Six days left in a campaign that feels like it has been going on for years; why would Barack Obama want to expend any of his fleeting time remaining going to Arizona, his opponent’s home state?
Because you play the game to win the game. That is why. And Senator Obama can win Arizona.
As my fellow contributors in the FDL collective will attest, I have been telling people for a long time that Arizona was a heck of a lot closer than they thought.
Guess what? Yep, Obama does indeed have a real shot, and suddenly a lot of people nationally have caught on to that fact. Pollster.com. DKos. Chuck Todd and MSNBC. And, best of all if you know Arizona politics over the last three plus decades or so, Bruce Merrill and the Cronkite8 poll. Dr. Merrill is the gold standard in Arizona polling, and he has a phenomenal record for accuracy.
The race here is yours to win Mr. Obama. But, it can go either way, it depends on you. If you would take just a brief amount of time, between now and next Tuesday, to drop into Phoenix for a quick rally, you can seal the deal. I can tell you with every ounce of conviction in my life; if you come, you likely win. The wave of victory is here, it just needs your personal final push.
Here is what you would gain:
• The ten precious electoral votes belonging to Arizona.
• A gigantic boost in excitement, motivation and energy in Arizona, the Southwest and among critical Hispanic voters. You can set the tone in this region for years to come with a victory this year in Arizona. Think of the future too.
• Coattails that take Arizona Democratic Congressional incumbents, as well as challengers Bob Lord and Ann Kirkpatrick, to victory.
• With a victory of Bob Lord over John Shaddegg, you substantially weaken conservative GOP House Leadership, making your ability to govern after inauguration a lot easier.
• Andrew Thomas (Maricopa County Attorney) and Joe Arpaio (Maricopa County Sheriff), a two man tag team that are a literal plague on the civil rights of all citizens here can be defeated with the push and excitement your appearance would generate. You have no idea how bad they are, and what their defeat would mean. You have fought this type of debasement of civil rights your entire life, this battle alone here is worthy of your time. Tim Nelson and Dan Saban can restore fairness and the rule of law here with your help.
• Most important of all, you unequivocally cement the hard mandate you will need to govern this country and accomplish the difficult policy changes necessary to lead us out of the darkness we currently face. Nothing will set your power in stone more than beating John McCain in his own backyard, and a historically conservative one at that. For so long, Democrats have been content to eke out wins and govern by a thread. Set the tone, send a message, instill the killer instinct, seize the day and seal the deal. Show the party how it is going to be done from here on out.
Senator Obama, it is all here for you. Come to Arizona; it is the right thing for you, and it is the right thing for us. Denver has nothing on Phoenix; if you come, we will be there just like they were in Denver, and we will all reap the spectacular, and once in a lifetime, benefits. It is all here waiting for you, but it will take your appearance.
Step up to greatness now. Seize the day; claim the ultimate mandate. Come to Arizona!