From a political standpoint: the 'other' benefit of Obama spending so much $ in PA...

[bunnies]

Beyond the fact that he needs to win over voters...

Camp Obama is forcing Camp Clinton to spend every dime they can spare defending a state that should be an easy win for them.

This post: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5437731&mesg_id=5437731
points out that Hillary is answering a TV ad with a Radio response.

Seems to me that someone has very little money left to spend, and Camp Obama is getting them to spend it all.

[4themind]

1. Which also means fewer resources to devote for indiana,

when they already have the advantage of being two places at one (Hillary in one place and bill in another (which is not to say that Michelle obama doesn't have her own pull as an highly independent and intelligent woman in her own right)

[bunnies]

2. I saw on MSNBC tonight...

that Michelle Obama drew a crowd of 5000 recently. I dont know how it measures up but, imho, thats amazing!

[Zachstar]

5. That is pretty amazing actually.

Compared to Bill who was a former president and as such automatically draws a crowd (Nothing wrong with that BTW) Michelle getting 5000 for a crowd is GREAT!

[AllentownJake]

3. The staff

I fully expect to hear that her staff is going without pay anytime in the next 3-4 days. Either that or on the 20th will hear of another loan.

[Zachstar]

4. That is possible.

The 20th will give see us with alot more info.

[bunnies]

7. And we'll hear a lot more of the "obama is outspending me" excuse.

You know if she had more money than him... she'd be advertising it as some sort of mandate. But since its the other way around, she gets to play the "underdog".

[AllentownJake]

8. Fundraising

Is part of being a candidate. A majority of the Supers have held office and know that.

[Zachstar]

6. Clinton is now just trying to prevent Obama from winning PA in my view.

She knows that if he walks away with more delegates, this thing will be virtually over going into May.

[bunnies]

9. And if the polls are any indication...

Its going to cost her every penny to do it. If he even comes close to her in PA, her donors dry up, Game Over. And with two weeks left still to go... she might even be broke before that. I'm thinking she may already be in trouble.

[Zachstar]

18. With 7 million in play and a mutltitude of officices to run It will be extremely difficult.

Not to spend every penny on PA.

My only guess is she knows that if she loses PA it is virtually over so she will likely spend now and hope the donors come through to get her into the next states with any kind of effect.

[bunnies]

21. Yep. But if she's already countering TV with radio...

and theres still two weeks left to go... shes in TROUBLE.

[Zachstar]

23. Radio is only going to hit a certain type of audience.

I don't mean to be rude but seriously. Very few people listen to AM radio (Where ads are played almost as much as they talk) Compared to the last century.

Compared to FM, Digital, and Internet radio AM is beyond old and the quality will not attract non radio listening people.

On top of that most AM radio is listened to be REPUBLICANS! Therefore it falls upon deaf ears most of the time.

[Drunken Irishman]

10. Not only that, but it helps in the GE, too.

He's running ads there, while McCain isn't.

[bunnies]

11. And registering new voters as well!

He's going to kick McCains ASS in November!!!! :bounce:

[rinsd]

14. I missed your post before putting up mine but I agree.

[rinsd]

12. Forget about Hillary, this could have strategic benefits in the general.

Obama has had a tough time vs McCain in PA for over a year in head to head polling.

Anything that can improve that will be a welcome sight.

[flor de jasmim]

13. (BTW: That's a great picture of Hillary!)

[democrattotheend]

16. That's what I am thinking

And the money he is spending to build a ground operation is probably even more valuable.

[PA Democrat]

15. Hillary is supposed to do well here in western PA. She is running a LOT of ads here.

Obama has even more though ( would guess almost twice as many). I keep wondering how she can afford all of those ads when we keep hearing about her campaign's financial situation.

[bunnies]

17. I think she's putting all her remaining eggs in the PA basket.

Its what she NEEDS to do. She knows damn well that if she doesnt win PA by double digits... the race is all but over for her.

I think she's putting every penny she has into defending that state. So, even if she DOES win, she'll be broke.

[Zachstar]

19. That is not a good idea in my view.

She needs to keep the ads where strong Obama support is. Ads will not convince that many to stick with Clinton in echo chamber areas.

[PA Democrat]

26. What I am hearing is that the fact that she is running so many ads here,

where her support is supposed to be the strongest, is an indication that there may be some deterioration in her numbers.

[democrattotheend]

22. What's your sense on the ground there?

Are most of the people you know clinton supporters?

[PA Democrat]

24. It's funny because we have a few very heated local races and people seem to

be talking about those races more than the presidential primaries. I would say among the people I know, I see about a 50-50 split between Obama and Clinton, but not always according to the expected demographics. I know of several couples where the wife is supporting Obama and the husband is supporting Hillary. I hope that things are not as contentious in their households as they are between the 2 camps here on DU.

I am hearing that Hillary is supposed to have the edge here but haven't seen any actual numbers. Obama had a town hall meeting nearby and the tickets were given out at the county Democratic headquarters. They were gone within a half hour. My husband managed to get 2 for my son and I to attend, but had a tough time getting those. Tickets to the Obama rally were a hot item.

Hillary had a rally at another local high school today and it was an "all are welcome" event. I watched some local coverage of the event and couldn't tell the size of the crowd, but noticed such a difference in the atmosphere, much more subdued. Also the theme was "Solutions for a Strong Military" as you can see on the backdrop here:

http://kdka.com/politics/Hillary.Clinton.Hopewell.2.695430.html

[wowimthere]

20. He is taking the fight to her in her stronghold...which is good.

[BalancedGoat]

25. Something similar will happen in the GE.

Obama will force McCain to spend money in a number of states that would otherwise be easy wins for a Republican. I've seen very few scenerios for a Clinton win that doesn't include both Ohio and Florida. If all McCain has to do to beat Hillary is get one of those states than it becomes very easy for him to focus almost all of his efforts there. That stategy won't necessarily work against Obama.