Not long ago, David Plouffe, the campaign manager for presumed Democratic nominee Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, had outlined a new electoral map. According to Plouffe, while victories in Florida and Ohio would guarantee Obama the US Presidency this November, they are not necessarily required for victory. But, it will not stop Obama from trying to win those states.
This campaign strategy is not to put all of its eggs in just one or two baskets. In a nutshell, the main goal is to not defend on just one or two states. Democratic Governor of Ohio Ted Strickland has said that he will campaign hard for Obama.
For the election race, Obama will be focusing on fourteen of the states that current United States President George W. Bush had won back in 2004. But, Obama’s goal is not just to win the United States Presidency. Obama’s campaign will also focus on the local races in those states. In short, Obama’s campaign is looking to get more Democrats elected into local office in such states.
According to Steve Hildebrand, the deputy campaign manager, the campaign wants to devote a lot of attention to Texas. However, Hildebrand acknowledges that Obama may not be able to win Texas in the general election. But, he says: “It’s one of the most important redistricting opportunities in the country.”
On that regard, it has been revealed that Democrats only need to gain five more seats to control the Texas state legislature.
In short, Obama is not just looking to win the presidency. He is looking to get more Democrats into elected office. With Democrats being five seats away of controlling Texas’ legislature, it gives the Obama campaign and the Democratic Party more than enough incentive.
It was not long ago that major parts of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) were sent to Chicago, Illinois, to be merged with the Obama campaign. The new strategy for the Obama campaign is to get more Democrats into such seats of congress.
However, there are concerns that this strategy may deviate from crucial battleground states. There is a chance that this move can blow up in Obama’s face and the crucial battleground states end up in presumed GOP nominee Senator John McCain of Arizona’s favor.
Still, this is an interesting strategy to be employed by the Obama campaign. However, this strategy is a double-edged sword strategy.
But, if the strategy pays off, expect a new Democratic majority. Obama has said that change does not come at just the presidency. He said that big Senate majorities are needed.
Overall, Obama is not looking to just win the presidency. He is looking for a new Democratic majority in the United States Senate. This is a very bold and daring strategy on the part of the Obama campaign.
This is a sword that can swing one way and back the other. If this swings back, it will be a deep cutting wound.
On a side note, this could be a viable strategy for Obama and the Democratic Party. The GOP is still trying to salvage its broken image.