July 23, 2008 – 12:08 p.m.
After David Plouffe addressed the caucus, Rep.
In recent weeks, there has been some behind the scenes grumbling among congressional Democrats that the Obama campaign has not done enough to reach out to them for input. But Schakowsky, an early Obama backer, said, “What people are waiting for is marching orders. There is an organizational period but every member is important to the campaign.’’
Obama has assembled a congressional liaison team headed by longtime House aide Phil Schiliro, who attended Wednesday’s session.
Another longtime Obama backer, freshman Rep.
In his presentation, Plouffe pointed to 18 battleground states, some of them non-traditional Democratic targets such as Colorado and Montana, where Obama will make a concerted effort against Sen.
Rep.
“We’re going to have to work. We’ve got a fight on our hands,” Larson said.
Even though many polls show Obama with a lead over McCain and Democrats expect to win a bigger majority in Congress, lawmakers said there is no danger of overconfidence heading into the party’s late-August convention in Denver or the fall campaign.
“After the last two presidential election cycles, I don’t think anybody feels overconfident,’’ said Rep.
Rep.
Boyd said Obama is doing well in Florida, one of the 18 targeted states, “I think it’s good. But there’s a long way to go,’’ he added.
Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., agreed but said the poll numbers for Obama and congresisonal Democrats “are pretty startling. We’re blowing McCain out of the water.’’
“The numbers are dramatic but the Obama campaign is playing it as if they’re in a horse race. Not only in the states they’ve targeted but in states we haven’t traditionally targeted.’’


