Obama pulls out of North Dakota. Smart move or not?

[PresidentObama]

I've only lived in two states in my life.

Born and raised in Missouri.

Briefly lived in North Dakota.

I will say, I think it was a smart move. It was reported he's moving those resources in North Dakota to other swing states. I'm all for the 50 state strategy, but it's clear he wasn't making the impact on the polls in that state that he had hoped with as much staff as he poured into the state. It should be noted that McCain has no staff in the state.

[darius15]

1. It's a smart move.

ND is a state that Obama doesn't need.

I'd much rather prefer that we protect MN and WI, where Obama moved his ND staffers.

[PermanentRevolution]

2. Yes.

The need to hold the Kerry states is absolutely critical. North Dakota wasn't showing much positive movement for the money invested, so it's better to use those resources elsewhere, guaranteeing Wisconsin and Minnesota.

[beachmom]

3. Smart. Thing is, if it's anything like in the county I am working in in GA,

they just mean PAID staff is pulling out. Here in Forsyth County, our office is still going and run by volunteers, while our organizers went to PA. So, basically, the Obama campaign planted the seeds of the 50 State Strategy in ND, and now they need to buckle down in MUST win states. If Obama wins GA and ND, it's a landslide. But if he loses them, he can still win the election.

[kernelfarmer]

4. Smart move

I am North Dakotan transplanted in Iowa. Three electoral votes are not worth the resources, if we'd havta put too much effort into it. They do not have "straight ticket" voting, so democrats down the ticket aren't necessarily going to benefit from a good Obama showing.

I hate to see ND ignored. But, the sad reality is..........we absolutely have got to win this thing! The ends justify the means!

[Brotherjohn]

5. I trust their decision-making on money matters. They are putting $39M into FL...

... and I don't even think it's to win FL (although that would be icing on the cake). It's to make McCain blow much if not most of his money in FL, at the expense of spending it in other swing states. Whereas Obsama has plenty of money to spare to compete (and win) in several other swing states. ND is just another coponent in their strategy, I think.

[PresidentObama]

19. Yes, putting McCain on defense in Florida and making him spend all his money is brilliant.

You dry up McCains resources he could be pouring into other states, and you pour money into a state that possibly sway your way.

Smart move by the Obama campaign in Florida.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

6. I just checked the Obama website.

Plenty of events in ND all the way up to election day.

Obama's spending over twenty times the amount McCain's spending on ads in ND, according to the National Review.

So what the fuck are you talking about?

[PresidentObama]

8. The Obama campaign is pulling it's staff out of North Dakota.

[blondeatlast]

13. Interesting. This is the second time I've seen this posted. It couldn't be a coordinated attempt

to turn off rural voters, could it?

Naaaah; now who would think of that?

[blondeatlast]

7. This Arizonan is STRONGLY considering hitting the road for New Mexico.

That's where the Arizona campaign wants me and I absolutely trust their judgment.

[PresidentObama]

11. Yes, we need New Mexico. Go, go, go!!

[bluestateguy]

9. 50 state strategy does not mean that you don't prioritize

Every state gets some attention, but Ohio and Florida are on the A list, while North Dakota and Georgia are on the B list.

[TomClash]

10. Every campaign makes these decisions

in the final 6-8 weeks.

It's not like McCain is campaigning in NY.

[PresidentObama]

15. "It's not like McCain is campaigning in NY." LOL!!

[Schulzz]

12. Yes, smart move

If he defends the Kerry states, he is very, very likely to win. Iowa and New Mexico seem to be safe, so he would just need one more state out of CO,VA, NC, NV,IN,OH,FL. And I guess his internals show much better chances in those states.

[TheKentuckian]

Unfortunately, yes. We have to fortify Wisconsin

[PresidentObama]

18. Whats the latest poll in WI?

[Ellipsis]

23. Up by 5 points... too close.

5% it is what Doyle won by when running for reelection for Governor.

[MattNC]

14. It was worth a shot

very cheap to run an organization in that state.

[iceman66]

16. I'm inclined to say "not",

because Obama should win that state on the issues, but if those resources are needed in states with more electoral votes, I guess it's the right thing to do.

[JerseygirlCT]

17. Makes sense. nt

[Abacus]

20. Smart move; Palin ended his chances there. He's still polling well in Montana,

only a point behind McCain by my tally.

[PresidentObama]

21. Yeah, how many offices in Montana and how much staff? Anyone know?

[Fresh_Start]

22. smart

he can afford to spend in unwinnable states which sadly includes ND

[x-g.o.p.er]

24. Smart Move

Rural, fairly conservative; demographics don't support him there. Fairly eclectic electorate--no problem electing a guy like Byron Dorgan or Quentin Burdick (longtime US Senator when I was a kid) but tends to vote overwhelmingly Republican for President...never really understood why.

No sense wasting money there when he can allocate in a location that he can get from a traditionally conservative area, like say NC or Virginia.

Or re-direct to Florida and/or Ohio, and go for the jugular.