The word from Heidi Heitkamp's Senate campaign in North Dakota is that they have a new poll showing Heidi up by 48-44 over her opponent Rep. Rick Berg. No poll details yet, but this comes as no surprise to me as I've been predicting a Heitkamp win since the day she agreed to run; but it sure must be a surprise to Rove and Company who have spent a fortune in North Dakota in support of Berg's candidacy.
My confidence in Heidi results from my understanding of her power as a campaigner and my understanding of North Dakota voters' interest in knowing their congressional representatives. It's a retail campaign state, with fewer than 700,000 people. it's possible in North Dakota for every voter to have met and talked with a federal candidate during the course of a long campaign and, not unlike New Hampshire voters at Primary time, they think it's their right to do so. Heidi, already a very popular ND political personality, was nominated in April. She hit the ground running and she hasn't stopped for a minute. Read below the squiggle for details of just how she has turned this campaign to her favor.
Below is a clip from Heidi for NorthDakota's Facebook page. I encourage all you DKos Facebook users to check out her page. You'll see for yourself, the woman never stops campaigning.
Got a chance to really get out and talk to such a varied group of North Central North Dakotans as I traveled through Rugby, Rolla, and Belcourt.
Started out the morning meeting with city and county leaders in Rugby, then headed over to Rugby MFG to tour a great company building top-notch American made products right here in North Dakota. Headed out to Belcourt in the afternoon to meet with President Davis at Turtle Mountain Community College and then had a chance to talk to a great group of students and faculty from the college about the unique challenges they face as a tribal college. Wasn't finished yet ... drove over to Rolla and dropped by the Turtle Mountain Star for an interview then finished off pre-Early Vote Rally day with a meeting and tour of Northland Community Health Center.
This has been a typical entry for several months. She hasn't missed a parade or community celebration anywhere in the State. The University of North Dakota's football team in the Potato Bowl? Heidi's got a pre-game social event, a contingent in the parade, and visible presence at the game. Farm equipment manufacturers bring all their latest to "Big Iron" an exposition and sale of machinery in West Fargo? Heidi's there. Native American Powwows? She's invited to participate in the Grand Entry at every one of them and she's not missed one all summer.
And, her latest:
Big news this week -- we've already raised more than $1 million from North Dakotans, a record for a statewide Democratic candidate. Our end of quarter deadline is Sunday. Can you help us build on our momentum?
Go over there, Facebook users, have a look at what retail campaigning looks like:
https://www.facebook.com/....
Both the right wing super PACs and the Republican Senate Campaign Committee have moved millions into North Dakota to try to win Kent Conrad's seat. Heidi's not going to let them. Join Team Heidi -- you'll be with a winner.
https://secure.actblue.com/...
If she can counter the barrage that will come over the next five weeks, she will win this seat. For that, she needs cash, of course, and we already know that North Dakota offers the biggest bang for your campaign buck. The North Dakota Democratic-NPL has a very strong ticket this year and a big win for Heidi could bring along some down-ballot candidates who have been equally as energetic and dedicated campaigners as Heidi has been.