Obama campaign fired up for Maryland primary

Barack Obama: By Rob Tornoe

Organizers Claim Activity In Every County

The state group Maryland for Obama, which is led by Rep. Elijah Cummings and Attorney General Doug Gansler, expressed confidence in Sen. Barack Obama's chances of winning both the Iowa caucus and the Maryland Democratic presidential primary.

During an interview yesterday with PolitickerMD.com, Michael Buckley, the communications director for Maryland for Obama, said the senator from Illinois would do "very well" in Iowa, where the caucus is scheduled for tonight.

He also said campaign volunteers from Maryland "felt great" about the responses they received from residents during their travels to Iowa and other early states like New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. Buckley did not say exactly how many Marylanders had traveled on Obama's behalf, but estimated that "several hundred people" had gone to the early states.

According to Buckley, Maryland for Obama began in February 2007, the month the senator announced his candidacy. Buckley said the group was formed to both "raise money," and "send volunteers to the early primary and caucus states."

"We have organizations in nearly every county in the state," Buckley said. "Our volunteers have been great."

He estimated that over 1,000 Marylanders had volunteered for the campaign, and stressed the "diverse structure of the group."

Buckley referred to women's and student groups that were formed, and said they "best reflect the diversity," of the national Obama campaign. He specifically referred to student groups at the University of Maryland College Park, and Johns Hopkins University, while also saying that "high school seniors," from across the state had joined the campaign.

Buckley did not say how much money the group had raised, but estimated that "3600 people paid $25 a piece," to attend a state rally held in October.

In addition, Buckley reiterated the importance and dedication of the campaign's volunteers.

"You really have to be committed to make a bus trip to Iowa in the middle of the winter," Buckley said. "We have a pretty regular group of people who have gone down there who believe in the cause."

Given the timing of the Feb. 12 Maryland primary, Buckley said it was "hard to tell if things will be wrapped up by then," and expressed the need to see the results in earlier contests.

He did say, however, that he expected Obama to do "very well in the state."

Outside of volunteers traveling, Buckley said Maryland supporters have also been phone-banking for the senator "from their own homes."

"We have volunteers from all corners of the state," he said.