St. Louis Today's Kevin McDermott reports on today's media conference call with Obama's campaign manager David Plouffe:
Plouffe repeatedly declared the race "winnable'' for Giannoulias, which may speak to the situation the Democrats are in this year, even in blue-state Illinois: This is Obama's state, this was Obama's Senate seat, Giannoulias is Obama's protege ... and yet it's just "winnable''?
"The numbers suggesting Alexi can win this race,’’ said Plouffe. He noted the latest polls showing a dead heat (good news for Giannoulias, who was previously trailing). But he also acknowledged that the mid-term slumps that affect most incumbent presidents, including this one, are very much in play in the Land of Lincoln.
"We’re going to have to close the enthusiasm gap that exists about the country – it exists in Illinois, too,’’ said Plouffe. "You’ve got Republican enthusiasm at a very high level...Democratic enthusiasm is trailing. The question is how much can you grow it.’’
