Obama campaign tripling staff in Missouri

[usregimechange]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Barack Obama’s campaign plans to triple its paid workers in Missouri to 150, making it one of the largest Democratic campaign efforts in the state’s history.

The 150 workers will be placed in 30 field offices across the state, which has been a key swing state in presidential elections for years.

“It’s unheard of,” veteran Democratic worker Woody Overton of Kansas City told The Kansas City Star. “It’s unbelievable.”

Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s campaign said the plan shows that Obama is desperate to win Missouri. McCain’s campaign has 12 to 14 full-time workers and 10 offices in the state.

“When you feel like you have to put that many people in the state to cover it, means you think you’re in trouble and you have to have a surge,” said Jack Jackson, McCain’s Missouri co-chairman.

Obama’s campaign is flush with money, reporting $295.52 million, including $10.72 million for general election, at the end of May.

Democratic candidate John Kerry’s 2004 Missouri campaign had about 15 offices and 80 full-time workers, who ultimately were sent to other states weeks before he lost the state to President Bush, who had 50 staffers and about the same number of offices as Kerry.

http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/local_story_191152618.html

[phrigndumass]

1. Great news

Missouri will definitely be close this year. Neither candidate should break 50% with Barr and Nader on the ballot, so Obama has a chance there.

I believe the McCain campaign is desperate to win Missouri, not Obama.

:hi:

[usregimechange]

3. You bet, the McCain folks can't afford to lose here

[MarjorieG]

2. Regardless of whether a win, we are building the party...

[PresidentObama]

4. I'm VERY confident of his chances in Southwest Missouri where I live.

No he won't live here, but he'll do better than Kerry did in 2004.

[usregimechange]

6. Yep, he needs to run some counties about 40%, but turnout in the cities will also be huge

btw I live in SWMO.

[skooooo]

5. ..

:bounce: