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Colorado 'ground zero' for Obama campaign

Campaign chief says win in state could tip election

By David Montero, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published September 19, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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David Plouffe says Western states are going to be critical.

David Plouffe says Western states are going to be critical.

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Colorado remains critical for Barack Obama, and the candidate's campaign chief painted a scenario Thursday that showed the state being the tipping point foran Electoral College victory.

As campaign manager David Plouffe calculates it, Obama could be at 264 electoral votes on Election Day -- and the addition of Colorado's nine votes would send him over the top.

"Colorado is really ground zero for the presidential campaign," Plouffe said in a conference call. "The three Western states -- Nevada, Colorado and I'd add Montana to that -- are all going to be critical, but Colorado could be a tipping point.

"If we're able to hold on to all of John Kerry's states, which would give us 252 electoral votes, win a couple leaning our way right now -- Iowa and New Mexico -- that would put us on 264, and we'd be right on the doorstep."

The focuson Colorado was evident this week when Obama made stops in Grand Junction, Pueblo and Golden, and Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin appeared Monday in Golden.

With polls tightening in Colorado -- the latest shows Republican John McCain up by 2 points -- the campaigns have been active throughout the state.

Plouffe said the Obama campaign is in better shape than Kerry in 2004, when Colorado ceased to be a battleground state in the waning days of the election and President Bush won the state by about 5 points.

An ambitious ground game -- including almost 30 campaign offices in the state -- is part of the Obama strategy, and Plouffe said they plan to be active in getting people to vote early once it starts Oct. 20.

McCain's campaign is also actively registering voters and believes it got a boost in Colorado with Palin on the ticket. McCain's frequent visits to Colorado show he's serious about winning here, the campaign says.

Comments

  • September 20, 2008

    8:41 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    HopiMedicineMan writes:

    I know this strategy personally, illegal aliens in school buses, several stops, with a cemetery censuses and box lunches.

    Republicans haven't patrolled until this year.

  • September 20, 2008

    11:16 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    clyde writes:

    Obama is a bought-and-paid-for Chicago Machine politician. Their corruption is legendary. Their motto is "Vote Early, Vote Often, and Help Your Dead Friends Vote.

  • September 22, 2008

    3:47 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jax writes:

    "Friends" are good...enemies are BAD. Obama is the scary one "my friend". This country will be blown to little tiny American pieces if he is elected and then we won't have a country to worry about, will we? And you want to know why it will be annihilated? Because Barack wants to “talk” with the folks who want to blow us up...get it? Talk to them. Their fight is religion and there is no level of “talk” that will change their religious views. So while I understand Obama’s interest in “talking” to them, I personally don’t think Obama is or wants to be the “one” who defends his country. His words, actions and “blue print” say otherwise. These are scary times “my friend”, better dig yourself a nice hole and stock pile it with enough substance to last a lifetime if Obama gets elected because guaranteed, this country will find itself bombarded by war – and on our own ground. I find it amazing that some look only at issues that are closest to them without looking at the BIG PICTURE. I will take McCain on my side any day – he knows how to survive and he won’t let this country die. You take Obama – let him “talk” you out of being a prisoner in your own country. I bet I survive and you end up somewhere that you wish you weren’t. This country needs a fighter, regardless of the views/opinions of the war today. US Presidents can’t CHANGE the religious views of other nations and how they view Americans. They can’t CHANGE the fact that other countries hate us because of what we stand for. Thus, America is about “fighting for our freedom” just as it always has been. It has never changed. Only some of the people have. It’s not about being “politically correct” and allowing others to take over our country and our way of life. Vote how you will (this is why we live here) but don’t complain when what you’ve been told doesn’t turn out the way it was promised to you. Read between the lines. Look in the eyes. Really SEE what is front of you. Many love Obama because he’s good at talking the talk...but before he walks the walk, take a good look at the man behind the flowery speeches and his lack of participation in the office that he now holds. Doesn’t anyone see this? What happened to common sense? What happened to this is our country and we will do what we have to in order to protect it? What happened to “united we stand” and pledging allegiance to our flag and saying “God” without wondering if someone was offended? What happened to America? Where has it gone? We should all stand together and fight for this country. I don’t believe Obama has the tenacity to do what must be done regardless of how many people go cross eyed when he talks. Again, talking is one thing, action is quite another.

  • September 22, 2008

    3:47 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jax writes:

    cont'd...
    If I had to put my children in the hands of one candidate or the other, it would definitely be McCain. He’s a survivor and has proven his tenacity and love for this country. He won’t let it down, even if it’s just on principal. I do not have that same confidence in Obama. And I refuse to be led blindly just because someone is a good speaker. It means nothing to me.

  • September 23, 2008

    3:56 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    mvymvy writes:

    To make every vote in every state politically relevant and equal in presidential elections, support the National Popular Vote bill.

    The National Popular Vote bill would guarantee the Presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states (and DC). The bill would take effect only when enacted by states possessing a majority of the electoral votes (270 of 538). When the bill comes into effect, all the electoral votes from those states would be awarded to the presidential candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states (and DC).

    The National Popular Vote bill has been approved by 21 legislative chambers (one house in CO, AR, ME, NC, and WA, and two houses in MD, IL, HI, CA, MA, NJ, RI, and VT). It has been enacted into law in Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, and Maryland. These states have 50 (19%) of the 270 electoral votes needed to bring this legislation into effect.

    see http://www.NationalPopularVote.com

    susan