Boston Globe: "Small-state plan pays dividends for Obama"

[featherman]

(Early) retrospective piece on how the Obama campaign built his delegate lead by understanding the delegate selection process and out-organizing the Clinton campaign which was counting on a media driven big state plan fo an early knock out.


"Obama's commitment to small states came often at the expense of large ones, where candidates had traditionally sought strong performances to generate national momentum and demonstrate strength to party elites, fund-raisers, and the media.

"The Obama people could have spent more money in California on television and reduced the margin here a little more, but they didn't see the delegate gains they would get out of that," said William Carrick, a Los Angeles consultant not working for a candidate.

And Obama was already making a concerted effort to nudge the media to focus on the delegate race. When early news reports after Nevada's caucuses on Jan. 19 declared Clinton the winner based on the statewide popular vote, Obama's campaign hastily called reporters to claim victory after it became clear he would emerge with more delegates, 13 to 12.

"It was a very smart move to work so aggressively to get the media to recognize that," said Devine. "In retrospect, that one delegate was a big one."

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/05/04/small_state_plan_pays_dividends_for_obama/?page=full

[loyalsister]

1. It's the people stupid

Engaging people has kept the money flowing in the form of small donations.
Translation: Votes, volunteers, and more importantly, commitment.
I heard from my sister in NY about how she donated for the first time ever, can't wait to volunteer for his campaign. Then she explained to my mom that it's about giving back and being a part of your government. She was talking about, the programs for citizen volunteer work to get through college, and holding him accountable after volunteering.
It is a very "Ask not what your country can do..." attitude. She is only 25. This level of engagement is what a lot of people are responding to. If they take the time to listen. She is part of the youtube generation so the message got to her in NY.
When his campaign reaches people in those larger states, they will go for him. This strategy has been perfect for the kind of campaign he has run. Getting to people on the ground and meeting them where they are is what Dean started. We just have a more effective candidate this time around.