culture war

The WSJ has a piece today on what it calls "Culture War" in the 2008 presidential campaigns. Similar pieces have appeared in the Journal and other media throughout the week. The Journal has had more, given its solidly pro-Republican stance, but even so-called liberal media have dealt with this issue. The issue is Sarah Palin and what she represents and why she exposes Obama's weak spot. A weakness so great, it may cost him the election. 

As soon as the McCain camp announced Palin as their running mate and I was able to see her picture and read a bit about her background, I knew there was trouble. BIG TIME trouble for the Democratic ticket. I said so to many of my friends but they shrugged it off. They pointed out she had no experience, she was a redneck, she was against abortion and gay rights, etc. etc. An endless list, that like much of the official Obama response entirely misses the point. Not only is it irrelevant but every time a critic points out one of Sarah's perceived flaws, it only strengthens the McCain-Palin ticket. Sarah's weaknesses are her strength! 

Putting Sarah in the hot seat and making her sweat can only turn thousands of voters to her rescue. The analogy to Hillary shedding tears in the primaries is stunning. Only -as I pointed out before- Sarah is much better at this than Hillary. It comes natural to her.

In Thursday's editorial Lynn Forester de Rothschild, who admitted being a Democrat, said Democrats need to shake their "elitist" tag. And for those who do not understand what that means and point out how Barack grew up in a poor family, she goes on to explain that "elitism is a state of mind, a view of the world that cannot be simply measured by one's net worth." That same day, he-who-cannot-be named in Democratic circles also made similar points in his editorial "Obama Can't Win Against Palin."

If Obama wants to win he will need to do all the following (and maybe more):

-Stop attacking Sarah Palin. Many have pointed out that he is running for President while she is not. Stepping down to her level or elevating her to his level is asking for defeat.

-Have his party stop attacking Palin. This is less obvious and many believe Obama should focus on McCain and let the others attack Palin. However attacking Palin, esp. the way it is done now, only makes her and the McCain ticket stronger.

If the Democrats want to attack Palin they should change their strategy. But I recommend they lay off. Palin is weakest when ignored.

-Obama must give answers and not just point out what is wrong with the country. He must stand for something, something other than "Change." I am sorry to say, Mr. Obama, but change is now associated with Palin. She represents change in way that no words can undo.

-Obama needs to explain what he wants to do in simple terms. Not just tie McCain to Bush, because it is obvious now that he will be different. Provide solutions, simple solutions, like cut taxes. Not cut taxes for so and so and raise them for someone else. That just doesn't fly as a slogan. If he wants to raise taxes on the rich, he should do so later when he is in office. 

-Obama and the Democrats need to understand that an election is like a sale. You don't need to expose your weaknesses and not everything you say has to be complete and true. It doesn't matter if the media "exposes" you. Just do what W. did and keep repeating the same mantra, even if everyone says it is false. Repeating a simple and appealing message with direct connection to the voter is key.

You need to highlight important points in a SIMPLE manner and coin phrases that stick in people's minds and evoke favorable images. You need to promise people what they want even if it cannot be done, or is physically impossible to do so. Remember the calorie-free energy drinks?

-Make sure the solutions are simple and do not contain three-syllable words. Make sure they do not have a number of alternatives or exceptions and special cases, and other confusing stuff.

-Stick to speeches in large venues, where Obama is great and refrain from doing too many interviews. When doing interviews, make short statements in sound bites, that use simple words instead of droning on an on like he usually does.

-Understand the difference between a speech and a conversation. Don't talk down to people. Don't be the smart-ass senator who has all the answers and will tell you what is good for you.

-Mingle with the common folk and be seen, filmed and photographed in that capacity.

-Change his dress from smart-Harvard lawyer, to a more Palin-like can-do, roll up your sleeves style.

My 2c.