I attended a "Conversation with Hillary" event last Sunday in downtown Boston. Both the conversation event and the rally afterwards were sold out; I'd say about 1,500 people attended the events. She is doing very well on the fundraising front, which is another aspect of her campaign the media hasn't covered.
In her opening remarks, Clinton mentioned Saturday Night Live's sketch about media bias in favor of Obama. She might be anticipating a shift in media coverage.
During the Q&A period, Clinton mentioned her campaign strategy to focus on bigger states and on blue states. This decision may cost her the nomination. It is clear that Obama's team bought into Howard Dean's "fifty state strategy." If you are interested in Dean's strategy, the plan is posted on the Democratic National Committee website.
The conversations turned quickly to the Obama campaign's literature in Ohio claiming that Clinton has been an unwavering supporter of NAFTA. He is also making claims about her health care plan. Someone from the audience mentioned that the factcheck.org clarifies Clinton's record on NAFTA and disputes Obama's claims about her universal health care plan.
As I have already mentioned in previous posts, Hillary is terrific at campaign rallies. In the conversations setting on Sunday, her sense of humor really came through. Someone asked her about energy, and she said, "Well, if you are referring to the energy it takes to run for president, I need renewable nutrition and renewable sleep." She then launched into a complete discussion of energy policy, placing energy policy in the context of the Bush administration and then referring to the tremendous opportunity Democrats have to go in new directions--she practically jumped in the air when she mentioned this. I have to say it does surprise me to see her so excited about policy!
What was really surprising were her sharp comments about Ralph Nader's announcement that he plans to run for president again. She stated that Nader is the reason we have George W. Bush in the White House.
At both events she focused on health care. In my opinion, she needs to broaden her message at this point. Anyone paying attention to the debates knows about her position on health care, and it is time to stop going into the details about her differences with Obama, which she does over and over again. I think she would be better served in both Texas and Ohio discussing economic policies and reform. Her message hasn't changed hardly at all during the past month. I hope she can set a different tone in Ohio and Texas.
I'm off to Ohio tomorrow.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Information on Delegate Count and Campaign in OH, RI, and TX
I have pasted below information from the Clinton campaign sent to me by Massachusetts State Representative Kay Kahn about the current delegate count and the status of the campaign in upcoming primary states. I was canvassing in Warwick, Rhode Island yesterday. What surprised me was how infrequently people mentioned Obama's momentum. The voters I spoke with were either supporting Hillary or still undecided. When we finished the day with a visibility action at a major intersection, women especially were honking their horns and giving us thumbs up signs. Every where I go I encounter women enthusiatically supporting Hillary.
Only a Handful of Delegates Separate the Two Campaigns49% of the Delegates Needed to Secure the Nomination Still up for GrabsThe race between Senators Clinton and Obama is currently a virtual tie,with the campaigns now separated by a small handful of delegates - lessthan 2.5% of the 4,048 delegate votes to be cast at the DemocraticConvention.1 And 16 states and territories have yet to vote - including OH, TX, andPA - which means that 981 pledged delegates are still at stake. To put that in perspective, those 981 pledged delegates represent 48%of the 2,025 delegate votes needed to secure the nomination. To stay up to date and compare fact vs. fiction on delegates and thenominating process, visit our new site www.delegatehub.com. This contest is far from over and our campaign is prepared to go thedistance with its strong political, field and communications programs.Here's a snapshot of key highlights and what we have going on in thestates:$1 Million A DayIn the first 15 days of February, Hillary's supporters contributed $15million to the campaign, and we are already up with full ad buys inTexas, Ohio and Vermont. Hillary Leads in the PollsNew SurveyUSA polls show Hillary ahead of Sen. Obama in key March 4thstates.In Texas, Hillary is up by 5 points among all voters (50-45) and leads2-to-1 among Latino voters (65-32). In Ohio, Hillary is up by 9 points among all voters (52-43) and leadsalmost 2-to-1 among women voters (62-34).Texas - March 4th12 Clinton Campaign Regional Field Offices Open - 11 more opening soon.Over 125 full-time