives. Obama has increased his stock, showed he has staying potential and that he can weather a storm.

I can say with confidence that I think we are ready to face McCain and win decisively. There is no way the grassroots activists and this campaign will allow another election to be stolen.

[joshcryer]

14. I actually expect FL and MI to be seated because Obama should pick up most of the SDs.

So they'll be seated and all will be forgiven, etc.

[Tatiana]

15. Yes, they will have their delegations seated in an agreeable manner.

And Hillary will have the opportunity to shine at the convention as an agent of party unity and strength.

[ekwhite]

46. I expect them to be seated also

Obama will be able to be magnanimous after June, because he will have enough pledged delegates and superdelegates that it won't matter.

[dailykoff]

16. Disagree. He's got to retool, pick a veep, set up debates with McCain,

organize and host the convention, and on and on, all in what, two months if this goes on until August? Not to mention he needs a frickin' rest. Campaigning 24/7 is fine but for a year? You can be sure McCain is getting his nappies while his neocon pals put together his shock and awe campaign, which Obama also needs to prepare for.

It's suicidal to drag this thing out but as usual nobody has the guts to stand up to the trolls. :mad:

[bklyncowgirl]

17. It's been painful at times but I tend to agree with you.

One of the reservations I had about Obama was how he would do in a tight, hard fought, nasty race. His run for Senate was virtually a walkover. It's like watching a brilliant young boxer who has won every fight but has yet to meet someone close to his old ability. This campaign against Hillary Clinton has shown that he has staying power and can take a hit.

I'm feeling better about this thing.

Now if he could only get some actual executive experience under his belt I'd be a full throated Obamamaniac. I like the way he's been running his campaign, creative, bottom up and very very well organized, how this will translate into his ability to run the country remains to be seen. George W. Bush is very good at running for President too.

[OzarkDem]

19. Make up your mind Obama folks

Like everything else in the land of Obama, you're inconsistent as hell.


How about looking at it from the POV that its good for democracy? How about looking at it from the POV that it strengthens the Democratic Party?

If you can't agree with that, perhaps its time to start your own party.

[NDambi]

20. It allows Hillary to stay in and not allow her and her supporters to cry that she was forced out..or

use it against him later on.

I think it's better that she stays in until the end..let the voting continue, let people vote and let her lose (I sincerely think she will lose the bulk of the races left).

Better to let her finish...in my opinion.

No woman. No cry.

[Bullet1987]

21. There are upsides to an extended primary...but BIG downsides too

It's a high risk, high reward type of thing.

[rox63]

22. Well, at least it keeps the Dems' names and faces in the media

While McCain will fade into the background for a while, since there's no active campaign going on in the GOP. By the time the Dem primaries are all over, Obama will still have strog organizations in all 50 states. McCain will never have been to most of those states in the heat of a campaign.

Ok, so I'm trying to come up with some reasons why this is a good thing. I still wish it was over.

[Scurrilous]

23. K & R

:thumbsup:

[Kber]

24. I agree with you

Under Clinton preasure, Obama has become a better candidate.

[K Gardner]

25. I've come to agree with you.. Clinton's race at this point only damages her and makes him stronger..

I just hope he gets some bowling lessons and/or doesn't try anymore exotic sports, LOL !

[grantcart]

36. well actually heard him talking about bowling and he's really funny again

it doesn't matter what this guy does he turns it positive.

[Tom Rinaldo]

26. Good post

I would expand on number 7. Thank God whatever controversy there is about Rev. Wright broke now rather than in October. Even relatively small blip controversy's, like the borrowing of text from Gov. Patrick's campaign speeches, could have thrown Obama seriously off message for three or four critical days if broken during the actual campaign for Pres if he wins the nomination.

[grantcart]

31. good point

[shaniqua6392]

27. Tell that to all the people

who want Clinton to drop out.

[grantcart]

32. I am trying to

[ekwhite]

45. Hmmmm - I think that is what the OP is trying to do... N/T

[Willo]

28. I agree with all of the above

To point #3, this is one of my favorite youtube videos.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wVlZZdxZ9AU&feature=related

[grantcart]

35. the bowling disaster has given him a whole bunch more material

[Willo]

37. LOL true. I kinda like that he wasn't a good bowler.

[eridani]

38. A good reminder that there are plusses as well as minuses n/t

[lumberjack_jeff]

39. A good post.

I don't think that a contested nomination does Obama any harm.

... provided that it doesn't devolve into self-immolation.

[phrigndumass]

40. Kick ... I love the photo on the bottom

That's a keeper for that little boy!

[Whisp]

41. love and appreciate your posts, grant.

thank you.

:)

[WHAT]

42. what about triangulation?...

That's what I wonder about wrt having two nominees forcing media response. It seems like, when Edwards was in, it worked more to dilute Obama response, then when he drooped, a lot of voters turned toward Obama. Now, on the corporate news, Obama has to be covered in relation to Clinton so that any vitriol directed at Obama is in relation to Clinton...which actually serves to tie media and Clinton together...forcing action and reaction together to the benefit of Obama. I've noticed that the tv news almost always places Clinton first (the front-runner ha ha) followed by Obama...sometimes McCain is first followed by Clinton then Obama. After nomination, sharp responses against his candidacy will be more evident in the media.

Anyway, I've seen the triangle as media, Clinton, Obama. Removing Clinton would actually strengthen media bias against Obama because perception would be more handily manipulated without constraints of needing to cover both. Hillary may actually be a foil against strong media preference.

This is something that has been bugging me in that I want to understand those implications in this context. I hope you can understand because I don't think I'm saying it clearly.

and, then, if there is any evidence of that being useful for understanding...well, then, maybe democrats should run in two's to foil the media...

[grantcart]

44. my philosophy is that we have no influence over what Hillary is going to do

If she stays in then that is great and there are many benefits


If she leaves the that is great and there are many benefits



Obama is so smart he is the judo candidate not the teflon candidate. Whatever they bring at him he uses to his benefit. It not only doesn't stick it becomes an asset.

I am completely relaxed about his abilities no matter the circumstances.

[kwenu]

43. He can watch HILLARY go BANKRUPT!!!!!!!

[Two Americas]

49. fantastic

Great post grantcart. You are on a roll lately!

I would add one more very important advantage to the race going on a little longer - it allows the Clinton supporters to be welcomed back from whatever Hell people have been consigning them to, so that we can go into the general with more solidarity and enthusiasm.

Let the Clinton campaign play out, let the people in the remaining states who support the Clinton candidacy have an opportunity to vote, and let Clinton supporters here express their opinions. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain from that approach.

[blonndee]

50. Thanks for this! I hadn't thought about these benefits.

And I agree-that picture alone justifies #8.