Bill Clinton Supports Obama - How to Best Deploy Him?

Through his spokesman, former President Bill Clinton finally extended his support to Democratic nominee Barack Obama today:

"President Clinton is obviously committed to doing whatever he can and is asked to do to ensure Senator Obama is the next president of the United States."

For many, it's a moment of "What took so long?" or "It's about time!"  Although I would have liked to see President Clinton offer his support on the same day Senator Clinton did, that day was about her, not him, and he has a tendency to overshadow his wife.  So now that he's come out and publicly offered his support, the talk turns to how to best deploy President Clinton in the general election.

During the second half of the primaries, we saw the Clinton campaign deploy President Clinton in small towns and rural areas throughout the primary states - places that a former president usually never visits.  That should remain a major piece of his general election deployment.  However, there are specific targets that I think should be considered in terms of how best to use him.

ARKANSAS

This is a no-brainer.  Bill Clinton was Governor of Arkansas for nearly 12 years, and remains tremendously popular in the state.  Arkansas is the most Democratic state left in the South - its Governor, both Senators, and three of its four Representatives are Democrats.  If Bill Clinton makes an extensive push through Arkansas for Obama, it could flip the state back into the Democratic column - and take Arkansas's six electoral votes off the table for McCain.

RUST BELT

We saw Hillary Clinton's supposed strength in the Rust Belt during the primaries.  However, I would posit that it wasn't so much a reflection of her strengths as much as the nostalgia and longing for the Clinton Presidency of the '90s, which was far better economically for a region that is seriously suffering at this point.

Bill Clinton should be deployed to Central and Western Pennsylvania, which if played properly, can seal Obama's hold on the Keystone State.  He should make a prolonged effort in Ohio, which he carried in both 1992 and 1996, particularly focusing on the Cleveland and Cincinnati suburbs, the Columbus area, and Southeast Ohio, which he can do in tandem with Governor Ted Strickland.  He should also attempt to make a push into Kentucky, which he won twice.  Kentucky may be out of reach this time, but it shouldn't be ignored.  He also should make a serious, concerted effort in West Virginia.  West Virginia was long a bastion of Democratic support before Bush won it in both 2000 and 2004.  Bill Clinton carried it twice, and not in squeakers, but in dominant fashion.  In 1992, he won 48% to 35%, and in 1996, he won 52% to 37%.  It is in West Virginia that Bill Clinton and Barack Obama should make a series of joint appearances, preferably focusing on the economy.  They should also campaign together in Michigan, which would help defuse any lingering resentment over the primary there, and which is essential in keeping electoral votes off of McCain's board.

OTHER CLINTON-CARRIED STATES

Bill Clinton should also be deployed to states that he carried during one or both of his presidential campaigns, particularly those he carried both times.  These include:

Louisiana - Clinton carried the state twice.  Though trending Republican in recent years, the special election victory of Don Cazayoux and the strong challenges put forward in two other Republican-held disticts gives the Democrats hope of retaking the state in the presidential campaign.  Flipping Cajun Country back into the Democratic column would deprive McCain of nine electoral votes.

Tennessee - Tennessee may be out of reach this cycle, but it's worth a shot.  Bill Clinton carried the state twice, though by smaller margins.  Forcing McCain to spend money in Nashville and Memphis would hinder his attempts to hold onto other states, however.

Missouri - This is a state that looks ripe for the picking for Democrats.  Bill Clinton won here twice, 44-34 and 48-41.  With an unpopular Republican governor who isn't bothering to run for re-election, two strong Congressional challengers in MO-06 and MO-09, and a popular Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Democrats will be competitive statewide.  President Clinton should make a tour of central Missouri, going to areas no one would think to visit.  Democratic strategy has always been to run up the margins in St. Louis and Kansas City, but as Claire McCaskill proved, you have to go into the rest of the state to be able to win.

Georgia - Bill Clinton barely won here in 1992 and barely lost in 1996.  With Bob Barr playing spoiler, it would be worth it for President Clinton to make a few trips here.

Florida - So long as he stays out of Miami, he should be fine.  The Cuban community will never forgive the Elian Gonzalez incident.  However, he should be deployed to Palm Beach and Broward Counties, the Orlando area, Cape Canaveral, Tampa, and Jacksonville.  Clinton carried the state in 1996.

New Mexico - It might be worth it to stop here, but Bill Clinton would have to forgive Bill Richardson first, and I don't know if he'll do that.  Clinton carried the state twice.

Arizona - THIS would mess with John McCain's head.  THIS would drive John McCain absolutely insane.  Clinton barely lost here in 1992 and won the state in 1996.  He ought to make a few trips if only to make McCain spend money in his own media markets.  The state itself may be out of reach, but we have one sure pick-up in AZ-01 and an intriguing prospect in AZ-03.

Nevada - Clinton carried the state twice.  The fastest-growing state in the nation, it looks ripe to swing back into the Democratic column this year, if only we contest it seriously.  The state Republican party is saddled with an immensely unpopular governor who used a state-owned cell phone to text his mistress and who is involved with some messy scandals and a divorce.  Clinton should hit the suburbs of Las Vegas, Reno, and the neglected rest of the state.

Colorado - It might be best if Clinton stays out of Colorado.  He carried the state in 1992, but lost it in 1996.  Colorado went overwhelmingly for Obama in the caucuses, and there seemed to be a good amount of Clinton fatigue in the state.  This is a state that Obama should be able to carry on his own.

Oregon - For whatever reason, Oregon's general election polls have remained surprisingly close.  Clinton won the state twice, and he should be able to help lock down what is usually a reliably Democratic state.

New Jersey - Every election cycle, the Republicans try to take New Jersey, and every time, they fail.  But the Republicans are actually opening up a state office this time around, something that my mother is worried about.  Bill Clinton should head to the suburbs of Essex, Morris, Union, Bergen, Passaic, Camden, Burlington, Atlantic, and Ocean Counties.  He should particularly focus on the Jewish community here, as it can be expected that McCain will deploy Joe Lieberman extensively here.

Minnesota - Bill Clinton won crushing victories here both times, but the possible pick of Gov. Tim Pawlenty as McCain's running mate might put the state reliably in play.  Clinton should focus his energies on the Twin Cities, its suburbs, and its more rural areas to the northeast and south.

Iowa - It's doubtful that Clinton will be needed here.  Iowa LOVES Obama.

OTHER CAPACITIES

President Clinton should also be utilized as a master fundraiser, as he always has been.  Not for the Obama campaign, but for the DNC, where the contribution limit is much higher.  He should also be looked to as a voice for reaching rural voters in general - at least those east of the Mississippi.