staff on the ground.With over 41,000 volunteers who have signed up online and at localevents, we are building an unmatched grassroots mobilization effort.Field staff and volunteers are making calls and canvassingneighborhoods throughout Texas to get voters to turn out over the 2week early vote period and on March 4, Election Day. In fact, if youread one thing today, check this out: "Hillary drives up turnout onfirst day of early voting, say officials" in Texas. Read more.Recruiting 8000 precinct captains to carry Hillary's banner throughoutthe state.Hillary, President Clinton and Chelsea are barnstorming Texas withReps. Henry Cuellar, Gene Green, Ruben Hinojosa, Silvestre Reyes,Sheila Jackson Lee, and Solomon Ortiz.Ohio - March 4thOpened 20 offices and phonebanks across the state, and have deployedover 100 staff. 26,000 volunteers are hard at work for Hillary in Ohio.Local phone banks, canvassing, and surrogate events are all part of ourlocal grassroots effort. Working closely with Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, John Glenn,Governor Strickland and his political team, Hillary will be travelingthroughout Ohio, and we will be there every step of the way, signing upnew supporters and volunteers. Daily surrogate events in every media market.Rhode Island - March 4thOpened an office in Providence.Deployed 25 staff across the state to focus on Get Out The Voteprograms. Working closely with local Clinton supporters, including SenatorSheldon Whitehouse and Rep. Jim Langevin. As in Texas and Ohio, we will also be running aggressive mail and phoneprograms.And there's more. the Clinton campaign is contesting every state. We have offices and staff in Wyoming, Vermont, and Pennsylvania. Wewill also be announcing new office openings soon in Mississippi, WestVirginia, Kentucky and every state that has yet to hold their caucus orprimary. Finally, there is a way for everyone to get involved. Our campaign hascombined the latest in cutting edge technology with the tried and truegrassroots tactics that have served our party for decades. EveryHillary supporter can log on to HillaryClinton.com today to make phonecalls to targeted voters in Texas, Ohio, and elsewhere.CNN: Obama 1,319 / Clinton 1,250; AP: Obama 1,351 / Clinton 1,262; ABC:Obama 1,361 / Clinton 1,268; CBS: Obama 1,357 / Clinton 1,260.
Only a Handful of Delegates Separate the Two Campaigns49% of the Delegates Needed to Secure the Nomination Still up for GrabsThe race between Senators Clinton and Obama is currently a virtual tie,with the campaigns now separated by a small handful of delegates - lessthan 2.5% of the 4,048 delegate votes to be cast at the DemocraticConvention.1 And 16 states and territories have yet to vote - including OH, TX, andPA - which means that 981 pledged delegates are still at stake. To put that in perspective, those 981 pledged delegates represent 48%of the 2,025 delegate votes needed to secure the nomination. To stay up to date and compare fact vs. fiction on delegates and thenominating process, visit our new site www.delegatehub.com. This contest is far from over and our campaign is prepared to go thedistance with its strong political, field and communications programs.Here's a snapshot of key highlights and what we have going on in thestates:$1 Million A DayIn the first 15 days of February, Hillary's supporters contributed $15million to the campaign, and we are already up with full ad buys inTexas, Ohio and Vermont. Hillary Leads in the PollsNew SurveyUSA polls show Hillary ahead of Sen. Obama in key March 4thstates.In Texas, Hillary is up by 5 points among all voters (50-45) and leads2-to-1 among Latino voters (65-32). In Ohio, Hillary is up by 9 points among all voters (52-43) and leadsalmost 2-to-1 among women voters (62-34).Texas - March 4th12 Clinton Campaign Regional Field Offices Open - 11 more opening soon.Over 125 full-time staff on the ground.With over 41,000 volunteers who have signed up online and at localevents, we are building an unmatched grassroots mobilization effort.Field staff and volunteers are making calls and canvassingneighborhoods throughout Texas to get voters to turn out over the 2week early vote period and on March 4, Election Day. In fact, if youread one thing today, check this out: "Hillary drives up turnout onfirst day of early voting, say officials" in Texas. Read more.Recruiting 8000 precinct captains to carry Hillary's banner throughoutthe state.Hillary, President Clinton and Chelsea are barnstorming Texas withReps. Henry Cuellar, Gene Green, Ruben Hinojosa, Silvestre Reyes,Sheila Jackson Lee, and Solomon Ortiz.Ohio - March 4thOpened 20 offices and phonebanks across the state, and have deployedover 100 staff. 