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Going after pledged delegates: update from Iowa
I wrote earlier in the week about the latest embarrassment from my representative, Steve King, (His entire congressional career has been an embarrassment!) and a robocall my husband received from the Clinton campaign. My husband is an Obama alternate for tomorrow's county convention.
This week, he's received two robocalls and a mailer asking him to support Hillary at the county convention. So they are going after pledged delegates. But I believe this tactic will backfire here for several reasons.
First, Iowans have a strong sense of fair play. They endured a long, active run to the caucuses, and they made their decisions then. They won't take kindly to another blast of calls and materials. And they'll look askance at anyone dishonoring the votes they cast Jan. 3.
Second, the Clintons are strongly disliked by voters here. At our precinct caucus, voters were open to supporting other Democratic candidates, except Hillary. I don't believe the Clintons have a realistic view of how average Americans see them. If they did, I don't think they'd continue this campaign.
Finally, the Obama campaign has been masterful at continuing communication with supporters in Iowa. So much so, that we have continued calling, canvasing, donating and interacting with campaign staff here and across the country. For example, Wednesday night, Senator Obama had a conference call with all his precinct captains. On the other hand, a friend who is a Hillary supporter noted she never even received a thank you after delivering our county to Hillary.
All things considered, I think it's entirely possible going after pledged delegates could cost Clinton delegates here. Especially given all the negative campaigning in recent weeks.
Comments (3)
I don't believe the Clintons have a realistic view of how average Americans see them. If they did, I don't think they'd continue this campaign.
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Perhaps you are correct about the average person in Iowa of maybe about the average person you know. But the average person in America couldn't feel that way or Clinton would not have nearly as many votes as Obama. Clearly more people in Ohio and Texas thought she should continue this campaign than not.
March 14, 2008 9:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
I said average person vs. average Democrat. My caucus had a majority of Independents and Republicans, and they were not Hillary supporters.
If Hillary makes it to the general election, we'll find out what people really think.
March 14, 2008 9:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ok, In nationwide polls Clinton and Obama are generally even. In some states Clinton beats McCain while Obama loses to McCain and vice versa in other states. Nationwide Obama and Clinton do about equally against McCain The poll numbers don't back up your claim for average Americans. Though you might be right about the people you know in Iowa or even the state.
March 14, 2008 10:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
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