January 31, 2008
Posted: January 31st, 2008 03:40 PM ET

(CNN) – Several Barack Obama campaign staffers who helped engineer the blowout victory in South Carolina have been re-located to the post-February 5 state of Virginia.

Obama's South Carolina ground organization was widely regarded as one of the strongest of any campaigns among the early voting states.

South Carolina State Director Stacey Brayboy, Communications Director Kevin Griffis, and political outreach coordinator Mike McCauley — all of whom have experience in Virginia politics — are now working out of Richmond preparing for the state's February 12 primary.

Brayboy, who was an adviser to Democratic Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine's successful campaign in 2005, will lead the effort to marshal voters in that state.

The campaign has also started running two TV ads in the state and is emailing potential supporters a "campaign support survey" to test their levels of support, asking if they "lean Obama," "lean Clinton" or "lean Edwards."

"We have the good luck coming into a situation where there is already an existing and vigorous grassroots organization in place, all volunteer-driven," Griffis said.

The Obama campaign sees Virginia as fertile ground, with endorsements from leaders like Kaine, Rep. Bobby Scott, Rep. Rick Boucher. They also have the backing of former Gov. Doug Wilder, now the mayor of Richmond, who remains an influential figure among Democrats and African-Americans in the state.

The campaign also announced the backing of 17 members of the House of Delegates on Thursday.

None of this means Hillary Clinton should be considered an underdog: Clinton's deputy campaign manager Mike Henry is widely credited for engineering Kaine's gubernatorial victory in 2005, a win that kicked off a string of statewide Democratic successes what was once a reliably red state.

– CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby

Filed under: Barack Obama


jmaya, iowa   February 6th, 2008 6:28 pm ET

Hillary is real and action oriented and Obama chants Hope that he doesn't have to explain because it is poet. What white males are thinking and voting for Obama surprises me! are white males are too macho to vote for woman? Wondering.
I know African-American are monolithic people so they don't care about the issue as long as person's skin is dark but what white males are doing is very pathetic.

VA voters make you and your nation proud and vote for Hillary.

geoffgw   January 31st, 2008 8:50 pm ET

Concerned,
Leadership counts! Experience is a nice side effect. Hillary has not shown leadership on any subject requiring real poltical courage. On Iraq, Iran, taxes, everything else, she has been a Bush-enabler on everything because she felt she was the nominee and had to triangulate to the center, to try to appeal to independents, etc. Obama has blown a big hole in her program!!

geoffgw   January 31st, 2008 8:45 pm ET

Tony needs a writer and we will still welcome Adams in the Obama-Nation.
Let the Clinton spin-meisters head on back to Arkansas. They even have to spin their addresses (move to NY) to fulfill the 30 yr Clinton master-plan for world domination. It's all about the win for Hill n' Bill, not about governing or changing anything.

jose a garcia   January 31st, 2008 7:49 pm ET

Hi,
i hope people do understand that we cant change America in one date or 4 years, or believing in the changes that Obama promeses we need to be honest w/ the real world and with in America we needs someone with experience in the mad house and i am afraid that if obama win he will be lke a puppy in the mad house and he will favour the reach peolpe and forget about changes and forget his own people lke in south carolina, we dont live in hollywood or disneyworld we live in America and i think the republicans are going to keep winning again, WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!!!!!STOP DREAMING!!!!!!!!!!!

EDOZIE   January 31st, 2008 7:31 pm ET

LETS LEAVE OBAMA TO TEST THE LEADERSHIP. CLINTON FAMILY HAS BEEN IN THE GOVERNMENT FOR 8YEARS. LET OBAMA SHOW A DIFFERENT LIGHT LIKE DR KINGJR, LIKE NELSON MANDELA OF SOUTH AFRICA. LIKE JFK OF AMERICA. LETS LEAVE OBAMA ALONE AND GIVE HIM SUPPORT.AMERICA IS LOOKING AT A CHANGE. IF YOU ARE NOT TIRED OF THIS CLINTON, BUSH STORIES YOU MIGHT BE A LAIR. WE NEED A CHANGE.

