Clinton Fighting Steep Odds in NC, But Still Fighting
by Aaron Bruns
FAYETTEVILLE, NC — Hillary Clinton acknowledged that she has an uphill battle in North Carolina, but insisted today that she’s going to fight for every vote. “This is going to be a hard fought election here in North Carolina. I know that I’m starting off behind. I get it,” she said. “But I’m still going to work as hard as I can to reach as many voters as I can, to talk to you about the issues that are important.??”
The first step in the strategy today: an event to talk military issues with an introduction by former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Clinton supporter Gen Hugh Shelton. North Carolina has a large military population, and Hillary has the backing of 35 flag officers as well as 8 years on the Senate Armed Services Committee to pitch to military families.
“Here we are, and we’re near two great bases with Ft Bragg and Pope, and we’ve got lots of people in this audience who have served or are servinr, or are spouses or family members of those who have served,” she said. “You’re going to help pick the next president, aren’t you?”
Step two, it seems, may be subtle attacks on Barack Obama’s disinclination to debate. A CBS forum set for April 27th was canceled after Obama failed to accept an invitation in time for preparations to be made; Clinton declined an invitation for a debate in the state prior to the Pennsylvania primary, saying it fell during passover.
Today, however, she proclaimed herself ready and willing to square off with Obama. People of North Carolina deserve a debate,” she said.?” I have said I’ll debate any time, anywhere. I’m so sleep deprived, it doesn’t matter. Any time, anywhere. I’ll show up.”
Clinton has a 15 point deficit to overcome in the state, and less than 2 weeks in which to do it — not to mention the must-win Indiana primary that will compete for the campaign’s time and money. But Team Clinton is hardly blowing off the state; top state director Ace Smith, who ran winning races in California and Texas, is at the helm here, and the campaign is organizing heavily. The Clinton camp seem to have learned its lesson in earlier races — when lopsided losses in states where she didn’t compete left Obama with a nearly insurmountable delegate advantage. |
