McCain's "ground game"

It's nice that Sen. McCain has a ground game, let's see what it's like:

DuHaime said that, along with the RNC’s Victory operation, they had 130 offices in their targeted states and 300 paid staffers in the field between the campaign and party committee.

Wow! 300! That sounds like such a great number:

A[n Ohio] party official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said he spoke to a member of the Obama campaign who told him that the campaign plans to hire 300 paid organizers for its field work, 25 in Franklin County alone.

And it's just the campaign, it doesn't even include how many will be hired by the DNC. Hooray Fifty State Strategy! Hooray beer!

More Obamacans

Just watched this video from Elkhart, Indiana's Truth newspaper. My favorite part was the woman waiting in line for her ninety-year-old mother, a life-long Republican, who wanted to check out Sen. Obama. Again, this is what happens when Democrats actually show up and talk to Republicans - they listen.

Gallup or why we need to shut up and stop looking at polls

So, while the "big news" is Rasmussen showing McCain up 47-46 (with leaners), Gallup daily shows Obama up 46-43. This is exactly why we can't cite polling data that is within the margin of error. It's not "proof" of anything aside from the race being close. Also, do not act like this is a national election, because it's not - it's 50 state-level elections. National popularity means nothing - just ask Al Gore. This is why the Fifty State Strategy is the only rational way to look at the election.

Massive Latino Outreach

I'm happy to read that the Obama campaign/DNC has launched a $20 million dollar outreach to the Latino/a community. Kos points out that the entire amount spent by the Democrats, the Republicans and the third-party groups was $8.7 million in 2004.

Important aspects of the article:

Sanchez said efforts will be particularly focused in the key swing states of Nevada, Florida, New Mexico and Colorado, where Latino voters could make up the margin of victory.

and

“The giant has woken up and we are being prodded by the Obama campaign,” said Rep. Hilda Solis, an early supporter of Obama’s primary opponent, Sen. Hillary Clinton, who now says she is firmly in the Obama camp. Solis said she spoke with Obama shortly after he secured the nomination and pledged her support to him. Solis said she is planning on hitting the campaign trail in the Southwest on Obama’s behalf. (italics mine)

Rep. Hilda Solis is a Democratic congresswoman from SoCal. The fact that the Obama campaign is already planning on hitting her up for the campaign trail says something about how much they are planning ahead. I am so impressed by the competence and organization of the Obama team.