Obama, seeing hope in Ohio, shifts schedule there

[bijou]

So much for the full-on 50-state strategy. Call Barack Obama's implementation of national Democrats' coast-to-coast plan "Fifty-State Lite."

Barack Obama's strategists say they will pick and choose where to spend time and money. Sure, the presidential candidate is spending time in previously-Republican Indiana and North Carolina, but the true focus is going to be areas where he simply must win.

Despite early optimism, Obama's strategists are mapping out an electoral plan similar to Democrat John Kerry's from 2004, with a few tweaks. Obama still is pushing into traditionally Republican and rural areas, such as this farm region along the Ohio River. But don't look for the Democratic presidential nominee in, say, undeniably GOP Idaho.

Obama made a beeline for the Rust Belt when he left the Democratic National Convention last week. With a swing through Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan, Obama signaled the importance of this region to his campaign. Kerry won Pennsylvania and Michigan — two states where Obama strategists think their chances are iffy — and lost Ohio by a 10-vote-per-precinct margin in 2004.

Obama has long looked for a way to win the White House without the 20 electoral votes of Ohio, the prototypical swing state. His top aides, including his campaign manager, once said they could lose the state and still win the election by picking off states that typically support Republicans.

No more.

The campaign is quietly eyeing a states' map similar to the one used in past elections, with some exceptions. Obama this week dropped advertising in Georgia, a traditionally Republican state that he considered winnable based on increased voter registration among blacks and young people.

...more...

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/news/ap/politics/2008/Sep/06/obama__seeing_hope_in_ohio__shifts_schedule_there.html

[RightCoast]

Good job Obyah - keep following Skerry's plan.

[MrsSmith]

Do you suppose, if they post the name of the tour right in front of him (Fifty-State Lite), Obama will be able to remember how many states there are?   

[Tess Anderson]

The title of this article should have read more like: "Obama, seeing little hope in North Carolina or Indiana, shifts schedule".

Even more interesting to track the McCain/Palin comings and goings - they're spending a lot of time in Wisconsin and Michigan, those are rather blue states. This is the way a confident Republican campaigns when they have the advantage.

[Flame]

Do you suppose, if they post the name of the tour right in front of him (Fifty-State Lite), Obama will be able to remember how many states there are?   

only if its on a teleprompter