Alaskans for Obama: A Rare Democratic Push in the Last Frontier

[ruggerson]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/04/AR2008080402000.html

ANCHORAGE -- In what might be the fullest realization of Barack Obama's pledge to run hard in parts of the country largely untouched by presidential campaigning, the Democrat's Alaska operation is making plans for organizers to hopscotch the state's vast and sparsely populated interior by bush plane, knocking on doors in remote outposts for their candidate.

"Go around, put up signs, shake some hands, see some of the important people in the village," said state representative and professional pilot Woodie Salmon (D), describing his own campaign tactics in a legislative district that includes 94 villages, 70 of which can be reached only by air. "Get things stirred up and leave again."

Conservative and quirky, Alaska last went for a Democratic presidential candidate 44 years ago. No nominee from either party has even visited since Richard Nixon's journey to glad-hand in Anchorage on the last weekend of the 1960 campaign, a stop that some argue cost him the razor-thin election.

Obama, who often boasts of having visited the other 49 states, has yet to commit to a stop here. But his vibrant campaign operation here is stoking expectations and mounting the most prodigious presidential effort Alaska has seen.

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[snowbear]

1. I'm in Anchorage and there are Obama signs EVERYWHERE.

As far as the GOP, the only presidential signs you ever see are PAUL signs.. I haven't seen one single McLAME sign anywhere.

rASSmussen polled the state a week or two ago (I took part in the poll) and it showed mcLame with something like a 4 point lead.

The reason I didn't trust rASSmussen's poll was because they use some bizarre techniques, like asking you a ton of "what if" questions after you say that you're supporting Obama.

"What if Obama doubled the amount of taxes you paid and didn't do anything about high gas prices, would you still support him? Questions like that..

Obama will win the Great White North.

Even our Republican Governor, Sarah Palin (who R's talked about adding to McSame's ticket because of her looks.. not experience.. said that she was "totally impressed with Obama's speech on Energy Policies today"

I think Sarah has a crush on Barack... LOL!

[opihimoimoi]

2. Wonderful News....Pubs in pain over McCane.....

[ruggerson]

3. that's great Larissa

if he takes Alaska, that will be a watershed.