Obama to staff: Don't get cocky

[Hope And Change]

October 17, 2008
Categories: http://dyn.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/index.cfm/category/BarackObama">Barack Obama

Obama to staff: Don't get cocky

On a conference call with his campaign staff just now, Barack Obama delivered the same message he's been telling donors: Don't get cocky.

Obama got on the staff call with campaign manager David Plouffe to praise his staff, but also to tell them not to become overconfident, because -- in my source's paraphrase -- "too many people are counting on us not to screw this up.'

Eighteen days, he reminded them, is a long time, and told them to "run scared," run as though they were 10 points down, and "remember New Hampshire."


By Ben Smith 12:51 PM


http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1008/Obama_to_staff_Dont_get_cocky.html#comments">Link

[Uzybone]

1. Excellent message

In my mind we are 10 points down.

[elocs]

2. Obama has a right to tell us that.

It just gets wearying to be lectured every fourth thread here by posters who are just a made-up name on the internet. I haven't read any threads here yet by anyone who suggests that we should just take it easy and party starting now until after the election.

[NJmaverick]

3. That's the sort of smart leadership we have come to expect from Obama

The man is going to make a great President.

[progressivebydesign]

4. Absolutely! I received an email that said "Al Gore was ahead by double digits in October, 2000"

That is a stark reminder that we DO NOT have this sewn up. No way. Not until McCain concedes and the lawyers go home. The popular vote is great... and we look good in many states for Electoral Votes, but the reality is.. we have NO idea how this will play out on the 4th. Exit polls for Kerry and Gore reflected their lead in the polls.. and yet.. here we are.