Nebraska Democratic Party: Obama Team on the Ground

Obama Team on the Ground

Jan 29, 08:25 AM CST

The Nebraska Democratic Party does not endorse any candidates in a contested Presidential nominating process. We attempt to provide timely information to Democrats and offer the same opportunities to all candidates.

It is unclear when, if ever, a Presidential candidate placed staff in Nebraska to seek the vote of Nebraskans. One campaign is now doing just that, and others might indeed follow.

Obama team on the ground in Nebraska
By Don Walton

Lincoln Journal Star
Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008

And so it begins.

A five-member campaign staff for Sen. Barack Obama is on the ground in Nebraska preparing for the state’s first Democratic presidential caucus on Feb. 9.

“We’re laying the groundwork to ensure that we’re competitive in post-Feb. 5 contests,” Obama campaign spokesman Ben LaBolt said Monday night in an e-mail confirming the Obama team has arrived.

The thrust into Nebraska is evidence the Obama campaign is moving aggressively into states that follow the mega-Tuesday Democratic showdown in nearly two dozen states a week from today.

“You can’t build a caucus organization overnight,” LaBolt said. “And we’re in the process of educating undecided Nebraskans and training our supporters on the caucus process.”

The staff is headed by Rory Steele, who spearheaded Obama’s western Iowa caucus campaign earlier this month.

Obama team members are located in both Lincoln and Omaha.

Sen. Ben Nelson endorsed Obama earlier this month, handing the Illinois senator the support of Nebraska’s highest-profile Democrat.

Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York is expected to contest Obama in Nebraska, but there has been no word yet of campaign staffing here.

Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards also remains in the Democratic race.

Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said Monday it is unlikely the Democratic contest will be resolved on Feb. 5.

“Therefore, we are also organizing and planning for the rest of the February states,” Plouffe said in an e-mail assessment of the race.

“We have, or will have, staff in all nine of those states by mid-week. We believe these states offer real opportunity for Senator Obama and believe if Feb. 5 is roughly a split verdict, we can win the majority of the states and delegates over those next two weeks.”

Democrats in Louisiana and Washington will make their decisions on the same day Nebraska Democrats caucus.

Among the larger states that follow in February are Maryland, Virginia and Wisconsin.

Nebraska Republicans will vote in a presidential primary election on May 13.

Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.

– by Eric Fought | Send this to a friend

I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN MORE INFO RE THE CAUCUS.
I AM A STRONG SUPPORTOR OF BARACK AND WOULD BE WILLING TO ASSIST IN SOME WAY TO PROMOTE HIS CAUSE. HAVING NEVER PARTICIPATED IN A CAUCUS, MY ABILITIES ARE SOMEWHAT LIMITED, BUT POSSIBLY I COULD ASSIST IN SOME WAY.
— NANCY J JACOBSON Jan 29, 08:51 PM CST #
They are a great group of staffers. They’re taking the hundreds of supporters our group has collected over the last year or so, put them together with the volunteers from Nebraska in Iowa (and some Iowans coming here to return the favor) and put them to work to shatter the turnout expectations. Yes we can!
— Solomon Kleinsmith Jan 30, 10:33 PM CST #
I think it’s wonderful and historic, too, that the candidates have a reason now to come to Nebraska- but it’s not quite the first time- for example, Bobby Kennedy used his campaigning and win in Nebraska’s primary in ‘68 as a boost to his next win in California.
— Milo Mumgaard Jan 31, 03:47 PM CST #
Milo –

You are absolutely correct. Frank Church campaigned here as well. Gary Hart campaigned heavily in Nebraska and Walter Mondale did have staff on the ground.

So, this is historic, for the first time in at least 20 years, Nebraska Democrats have a role. But it isn’t the first time.
— Eric Fought Jan 31, 08:24 PM CST #
I too would like to offer any help I can give on the day of the caucus…I have never been involved in a caucus but feel very compelled to be a part of this amazing movement…let me know what I can do!
— Lisa Tegtmeier Feb 01, 08:35 AM CST #
I am so excited that Nebraska Democrats are on the rise. I would love to help as well and be involved in this extraordinary election year and beyond. Please let me know what I can do to help!
— Paula Whittle Feb 04, 10:33 AM CST #