Obama Not Ready to Cede Pennsylvania

[DeepModem Mom]

WP: Obama Not Ready to Cede Pennsylvania
By Shailagh Murray

The April 22 Pennsylvania primary poses a tricky challenge for Sen. Barack Obama. Downplay the contest and the risk is a blowout by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. But if the Illinois senator campaigns hard there and Clinton still wins handily, a loss could be tougher to spin.

David Axelrod, Obama's chief political strategist, told reporters on a conference call this morning that the campaign would go all out to win the Keystone State. "We are going to contest vigorously in Pennsylvania," he said. "We're going to be running a full campaign."

Obama heads tomorrow to Monaca, Pa., west of Pittsburgh, and then to Scranton, where he will address an Irish women's group. Both are located in the heart of Clinton territory. The state's older, blue-collar voter base skews against Obama, but another problem is Pennsylvania's relatively strict participation rules. Primary voters must register as Democrats as of March 24, nearly a full month before election day. Obama is running radio ads in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia to urge students, independents and Republicans -- three key constituencies to keep the race close -- to register as Democrats before the deadline.

"She does have a lot of advantages and we recognize that," said Axelrod." "We know we have an uphill fight there. But we're going to fight for every vote and every delegate." Obama reportedly told a group of donors earlier this week that losing Pennsylvania by 10 points or less would be a "victory."

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/03/16/obama_not_ready_to_cede_pennsy.html?hpid=topnews

[stellanoir]

1. As well he shouldn't

There was a thread posted earlier today upon which I didn't post and failed to bookmark which spoke of independents overwhelmingly supporting him.

Time will tell.

thanks hon and K & R'd

[Divernan]

6. Independents & Green Party voters can't vote in the PA primary.

This was explicitly pointed out to me by the Allegheny County Elections office when I called last week to request applications for absentee ballots for some elderly neighbors. You must be registered in the Democratic or Republican party to be allowed to vote in the primary.
(Full disclosure: I support Obama)

[Demeter]

2. Nor Should He--The Times They Are a Changin' and Faster Than We Think

Tuesday is 3 crises from now, and we had two today--on Palm Sunday!

[Waya]

3. Well, I'm hoping not......

..been wondering when he's gonna get here. He doesn't have to win - all he's got to do is keep the margin narrow enough - and Philly will help one hell of a lot.....

[Mme. Defarge]

4. Great news!

K&R!

[Clear Blue Sky]

5. Why cede?

Won't he get delegates anyway even if he doesn't win. Sounds like a play to lower expectations.

[Cha]

7. I think they're stating it this way

'cause the hilary campaign is making such a big deal out of her "20-whatever point" lead there now and letting people know they'll be all over that State.

No telling what rendell will do to make sure she has a big win but who knows maybe rendell is in for a shocker.