Tuesday, February 26, 2008
McCain v. Obama
How can McCain best run a campaign against Obama? I think the answer is a simple two-fold thrust: a major focus debunking the myth that Obama represents change, and a minor thrust highlighting his inexperience.
First, Obama has clearly linked his platform to one of "change". However, as numerous articles have pointed out over recent weeks, a close inspection of Obama's record disproves his mantra of change. He has consistently had one of the most predictable, liberal voting records in the Senate. He has also failed to be part of any of the major bipartisan bills. Obama has a record, albeit short, that he should not be able to hide from. If he wants to claim that he will bring true change to DC, make him back it up. Make him explain how more of the same liberal orthodoxy and a previous failure to join bipartisan efforts represents change.
Second, as an undertone, continue to emphasize his lack of experience. I don't think you can win on this issue alone or push it too hard, but there does seem to be concern among voters (at least in Dem primaries between Obama and Hillary) about his lack of experience. I think subtle reminders of that here and there will help keep the issue in the back of voters' minds.
But I think McCain must paint Obama as a liberal on issues, which is easily supported by his voting record. This should also help scare any conservative voters who were otherwise planning on sitting out the election into voting.
First, Obama has clearly linked his platform to one of "change". However, as numerous articles have pointed out over recent weeks, a close inspection of Obama's record disproves his mantra of change. He has consistently had one of the most predictable, liberal voting records in the Senate. He has also failed to be part of any of the major bipartisan bills. Obama has a record, albeit short, that he should not be able to hide from. If he wants to claim that he will bring true change to DC, make him back it up. Make him explain how more of the same liberal orthodoxy and a previous failure to join bipartisan efforts represents change.
Second, as an undertone, continue to emphasize his lack of experience. I don't think you can win on this issue alone or push it too hard, but there does seem to be concern among voters (at least in Dem primaries between Obama and Hillary) about his lack of experience. I think subtle reminders of that here and there will help keep the issue in the back of voters' minds.
But I think McCain must paint Obama as a liberal on issues, which is easily supported by his voting record. This should also help scare any conservative voters who were otherwise planning on sitting out the election into voting.
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3 comments:
I've been meaning to post on this point for a while. Most of the CW floating around right now echoes your position, except a lot of folks seem to want to stress the inexperience angle over the debunking change angle.
And yet, I would like to depart from your position wholesale, and suggest that the CW that is being offered right now will lead McCain straight into the runner's up circle.
In order to win, McCain must focus on one thing only: the disastrous effects that Obama's policy agenda will bring about.
On the economy, McCain needs to connect points A->B. Obama's tax and trade policies will have negative results. From an increase in consumer prices, to an increase in taxes on capital investment, to an increase in unemployment, to shrinking GDP.
On national security, Obama's reflexive attitude of "make nice until something bad happens" means every tyrant, dictator and terrorist in the world knows that as long as they shake hands and smile in front of the camera they can get away with building nukes, arming Al Qaeda, and bucking UN mandates.
On social issues, Obama's agenda will mean legalized infanticide and S.C. justices that have been vetted by People for the American Way (read: pro-gay marriage).
On health care, Obama's agenda will mean a reduction in the quality of care, a reduction in consumer choice of provider, and a continuing upward spiral in the cost of services.
The only way to beat Obama is to go after his agenda, because you can't beat him on change or experience. People want change, and his very inexperience is what makes him a change agent.
Arguing that he's not really a change agent is right where Obama wants to be. He wants to spend the next 8 months talking about himself, and how he's change you can believe in, and "yes we can." Despite what nasty old McCain says, he's a 42 year old man (who, by the way, happens to be black) and he's shattering old boundaries.
To say he doesn't represent change is going to ring hollow: he is the most liberal Presidential nominee since Woodrow Wilson (or maybe FDR)--not that Obama would ever say it, but every body knows it.
At the end of the day, if the election is about personalities, Obama will beat McCain. If the election is about policies and outcomes, McCain could possibly beat Obama, despite all the headwinds.
And that is McCain's great challenge. Because as Al Gore found out, most Americans would rather vote for the guy they like than the guy who seems like he knows what he's doing.
My $.02.
I think we're actually in agreement. IMO, liberal policies = disastrous results, so that's basically what I'm saying. McCain needs to point out what Obama's voting record is, as well as Obama's planned policies, highlight that they are liberal, and how they will result in bad outcomes.
Mainly though I think McCain loses if his primary emphasis is that Obama is inexperienced. That just doesn't have enough ooomph behind it to give McCain the win.
" think McCain loses if his primary emphasis is that Obama is inexperienced"
Agreed 100%, and I hope that McCain doesn't follow Limbaugh and Hannity down the road of harping on the, "he's a blank slate" candidate type of gibberish. Treat him and his policies with the respect they deserve, and with the real threat to our well-being that they are.
Another point on "change." I would like to see McCain agree with Obama that he's a change candidate.
Yes He Can: Raise Your Taxes
Yes He Can: Surrender our hard fought gains against Al Qaeda
Yes He Can: Balloon the national debt with massive new spending
Yes He Can: Send businesses and their jobs overseas to other countries
Yes He Can: Create the biggest government program in 70 years, even though the last huge entitlement programs are still on track to bankrupt the nation.
Yes He Can: Fight against making infanticide illegal.
Yes He Can: Duck and weave on the definition of marriage.
Yes He Can: Fight with the ACLU against traditional morality in the public square.