More Than A Head-Fake In Obama's Red-State Strategy?

He's said all along that he intends to compete everywhere in this election. Sill, Barack Obama's visits to places like Montana and Indiana and Virginia may strike some as pie-in-the-sky thinking about the Electoral College. And his decision to run ads in other traditional Republican strongholds like Alaska, North Dakota and Georgia seemed to have a similar ring to it. These are not states where Democrats should have much hope of competing.

But as he did during the primary season, Obama is putting his organization behind his push in these states. As we learned today, Obama will open up 20 campaign offices throughout the state of Virginia by this weekend, many in GOP strongholds. And, CBS News' chief political consultant Marc Ambinder reports the campaign will have six full offices opened in Montana as well. That's more commitment than a head-fake would indicate. And for anyone who doubts the potential here, remember that the Clinton campaign scoffed when Obama opened up campaign offices in states like Virginia during the primary season.