Posted on 09/10/2008 9:29:40 AM PDT by zebrahead
Chicago - With the surge in Republican enthusiasm and John McCain's poll numbers generated by the emergence of Sarah Palin as a GOP superstar, it's no wonder that many Democrats are already hitting the panic button. The Obama campaign, however, isn't sounding any alarms, and it's not just because it believes the post-convention glow will disappear soon enough and voters will get back to focusing on issues more than personality. Much of its confidence stems from a tactical advantage on the ground it showcased to great effect in the primary battle with Hillary Clinton, one which it believes could be the deciding factor in the general election as well.
(Excerpt) Read more at time.com ...
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
It is critical that McCain and Schmidt focus as many resources as possible towards turning out the vote. They should bring back as many people from Bush’s campaigns that worked in this specific area. There is still enough time to make a big difference and offset some of Obama’s anticipated gains. The Republicans have closed the enthusiasm gap with the Palin selection as vice president. The opportunity to drive up turnout it there and McCain and Schmidt need to make it happen.
I will say this. I’ve never considered it a good sign from a Democrat who starts talking about the “ground game.” I’ve always viewed that as a sign of weakness and desperation.
More like “bonks” I’d say
What “ground game”? He was able to organize a bunch of left wing whackos to show up at party caucuses. When it came to the primaries, where ordinary Democrat voters voted, he was trounced again and again.
Counting on that “ground game” and counting on young voters may be the way to win a Dem nomination, but it’s not much to help you win a general election.
Obama lost 9 of the last 14 primaries. He had endless trouble putting Hillary away. He was barely able to close the deal.
His only ground game is fraud in November.
But, you see, in the primaries Obama was fighting the corrupt Hillary democrat machine and the mass of easily led, uninformed, gullible democrat voter extremists, with the full support and praise of the press.
Republicans can read. Write. And think.
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On a practical basis, he was getting 90+ percent of the black vote against Hillary (likely 95+ percent in the end against McCain), and 75% or more of the union liberal vote. Who else were (blue collar) union members going to go to?
(Government employee union members were/are never in play for republicans: but they ONLY had to be split to Obama over Hillary in the primary.
But black voters are <10% of the population now: and the democrats were already getting 92+ percent of the race-based vote. Now that he has to convince republicans to vote FOR him, what is left for him to gain?
Palin’s choice woke up a target audience he never had.
I remember back in 2006, Rove kept telling us the GOP ground game was going to keep us from losing seats. We all know how well that worked.
I do think the RATs will have a strong ground game this year. However, I think that will also be partially offset by the Bradley Effect and by the increased numbers of GOP voters who sat out the 06 elections but will be back this time.
It is also very encouraging that we are beginning to match the RATs on the "intensity" scales. I think we are looking at another close election, and we are going to need that level of passion to pull it off.
I’m starting to think the Obama “ground game” is the same “ground game” that deserted Howard Dean in the primaries a few years ago: supposed armies of “young people,” who are disorganized, badly trained, and poorly deployed.
Yeah, he has a HUGE team out there and he has to PAY all of them. He needs ENORMOUS amounts of cash just to stay in the game with his huge staffing.
McCain raised 47 million in August and we have heard NOTHING of what the “One” has raised. I realize he doesn’t have to release the figures since the Primaries are over but my guess is that had he beaten McCain he would have gleefully reported his take.
McCain is getting millions in free ads from his pick of Palin. Her name and his are all over every media outlet. Even the trashing the libs are doing on Palin is playing to the benefit of McCain.
I like “Obma”, it sounds funny!
It's that, and having so much money that you can sign up lots of people who never vote and personally take them to the polls on Nov 4 or make sure they fill out an absentee ballot. (Can people in jail for misdemeanors vote; if so, the Bambibots won't miss a single one.)
From an organizational standpoint, this election will be unlike any other. A shocking percentage of votes will be cast by people who have never voted before and most likely will never vote again.
ACORN to the rescue......
That, and the veiled threat of “disturbances”..
Oh, this article refers to the “ground game” in terms of voter turnout. That makes sense because nObama is too skinny, can’t take a hit, and isn’t quick enough on his feet to make the ground game work.
Very true. He was beaten soundly in Ohio and Pennsylvania despite his advantages in the “ground game.”
I think the bigger worry for Democrats must be the so-called Bradley effect. In looking Obama’s results in the primary, two states pop out in demonstrating this: New Hampshire and California. Here are the RCP Averages from before the primary versus the actual results.
New Hampshire
RCP Average: Obama 38.3% Clinton 30%
Final Results: Obama 36.4% Clinton 39%
California
RCP Average: Obama 44% Clinton 42.8%
Final Results: Obama 42.3% Clinton 51.9%
In both cases, not only did Obama underperform is final poll averages, nearly all undecideds went against him as well.
“It is critical that McCain and Schmidt focus as many resources as possible towards turning out the vote. They should bring back as many people from Bush’s campaigns that worked in this specific area.”
In CO, we have some great new technology I’ve been pushing for for several years for phone banks. Voter Vault is way more sophisticated than it was two years ago. The state party is loaded for bear on turnout.
But most important, after the Palin pick, we won’t be lacking for footsoldiers. Before that, volunteers were down 75%.
It doesn't matter that a massive amount of his 'cast votes' aren't or won't be 'legal' the 'cast vote' number is what will be publicized. When these start getting whittled away as illegal, then the riots will come. I'd hate to be white, liberal or otherwise living in LA, Chicago, Atlanta, etc.......
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