Jan 16, 2008 10:30 pm US/Eastern
Clinton Leaving Nothing To Chance In N.Y.
Fearful Of Losing Black Vote, Senator Unveils 'BYOP' Tactic
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton gestures during a campaign event in Dover, N.H.., on Jan. 7, 2008.
Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images
Although she clearly enjoys home state advantage, Hillary Clinton is taking nothing for granted in the run up to Super Tuesday.
As CBS 2 HD found out, Team Hillary is taking Sen. Barack Obama's candidacy very seriously.
The battle for New York in the Democratic presidential primary is an intense one for Clinton. She has 20,000 volunteers here and is taking Obama's threat to heart.
"Handing out campaign literature, talking to voters on the street face to face personally one and one we're also doing grassroots organizing and outreach across the state," Clinton campaign volunteer coordinator Dan Benjoya said when asked what exactly the volunteers do.
The Hillary campaign is doing something quite unique. It's called BYOP, bring your own phone. They're using them to call voters and asking them to support Sen. Clinton.
"It's their way of making sure we can make as many calls as possible," Benjoya said.
So why is Clinton taking nothing for granted in New York?
Current polls give Sen. Obama the edge among black voters in New York City.
A recent Daily News poll had Obama leading 42 percent to 40 percent among blacks. Overall, Clinton leads 47-27 statewide.
"I don't think Hillary is in danger of losing New York state or New York City," said Baruch College professor Micheline Blum. "I do think there certainly is a possibility that she might lose the African American community."
As part of the campaign, Team Hillary is packing their offices with volunteers like stewardess Dimaura Cole.
"I'm excited to be here," Cole said. "She's gonna help us with the health care, universal health care, the war in Iraq. She's going to end this when she gets in office and put this country back on track."
While New Yorkers focus on the Feb. 5 vote here, Sen. Clinton faces tough fights in Nevada, South Carolina and Florida in the next few weeks.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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