Second-tier Democrats face do-or-die phase

[brooklynite]

The Hill

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), hemorrhaging campaign cash as her fundraising and poll numbers slump, has laid off some staff and dispatched others to Iowa. She said repeatedly this weekend she is "all-in" on Iowa, and on Friday, she offered a refreshed stump speech pitching herself as the fighter capable of taking on President Trump.

"To win, we're going to need a nominee on that stage with Donald Trump who has the ability to go toe to toe with Donald Trump and Iowa — you're looking at her," Harris said Friday.

Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro said his campaign needed to raise $800,000 in the final ten days of October to continue the race, a goal he met on Halloween. But Saturday Castro's top aides told staffers they were free to look for new jobs, and that layoffs were still possible.

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), who reached his own do-or-die fundraising goal at the end of September, said Saturday he too would focus his energies on Iowa.

"This has been our major state from the very beginning," Booker told reporters Saturday at a candidate forum held by Rep. Abby Finkenauer (D-Iowa), comparing himself to Jimmy Carter's 1976 campaign. "I'm going to be the nominee, and we are going to win here in Iowa."

[crazytown]

1. At the November debate, with 80 days to go until caucus night,

there will be nine Democrats on the 'debate' stage, only one less than what was supposed to be the maximum - 10. What a joke.

[ritapria]

2. It looks like we'll have to wait until December to watch a real debate

This nonsense has gone on far too long

[crazytown]

3. +!

rediculous

[cwydro]

4. I'm glad we have so many great candidates.

But it does seem time for more winnowing to take place.

I guess some just don’t see the writing on the wall.