26,000 volunteers are hard at work for Hillary in Ohio.Local phone banks, canvassing, and surrogate events are all part of ourlocal grassroots effort. Working closely with Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, John Glenn,Governor Strickland and his political team, Hillary will be travelingthroughout Ohio, and we will be there every step of the way, signing upnew supporters and volunteers. Daily surrogate events in every media market.Rhode Island - March 4thOpened an office in Providence.Deployed 25 staff across the state to focus on Get Out The Voteprograms. Working closely with local Clinton supporters, including SenatorSheldon Whitehouse and Rep. Jim Langevin. As in Texas and Ohio, we will also be running aggressive mail and phoneprograms.And there's more. the Clinton campaign is contesting every state. We have offices and staff in Wyoming, Vermont, and Pennsylvania. Wewill also be announcing new office openings soon in Mississippi, WestVirginia, Kentucky and every state that has yet to hold their caucus orprimary. Finally, there is a way for everyone to get involved. Our campaign hascombined the latest in cutting edge technology with the tried and truegrassroots tactics that have served our party for decades. EveryHillary supporter can log on to HillaryClinton.com today to make phonecalls to targeted voters in Texas, Ohio, and elsewhere.CNN: Obama 1,319 / Clinton 1,250; AP: Obama 1,351 / Clinton 1,262; ABC:Obama 1,361 / Clinton 1,268; CBS: Obama 1,357 / Clinton 1,260.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Last Night's Debate
Hillary Clinton continued to press her case for universal health care last night, at one point insisting that she be allowed to have time to discuss it further. She mentioned that people she has met on the campaign trail have urged her to fight on their behalf. Viewers might dismiss this plea as the usual campaign hyperbole, but I can tell you that people attending her rallies do ask substantial questions and health care and the economy. I must admit that I was somewhat surprised by the absence of questions about some of the things the media has been emphasizing about her campaign. No one cares about Chris Mathews at these rallies; they are there to talk about the issues. Her rallies include a town hall format that allows people to ask her questions. These discussions have been quite extensive and substantial. After spending so much time and effort discussing the issues, I can understand why she is frustrated by the focus on Obama's charisma and momentum at this point in the campaign.
Hillary usually stays around for about a half an hour after her rallies to continue to talk with people. I believe she is sincere when she talks about fighting for people as "her reason for getting up in the morning." As David Gergen mentioned in his commentary after the debate last night, she needs to convey that she is a fighter. I hope she does.
It will be interesting to see her again in Boston this Sunday. I'll report on the mood of the crowd and whether or not she is adjusting her message in response to last night's debate.
I hope you will post your thoughts about last night's debate.
Hillary usually stays around for about a half an hour after her rallies to continue to talk with people. I believe she is sincere when she talks about fighting for people as "her reason for getting up in the morning." As David Gergen mentioned in his commentary after the debate last night, she needs to convey that she is a fighter. I hope she does.
It will be interesting to see her again in Boston this Sunday. I'll report on the mood of the crowd and whether or not she is adjusting her message in response to last night's debate.
I hope you will post your thoughts about last night's debate.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Campaign in Rhode Island
Hi all--
I went to an organizing meeting for Hillary Clinton in Providence, Rhode Island yesterday.
The meeting was attended by over fifity people; at least half of whom were from Hispanic and African-American communities. Rhode Island state senator Juan Pichardo attended and spoke as well as Congressman James R. Langevin and Mayor of Providence David Cicilline. Roger Lau, director of Hillary Clinton's campaign in New England, expressed confidence that she would win Rhode Island. I'll continue to canvass primarily Hispanic neighborhoods in Providence next week. More later.
Kathleen
I went to an organizing meeting for Hillary Clinton in Providence, Rhode Island yesterday.
The meeting was attended by over fifity people; at least half of whom were from Hispanic and African-American communities. Rhode Island state senator Juan Pichardo attended and spoke as well as Congressman James R. Langevin and Mayor of Providence David Cicilline. Roger Lau, director of Hillary Clinton's campaign in New England, expressed confidence that she would win Rhode Island. I'll continue to canvass primarily Hispanic neighborhoods in Providence next week. More later.
Kathleen
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