Debbie Wasserman Schultz can close a big gap for Obama’s campaign

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., is a very busy woman. Besides her day job, she’s also involved in determining the next president. But, as she’s often fond of saying, if you want something done, give the task to a busy person.

It might be premature to ask her to support Barack Obama. She is a national co-chair of the Hillary Clinton campaign and her candidate is still in the hunt. However, if current trends in party delegates hold, Wasserman Schultz will have to shift gears if she wants to help her party.

Obama will need the congresswoman’s “A-game” to help him win over those white women, retirees and Jewish voters who have thrown their lot with Clinton. The Democrats’ chances of winning the state hinges upon a huge turnout in Broward and Palm Beach counties, particularly in the enclaves of white retirees and Jewish residents. Few politicians in South Florida know, or appreciate, those communities as well as Wasserman Schultz.

In addition to votes, the congresswoman is a virtual ATM when it comes to raising money. If her initial run for Congress – in which she raised over $700,000 and donated $100,000 of that to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee – is any indication, she should be able to help Obama finance his campaign in Florida.

The South Florida congresswoman remains a rising Democratic star, and her considerable work ethic and unbridled enthusiasm continue to be hallmarks of a Wasserman Schultz campaign. She’s demonstrated that before, and Obama will need that same zeal from her if he becomes the nominee.