The Obama campaign has released it's post-Saturday Schedule, and with stops in Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, and Billings, Montana, some people (me) are speculating that Obama has chosen a candidate that appeals to Western voters--such as Governors Schweitzer or Sebelius. Though, I have no inside information whatsoever (unlike this guy), the Billings, Montana stop could be a clue that he's not choosing a Washington insider, contrary to the speculation of--well--Washington insiders.
Campaign Release and Analysis below...
UPDATE: Al Giordano at the Narcosphere's "The Field" has a great take on this...
From DemConWatch:
Chicago, IL – Today, the Obama campaign announced that United States Senator Barack Obama will launch a battleground state tour leading up to the Democratic National Convention. Obama will kick off the tour on Saturday, August 23, 2008 with an event in Springfield, Illinois, the city where Obama officially announced his campaign for president on February 10, 2007.
The Obama campaign will also make stops next week in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Quad Cities area, Iowa, Kansas City, Missouri and Billings, Montana before arriving in Denver. More details will be announced in the coming days.
On his swing through the Midwest and Mountain West, Senator Obama will continue to highlight his commitment to bringing change to Washington and offering relief to middle-class families who are increasingly burdened by the tightening economy and high gas prices.
Senator Obama’s schedule for convention week is below. Additional details will be announced as soon as they become available.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2008
Campaign Event with Barack Obama
Old State Capitol
Springfield, IL
Gates open: 12:00 pm
This event is free and open to the public. RSVP is strongly encouraged, please visit www.barackobama.com/springfield
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Monday, August 25, 2008
Quad Cities area, Iowa
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Kansas City, Missouri
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Billings, Montana
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Denver, Colorado
What can we glean from this?
- It's not Hillary Clinton. If this schedule is accurate, Obama would be shooting himself in the foot by taking Hillary into hardcore anti-Clinton territory. If she were the choice, I'd expect a rust-belt, Appalachian, or Florida stop, at the very least.
- It Might Be Sebelius. Sebelius is the type of Western Democrat that we'd expect Barack to take with him to places like Montana, but it might make more sense to make a stop in Ohio, where her father is well-liked. Considering Montana is much further away than Ohio (and Kansas is literally between Springfield and Denver and yet doesn't get a stop), I wouldn't put my money here.
- Not Bayh. Where's Indiana?
- Not Kaine. Virginia?
- Not Biden. Similar to Hillary, Biden just isn't popular with the progressives out west....he reeks of Beltway, old-school politics, and he'd best be utilized in a close-to-home rust-belt tour.
- Could it be? True? Schweitzer?
UPDATE: To those of you easterners who think Denver and Billings are both "out west".....the campaign would save 1000 miles if they skipped it.