As recently as mid-February, Rick Santorum reportedly had no paid advance staff. He would appear to have one now in Mississippi, or at least an advance person. Since late February, Chris Godbey has been showing up in the Mississippi press as Santorum's state political director, with promises of a couple of local campaign offices and an intensive effort ahead of Tuesday's vote.
Godbey is a seasoned political manager whose resume includes running state campaigns and a brief stint as a field team leader with the conservative Media Research Center this year. On LinkedIn, Godbey describes his work:
- Coordinate daily activities with the National Field Coordinator at MRC headquarters
- Arrive in region 3-7 days ahead of national press
- Take receipt of MRC collateral and distribute to members of local tea party and conservative groups
- Arrange for a presence of activists on site where media attention will be focused
- Collect pictures and video of activists hold MRC signs and collateral
- Develop a national grassroots presence for MRC and affiliates
The early crowds in Mississippi look good for Santorum. He's tied with Newt Gingrich for second in the latest Rasmussen survey, but another report said he drew an audience twice the size of Gingrich's.
(H/t James Carter. Image: Rick Santorum in Mississippi on Wednesday/Rogelio V. Solis/AP)
