Obama Manager: Many Paths to 270
EmailABC News’ John Berman and James Gerber Report: Putting his best spin on the electoral map, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said Tuesday that Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., will be overwhelmed by the sheer number of places where the presumptive Democratic nominee is prepared to compete.
"We have a lot of different combinations to get to 270. And our strategic imperative is, as deep into October as possible, to keep those scenarios alive," said Plouffe.
The Obama campaign says there are only three states won by the Democrats in 2004 that are potentially vulnerable.
"The Kerry states that we think right now are most in danger are Pennsylvania, Michigan and New Hampshire," said Obama campaign manager David Plouffe. "Right now, we have a lead in all three of those states."
Plouffe said that the Obama campaign feels good enough about traditionally tight Kerry states such as Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, and Maine that it is not even advertising in those states at present.
"Our strategic orientation is to play offense," said Plouffe.
Plouffe said that Obama’s popularity among African-Americans and the yuppie set could make the Illinois Democrat competitive in the traditionally Republican states of Georgia, Virginia, and North Carolina.
"Our goal is to have historically high African American turnout and historically high turnout of all voters under 30," said Plouffe.
Obama’s campaign manager sees the Libertarian presidential bid of former Georgia Rep. Bob Barr (R) being a positive factor for Obama in Georgia and Alaska.
In Georgia, Plouffe thinks Barr will get 4% of the vote, "most of it coming out of McCain’s hide." In Alaska, Plouffe said Barr "can get 4, 6, even 8 percent."
With Barr picking up a slice of the vote in Alaska, Plouffe thinks Obama can score an upset win in a state that hasn’t voted Democrat since 1964.
Rick Santorum Sweeps 3 States 
Pentagon to Open Additional Jobs to Women
I wouldn’t be surprised if Va went to Obama. They’re becoming more of a democratic state which is interesting.
Posted by: erin | June 25, 2008, 7:08 pm 7:08 pm
don’t discount the racist vote; we are out there and we are silent, but come election day, obama will be surprised. he will not carry one southern state and neither will he carry ohio or penn.
Posted by: ron | June 25, 2008, 7:18 pm 7:18 pm
Historically a democratic candidate needs about 15 percent advantage to absorb GOP attacks in the fall. Obama still doesn’t have it. Gallup poll shows him tied with McCain now. The other polls showing him 12 or 15 percent lead may not be very reliable. At this point people get to know him only by his books and his one-side stories – unlike Clintons, there are no negative books about him so far. When those books are in place, and people get to know more about him, it is hard to say he can maintain his advantage. His flip-flops don’t help with undecided voters.
This year should have been an easy dem victory – unfortunately, we end up with a lousy candidate.
Posted by: amy | June 25, 2008, 7:20 pm 7:20 pm
Today’s Gallop poll (6/25) finds a virtual tie between Obama and NcCain. Also today, Israel has sent notice to the Bush administration that if no action is taken against Iran, than it will take its own action before the US elections. Israel knows that it will get any help from an Obama administration and is preparing its defense. Is this the sorta thing that Obama can handle?
Posted by: Jimbo | June 25, 2008, 7:21 pm 7:21 pm
There are 270 paths, but only 1 vote for me. Please help me decide who to vote for:
On the one hand we have the oldest candidate, who couldn’t raise his hands high enough because of the injuries suffered while serving in Vietnam, spending 1966 days in captivity, whose wife’s Operation Smile spread across from Bangladesh to Vietnam or on the other, a younger candidate, in a designer’s suit, spending 7300 days as a member of a Black separatist church, along with his slightly revengeful wife, proudly worshipping Wright?
Posted by: country_voter | June 25, 2008, 7:24 pm 7:24 pm
Plain and simple..I’m not voting for a Darkie….or a 1st lady who’ll look like Patrick Ewing in drag!
Posted by: Maximeliano | June 25, 2008, 7:29 pm 7:29 pm
On the net, there are 49,200,000 OBAMA LIES posted. Voters, read every last one of them, then you will know who to vote for. This may take from now to GE day.
Posted by: Mai | June 25, 2008, 7:29 pm 7:29 pm
i have come to the unfortunate conclusion; when in doubt, vote right-vote white.
Posted by: ron | June 25, 2008, 7:29 pm 7:29 pm
If anyone looks at MCBush campaign from 2000 you will see he is an obvious flip flopper or suffering from alzheimers.
It’s known that the Viet Cong broke MCcain mentally, and as a result, he seems suffering from serious mental deficit knowns as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
aside from PTS, one has to wonder what effect the torture had on his mind.
