Clinton allies quietly shape general-election map
By Gabriel Debenedetti
04/17/16
By hoarding ad space in battleground states, they hope to keep Republicans on defense, no matter who is their nominee.
NEW YORK — Democrats aligned with Hillary Clinton are laying the groundwork for a general election campaign focused primarily on the same battleground states that twice elected President Barack Obama, buying up ad time on local TV in an attempt to quietly shape the playing field before the Republicans choose a candidate.
The 2016 electoral map being drawn by pro-Clinton forces, according to ad reservations and interviews with high-level strategists and pollsters on both sides of the aisle, begins with a core group of familiar presidential swing states at the center of the fight — Florida, Ohio, New Hampshire, Nevada, Iowa, Virginia, and Colorado — with roughly a half-dozen other states on the periphery.
Those other states — which include Wisconsin, New Mexico, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, all perceived to be leaning toward the Democrats, and North Carolina, where the GOP is likely to begin with an edge — are thought to be competitive, though not yet at the point where they stand likely to flip their 2012 presidential vote in November.
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The candidate herself has also made a point to personally visit some target states — and influential Democrats there — after their primary contests finished. For example, she held a series of closed-door fundraisers in Florida, Ohio, Colorado (hosted by Gov. John Hickenlooper), and Virginia (hosted by Gov. Terry McAuliffe) earlier this month.
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/04/hillary-clinton-allies-general-election-222052
It sounds like a good strategy. It also shows that the Clintons have been around presidential elections for years. The campaign is laying the ground work that will be essential to be competitive in a tough race. For all the criticism from Sanders and his campaign, fundraising for other Democrats is also important. These are the people that a president will need to pass his/her agenda.
= new reply since forum marked as read
I'm glad that they are doing their homework and buying ad time.
Therefore, no, she hasn't "stumbled badly".
As if sanders was cool and collected. He always sounds angry.
If so, not cool.
Just a commonly known phrase for things going sideways, in the weeds and, in general, f'd up.
I censored that to preserve your obvious delicate ears. No need for a fainting couch if you are looking for one. 
http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2011/09/frasers-phrases-its-all-gone-pear-shaped
http://personofinterest.wikia.com/wiki/Liberty
At one point, Shaw tells Finch that an operation has gone "pear-shaped". This is a traditionally British expression for a situation that has gone horribly wrong.
I learned something new.
too.
Let's give each other the benefit of the doubt
I didn't believe people actually said "busting your chops".
I had to look that up!
You, my friend, are a New Yorkers, New Yorker.
You startle and stun me, but I just adore you for it.
You tickle the HELL out of me, my dear !
I've never heard "Jesus Mary and Fuck".
I have heard "What in the name of Christmas, Easter and the Fourth of July are you doing?"
P.S. I'm Irish, but Southern Irish. I never would have guessed it could be so different!
If Trump is the Republican nominee, some red states may be in play.
Who knows how much money the Republicans are going to spend on the GE.