Ray   January 31st, 2008 6:57 pm ET

Im FIRED UP and voting for HILLARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kiki   January 31st, 2008 6:52 pm ET

Hill -n- Bill:

It's ignorance like yours that makes me NOT vote for Hillary Clinton. The Clintons probably have there white sheets hanging in the closed next to yours.

concerned   January 31st, 2008 6:52 pm ET

Experience counts

Talk is cheap

Go Hilliary

Matt   January 31st, 2008 6:49 pm ET

This won't be over on February 6, not by a long shot. Even if Hillary does well, it's hard to see her gaining much more than perhaps a 100 delegate advantage. Going forward, it's more of the state by state on the ground campaigning that favors Obama. It's a smart play to set up shop in Virginia, as well as Maryland and DC which follow shortly after February 5. In fact, if Hillary does get some momentum out of February 5, what better to reverse it than solid Obama wins in three states that follow shortly afterward. State, I might add, that do play to his advantages.

SALLY   January 31st, 2008 6:48 pm ET

Wake uo America! Ron Paul Mike Huckabee 08!

Sylvia   January 31st, 2008 6:44 pm ET

CNN you continue your bias, do what is RIGHT be FAIR

John   January 31st, 2008 6:41 pm ET

Fish says: "The only engineered blow out in South Carolina was a racist vote. We will never end racism with sort of record. John Edwards received 1% of the black vote and the media wants to pretend racism didn't occur. Give me a break."

Fish, please tell me what happened with the other 43 presidencys? Were they racist votes in your opinion? It's funny how people can notice things when it isn't themselves doing it. Or is it? Do you have any clue how many blacks like Mr. Obama because of what he stands for; not simply for the color of his skin? Do you think Clarence Thomas would take the same percentage of the South Carolina population if he ran for President there? His skin color is a bit darker than Mr. Obama's. By your logic, I guess he'd get even more of the vote, huh? The people of South Carolina were tired of the games that have been injected in politics over the years and want a forward looking candidate who challenges people to get involved in their government. I know I, for one, am sick of "anything goes." Obama could have been purple and folks would have voted the same way. I don't know what you're crying about anyway; blacks make up a lowly 13% of the population. Obama has to find a way to appeal to 87% of whites and others to win; something that, to date, has not happened....... hmmmmmm...... EVER! So you can cry racism in voting if you want to. I'm sure Mr. Obama knows it all too well. But realize that you have to acknowledge shortcomings on both sides if you're going to acknowledge it at all. You can't use it when it is convenient for you.

Corey, Maryland   January 31st, 2008 6:21 pm ET

Tony, Obama has spent more time in public office than Hillary, therefor he has more experience. Hillary's failed attempt at universal health care is NOT experience it is shear failure. And she keeps saying 35 years of experience, yeah, 35 years of experience in working for big corporations, and working against the little guy.

I don't know why Obama has to step up support in Virginia, because it is already firmly in his corner, along with Washington D.C. and the best and wealthiest state, Maryland, which all go on February 12th. Even if Barack doesn't win as many as Hillary, these 2 States and the D.C. are already firmly in his corner. But that doesn't really matter because after the debate tonight, everything will just fall in our corner.

Obama Edwards 08!!!

Kylie   January 31st, 2008 6:19 pm ET

wrong Illinois voter. Barack's ground team consists of thousands of volunteers. he's building his network from the ground up as opposed to leaders and officials at the top instigating the process. it's an amazing way to build a coalition of supporters and the Democratic Party in SC is going to use his methods in the coming years.

sammy   January 31st, 2008 6:16 pm ET

i think hillary clinton needs equal time to be talked about all i have seen so far is obama .

Sleepwell   January 31st, 2008 6:15 pm ET

Many people say Obama is a talker not a doer. But isn't it quite the case of being a leader to give other orders (by talking, communicating) in a way they will do it with pride?

Is not like Hillary is going to put her army clothes on and going to kill some terrorists?

A leader must be able to move people. So this is a big plus for Obama.

(And no, I don't hate Hillary. I'll vote for Hillary if she is the democratic nominee in november)

WIl   January 31st, 2008 6:12 pm ET

Excellent analysis Rob. I concur.

ann   January 31st, 2008 6:08 pm ET

well, I am a white woman who is also supporting obama. Why does that have to mean I'm a woman hatter?

William   January 31st, 2008 6:08 pm ET

I'm so sick of CNN's Obama bias! Look at the reasons why The New York Times endorsed Clinton (not that CNN reports Clinton's endorsements, but they can be found on-line).

Thomas   January 31st, 2008 6:07 pm ET

Hillary's efforts are meager at best. She's been over playing the experience card and name recognition. It's inevitable that she is on her way out... but we welcome her supporters to join us in the general election :-)

Anthony   January 31st, 2008 6:07 pm ET

It's going to be a tough fight for each state. My hopes is that they both keep some civility in the process.