It’s not that his temper gets the best of him, he’s mentally disturbed and time after time, has made
statements that suggest he’s either confused, unaware of the reality of the situation, or true lier.
If McCain’s experience could not help him vote against the Iraq war, how will it help him make America safer and better by conytinuing failed Bush policy?
These are serious troubling issues for a president
No MCBush = No more War
McClueless, MCold, MC stupid, gotta love McFlipFlopper, This guy is true lier and clueless about Iraq war.
American people are not stupid, to give MCBush failed policy & US occupation of Iraq another four years to let him
figure out that Iran and Iraq did not have anything to do with 9/11, Alquida in Iraq is outcome of US occupation.
MCstupid has to listen to Irqi lawmakers that are saying US occupation is fueling insurgency and they can take care of their country.
http://www.reuters.com/article/featuredCrisis/idUSN04304912
Posted by: jerd | June 25, 2008, 7:35 pm 7:35 pm
if colin powell were running, i would vote for him in a heartbeat but obama is no powell; obama is arrogant, radically liberal, inexperienced…and another jimmy carter…
i will vote republican for the first time in my life and many other bluedog dems will too
Posted by: ron | June 25, 2008, 7:37 pm 7:37 pm
Bush didn’t get anything done with the Iraq invasion, except destruction and deaths, injuries and devastation. Let’s give Obama a chance. He has a good heart and is better able to speak for the people. Check out WhyObama08.org
Posted by: G Green | June 25, 2008, 7:39 pm 7:39 pm
270 electoral votes it’s a very hard
number for Obama in november.
Stay tune the TV 24/7 commercials
against Obama had NOT started yet.
His political resume is below standards.
November 5th it will be a sad day for
Obama his supporters and DNC……
Posted by: Nicholas | June 25, 2008, 7:40 pm 7:40 pm
a good heart? we are not electing a saint. the last time we did that was when we elected carter and all hell broke loose. we need a strong president and strong obama is not.
Posted by: ron | June 25, 2008, 7:44 pm 7:44 pm
There are many ways to 270, but all of them would involve Obama’s hyprocrisy, lies, and hidden deception.
Posted by: 270_ways | June 25, 2008, 8:00 pm 8:00 pm
Where on earth do such ignorant people hide while waiting to post obnoxiously simple, racist, idiotic comments? You can’t possibly do anything productive with your lives. People like you don’t deserve a President like Obama.
I am extremely grateful that I don’t know any of you in real life. This is a good reminder to remember to ignore comments on the internet…
Posted by: Jen | June 25, 2008, 8:01 pm 8:01 pm
Obama is very presidential with his Obama seal.
Posted by: Gord | June 25, 2008, 8:04 pm 8:04 pm
But there is a danger in overextending the campaign. Alaska is not Indiana or Ohio or Florida.
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | June 25, 2008, 8:08 pm 8:08 pm
“Where on earth do such ignorant people hide while waiting to post obnoxiously simple, racist, idiotic comments? You can’t possibly do anything productive with your lives. People like you don’t deserve a President like Obama.
I am extremely grateful that I don’t know any of you in real life. This is a good reminder to remember to ignore comments on the internet… ”
You are right – people like us do not deserve Obama. That’s why we are organizing to make sure O-Possum will never step foot in the White House.
P U M A!
A Proud, Black, Hillary Supporter
Hillary/McCain’08
Posted by: LeeLee07 | June 25, 2008, 8:26 pm 8:26 pm
Barr isn’t going to get 4% in Ga and there are 6,million people in the metro and there are a s.load of repubs who are going to vote McCain and believe me he is going to bring out the Repub base. The talk in the burbs here is all about making sure he does not get elected I am not voting for Him because he does not need my vote as a white grandmother suburan woman that’s what I have heard right from Donna B mouth.
Posted by: Bishop | June 25, 2008, 8:44 pm 8:44 pm
McCain-Powell 08
My pick: McCain and Colin Powell
they will wipe the floor with Obama. It won’t matter how much money he raises or who he picks for VP.
As a Hillary supporter I will not vote for Obama. Period. He will destroy our country.
Posted by: bz | June 25, 2008, 8:46 pm 8:46 pm
Well, I guess I am just one of a very few voters who is going to be overwhelmed in November by the Barack Obama collosus. I like McCain even more as the underdog.
Posted by: Scott | June 25, 2008, 8:53 pm 8:53 pm
Never Obama Bin Laden!
He’s a fraud, a racist, with no substance.
Only true idiots believe otherwise.
Very sad to see the Clintons being paid off to back him. A complete circus with Rev Wright leading the way.
McCain-Powell `08
Posted by: DNC sham | June 25, 2008, 9:18 pm 9:18 pm
Hey Hussein Obama.
