(Rapid City, South Dakota)
Hillary Clinton smothered Barack Obama in the Puerto Rico primary today, with a 68 to 32 percent landslide victory. She also took 38 delegates to Obama's 17. So, she is closing the gap, but can she close it all the way?
That question looms over South Dakota and Montana, as they get set for the final two primaries on Tuesday. Today I spent time with both supporters of Clinton and of Obama at their respective offices in Rapid City. Even though it was a Sunday, the offices were beehives of activity, as people worked phone banks or prepared to go out and canvass neighborhoods.
Whitney Dinger is a 19-year-old student at the University of Central Oklahoma who flew in to help the campaign, even though she had never been on a plane before and was scared to death. "A little bit of tears," she said about getting on the plane. "I was nervous about the plane ride, but excited to be here." So why did she brave her fear of flying for Hillary Clinton's now long-shot bid for the nomination? "I believe in health care coverage for every American," Dinger says, "and her plan, in my opinion, is the only plan that can accomplish that."
Also in the Clinton office today was retired Methodist minister Lin Jennewein. She believes Clinton's vast experience greatly outweighs that of Obama, a first-term Senator. "Tremendous! The experience that she has, that would take her into the Presidency," Jennewein says. "For me, I always hear her speak to the problem, here is the solution, and how we're going to get the money," adds Jennewein. Oddly enough, she isn't hoping Clinton is named the VP running mate. "I don't think so," Jennewein says. "I would like to see her get a marvelous position on the U.S. Supreme Court." Jennewein says the high court carries more weight than the Vice-presidency. "She would make the important decisions affecting Americans over the next twenty years," says Jennewein.
Across town, the Obama campaign headquarters had characters who are every bit as interesting and every bit as busy. Dean Henderson is a Harley-Davidson-riding former Republican. He switched parties after meeting and hearing Obama in Sioux City a year ago.
"I think he represents a change that we've been looking for with the loss of honesty in Washington," says Anderson. He adds that he has "a lot of disappointment in the disconnect of the Republican Party." Anderson says Washington, DC has too much focus on protecting large corporate entities, and farmers in South Dakota and elsewhere are ignored. "These are people who have worked the land, and the Republican Party has forgotten them," Anderson says.
Also helping out at Obama headquarters was retired Washington, DC, lawyer Ed Gerwin. He flew out to South Dakota to volunteer for Obama. He wants government reform. "In Washington, you get to see the mess close up," Gerwin says. "It's such a mess. People aren't working together. People are playing political games." Gerwin says he knows it will take time. "No one person can fix this in four to eight years, but you have to start somewhere," he says.
We will be visiting the Republican Party headquarters here this week, as John McCain has yet to open a full-time campaign office. South Dakota has voted Republican for President for many decades.
I will be on KPFA-FM Radio 94.1 in the Bay Area at 7:05 Monday morning, with more analysis on the presidential campaign from Montana and South Dakota. As always, check in often at www.MarkCurtisMedia.blogspot,com.
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