The Democrats Go to North Dakota

My radio friends at KHND in North Dakota told me this morning that both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton will be coming to Grand Forks to speak at the state convention. No offense to my friends in the frozen north, but I questioned why the candidates would commit that time and expense for so few delegates. Even the locals are a little confused:

Clinton’s visit is more puzzling. Obama bested Clinton by a margin of nearly 2 to 1 in North Dakota’s Feb. 5 caucus. And a majority of the state’s superdelegates — automatic delegates whose votes are not tied to primary or caucus results from their home states —already have endorsed Obama.

Selzler said both candidates may be looking forward to the general election and banking on this election season’s unique electoral math....

Clinton, who trails Obama in pledged delegates, also may be trying to send a message to supporters, undecided voters and superdelegates, that she still is a viable candidate and is willing to challenge Obama in any venue, said Lloyd Omdahl, a former North Dakota lieutenant governor and UND political science professor.

Omdahl also offered an alternate analysis of Clinton’s visit that, while less politically charged, has a certain grace.

“Maybe there isn’t anything else on her schedule,” he said.

For Obama, it's probably his way to thank the locals for their support in the primary. For Hillary, she needs every delegate she can get and if she can squeeze a couple out of North Dakota, it might be worth the trip.