Monday, September 15, 2008

Obama Losing Florida to McCain, the Palin Factor

Florida may be falling from Obama's grasp - St. Petersburg Times

Despite spending an estimated $8-million on campaign ads in America's biggest battleground state and putting in place the largest Democratic campaign organization ever in Florida, Obama has lost ground over the summer. Florida has moved from a toss-up state to one that clearly leans toward John McCain, fueling speculation about how much longer the Democratic nominee will continue investing so heavily in the state.

But for all the attention to Florida from the Obama campaign, there's little tangible evidence it's paying off.


Sarah Palin, John McCain's side kick.

Florida is a battle state that the Democrats thought they had in the bag. In that state, Barack Obama has 350 paid staffers and about 50 field offices. Despite spending an estimated $8-million in Florida there's little evidence it's paying off. Obama is father behind in Florida than John Kerry was at this point in 2004.

What has John McCain done in Florida so far? McCain began buying TV ads only last week. By this time in 2004, the Bush-Cheney campaign had spent $13-million on Florida TV. In early August they were tied, now McCain is leading by 5 to 8 percent.

Now seeing Florida slipping away Barack Obama calls out the big gun, Bill Clinton. Barack Obama made a personal appeal to Bill Clinton for advice on how to fight back against a resurgent Republican presidential campaign. Clinton is scheduled to campaign for Obama in Florida once he wraps up some business and Hillary Clinton is scheduled to stump in Ohio. Can the Clintons help Obama win both delegate rich states? I doubt it.

There is bad blood between Obama and the Clintons and everyone knows it. Even though both Clintons put on their happy faces for the Democratic Convention, Hillary complained that Obama had only raised $380,000 to help retire her debt and Bill waited until the convention to say whether Obama is “ready” to be president.

What is happening in Florida and is starting to happen in Ohio is the Palin factor. She is having the star status that Obama had at the begining of the election. Now the wind is out of the Obama sails and he needs the Clintons. All that I can say is, Row Obama Row.

Other post on Obama.
Barack Obama Citizen of the World, What About US, Who's First?
Barack Obama, Leading or Following the Leader?

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