Obama08

Tlc   January 31st, 2008 6:07 pm ET

History has proven that visionaries in the Oval Office are effective and vital to the nation. Lincoln, Wilson, Roosevelt, Kennedy, LBJ and Reagan were all visionaries and while I may not have agreed with the whole of each of their visions, they did get things done for the country.

Tony, if you look at the counter on CNN for the mention of each candidate Senator Clinton tops Senator Obama by almost one hundred.

I find it more than tiresome when Senator Clinton's supporters claim that she is being discriminated against when, in truth, she and her husband are equally represented. If they look bad in the press it is largely their fault for saying things that make them look bad.

oblahblah   January 31st, 2008 6:07 pm ET

To Senator Oblahblah

Please, I have plenty of "Inspiration" and "Hope" in my life – my parents were immigrants to this country and I don't need this chap telling me about hope – I have it when I got to bed, before he came along, and I'll have it when I wake up after he is done running for president.

I need a President that can make the hope that I have translate into legislation – Enter Hillary Clinton, the only candidate who has the political prowess to do this.

Hope does not end the Mortgage crisis.
Hope does not end the lack of Healthcare.
Hope does not end the suffering economy.

Hope + Hope = Hope^2 or more hope.

Hope + Legitimate Legislator = CHANGE.

Susan Guberman-Garcia   January 31st, 2008 6:06 pm ET

It would be nice if the talking heads who run the debates would question Hillary Clinton about her voting record. She was a vociferous early aupporter of the Iraq war, and dutifully parroted all the claims about Al Qqeda and WMD that Bush and Cheny were using to drum up support for the war. Either she failed to read – or deliberately ignored – CIA analyses that contradicted the Bush/Cheney/Clinton/Lieberman claims. She is a strong advocate of "Plan Colombia" which ,militarizes US relations with Latin America. She was one of only a handful of Democrats to support the ill advised Iran resolution, which has been criticized by foreign policy experts and diplomats around the world. She advocated tougher pelanties against Cuban Americans who send money home, or visit their families in Cuba.
Indeed, Hillary's foreign policy record differs little from that of John McCain.

Dre Atlanta   January 31st, 2008 6:02 pm ET

It said that everytime someone endorse Obama you guys always talk bad on that person. If someone endorse Hillary it ok, stop bashing Obama because American who looking for a new direction who can bring American people together.

Ben   January 31st, 2008 6:01 pm ET

Thanks CNN! I live in D.C. so I look forward to attending a rally/speech.

marmar   January 31st, 2008 6:01 pm ET

hill-n-bill - you had 5 brain cells, you killed 3 posting that comment. You have 2 cells remaining - use them wisely.

SALLY   January 31st, 2008 6:00 pm ET

I hope Americans don't make the mistake of voting for Obama, who iwill obviously not serve the interest of the people. It is obvious that Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee are the best candidates for Americans. Americans must not be swayed by paid campaign staffers. Examine the campaign platforms of the candidates, don't rely on individuals with a conflict of interest to tell you who to vote for! I am not a racist. because if Obama had the campaign platform of Ron Paul or Mike Huckabee I would vote for him.

Enim, London   January 31st, 2008 5:58 pm ET

The Clintons Days are over..Time has come upon America to walk away from the politics of segregation and let Time Be. I personally think Barack Obama is an outstanding candidate for the US presidency and should be given the unique opportunity to Be . Its just the beginning of Dr. Martin Luther King's dream of Unity. The Time for change is now and the world is watching with proximity at every single moment of this race in history. Give Obama the Chance...

marie   January 31st, 2008 5:57 pm ET

I think that Hillary has the brains and the experiencethat this country needs to get us out of the mess Bush got us in. we don`t need a wet behind the ears senator to use up valuable time to figure out what to do. He doesn`t really stand on issues and explain what he has in mind to help the ecomomy at all. Just beats around about it. Change what changes??? Hillary has her plans in place already for the country and ecomomics to do it. He doesn`t have it straight yet. This is not play time it is hard work going to this Presidency. Hillary can handle it, Obama cannpot~

brooke   January 31st, 2008 5:55 pm ET

there isnt going to be any but kicking Ray, its Obama all the way.!!!

I made a rhyme and didnt know it:-)

Anonymous   January 31st, 2008 5:54 pm ET

He Obominated S.C. and as long as he makes it through Feb 5th the election is his. Hillary is great, as a senator. It's time for Barack to change America and change the world.

angelina_ MN   January 31st, 2008 5:51 pm ET

GO OBAMA 08, we await for you in MN. You have lots of support everywhere even if the media does not say it.

