Opinion: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton both head to the north country
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Nighttime temperatures still plunge into the 20s this time of year in Grand Forks, N.D., and Butte, Mont. But the political heat emanating from each locale should be palpable over the next two days.
As previously noted, North Dakota Democrats already were feeling the love from Barack Obama, who a while back agreed to headline their state convention in Grand Forks with a Friday evening speech. But earlier this week, there was a new development -- he’s now sharing top billing.
Hillary Clinton adjusted her schedule and likewise will be addressing the North Dakota Democrats. Indeed, she ended up with more of a prime-time spot.
Obama, as previously arranged, is set to speak at 5:30 p.m. (CDT); Clinton at 7:30 p.m.
Each can count on their words reverberating. As outlined on this blog posting for party members, local TV and radio stations plan extensive coverage of the Obama and Clinton appearances.
Saturday will find the pair ....
sharing a podium -- albeit a few hours apart -- in Butte. As long has been planned, each will speak at the Montana Democratic Party’s annual Mansfield-Metcalf Dinner (named for two respected senators from a few decades ago, Mike Mansfield and Lee Metcalf).
Obama again goes first, at 6:40 p.m. (MDT). Clinton talks at 9 p.m.
Hard to tell who has the advantage here. Obama, as the early act, may have to compete with folks still settling into their seats. But Clinton may find her listeners weary -- her remarks follow speeches by Montana’s two current U.S. senators, Max Baucus and Jon Tester, its Democratic governor, Brian Schweitzer, and the Democratic House member from nearby South Dakota, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin.
-- Don Frederick