Have you ever heard about the
“silent vote”???????????
Let me explain to you…….
“Silent vote” is the largest group
of voters who DIDN’T go to the primaries
or caucuses BUT they will vote in
november.The group are millions mostly
whites-they don’t talk BUT THEY VOTE…
Guess what…..they will NOT vote for
Hussein Obama……….
Posted by: Nicholas | June 25, 2008, 9:18 pm 9:18 pm
It’s Obama’s race to lose. If he doesn’t emerge victorious, it won’t be by much. If he wins it will probably be decisively.
Posted by: JimmyTMac | June 25, 2008, 9:22 pm 9:22 pm
Actually unless all of you voting for McCain live in a swing state it really doesn’t matter. Blue states will go blue regardless.
Posted by: erin | June 25, 2008, 9:25 pm 9:25 pm
They should just rename this blog: For Racists Only!! Then all of you people could get together and make racist comments about Obama instead of showing an ounce of intellect by addressing the actual issues of this campaign!!
The theme of this blog by most of you people is to either:
(1) whine about Clinton not getting the nomination and then blabbing on and on about voting for McCain without even claiming that you support any of his policies. No TRUE Democrat would support the policies that would promote a 3rd term of George W. Bush.
AND
(2) Resort to racist remarks about Obama, and actually see nothing wrong with it. You guys waste so much engery spewing so much hate, it’s just pathetic.
Posted by: Jennifer | June 25, 2008, 9:34 pm 9:34 pm
McCain-Powell 08
My pick: McCain and Colin Powell
they will wipe the floor with Obama. It won’t matter how much money he raises or who he picks for VP.
As a Hillary supporter I will not vote for Obama. Period. He will destroy our country.
Posted by: bz | Jun 25, 2008 8:46:16 PM
7777777777777777777777777777777777777
Fat chance Colin Powell is leaning Obama and is thri being used by the GOP neo soon to be conVICTS.
Posted by: ABC Skews News | June 25, 2008, 9:41 pm 9:41 pm
Jennifer.
You’re wrong……..
Obama is an opportunist,fake and the
biggest joke of the century….
He has NOTHING to offer except higher
taxes, big government and social left wing ideas.
Americans NEVER voted for a left wing
liberal candidate……
Posted by: Nicholas | June 25, 2008, 9:43 pm 9:43 pm
Have you noticed that John McCain flip-flops on the issues nearly daily? Now he has a new energy gimmick that is to win our energy problem with ‘psychology’!
McCain should formally and publicly denounce the Washington Lobbyist Charlie Black for his comments wishing for another terrorist attack on American soil. But instead, McCain is keeping him on his staff, keeping him out of the limelight, and hoping this all blows over. Such a hypocrite!
Charlie Black isn’t the only Lobbyist on McCain’s staff either. McCain cannot seem to get people around him that aren’t linked to PAC money or Insider Lobbyist connections. There is an old saying you are like the company you keep.
Defeat McCain in ’08.
Posted by: Susan2 | June 25, 2008, 9:56 pm 9:56 pm
Today, even The manager of the Hanoi Hilton, Tran Trong Duyet, would be voting for McCain – DOES OBAMA EVEN HAVE A CHANCE!!
Posted by: Jimbo | June 25, 2008, 10:14 pm 10:14 pm
These comments are unbelievably ridiculous. If the people writing here are a sample of the voting public, God help America. Racists, gun-toters, bible-belters, Obama was 100% correct. It’s your fear and feelings of powerlessness, not to mention lack of decent jobs and health care, that lead you to extremes. So sad, my America, so sad. Looking for villains? look at Big Pharmaceuticals, Big Oil, the Federal Reserve. We’re all pawns; get mad at the right people. WAKE UP AMERICA!
Posted by: Jerry | June 25, 2008, 10:16 pm 10:16 pm
McCain flipflop? Are You Kidding? Your number is on the wrong horse, my friend!!
Posted by: Jimbo | June 25, 2008, 10:17 pm 10:17 pm
WITHOUT MR. BIG, YOU COULDN’T SURVIVE!! I’ll bet the Amish are having a good laugh re. Mr. Entitlement!!
Posted by: Jimbo | June 25, 2008, 10:21 pm 10:21 pm
The big news today (6/25) is that the Israelis have given Bush a warning that if nobody stops Iran’s nukes – they will. Can you just imagine how NOBAMA would deal with that??
Posted by: Jimbo | June 25, 2008, 10:26 pm 10:26 pm
Gallup as of today (6/25/08) McCain has risen to tie Obama. Obama has crested and as more voters realise that he is a sham….. NO WAY!!