Fatimah   January 31st, 2008 5:50 pm ET

I am so Happy we are going to get a man who will change world for peace you go Barack Obama. it time to move to bigger and better things in the world.

old hand   January 31st, 2008 5:48 pm ET

keep drinking that koolaid Rob – just make sure you check back on Wed

Scott, California   January 31st, 2008 5:47 pm ET

Hillary Clinton has ALL of the advantages: lobbyist money, truckloads of endorsements from establishment Democrats, women, latinos, momentum from her Florida "win," and what seems to be everyone over the age of 60 (the group that ALWAYS votes in the highest proportions).

If Barack comes even close (within double digits) of her on February 5 in the big states, it will be a MOMENTOUS upset.

Illinois voter   January 31st, 2008 5:47 pm ET

Let's not give too much credit to Obama's ground team. The victory in South Carolina was a "blowout" only because Obama had a strong demographic advantage in South Carlina. Senator Edwards, being a native son of South Carolina, also contributed to the "blowout" by taking a higher percentage of votes from Hillary Clinton, as compared to the other primaries.

Please be fair and impartial in your reporting, Mr. Hamby. You can't use the word blowout, in regards to Obama's South Carolina win, without mentioning the two facts that I just stated.

Hillary '08

adams   January 31st, 2008 5:47 pm ET

Here is a good one, What do you get when you mix Obama and a Nation?

An ABOMANATION.

Vote to win Vote Hillary. Dont help the Neo cons win the WHITE HOUSE by helping Amature political rookie Obama

fish   January 31st, 2008 5:41 pm ET

The only engineered blow out in South Carolina was a racist vote. We will never end racism with sort of record. John Edwards received 1% of the black vote and the media wants to pretend racism didn't occur. Give me a break.

Sal   January 31st, 2008 5:39 pm ET

Stay fired up

Obama 08

chevyk   January 31st, 2008 5:38 pm ET

I love how obama's team is so knowlegdable about the state their in. obama for a "newbie" knows what he needs to do.

dawn   January 31st, 2008 5:30 pm ET

are his staff or volunteers going to be giving rides to all the people who dont have cars like in South Carolina

LisaMpls   January 31st, 2008 5:29 pm ET

I think we need to focus more on educating people on the candidate's policies and on what it takes to actually get the job done. These campaign heads better not be parading around the same few buzz words. Obama will be a one-note if he doesn't display his knowledge and ability to get the job done. For starters, he has to really step it up in the debate tonight. Otherwise Hillary will walk all over him with her vast yet detailed understanding of both foreign and domestic affairs.

Les from Hampton, va   January 31st, 2008 5:28 pm ET

Welcome to Old Dominion

Keivn   January 31st, 2008 5:24 pm ET

Senator Obama should not look past Feb 5th. It will be over for him on Super Tuesday.

Info   January 31st, 2008 5:22 pm ET

Va don't play....Barack Nova and Hampton Roads will Deliver for you easily watch and see

Ivan, Chicago, Illinois   January 31st, 2008 5:20 pm ET

I'll wait till after Super Tuesday to comment.

Tony   January 31st, 2008 5:18 pm ET

Shame on you CNN for only talk about OBAMA. OBAMA have no experience. The only thing that he can do is talk. We don't need a talker. American need a doer.

HILL 2008!

hill-n-bill   January 31st, 2008 5:14 pm ET

Gov. Tim Kaine is a white man who is supporting Obama.

Therefore, not only is Gov. Kaine anti-woman, he is also a self-loathing white male.

Ray   January 31st, 2008 5:08 pm ET

he will need it after the butt kicking he will get on Feb 5th!!

Rob   January 31st, 2008 5:08 pm ET

Obama is playing chess and Clinton is playing checkers. She focuses on the big states and works from the top down, thinking endorsements and big donors alone will carry her. He fighting a guerilla war in the big states and pulling even while his organization and workers own the small states. She won't release her Jan. funding for the news cycle because it is dismally behind Obama's $32 million.

And I guarantee her support in the big states is primarily in the cities. While his is fanned out to every county. Polls won't tell you that. That's how he'll get more delegates even though she may win in big states by 3-7%.

Checkmate.

Doug   January 31st, 2008 5:00 pm ET

But can he defeat the big corruption machine of the Clinton's

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