Diary of a Democratic Delegate -- Dog Days

Here we are in the middle of the Dog Days of Summer, some eight weeks before the presidential campaign is supposed to begin after the conventions, and already it feels like Election Day is right around the corner.  Not that this Democratic National Convention delegate doesn't like politics, but I was frankly hoping to have a little respite until we get closer to Labor Day.  - - - Not to happen.  - - - And it won't happen because both sides are trying to nail down "their" states and to keep in play as many of their opponents' states as possible.  Michigan isn't perceived as a battleground state because of our unbroken Democratic presidential voting since 1988, the auto rescue, our improving economy and the fact President Obama walloped the 2008 nominee John McCain by 16%.  The Reeps hope they can keep Michigan in play in order to force the Dems to spend time and money here.  They feel that the Michigan Romney roots and brand are helpful (they aren't -- Willard is no George!), but most importantly, they feel that can soften up the President's numbers by throwing tons of negative ads on the screen, just as they did in eviscerating their primary opponents this Winter. The GOP Super-PACs have spent $6.4 million in recent days on Michigan TV, all of it with that  snarky, deep-throated political porn aimed at moving numbers. Even though the media buy was unswered, the President still holds a small (1-8%) lead here and my sense is that once the Obama ads now being used in Ohio and other true battleground states are aired here, if they need to be, we will true-up at about a 10% Obama lead, the number I predict he will end up with here Nov. 6. - - - Ergo, the intensity. - - - Ads are bombarding the TV screen, and more are likely if the numbers stay tight or Romney creeps ahead.  Mailbags are filled with requests for support, and the robocalls are interrupting dinner regularly.  On our side here in Dearborn, Obama door to door troops are out in full force this weekend and the long-open Obama HQ across from City Hall is buzzing like the Election is next week.  So, the intensity continues and is not likely to ratchet down, even in the Dog Days of Summer!