88m3
Fast Money & Foreign Objects
April Burbank, Free Press Staff Writer9:03 p.m. EST February 24, 2016
Buy Photo
(Photo: APRIL BURBANK/FREE PRESS)
For Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, the Democratic race in Vermont comes down to a few percentage points.
None of the women who gathered in a Burlington living room on Wednesday night expected a Clinton landslide in Sen. Bernie Sanders' home state.
But they did hope that a last-minute flurry of phone calls, mailers and canvassing will sweeten the loss.
"We will have enough votes, if we work hard in the next few days, to get two delegates, if not more," former Vermont Gov. Madeleine Kunin told supporters.
Vermont awards its Democratic delegates proportionally in the March 1 election. The Clinton campaign would win one delegate with 15 percent of the vote, supporters were told Wednesday, or two delegates if the campaign reaches 16.7 percent.
At least two campaign strategies emerged in the living room huddle: One, paint a picture of what would happen if Republican holds the White House and appoints U.S. Supreme Court justices.
"I cannot afford, as a person of color, as a woman, as someone who's gay, to live through a Republican administration," said a Burlinton woman who gave her name only as Mattison. She argued Sanders is not a "transformational candidate" like Clinton.
A second strategy to boost the numbers in Vermont? Emphasize issues that matter to women.
The campaign sent out a direct-mail piece this week that shows Clinton surrounded by women and touts her support for abortion rights and other issues. And Stephanie Schriock, president of the Democratic women's organization EMILY's List, visited the living-room event on Wednesday to rally women on Clinton's record.
"Sen. Sanders is a very good vote on these issues, but Hillary Clinton is a champion," Schriock said, adding later, "it's about what you're going to lead on."
Schriock lived in Burlington for a time when she worked as national finance director for former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean's 2004 bid for president. She said Clinton is the most qualified candidate for president, and Clinton's gender is "icing on the cake."
"She's a woman, and I think she's getting unfair treatment," said Ellen Gill, 65, of Burlington, who'd signed up to make phone calls for the Clinton campaign.
Gill said her friends support Clinton — but they're all "women over 60," she noted.
Exit polls suggest that older voters favor Clinton, but Sanders has drawn legions of young voters to his campaign rallies.
Schriock said she expects to see more young people engaging with the campaign as it picks up momentum.
Buy Photo
Stephanie Schriock, president of national Democratic women's organization EMILY's List, speaks to Hillary Clinton supporters in Burlington on Wednesday evening. (Photo: APRIL BURBANK/FREE PRESS FILE)
A recent poll by Vermont Public Radio and Castleton Polling Institute showed Sanders is likely to win Vermont in a landslide. About 78 percent of likely Vermont Democratic voters support their home state candidate, according to the survey, and 13 percent support Clinton.
The primary has split Vermont's Democratic leadership, with prominent figures such as Gov. Peter Shumlin and U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy supporting Clinton, and Rep. Peter Welch supporting Sanders.
Clinton campaign puts hope in VT women
(Photo: APRIL BURBANK/FREE PRESS)
For Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, the Democratic race in Vermont comes down to a few percentage points.
None of the women who gathered in a Burlington living room on Wednesday night expected a Clinton landslide in Sen. Bernie Sanders' home state.
But they did hope that a last-minute flurry of phone calls, mailers and canvassing will sweeten the loss.
"We will have enough votes, if we work hard in the next few days, to get two delegates, if not more," former Vermont Gov. Madeleine Kunin told supporters.
Vermont awards its Democratic delegates proportionally in the March 1 election. The Clinton campaign would win one delegate with 15 percent of the vote, supporters were told Wednesday, or two delegates if the campaign reaches 16.7 percent.
At least two campaign strategies emerged in the living room huddle: One, paint a picture of what would happen if Republican holds the White House and appoints U.S. Supreme Court justices.
"I cannot afford, as a person of color, as a woman, as someone who's gay, to live through a Republican administration," said a Burlinton woman who gave her name only as Mattison. She argued Sanders is not a "transformational candidate" like Clinton.
A second strategy to boost the numbers in Vermont? Emphasize issues that matter to women.
The campaign sent out a direct-mail piece this week that shows Clinton surrounded by women and touts her support for abortion rights and other issues. And Stephanie Schriock, president of the Democratic women's organization EMILY's List, visited the living-room event on Wednesday to rally women on Clinton's record.
"Sen. Sanders is a very good vote on these issues, but Hillary Clinton is a champion," Schriock said, adding later, "it's about what you're going to lead on."
Schriock lived in Burlington for a time when she worked as national finance director for former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean's 2004 bid for president. She said Clinton is the most qualified candidate for president, and Clinton's gender is "icing on the cake."
"She's a woman, and I think she's getting unfair treatment," said Ellen Gill, 65, of Burlington, who'd signed up to make phone calls for the Clinton campaign.
Gill said her friends support Clinton — but they're all "women over 60," she noted.
Exit polls suggest that older voters favor Clinton, but Sanders has drawn legions of young voters to his campaign rallies.
Schriock said she expects to see more young people engaging with the campaign as it picks up momentum.
Stephanie Schriock, president of national Democratic women's organization EMILY's List, speaks to Hillary Clinton supporters in Burlington on Wednesday evening. (Photo: APRIL BURBANK/FREE PRESS FILE)
A recent poll by Vermont Public Radio and Castleton Polling Institute showed Sanders is likely to win Vermont in a landslide. About 78 percent of likely Vermont Democratic voters support their home state candidate, according to the survey, and 13 percent support Clinton.
The primary has split Vermont's Democratic leadership, with prominent figures such as Gov. Peter Shumlin and U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy supporting Clinton, and Rep. Peter Welch supporting Sanders.
Clinton campaign puts hope in VT women
