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How Chelsea Clinton Helped Win Ohio
- Filed under: Uncategorized
- Date: Mar 6,2008
Over the past couple of weeks, the Clinton campaign brought out their ace in the hole. They put Bill on the shelf and put Chelsea Clinton front and center. This strategy was subtle, but a difference maker. Highlighting their strong mother-daughter relationship showed a much softer side of the Clinton family. Chelsea was all over Ohio and got a lot of media coverage referring to Hillary as "my mom." During the debates, the camera would cut away to this beautiful young woman smiling supportively at her mother. Chelsea barnstormed college campuses in Ohio reaching out to the demographic groups where Obama was strong. Chelsea's testimonials did so much to dispel the perception that Hillary is a cold and calculating candidate. I didn't notice those moments as they were happening and should have. I suspect women in Ohio saw this relationship, connected with it, and in turn saw a good reason to support Hillary: she's a great mom.
Clinton's Coalition of State Leaders
Regardless of where your loyalties lie in the Democratic Race for President, Tuesday's results proved that the Clinton campaign was just more effective in Ohio. The coalition that Senator Clinton was able to put together in our state proved to be very powerful. Ted Strickland, Lee Fisher, Stephanie Tubbs Jones, and John Glenn helped fill out a powerful team that helped deliver Ohio. Ted Strickland proved to be a particularly valuable surrogate and played a prominent role in the campaign. Senator Clinton's strategy to concede smaller states to Obama so that she could focus her resources on the larger prizes of Ohio and Texas paid off.
The only statewide surrogate that the Obama campaign was able to get on board was Richard Cordray, who is Ohio Treasurer of State. Cordray is a great leader in Ohio, but many Democrats do not know him. The weak Obama coalition was sparse in comparison. Tim Hagan, Mayor Coleman, and others didn't carry the kind of clout to compete with Hillary's team.
This race will go on, but team Clinton deserves a moment to enjoy their win.
11 Responses for "How Chelsea Clinton Helped Win Ohio"
Maybe if Dann had endorsed Obama he would have won.
Cmon Kyle, she got 54% of the vote…..without Chelsea she gets 53.8% maybe…hardly the difference. Obama got flat beat. Ohio is not a state built for him, I think he carried 5 of 88 counties compared to Clinton winning the rest.
Nice picture of Chelsea. Think she could get me a job at a hedge fund?
Ben, women were 59% of the Democratic Primary vote and broke 57% - 41% for Clinton. Part of the reason Obama got beat was because the Clinton campaign was very effective at targeting women. Chelsea Clinton was a big part of that effective message and was an excellent surrogate.
What do you mean Ohio was not built for Obama?
Ohio is older and more female than the majority of states Obama has won. Demographic wise it would be tough for him to win a general in Ohio. Tough to see how he could improve on what Kerry did here in 04.
Angry, I dont think she could get you a job - but maybe you could ask her. Oh wait, she doesnt take questions.
Not really a political question, but could someone please explain to me how Chelsea is smoking hot in one picture and looks terrible in the next one I see? I can't decide if she's hot or not and it bothers me. I honestly don't think I've ever witnessed anyone that could go from an 8 to a 4 depending on the angle or the lighing or something.
good point hollywood..
Hollywood, I thought that as well.
Kyle, reading your article again, can you elaborate as to why you think Richard Cordray is a "great leader" in Ohio?
Richard Cordray? What about Gov. Strickland. All I heard from the national media was how HRC was shadowed by the "hugely poplular Ohio Governor". What am I missing about Strickland? Why is their talk about him as a possible Clinton running mate? What has he done that is so impressive other than he's not Bob Taft?
Finally… is it just me or does Strickland appear very uncomfortable when he's on camera?
Regarding Chelsea…. I think she looks great. Especially when you think back to that awkward looking freckled-face kid with braces during the Whitehouse years. Is she dating anyone? I hear she makes good bread. She probably wouldn't date a Republican anyway.
I think they should make her an even higher profile surrogate. The "my mom" thing does humanize Sen. Clinton and the fact that she's a policy wonk just like her mom and dad makes her a real asset to the Clinton campaign.
Hollywood,
Maybe Chelsea has a double.
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