The Grand Junction Sentinel notes recent shifts that may bode well for Democrat Barack Obama in red rock country:
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s decision to stop in Grand Junction and Pueblo might seem a bit odd, given that most of Colorado’s voters are on the Front Range. However, political observers said Thursday that Obama’s choice of venues makes perfect sense.
John Redifer, political science professor at Mesa State College, said the battle for Colorado this year hinges on independent voters. And, he said, there is no better place to connect with that bloc than Grand Junction and Pueblo.
“I think the choice of (Alaska Gov. Sarah) Palin for a vice president for (Republican John) McCain has really upped the ante for Obama in these western states,” Redifer said. “She has a lot of appeal with independents.”
During a July stop in Grand Junction, Congressman John Salazar, D-Colo., said for Obama to carry Colorado, he has to carry the 3rd Congressional District, which includes Grand Junction and Pueblo.
Eric Wortman, spokesman for Salazar, said the congressman is thrilled Obama plans to work on meeting the challenge of appealing to rural Coloradans.
“If you can win there, you will win the state,” Wortman said…
Even if he shows well in Mesa County and other Western Slope population centers without winning outright, he’ll help himself greatly towards carrying the state–and help down the ticket, too.
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because it ties in directly to GOPpundit’s diary about Obama’s problems with rural, white, working class voters.
Nice to see the campaign is trying to address this issue. If they don’t buy what he’s selling, it’s going to be a late night.
If I were in charge of the Palin campaign I would have her scheduled in the same places as Obama. Then Obama would have to be forced to walk in her shadow.
(excuse me, the vertically challenge)
cast shadows?
Regretfully, Nancy Baldwin is an idiot.
Have an educated and compassionate individual follow a low information and intolerant extremist. Nancy might be an undercover Obama strategist.
do pathological liars like McCain & Palin have with independents?
Oh look. Look what the POT is calling the kettle.
You make statements without explanation.
I guess this is the kind of person who would vote for a Sarah Palin. No facts. Just accusations.
Notice how this sockpuppet never mentions McCain.
I think “she” is a troll, not a sock puppet.
Regretfully, Nancy Balkwin is an idiot.
Talk to all America and all of Colorado. It is going to be interesting to see the turnout.
McCain.
Obama walks in the shadows of Sarah Palin.
but hey don’t let facts obscure your outrage.
How about making a comment on western slope issues like water or energy?
Your crude attempts at insults aren’t very entertaining but we understand that Republicans can’t talk about issues. All they can do is insult.
to join McCain in debates via townhall forums. You know it I know it.
I don’t want to support a guy who is afraid to debate his opponent.
troll, and, regretfully, an idiot.
LOL!
but I have no idea whether I’ll be able to.
in Grand Junction and jobs in Pueblo.
Remind voters of McCain’s flip flop on taking Colorado water.
I just like his itinerary and going to all parts of the state.
The issue here is whether Obama is right in going to GJ and Pueblo. From my view those two stops are nice and probably OK for once. Put if this is indicative of the Obama long term campaign then they will lose Colorado. This election will be won and lost in Adams, Arapahoe and Jefferson county. This is where the true swing voter lies.
I think it is also won by getting enough votes in Grand Junction, Pueblo, etc that Adams/Araphoe/JeffCo then take it over the top.
Plus, it shows rural voters that he’s willing to travel out to the sticks.
I made that very point on another thread. Minimizing the loss in the 3rd CD allows a win with less of a margin on the Front Range.
With Colorado’s Western Slope the national sacrifice zone for energy development, Obama will surely plug his energy policies.
But we shouldn’t hold our breath about any candidate coming to the state on Monday if Hurricane Ike wipes southern Texas off the map….
The sheer energy in this storm has caught everyone’s attention. It is a monster.
I hope someday our Republican brethren will consider other ways to protect our country besides killing people with brown skins. We’re squandering a lot of money that could be used to protect our homeland.