In Vermont and Rhode Island, big battles: Rival camps contend for every delegate

[DeepModem Mom]

Boston Globe: In smallest N.E. states, big battles
Rival camps contend for every delegate
By Lisa Wangsness, Globe Staff | March 2, 2008

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. - Barack Obama's state campaign has made its temporary home in a tiny art gallery, tucked into one of the picturesque brick buildings lining Main Street. Surrounded by paintings in brilliant hues, a handful of volunteers in sweaters and jeans dial voters on their cellphones. "The gallery was built on passion, and the art I show is from passionate artists," said Catherine Dianich Gruver, the gallery's owner and curator. "Why wouldn't I support someone running for president that is so passionate about his ideals?"

About 140 miles to the southeast, the Hillary Clinton campaign in Rhode Island has set up shop in a squat brick building alongside a traffic-clogged intersection in Providence. A room cluttered with yard signs buzzes with activity - phone calls, meetings, people gathering to canvass. "We had a meeting just now with folks who drive taxis," said state Senator Juan Pichardo. "They're saying, 'We're strong with Hillary here in Providence.' "

The two states, in opposite corners of New England, will hold presidential primaries on Tuesday, and their electorates represent different faces of the Democratic Party where Obama and Clinton have drawn the most strength.

In Vermont, where polls show Obama is 15 or 20 percentage points ahead, voters are better educated and mostly white; they strongly favor grassroots campaigns and have shown a great fondness for political iconoclasts. In Rhode Island, where Clinton is clinging to a lead, the electorate is largely working class, Hispanics are becoming more influential, and an old-school Democratic machine remains largely intact.

Most of the focus in recent days has been on Ohio and Texas, which will award nearly eight times as many delegates combined on Tuesday as Vermont and Rhode Island - and whose votes could determine whether Clinton continues her campaign. But in the closest primary campaign in a generation, neither candidate can afford to surrender a single delegate, so both are devoting unprecedented attention to New England's smallest states. Over the last week, the race has grown especially heated in Rhode Island, where a recent Brown University poll shows Obama within 8 percentage points of Clinton....

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/03/02/in_smallest_ne_states_big_battles?mode=PF

[stellanoir]

1. I'm still in semi shock that for the first time EVER my dinky little state's primary matters.

[DeepModem Mom]

3. No dinky states, stella -- all fifty have lots that's unique to them and proud traditions.

And I speak, having lived in several, and visited the great state of Rhode Island! (Some states are, of course, blessed with a Presidential primary industry.) I've really enjoyed reading the articles as the primary spotlight has shown on states across the mainland U.S., and even out to Hawaii.

:hi:

[stellanoir]

5. Well my home state is not without it's quirkiness and local color for sure

or as I often say, "We were corrupt long before it was nationally trendy."

If you ever ask a native Rhode Islander for directions your more than likely to hear, "take a left where the old firehouse used to be."

I'm NOT kidding. It's so bizarre.

I do feel that if every American drove across the country once in their lives they'd have a much better sense of what this country is all about in terms of its vast diversity.

[DeepModem Mom]

6. You are SO right! I have driven around the country a good bit, and it's fascinating!

In the last few years, we've convinced ourselves that, even though there are enlightened and progressive people who fight the good fight in every state, we can sense a change the minute we cross the border from a "red" state to a "blue" state, and vice versa.

[stellanoir]

7. Yeah I once drove 880 miles across the widest part of Texas and totally

comprehended why NM was dubbed "The Land of Enchantment."

[DeepModem Mom]

8. I hear ya! nt

[catgirl]

2. Great article

VT and RI finally have a big say. This must be especially exciting to Vermonters,
seeing that NH usually gets all the attention.

[DeepModem Mom]

4. Indeed! As I posted above, I love the spotlight shining on each and every state...

in this race for the Dem nomination.