Cold War In Pennsylvania

[demwing]

I were a candidate in the PA primary, and realized that my opponent's established lead in that state was tough to beat, I'd consider the following:

• I'm expected to lose PA, so if I lose, no sweat.
  
• She's expected to win PA, so if she loses, its a disaster for her.
  
• I'm receiving double the amount of donations coming in as my opponent.
  
• Q - If I can't win in PA, how can I turn a loss to my advantage?
  
• A - I can turn a loss to my advantage by financially hobbling my opponent, so that her win in PA comes at too great a cost to her continued campaign.
  

Given this, it would be logical for Obama to outspend Hillary in PA, without regard to a win or a loss, and force Hillary to fight with every resource she has, just to hand on to a state that was already expected to go for her by a wide margin. Of course, if in the process, Obama wins PA--or even comes close--he'll get a little icing on that cake!

It's Reagan's Cold War strategy against the soviets--spend them out of their own game.

Judging by the latest FEC campaign financial reports (Hillary w/ 10 MILLION in debt, Obama with nearly 3 TIMES the cash on hand), I'd say this was a very successful strategy, and I congratulate Obama and his campaign staff for pulling it off so deftly.

[anonymous171]

1. That's what I think he's strategy was.

She won't have any funds with which to contest NC or any of the other primaries.

[demwing]

2. Updated with the FEC link

Lots of interesting information on that page, like how John Kerry started this cycle with 14 million in his Prez fund, but has transferred out 11.5 million to "Authorized Committees"

How is that tracked? Anyone know where that $$$ goes?

[SoCalDem]

3. It probably means that he SHARES with other candidates who may need money

HRC over-collected when she ran for re-election and the hoarded it all for her own presidential run..didn't help other dem candidates,.

[demwing]

4. Pardon My Ignorance

But a candidate can donate unused contributions to the campaign of another candidate?

Thanks for the headsup Janelle, Jodeen, Juliette, Julianne, Jolene, Jeannette, etc.. :)

[SoCalDem]

6. yes.. they can use unused campaign money they have, and give it to other candidates

They may have to donate it to the DNC or some other entity first, but I know they can and do do it.. some do, at least..

[demwing]

8. Thanks SoCalDem /nt

[chknltl]

5. psst and a rec

(line 10, word "hand", I'm guessing you meant "hang".) This notion of yours is well thought out, I think that you may be right! As an Obama supporter I hope you are right at any rate. Senator Clinton IS running low on cash these days. I was thinking that one factor is that she is not getting as much $$ support from those who have voted for her already because a sizable portion of those votes came from republicans ala the limbaugh/brouhaha strategy. Many, if not most of those folks would rather cut off their left arm than donate MONEY to a Clinton. Even though they hate mCcain, their cash I suspect, would go to the local repukes instead as money better spent.
(edited for my own misspellings)

[demwing]

7. Cash On Hand

Sometimes "Cash In Hand," synonymous with "assets." Basically means the money Obama has available to spend.

I agree, and the figures speak for themselves. Clinton is plain broke. If you look at Clinton's financial state compared to McCains, you'll see McCain raised less money, but also has considerably less debt. Yet, McCain managed to defeat a much better financed rival in Romney. Cut it, dice it, or slice it, the bottom line was that Clinton managed her resources less well than either McCain or Obama, and was somehow forced to take on debt to secure the necessary wins required to keep her campaign alive.

It's really an old trick - make your opponent defend where they are strong so they cannot defend where they are weak. :)

Thanks for the rec!

[rug]

9. Well, Obama did speak highly of Reagan.