And yet here I am, way over here on the left. The thing about the left is its diversity.
Kevin Drum is maybe a little worried that Romney, who certainly can afford it, doesn't have much of a "ground game" while Obama does. The spread of professional-level local and regional Obama offices is legendary -- they won for us hard-to-herd cats in 20o8. But -- uh-oh -- what does the Romney campaign know that we don't know? Why don't they have the same kind of set-up?
There's been a disconnect in the ground games of the major parties for some time. Democrats tend to rely on paid, professional operations, while Republicans rely more on volunteer efforts, largely from evangelical churches. This is something that actually works in the Republicans' favor, since volunteer efforts from friends and neighbors tend to be more effective at switching votes than professional phone banks. (Also cheaper.) On the other hand, the professional organizations are often more thorough, and are better at the actual logistics of getting people to the polls.
In any case, I wouldn't be surprised if that's what's happening here. This is just a difference in the way the parties handle elections these days, not necessarily an indication that the Obama organization is kicking Romney's ass. ...Kevin Drum, MoJo
Well, you do need a professional organization to herd cats -- black cats, white cats, stripey cats, cats that lap up beer, cats that tolerate spinach souffle with a crisp top tasting of gruyere, cats that sleep on a keyboard, cats that lie in the sun on the warm hood of the pickup, rich cats, poor cats, academic cats, entrepreneurial cats, musical cats, celluloid cats. Above all, independent cats.
Republicans wouldn't know from independent. Golf clubs? Great! C of C? You bet! Lions Club? Sure!
Church? Of course! Why, the wife goes every week -- just to make sure we can quote god if and when required politically.
