Fascinating stuff happening with only 7 days to go until the election; there is a war going on to see if there is a Giant Wave or a Modest Victory... and you can see both sides are investing seriously. First up, the Good Guys.
Bill Clinton to West Virginia
Bill Clinton heads to Beckley for Obama Thursday, campaigning in what may be -- besides Arkansas -- his best state. The crowds for the former President in West Virginia in the primary were huge, and during my recent trip there, his popularity seemed undiminished. If there's anywhere you might see him cut a TV or radio ad for Obama, that seems like a likely place.
And Howard Dean to North Dakota!!!
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean is scheduled in Grand Forks Nov. 1 for a get-out-the-vote rally.
State Democratic Executive Director Jamie Selzler says officials are still working on the site and other details. Dean's visit comes three days before the general electio
Meanwhile, in inexplicable frontiers of advertising, the RNC is guarding the rear of the wave... trying to limit the "landslide" i guess.
Montana first
A Republican National Committee consultant confirms that the RNC is buying television ads in Montana, which hasn't backed a Democratic presidential nominee since Bill Clinton in 1992.
The ads go up Wednesday, the consultant to the RNC's independent arm, Brad Todd, said.
And now West Virginia Too!
The RNC is buying ads statewide in West Virginia, a state that seems very unlikely to provide Obama his 270th electoral vote, but where a victory could only be part of a landslide.
Ultimately, I'd say that flipping states like North Dakota, Montana, and West Virginia fall into the category of +350 Bragging rights. It's not essential for any real reason other than that behind closed doors, in the chambers of congress and the halls of Washington, when Obama says he wants something done, he could point to one or all three of these states, and either their near misses or actual victories as the depth and strength of his cross country bi partisan support. The RNC is obviously trying to keep that from happening; limiting Obama's Margin of Victory right now is as important as holding seat # 41... That said, it's good to see the Dem's giving it the old fighting chance!