Edwards campaign rural strategy conference call

Many of us from around the country met via the telephone with Jeff (Deputy Political Director) and Matt Morrison to discuss the Edwards rural campaign strategy.

The Wednesday evening call also offered opportunities for us to exchange grassroots campaign strategies we were each employing.

I wish my notes were better, but Jeff or Matt should be able to fill in any details I've missed.
Here are some highlights of the discussion.

- In Iowa spending on television ads is as follows:

Obama $4,000,000
Clinton $2,000,000
Edwards $23,000

Yet we are in a statistical dead heat.

- National polls are still showing us to be the strongest Democratic campaign in the general election. We're leading all Republicans in Oklahoma (they forgot to mention Kansas) and even running strongly in Texas.

- By the end of this week, our campaign will have reached every county in Iowa - the first campaign to do so. Audiences are growing much larger and the staff feels this is issue driven.

- Efforts are well underway in New Hampshire as well, where - it was pointed out that Independents are eligible to vote in the Democratic primary. These voters are considered prime targets.

- As part of the rural strategy, the campaign will be releasing a hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts policy -with a strong conservation component. No details were given out - it apparently is still in formulation.

- AND THE BIG NEWS! Some time next week the campaign will kick off the "Road Trip For One America". Finally, those of us planning to travel to the early states for caucuses and primaries will be able to sign up for duty! (Iowa for me!)

It was a very good meeting and states from Alaska to Georgia were represented.

Don Wheeler
South Bend, IN