Campaigns micro-target Colorado
By David Montero, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published September 13, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Photo by Getty ImagesÂ/ 2008 Newsweek Magazine
Barack Obama and Sarah Palin, who both will be in Colorado next week, hope to put Colorado in their win column and grab the state's nine electoral votes. Other coveted Western states: Nevada and New Mexico.
Sarah Palin
Just when it looked like Colorado was lost in the campaign trail dust of big electoral prizes like Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan, next week is turning the state into a political bull's-eye again.
The two most charismatic figures in the race for the White House - Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama and Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin - square off in the square state, seeking its nine electoral votes and hoping a domino effect will occur Nov. 4 in Nevada and New Mexico, the other prizes in the Western trifecta.
The Illinois senator will be in Pueblo and Grand Junction on Monday, while the governor of Alaska is going to be in the swing area of Jefferson County.
Not to be outdone, Obama's campaign added another Colorado event; he will be in Jefferson County on Tuesday morning.
What does it all mean?
"We're talking presidential gridlock here," analyst Floyd Ciruli said with a laugh.
The maneuvering shows micro-targeting in Colorado by the campaigns, Ciruli said. The polling is tight in Colorado, with the latest Fox News/Rasmussen poll showing Obama with a slim three-point lead.
Ciruli said Obama is hitting three big media markets - all interested in different issues.
The Western Slope voters, Ciruli said, will be looking for a message aimed at energy and environment while Obama will be trying to tap into a changing demographic along the Interstate 70 corridor.
For Pueblo, Ciruli said, the message should be about jobs and also about appealing to Latino voters. Jefferson County is a swing county that has leaned Democratic as of late, Ciruli said, helping to push Sen. Ken Salazar and Gov. Bill Ritter to victories.
Palin is looking to bring Jefferson County back into Republican hands. Her appearance at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, in fact, marks a repeat of 2004 when Vice President Dick Cheney hosted an event there while helping deliver Colorado to President Bush.
Bush carried the county in 2004 by more than five points.
"Her biggest job is to use her charisma to motivate the grass roots," Ciruli said. "In Jeffco, they're hoping to firm up the base with the enthusiasm she brings and that she will attract some of those voters who haven't settled on someone yet."
Palin has lit up the base in Colorado.
Her appearance with John McCain in Colorado Springs a week ago drew 10,000 people on short notice. Her campaign had to scrap plans to serve a pancake breakfast during Palin's appearance Monday, saying the demand for tickets was so great there wasn't enough room for tables and chairs to accommodate 5,000 people.
Tom Kise, spokesman for the McCain campaign, said Palin will help deliver the message that people who voted for Democrats Ritter and Salazar in Jefferson County won't want to support Obama.
"I would say there are stark differences between Bill Ritter, Ken Salazar and Barack Obama. They are not the same type of Democrats," Kise said.
"I don't believe either Ritter or Salazar would say they are bitter and clinging to their guns or their religion," Kise said. During the primaries, Obama said residents of small-town America "cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them" out of bitterness over lost jobs.
The McCain campaign also is having a grand opening of an office as well as a precinct walk today in Fort Collins - an area both parties believe is key to winning the state and a demographic that's pretty evenly divided between the two parties and unaffiliated voters.
Obama's appearance at the Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo is a chance for him to connect with Hispanic voters.
In Colorado, the Obama campaign is targeting the 100,000 Hispanics and 30,000 blacks eligible to vote but not registered, as well as independents and women who have been sometimes-voters.
Obama spokesman Matt Chandler said the issues facing those in Pueblo County - a region that went to Sen. John Kerry in 2004 by six points over President Bush - don't necessarily hinge on race.
"Like many across the state, Latinos care about putting food on the table, getting their kids to college and tackling the economic crisis," Chandler said. "Voters in Pueblo County and throughout the state are suffering under Bush-McCain policies."
Ciruli said the candidates' visits next week cement Colorado's status as a battleground and are "the icing on the cake." But he said that status was established when both campaigns launched a flurry of television ads in Colorado.
"A presidential visit can be worth a percentage point or two and what the campaigns are looking for isn't just the coverage, but equally important, both are enthusiasm-builders for the volunteers," Ciruli said. "For the campaigns, that enthusiasm is critical."
Sarah Palin's rally
* 9 a.m. Monday: Westernaires Arena, Jefferson County Fairgrounds
* Tickets: No longer available. More than 5,000 were claimed by 4 p.m. Friday
Barrack Obama events
* 11 a.m. Monday: (Change We Need event), Cross Orchards Historic Site, Grand Junction
* Tickets: Free, first come, first served, starting at noon, Saturday. Two ticket limit per person.
* Pick-up location: Western Slope Regional campaign headquarters 844 Grand Ave., Grand Junction
Obama in Pueblo
* 4:30 p.m. Monday: (Change We Need rally), Grandstand, Colorado State Fairgrounds, Pueblo
* Tickets: Not needed but RSVPs encouraged online at www.co.barackobama. com
* UPCOMING:
Jefferson County appearance : Details to be released this weekend.
