Breaking

Why is this story so big?

Gov. Bill Richardson’s campaign is expected to direct its supporters to caucus for Sen. Barack Obama in the second round of voting at Thursday’s caucuses in precincts where he is not viable. Two sources familiar with the plan told Iowa Independent that the New Mexico governor’s organizers have been instructed to direct supporters to Obama in the places where they have not reached the 15 percent threshold for viability.

Richardson, whose poll numbers in Iowa have hovered near 10 percent since June, may need a solid fourth-place finish in the caucuses to continue his campaign.

It’s big because Richardson is unlikely to break 15% anywhere in Iowa. Not in one single precinct. So if his supporters do as they’re told and choose Obama second, then Obama wins tonight with 40% of the vote or better.

That would be bigger than big. That would be huge.