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Friday, October 17, 2008

Joe Biden Coming to Tacoma

posted by on October 17 at 8:10 AM

Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Joe Biden will be at Tacoma’s Cheney Stadium on Sunday (where I predict he will not miss the opportunity for a site-appropriate Dick Cheney joke).

But here’s the question: Why is Biden spending a day—or part of a day—in Washington State, where polls show Obama up by a healthy margin?

I’ve sent the question to a local Obama spokesman, but while I wait for an answer, here’s my theory: It never hurts to rally the faithful. And stopping in Pierce County also gives Biden an opportunity to talk up Gov. Christine Gregoire, who was a relatively early Obama endorser and who is now in a surprisingly tight re-election race with Dino Rossi.

Running up the vote in Pierce County wouldn’t be a bad way for Gregoire to pull ahead on election night.

RSS icon Comments

1

I would guess exactly what you said about the Governor race (and other down ticket races). Plus fundraising and rallying the troops to volunteer at phone banks/in swing states.

Posted by Julie in Chicago | October 17, 2008 8:20 AM
2

Rally the faithful, then ask them to make get-out-the-vote calls to battleground states. Like West Virginia.

Posted by Ziggity | October 17, 2008 8:23 AM
3

Because it is October 17 and not November 5.

Posted by john | October 17, 2008 8:26 AM
4

MEGA fundraiser that night-- $1,000 to get you in the door, $25,000 to schmooze. Dave Matthews is playing. Might as well maximize your time and throw one to the people. I'm leaving Seattle at 9 to go wait in line because this campaign, for me, has been all about ridiculous line waiting. This is bigger than the Beatles. JOEBAMA!

Posted by Suze | October 17, 2008 8:26 AM
5

My parents are a good example of how strange the balancing act in our state is right now. They're life long, small town republican leaning "independents". They've recently decided to vote for Obama, but they love Dino Rossi. Biden's stumping for Gregoire might actually make them not vote for Obama.

Ugh.

Posted by Bryce Beamish | October 17, 2008 8:33 AM
6

@5: I have a feeling that, in the grand scheme of things, that won't really matter much.

I think it would be great for Joe Biden to come up and say "We need Chris Gregoire in office, we need her to keep Amurrica on the right track. Dino Rossi would be a step in the wrong direction. Is there something Washington needs? Infrastructure help? Transportation assistance? A basketball tema? A Obama-Gregoire coalition can make it happen."

Posted by AJ | October 17, 2008 8:56 AM
7

"Because it is October 17 and not November 5."

I think john nailed it. We can't take anything for granted.

Posted by blackhook | October 17, 2008 9:11 AM
8

Gregoire's finally woken up.

Posted by max solomon | October 17, 2008 9:11 AM
9

Taking anything for granted right now is a sure mistake and Gregoire needs the help. Nothing is a done deal

I am impressed by the Obama/Biden campaign. The heat is on, with no signs of slowing down. Get some.

Posted by kerri harrop | October 17, 2008 9:19 AM
10

I might go just to hear Mr Biden talk again about that "three-letter word: J-O-B-S." LMAO!

Posted by Seajay | October 17, 2008 9:47 AM
11

Out local blue incumbents are about to get slaughtered. We need Joe here to get it crackin! This state is so strange.

Posted by Val Klezmer | October 17, 2008 10:08 AM
12

It's is all about money and visibility. Gregoire needs more visibility and that takes money and Obama's campaign is one of if not the most expensive ever. I see many more ads on TV pro-Rossi than Gregoire, she and the state Dems needs to saturate the airwaves in the next couple of weeks..

Posted by inkweary | October 17, 2008 10:43 AM
13

It's for the down ticket D wins!

Oh, already voted postage-free at the U Dist drop box location.

Woo Hoo!

Posted by Will in Seattle | October 17, 2008 11:01 AM
14

Seriously, Obama's camapaign owes Gregoire a high profile visit for coming out strong for him on the eve of caucuses. I'm glad to see they are trying to pay their debts.

Posted by mirror | October 17, 2008 12:07 PM
15

Actually, Obama/Biden is up by a "healthy margin" in quite a few states. Obama/Biden can afford to lose MO, FL, OH, NC, NV, CO, and NM (all places they lead). They would still win all Kerry states plus Iowa and Virgina and consequentially, the election. Solidifying support in the "Leaning Obama" states is completely appropriate at this point in time. The closest "Battleground States" will be seeing such an overwhelming amount of political attention paid to them in the next two and a half weeks it is prudent of their campaign to let us know they still care. Also, Tacoma is a much smarter play then Seattle in terms of impact.

Posted by Valpey | October 17, 2008 9:21 PM
16

What early Obama endorsement? You mean the one she made at the KeyArena rally the day before the caucuses?

Posted by Trev | October 18, 2008 3:48 PM

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