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September 13, 2008
1:13 a.m.
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Doneuron writes:
"While watching the Sarah Palin interview with Charlie Gibson Thursday night, and the coverage of the Palin phenomenon in general, I’ve gotten the scary feeling, for the first time in my life, that dimwittedness is not just on the march in the U.S., but that it might actually prevail." --Bob Herbert. It won't prevail in Colorado, however. They won't be grouped with backwards states like Kentucky, Alabama, Nebraska,Texas, Mississippi, etc. McCain and Palin are too righteous and condescending for their own good.
September 13, 2008
6:54 a.m.
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Arioch writes:
Campaigning in Colorado is pointless. As anyone who has spent more than five minutes on this website could tell them, every single person in the state has made up his/her mind.
September 13, 2008
7:33 a.m.
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windbourne writes:
Arioch
Not even close. There are MANY ppl who have not made up their minds. This site is but a microcosm of what is out there. In fact, all the polls show that something like 5-8% are undecided, and others can be swayed. Considering that Obama leads the state by 1% in the polls says that it really is tied or that McCain has a slight lead.
September 13, 2008
8:56 a.m.
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farsidefan writes:
Why not let them do rock,paper,scissors best 2 out of 3 and save us from the torment of the TV ads and rallies in the state ?
September 13, 2008
9:28 a.m.
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FCZ writes:
If You Like Michigan's Economy, You'll Love Obama's
Americans have voted with their feet by moving to states with greater opportunities, but federal adoption of failed state programs would take away our ability to walk away from bad government.
In the name of taxing the rich, Mr. Obama would raise the marginal tax rates to over 50% on millions of small businesses that provide 75% of all new jobs in America.
Investors and corporations will also pay higher taxes under the Obama program, but, as the Michigan-Ohio-Illinois experience painfully demonstrates, workers ultimately pay for higher taxes in lower wages and fewer jobs.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB12212...
September 13, 2008
10:30 a.m.
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Colorado_Bill writes:
FCZ writes: "...workers ultimately pay for higher taxes in lower wages and fewer jobs." and and quotes a glorified letter-to-the editor in the WSJ from two major league Republicans as proof.
Get real! Wake up and look around you! 8* years of tax breaks for the stupid-rich have given us exactly what you are warning us of. 8* years of de-regulation have destroyed the housing market and stunted the stock market. Is anyone reading this genuinely better off than they were 8 years ago? Gotten a mortgage lately? How's your portfolio doing?
To hell with what the Republicans are saying; look at what they are doing!
*a higher number than at least one prominent Republican can count to.
September 13, 2008
10:42 a.m.
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HopiMedicineMan writes:
My Hillary-fan hair cutter yesterday told me she's now for McCain-Palin. She's a typical liberal who hates Fox News. She had not heard Biden's comments about Hillary. Of course she had not seen his remarks. I had to show her on her laptop. Now she's conflicted, insecure and in pain, true white suffering.
September 13, 2008
11:54 a.m.
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gale writes:
Are there any republican dog lovers who could vote for McCain/palin after watching this:
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/09...
September 13, 2008
3:25 p.m.
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commoncents writes:
The McCain camp was very smart in how they rolled out Palin. They threw her out there and immediately started to jump on sexism anytime anyone mentioned her name or asked who she was. No legitimate question could be asked without it turning into somehow that people were questioning who she was simply because she was a woman. They wanted their base to fall in love with her, and they being the puppets they are did. And like so many people blinded by love they would defend their new sweetheart to the ends of the earth. Hopefully people will take the time to listen to this womans words and not continue to be played like a fiddle. Most people that I hear talk of voting for the republican ticket are doing so hoping that the lead person on the ticket will not live long and that she can reshape our government. It will be a sad day for America if this ticket is elected to lead this country. Or maybe it will be the final reward for all the negative things it has spread upon the world for many years now. Another republican presidency at this time will push the country over a cliff it may never stop going down. Our children deserve better.
September 13, 2008
4:07 p.m.
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rmtalker writes:
"Palin passed the test this week as to whether she can directly lie to the nation on camera when she called fired librarian claims as 'old-wives-tale'" (Librarian firing was undone after public outcry against Palin)
Palin is an image, a personality. But her short governmental record clearly does NOT reflect integrity, but the opposite. It reflects MAVERICK abuse of her role as mayor and governor. We don't need that.
September 13, 2008
5:01 p.m.
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rmtalker writes:
Just out: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/us/...
September 13, 2008
6:47 p.m.
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justal writes:
Slight correction, it's actually MICHAEL Palin who'll be in town. He will be doing "The Lumberjack Song," though. So be sure to wear flannel & bring your dead parrot.
http://jivemofo.com/node/13
September 13, 2008
7:30 p.m.
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jefferson3 writes:
Phew. Finally, tomorrow in the NYtimes the house of cards will finally begin to fall on palin. All the repugnants can sink back to their bitter holes.
September 14, 2008
12:29 a.m.
