Obama's West Coast Swing
It was fitting that President Barack Obama kicked off his bid for a second term last week in Chicago. The Windy City is, of course, his political home base, the place where his closest advisers and best friends live and work, and where he can raise a fair amount of money. Moreover, Illinois’ 20 electoral votes have to be a part of any Democratic strategy that hopes to amass the 270 necessary for victory. Illinois will see a lot of the Obamas over the next 18 months.
So, too, will California, which is the President’s second stop in his reelection drive. Mr. Obama’s appearances in the Bay Area and Southern California will give him a chance to present his case---and raise some significant financial contributions along the way. California was fertile ground for Barack Obama in 2008---it provided money, ideas, enthusiasm, energy and votes on the way to the Democratic nomination and to the White House.
It’ll be just as crucial in 2012, if not more so. The state’s 55 electoral votes represent a shade more than one-fifth of 270, and Obama cannot win reelection without them. That in itself is noteworthy, because it wasn’t all that long ago when California transitioned from a generally reliable Republican state in Presidential elections, to a swing status, and then to a key Democratic stronghold.
Although the activist left, in California and elsewhere, isn’t comfortable with the President’s political pragmatism, it’s clearly a quality that appeals to the state’s growing ranks of independents, and to its non-ideological younger voters.
My oldest daughter, Kirsten, lives and works in Silicon Valley; she is politically aware and active (what choice did she have?), and her assessment of the President’s standing in the area is positive yet sober. As she put it, “Silicon Valley is going to see through the Donald Trumps and Sarah Palins of the world… President Obama still reflects what people here want and need: intellect with a vision for the future.”
An old friend from the world of campaigns who is now involved in the high-tech world from a public policy perspective identified yet another of Obama’s strengths, one which will pay off in California and elsewhere. While watching the video stream of the Facebook gathering Wednesday afternoon, she wrote “I love the way he speaks to the current generation, making his words more relevant. He's our most ‘hip’ president ever!”
As a candidate for reelection, President Obama has his work cut out for him. The luster of “hope and change” has dimmed somewhat, thanks to the inevitable oxidization that comes with governing. He is dealing with a host of very tough issues, and he is doing so in the face of some of the most hard-edged and at times vicious partisan opposition seen in a long time. And, guess what---he’s not perfect; he has made his share of missteps and mistakes.
All that considered, I’m willing to bet that Obama and company will return from their West Coast swing flushed with renewed energy and a lengthy deposit slip payable to the campaign account. Not bad for a few days on the road---in a very nice part of the country!