Today's Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, one of North Dakota's largest newspapers, headlined the news that Barack Obama leads John McCain 45%-43% in a poll conducted by the Public Affairs Institute of Minnesota State University Moorhead conducted between October 6-8, 2008.
Here's what it looked like:
Here's a link to the pdf file at Newwseum.com - Obama Leads in ND
Now that's some excellent free publicity for the Obama campaign, not only in North Dakota, but also here in Western Minnesota (where I live)!
According to the poll, here's why Obama is doing well in North Dakota:
The poll indicates McCain’s once-comfortable lead in North Dakota has melted away as Obama is the widely favored choice among voters who consider the economy the most pressing issue.
Among voters who rank the economy as their top concern, 49 percent favor Obama, while 38 percent back McCain. The economy was far and away the most important national issue among voters, according to the poll, even though a majority regarded their own economic situation as "better off" or the "same" compared to a year ago.
It looks like the Obama campaign's move to open field offices throughout North Dakota, an unprecedented presence by a Democratic presidential contender, was a great move!
The Obama campaign, after organizing a great volunteer force, has since closed it's offices in the state, moving paid staff to hotly contested Minnesota and Wisconsin (with far more electoral votes). Even so, the strong network of volunteers left behind continues to work out of Democratic party offices throughout the state.
We've done lots of door-to-door canvassing and phone banking in the Fargo-Moorhead area, as well as holding widely-attended debate watch parties, where we've registered many new voters! We've also marched in many local parades, where we've been cheered and swamped as we've handed out literature and stickers!
There are literally other good signs of support for Obama in our area:
Frankie (left) and Rene Clausen, who have had numerous Obama campaign signs taken from their home in south Moorhead, now have a large plywood sign on their front lawn.
In the article also appearing in today's Forum, called Lawn sign theft, vandalism crosses party line in F-M it says:
Rene Clausen likes to think the best of people.
So when a Barack Obama sign disappeared from his south Moorhead yard along with a similar sign belonging to a neighbor, he put a positive spin on it: The thief wanted to display them somewhere else.
When replacement signs also went missing, he had to face reality.
"Every night at dusk, we just go out and bring them in. And when we get the paper in the morning, we put them up again," said Clausen, referring to new signs his wife, Frankie, picked up from the local Democratic campaign headquarters where she volunteers.
Clausen said he’s disappointed in the thefts, but he tries to stay upbeat about the election.
"Is it political disagreement? Is it just vandalism? I try not to let it affect my attitude about people," he said.
I love the guy's positive attitude! That's what HOPE can do! These are the kind of people who are supporting Barack Obama! What a contrast to the ugly McCain-Palin crowds that have been so full of hate, divisiveness, bitterness and anger.
Did the loss of so many signs keep this guy down or make him want to retaliate? No way! Check this out:
Clausen said no matter how strongly he felt about a race, he wouldn’t consider sabotaging someone else’s signs.
He’s passionate enough about his own that he built a supersized Obama banner using $40 worth of supplies from a local building store, including a large sheet of plywood.
"It’s the official Obama sign. It looks really pro," Clausen said.
Now that's the spirit! We can overcome all of the hatred, anger, divisiveness, bitterness and racism! Yes We Can!
GO OBAMA-BIDEN '08!