Belleville News Democrat, USA
10-01-07
Obama seems stuck in second place
New York Daily News
Barack Obama is the campaign rock star. But Hillary Clinton is still the woman to
beat.
Despite leading all of his rivals in the race for money, and boasting the largest
grass-roots organization in modern political history, Obama is still far back in
second place in most national polls.
With 106 days to go before the Iowa caucuses, it's nearing now-or-never time for
Obama to make his move.
The campaign also has begun to deploy staff and build up ground operations in
the states holding primaries on Feb. 5.
"It's kind of like horse racing. If you're a horse that does well in the last sprint, you
wait. But if you wait too long, there's going to be too much distance for you to
catch up and you're not going to make it," said Steffen Schmidt, professor of
political science at Iowa State University.
While supporters are impressed with Obama's signs of strength -- his fundraising
prowess, the huge crowds at rallies, the Internet following -- some are getting
anxious that he hasn't risen in the polls.
Preeta Bansal, a New York supporter, said she's not concerned.
"It's going to be a long fall. The race is just beginning and he's on fire," said
Bansal, referring to recent stump speeches where she said he's been "superb."
David Axelrod, a top Obama adviser, said the Illinois senator won't hesitate to
draw sharp contrasts with Clinton where contrasts are "germane and real."