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MorticiaA writes:
If the West is really all that important to the BO Team then they really need to put a muzzle on Bill Maher (HBO). His latest tirade against the people of Colorado and Western values was nothing short of caustic. The hate was litterally rolling off him on his Sept 12 show. I can't imagine anyone who lives in the area not being offended by this idiots tirades. BO's biggest problem has always been his friends. With friends like his it is no wonder he has lost every advatnge he had in the polls. It's rather sad in a way.
September 14, 2008
3:03 a.m.
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chris33 writes:
If your daughter was raped.....
Would you want the government to force her to have the rapist's baby?
Sarah Palin would.
September 14, 2008
6:22 a.m.
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Unicorn writes:
As a woman and registared voter I have to say that Sarah Palin truly scares me. She claims to be against Washington's elite but is the running mate of McCain who is one of the elite. She wants to reverse Roe V. Wade and for some reason believes that prayer will cure gays of their "affliction" and her strong arm tactics while acting as Govenor of Alaska mean only more of the same if she ends up in the White House. Like most women, I would like to see a woman in the White House, just not this one. There are better choices out there where women are concerned and I don't mean Hillary Clinton because I don't believe she is White House material either. Personally, I don't care for either the Republican ticket or the Democrat ticket and for the first time I am considering researching the candidates of other parties. I am a lifelong Democrat but even I believe that BOTH parties are corrupt and do not have the interests of America in their hearts or minds. The fact of the matter is that both parties have been polarized and the unkind comments that Democrats and Republicans have for each other on this site only proves that it is true. I would encourage others to also research the candidates outside of their party because the two party system in America is not working and other options should be explored. Both parties have sold out America to special interest groups and big business so I wonder if that is a government we really need. The last 8 years have been a farce and if McCain/Palin win the election the farce will continue but I don't think the Obama/Biden team will do much better. Despite Obama's claim that he is a typical American and understands what the average American is going through he is still a member of the Washington elite as well and cannot possibly understand what it is like to live from paycheck to paycheck. Nor can he possibly understand what it is like living under the threat of losing a job or increasing expenses without increasing pay. Voters should remember that just because they are registared Democrats or Republicans they are not obligated to vote for the candidates offered if they do not agree with their policies or if there is any doubt at all that a candidate will not deliver on their promises. Research other parties, educate yourselves on other candidates and make a decision on election day that you can be comfortable with.
September 14, 2008
11:02 a.m.
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DavidG writes:
Unicorn, I can see your plight. We seem to have a choice of an inexperienced president, or an inexperienced vice president. I'm sort of a transplant out here, having been raised in PA and lived in IL for 30 some years. I voted for Senator Obama before, and I'll gladly do so again. While fairly new, he is clearly seeking out good people for advice and Joe Biden is one of the best. On the other hand, Senator McCain seems to have had a senior moment as we now call them. My mother worked for Tom Ridge. He was the only VP hopeful that I thought even had a chance. He would have been abandoned by the republicans for a Joe Lieberman pick, but boy that would have been a true maverick position. In the end, the good old boys that brought us where we are have shown they are still in command. I'm not so sure about a third party though. If Ralph Nadar were not on the ticket, Al Gore would have won in 2000. Think about it. You have a choice to make in this election. Think about Annie Oakley or Joe a heartbeat away.
September 14, 2008
5 p.m.
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Indy4Obama writes:
I'm not a registered Republican or Democrat, and I've been uncommitted until recently. It's become clear to me John McCain is not the reformer he claims to be and that his selection of Mrs. Palin was just a cynical move to try to dupe voters. He's also been running a less than honorable campaign, filled with lies, distortions, and smears. If he is lying to voters now, what makes you think he's not going to lie to us when he gets to the White House? I never thought I'd vote for a Democrat for president, but I'm confident that Mr. Obama is going to bring fundamental change to the way Washington does business. And he actually seems to understand the pains of the Middle Class (his middle tax cut is going to be pretty helpful too). Meanwhile, it's growing increasingly clear that John McCain just doesn't get it.
September 14, 2008
8:04 p.m.
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fishoutawater writes:
Shaggy, Palin is filling 5000 seats, do you realize how many seats Obama fills without batting an eye? More than 17,000 Coloradan's are going to see Obama today to Palins 5000. Also, Palin is a registered Republican ticket only. Do you know that? It reminds me of when Bush speaks and they have to govern the audience. Why? Palin needs a governed audience because they fear she'll fall flat on her face without pre-screened qestions and opposition in the room.
Give me a break, its so obvious they are lying to our faces.
BTW - Palin doesn't need eyewear, she had lazer surgury three years ago. They must think trying to fool Americans is the American way. Noway!
Gobama!
September 15, 2008
5:36 a.m.
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jaruscha writes:
Good luck trying to see any of these candidates. Obama's Denver appearance wasn't even publicized till it was too late. Unless you're a round the clock volunteer with lots of time on your hands, a donor or a staffer or party insider, it's hard to see your candidate.
We all remember what happened at Invesco - people bought tickets off Cragislist. We hosted this convention and I think the Obama staff is a bit rude...
(this isn't my blog, but look here)
http://open.salon.com/content.php?cid...