In an attempt to draw crowds, stir enthusiasm and perhaps bring in new supporters, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is releasing an "all-star" team of surrogates as she hopes to push her way to victory in Iowa and New Hampshire,
The Hill reports.
Among her surrogate team is, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), left-leaning millennial celebrity Lena Dunham of "Girls," pop singer Katy Perry, soccer hero Abby Wambach, diplomatic powerhouse Madeleine Albright, as well as former President Bill Clinton and first daughter Chelsea Clinton.
To date, the Hill notes that the former secretary of state has had 34 surrogates make appearances on the campaign trail in New Hampshire and 28 in Iowa.
While the surrogates could make the difference between victory and defeat, some strategists say the notion is overrated and can even bring in unwanted headlines for the
candidate.
"Nobody pays attention to the surrogates," says Steffen Schmidt, a professor of political science at Iowa State University.
He added, "nobody cares" about them. And, although Oprah Winfrey was a surrogate for President Barack Obama in 2008, he said she is the exception.
"People want to see the candidate. People in What Cheer, Iowa don't wanna see Madeleine Albright."
According to The Hill, while Sanders is popular among millennials — A USA Today/Rock the Vote found Sanders ahead of Clinton with the younger demographic with 50 to 31 percent — the Vermont senator has less staff than Clinton and far less surrogates.
"Officials in the Sanders campaign would not comment on their surrogate operation," The Hill reports.
And, while one strategist questioned if he truly needs them, another strategist argued its "political malpractice that the Sanders campaign hasn't sought out and deployed surrogates … It means they're leaving points on the board."
The Hill notes that among Hillary's all-star surrogate team, former President Bill Clinton is the most powerful surrogate of all who proved to be a strong advocate whose endorsement and presence on the campaign trail helped President Obama's re-election in 2012.
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