The Huffington Post has already speculated about this, but now it's coming from another source. The Iowa Independent claims to have an exclusive scoop.
Gov. Bill Richardson's campaign is expected to direct their supporters to caucus for Sen. Barack Obama in the second round of voting at Thursday's caucuses in precincts where he is not viable. Two sources familiar with the plan told Iowa Independent that the New Mexico Governor's organizers have been instructed to direct supporters to Obama in the places where they fail to reach the 15% threshold for viability.
The reasoning appears to be strategic.
Richardson would prefer an Obama victory over Clinton because a Clinton victory could end the campaign before New Hampshire voters even head to the polls. And if Edwards's numbers look weak, Richardson could head to New Hampshire as the best alternative to the top two contenders for the Democratic nomination.
The strategy doesn't make much sense to me. Just to finish third in New Hampshire? Richardson is dead in the water no matter what.