Win or lose, Obama and Axelrod have run a great campaign

[TeamJordan23]

I think enough cannot be said about the campaign that Barack, David Axelrod, and his team have run. I bet there were not many that thought Obama would be in the position that he is in pre-Iowa caucus.

I supported Obama before his announcement in Springfield and have always believed he would be the best candidate to lead the US. But there have always have been doubts among Obama supporters from the start whether he could take on and stay competitive with the Clinton campaign. This has always been a valid doubt because like them or hate them, the Clintons are polished politicians and the Clinton machine is known to be ruthless for winning elections. And you cannot underestimate the popularity that Bill Clinton brought to the Hillary campaign.

But I would say Obama and his team are probably in the position that they have always wanted to be: in a position to win – not necessarily flat out winning. I think it was unrealistic to think that Obama would ever come out and be flat out crush the Clintons. And I believe Obama is still the underdog no matter what the Iowa or NH polls say. But Obama and Axelrod could not have asked for anything better realistically. Obama was an unknown politician, an African American candidate, and one with a funny name. But he has shown that he has wide-spread appeal among different people, even across party lines.

In addition, they have stayed competitive with Hillary in fundraising, have a strong organization on the ground, and have avoided making any major blunders. If you asked me about 10 months ago - I never expected Obama to outraise the Clintons in primary money. Of course their campaign has not been perfect, but no campaign is expected to be mistake-proof through a whole a year and with all the media scrutiny. (And the people on DU have made it known that his campaign has not been flawless, haha)

But I think Axelrod’s strategy of pitting change v. experience has worked well, with Obama edging out Hillary and Edwards on the change issue. Although Hillary is perceived as the most experienced candidate among the top tier, I think the angle that Axelrod have pushed is not who is experienced the most (which likely would be Biden), but who is experience enough. And most polls have shown that change outwieghs experience in this 'change election.'

So going in to Iowa tomorrow, I just wanted to share my appreciation for Axelrod and the Obama campaign for a job well done.

Lets hope tomorrow is a good day. Go Obama!

[TwilightGardener]

1. No matter what happens, Obama and Axelrod can be proud--

Obama has been a cool, steady, careful performer most of the time (the hallmark of a good solid general election prospect), and when he needed to be, he was inspiring, bold, and a fighter. He managed to get an unprecedented number of people inspired enough to donate to him, enough to make him competetive with the Queen, and that must have really rankled her (tee-hee!).

[Flabbergasted]

2. kick

[annie1]

3. Totally. Extremely smooth, very cool, very upfront, smart, well done, on point.

[goldcanyonaz]

4. I've come to the conclusion that Iowa really doesn't matter, and that Super Tuesday will be the only

gauge of this election cycle.

[hayu_lol]

5. America being America, of course Iowa matters...

Obama did ok...Axelrod was only 'kindasleezy.'