Iowa: Barack Obama Recieving Lots of Second Choice Support
Kucinich. Richardson. Biden. Most of the second tier Democratic Party presidential contenders have thrown their “second choice” support to Barack Obama. Will this change the true dynamic of the caucusing in Iowa tonight? Or is this trend purely political, rather than ideological, positioning on the part of the also-rans?
Earlier this week, Dem presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich urged his supporters to throw “second choice” support to Barack Obama - and it looks like Kucinich was on the leading edge of a trend. Today, Bill Richardson urged his supporters in Iowa to do the same thing.
Is it a calculated “Veep” move on Richardson’s part? The governor of New Mexico has been mentioned in many quarters as a potential Vice Presidential candidate for just about any of the front runners. There’s no question that Richardson would be a positive addition to the ticket of any of the leading contenders, and he would certainly draw on a couple of desirable demographics: Hispanic and Southwestern state Democrats. New Mexico has, for the past few election cycles, been one of the pivotal states for the GOP, and Richardson would certainly change the political dynamic. So, by throwing his support to Obama today, did he make a calculated move?
And, the Washington Post is reporting this afternoon that Joe Biden (D-MBNA) is making the same move - tossing his “second choice” support to Obama.
I can understand Richardson’s move. I can’t understand Biden’s, other than sheer political calculus on his part. It’s hard to believe that, as supposedly “strong” on national security issues as Biden might be, that he wouldn’t be tossing his support to Hillary Clinton. But, then, there’s probably some personal, rather than political, dynamic at work in Biden making this move.
The bottom line is that, on paper, it would appear that Barack Obama is now the clear front runner. As I opined yesterday, John Edwards needs to finish first or strong second in order to realistically continue his campaign. And Hillary? Her snap polling today isn’t looking particularly good. The Clinton camp simply can not roll out of Iowa with a third place finish.
John Zogby’s latest polling today:
Obama 31%
Edwards 27%
Clinton 24%
Gonna be an interesting evening in the Hawkeye State…pop the popcorn…
Update: Cognitive Dissonance has a nice article on the backroom deals taking place today in Iowa. Also, hit their main page if you have any questions about the complexity of the caucusing process in Iowa.
“Gonna be an interesting evening in the Buckeye State…”
BUCKEYE! What’s Ohio gotta do with it?
Youse Easterners! I tellya, I gives ya books ta read, and ya jist chews the covers off!
Duz the Iowa Hawkeyes still shame, disgrace, and hoomiliate da Penn State Nituny Lians in collidge sports every year?
Argh!
Fixed.
You’d never believe that I originated in Iowa, would you, PoLT??