ground102808
On the homepage
Vikings
Out There
Pardon Board
Petters
Home | Politically Connected | State Politics
Campaigns to hit home with get-out-the-vote pleas
Print this story
E-mail this story
Save to del.icio.us
Share on Facebook
Share on DiggMore from State Politics
With one last week to go before Election Day, Minnesotans can expect their front doorsteps and telephones to become battlefields in the presidential campaign.
Local strategists for Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain unveiled their plans for the final push of the longest campaign, with both pledging that theirs would be the biggest get-out-the-vote effort in the state's history.
Both will concentrate their volunteers' firepower on still-undecided voters and those whose support of their candidate remains soft, campaign managers said.
"We've always said Minnesota is a must-win state and we're running it in a must-win way," said Jeff Blodgett, Obama's chief strategist in the state.
Responded his counterpart at the McCain campaign, Ben Golnik: "Our get-out-the-vote operation is efficient, battle-tested and a proven turnout method."
About 20,000 Obama volunteers are operating out of 37 offices statewide, planning to make 1 million voter contacts by next Tuesday, Blodgett said.
About a half-million new or what he called "irregular" voters will have been contacted four times each during the campaign by then, he said.
Golnik said thousands of GOP volunteers will contact tens of thousands of voters; "we don't get into specific numbers," he said. "We know the Obama campaign has more paid staff and offices."
The McCain campaign is working out of 15 field offices statewide.
Both campaigns will have volunteers working straight through next Tuesday.
Recent polls in the state show Obama with a lead over McCain.
BOB VON STERNBERG
Recent State Politics stories
Legal fees the latest battle in case that alleged payments to Coleman - October 27, 2008
Legal fees the latest battle in case that alleged payments to Coleman - A high-bucks battle over legal fees has reinvigorated a case that roiled Minnesota's 2008 Senate race. More
- Library is pressed to take gang force report off Web
- Legislators take a field trip to the Metrodome
- Quam exits firm to help husband run for governor
- Not all forgiven
- As commission presses, Vikes will 'move on'
- Sowing survivalism seeds on talk radio
- Minn./Wis. reciprocity: Will workers be torn between two tax bills?
Current state office holders
Governor: Tim Pawlenty
One of only a few prominent Republicans to win a competitive re-election contest in the Democratic sweep of 2006, Tim Pawlenty is widely seen as politically shrewd and naturally likable.
- Lt. Governor: Carol Molnau
- Secretary of State: Mark Ritchie
- Attorney General: Lori Swanson
- State Auditor: Rebecca Otto
Minnesota's political giants: Learn more about the men and women who have shaped Minnesota's political history.
 Find Your Next HomeSearch realtor represented & for sale by owner homes in the Twin Cities. Plus, find open house listings. |
Win tickets to Erik Friedlander's 'Block Ice & Propane' in McGuire Theater at Walker Art Center.Vita.mn presents Erik Friedlander's 'Block Ice & Propane' in McGuire Theater at Walker Art Center on Dec. 5. |
Comment on this story | Read all 3 comments | Hide reader comments