Biden, Dodd & Richardson to Iowans: Make Your Own Decision

[maddezmom]

Biden, Dodd & Richardson to Iowans: Make Your Own Decision
by: Lynda Waddington
Thursday (01/03) at 12:49 PM

-- Contrary to news reports from state and national media, three of Iowa's Democratic campaigns want their supporters to know that no blanket campaign directive has been issued, instructing supporters to throw support behind a different candidate during tonight's caucus.

"If Iowans are independent enough to have chosen me from the field of candidates, I'm quite sure they have the ability to make an independent second choice as well," said Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd.

The campaign for Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, offered similar sentiments.

"The rumor mill is hard at work," said Olivia Alair, a campaign spokeswoman. "We are encouraging our supporters to stand tall and stand tough and have every reason to expect that they will."

Robert Becker, Iowa director of the Bill Richardson for President campaign, took particular offense with reports circulated this morning that his campaign was encouraging non-viable supports to switch to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.


more:http://www.iowaindependent.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1786

[gateley]

1. Stand strong for your candidate, Iowans! We have faith in you! nt

[bigtree]

2. kick

:kick:

[maddezmom]

3. and 2 hrs after this, NYT still pushing the story of Richardson

:shrug:

Obama Will Get Richardson’s Second-Choice Votes
By John Harwood

Barack Obama’s drive to win tonight’s Iowa caucuses is getting a boost from two of his putative rivals. After earlier winning the support of Dennis Kucinich, Obama’s campaign has reached an agreement with Bill Richardson for the second-choice votes of Richardson supporters in caucuses where the New Mexico governor can’t clear the threshold for competition, according to a senior Obama campaign adviser. The adviser estimated that the deal puts Mr. Obama in position to claim support from roughly half of the 15 percent of Democratic caucus-goers expected to support second-tier candidates.
In return, the Obama adviser said, Obama forces will lend support to Mr. Richardson at caucuses where Mr. Obama turns out more backers than he needs to win any additional delegates. Mr. Richardson drew 6 percent of the vote in the most recent Des Moines Register Poll, trailing Mr. Obama’s 32 percent, Hillary Clinton’s 25 percent and John Edwards’ 24 percent.

more:http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/03/obama-will-get-richardsons-second-choice-votes/

[maddezmom]

4. Dodd on MSNBC saying he is opposed to auctioning voters

"I'm opposed to making any deals to support other candidates"