Posted by: Jimbo | June 25, 2008, 10:34 pm 10:34 pm
General Electric is the last of the American companies to do business with Iran and THEY ARE HEDGING ON LEAVING!! NBC NEWS IS IN THE TANK FOR OBAMA….. GUESS WHO OWNS NBC….. GENERAL ELECTRIC!!!! INTERESTING!!!
Posted by: Jimbo | June 25, 2008, 10:43 pm 10:43 pm
Jimbo,
That’s the Gallup Daily Tracking Poll..If you check out the NBC/WSJ, Bloomberg/CBS, Newsweek, ABC/Washington Post and Quinnipiac polls Obama is ahead 6-15 pts..
Posted by: Jennifer | June 25, 2008, 10:49 pm 10:49 pm
It must be my intuition. The Pied Piper does plan to nail the college crowd to swell the ranks in November. New voters. I hope that all of the election registration units are up for the new crush of voters and the need for more workers. This is not his easy caucus format for elections, but if he gets the numbers he’s looking for, who knows? The numbers could favor him, but the lack of substance and experience doesn’t.
Posted by: georgia | June 25, 2008, 10:52 pm 10:52 pm
NBC? ARE YOU SERIOUS!! MOST PEOPLE KNOW THAT NBC IS IN THE TANK FOR OBAMA!! DO YOUR RESEARCH MY FRIEND!!
Posted by: Jimbo | June 25, 2008, 10:53 pm 10:53 pm
Obama’s supporters here in this post and everywhere just assume that Hillary for McCain or McCain for Hillary voters are just racists and uninformed.
But research after research, facts after facts points only one way: Obama barely even qualifies to be Senator. 143 days in the Senate. He ducks, hides and blames Washington too much. When we need him to talk issues, he refuses to debate with Hillary and now with McCain, refuses to think on his feet. When we talk about his character or his wife, we are dividing America. When we call him out on his unbounded lies and hypocrisies, he says we hoodwink and bamboozle the American way. Let me tell you, every time he flip flops, he flip flops to protect himself. McCain, though old, flip flops on issues to protect the country.
We care for our country, hoping one day we will see a Black President, but not this one, not this time.
Posted by: not_racists_here | June 25, 2008, 10:57 pm 10:57 pm
Like the lady said, the Dems have to be ahead by 15 point min to overcome the Reps in Nov. In reality Obama is now tied. FL, OH, PA will probably go Rep. THAT’S IT!!!
Posted by: Jimbo | June 25, 2008, 11:01 pm 11:01 pm
I think Pa will go dem because of Rendell. And now Va which was once solid repub is now in play. I wouldn’t count out Obama.
Posted by: erin | June 25, 2008, 11:05 pm 11:05 pm
PA will not go for a Socialist/Marxist.
Posted by: Jimbo | June 25, 2008, 11:08 pm 11:08 pm
Oh I didn’t know there was the socialist/marxist party. Like I said I think Pa will go dem.
Posted by: erin | June 25, 2008, 11:15 pm 11:15 pm
Nikita Khrushchev has to be smiling!!
Posted by: Jimbo | June 25, 2008, 11:20 pm 11:20 pm
–Jen–I will take your suggestion to ignore your idiotic comment in defense of Possum. Thanks.
LOL
Posted by: Maggie | June 26, 2008, 12:00 am 12:00 am
I think Obama will lose in November. Gallup reported today, that even after all the millions, all the support from the mainstream media, that Obama has fallen to be tied with McCain. America is waking up and realizing that Obama is not Presidential. I applaud Nader and Dobson for taking and voicing a stand against Obama, who have recitated his lies to the public. There will be more heavyweight figures coming out and challenging him. Obama seems to be imploding and HAS turned this into a “race” campaign, one that he will lose.
Posted by: david from texas | June 26, 2008, 12:05 am 12:05 am
–Jennifer–Why are you posting on the Racist Blog Only? Most of the postings are not racist, and just because voters thinks that Obama is not honest and trustworthy; also does not have the intergity, judgment and experience for the high office does not make anyone a racist.
Posted by: Manley | June 26, 2008, 12:14 am 12:14 am
Good grief! What a load of hate and insecurity. I have always said that Sen. Obama’s greatest risk is betting on the maturity and wisdom of the American electorate. The majority of comments in this forum show why we need to expand the electorate to those who have not voted before. So I would suggest that all of you Obama-haters continue to sit at your computers and fulminate. I’ll be out registering voters.
Posted by: Debra Schrishuhn | June 26, 2008, 8:17 am 8:17 am