What Obama Left Out

Watching Barack Obama’s 30 minute ad before the final game of the 2008 World Series (congrats to the Phillies) I couldn’t help but notice Barack left something out. Throughout the entirety of the advertisement, I never heard Obama mention his opponent. Instead, Obama focused in on real American families facing real American issues and explained how he will solve these problems.

This has always been the quality I have admired most about Obama’s campaign; Obama’s ability to focus on himself and his plans for change instead of trying to cut into his opponent.

Despite all of the attempts to discredit Obama’s vie for the White House it seems like none of them are the kryptonite that can take him down. I look forward to November 5th when Obama can don the mantle of President of the United States and start making the change this country is clamoring (or dare I say Hoping) for.

-Captain America

Coming to a Close: We Are All One Nation

You’ve gotta hand it to the man, he knows how to present a speech.

With this race coming to close, each candidate is throwing (or not throwing) their final punches, hoping to come out on top. As the nation looks forward to a week from now, I’d like to take a moment to look back, and see when Barack Obama first appeared nationally, when the senator from Illinois captured the attention of many, and first began the path that has led to today – a day when we wait to see if we are going to elect the first black President, not because he’s black, but because he has given the people hope for change and faith in our own power.

I remember Obama’s speech at the 2004 DNC, and his message hasn’t changed in the four years since.

I remember the beginning. Do you?

The Race Tightens

With only fourteen days left until America elects its next president mainstream media (sans some huge political disaster) will be hyping up anything that shows the race is tightening between John McCain and Barack Obama.

Why? Because a tighter race means more viewers of course. More viewers equals more money for networks, money which will be needed when the networks start to get squeezed post election season due to the tanking economy.

It will be interesting to see how McCain and Obama react to this “tightening” in the race for the White House. My guess is they fan the flames and use the MSM message to whip their volunteers and voters into gear. The outcome is anybody’s guess, but some are already cashing in their bets. I just hope it doesn’t come back to bite them in the ass…

-Mr. Ed

The Message Doesn’t Matter Anymore

I hate to say it, but this race isn’t about issues anymore. It’s all image and the debate last night should be more than enough to prove that point. McCain had Obama on the ropes most of the night hitting Obama hard on his economic policy. McCain did so well in fact that many of the pundits said McCain won this debate before the snap polls were released half an hour after the debate had finished.

But turn off the sound during the debate and you get a totally different image.

Yet again (for the third time), McCain failed to control his image, rolling his eyes Obama and even gawking while Obama remained composed and collected. The polls show this (even Fox news said they liked Obama’s delivery much better than McCain’s) giving Obama the win almost 2 to 1.

McCain’s problem from the start is either he or his team don’t understand that this political cycle is different from four years ago. He’s been running his campaign like Hillary Clinton did against Obama pushing old strategies into a new arena. Undecided voters that McCain and Obama are fighting for can be split into two different categories: informed and uninformed. To both of these groups image is extremely important, but for two entirely different reasons.

In a media saturated, American Idol America, it’s more about how you do than what you do. Television has taught the uninformed masses that image is important because its the only thing you can use to differentiate between competitors. There is no doubt that anyone who gets on American Idol has talent, so what do people vote on? Image. Image is the only difference the contestants share. And even when a contestant has more talent than another it’s the contestants with the better image that end up with the big record deals and endorsements.

Uninformed voters don’t have the time to filter through all the information being thrown at them. For the most part these voters are going to look at Obama and McCain as two contestants vying for presidency. Both of their policies sound like they’ll work (and both probably would in the long run). Both say they plan on changing government, so how do you decide? Who looks more presidential. The YouTube Wars don’t matter to these people, in fact; I can bet the only time they’ll actually see the candidates is on the news and during presidential debates. In both the news and the debates McCain looks very un-presidential when contrasted with Obama and the undecided, uniformed voters are reacting accordingly.

Those that have the time to sift through all the information being crammed down their throats, the informed voters, have a different reason for relying on image. In this new media arena anything you say can immediately be rebuked. As soon as a candidate says, “I am this. My opponent is that” or “I did this. My Opponent did that” someone is going to be checking the validity of that statement and I guarantee you every time someone is going to find an instance where the statement is false.

If informed voters are judging the candidate on how truthful their statements this puts candidates in a difficult position. These statements are how a candidate normally separates themselves from their opponents and forms a connection with the voter. When these statements are constantly brought into question the message breaks down and the only difference between candidates is how they deliver their message.

McCain has been playing the “I am this. My opponent is that” or “I did this. My Opponent did that” a lot during his campaign and every time the message has been thrown back in his face by someone who checks the facts. Obama on the other hand has had a fair amount of backfires, but his primary message of “Hope” focuses on the future and what Obama will do instead of what McCain did or what McCain is. In this era of new media Obama’s message is harder turn against him because of Obama’s young record and the “I will do this” as opposed to McCain’s “I’ve done this” message.

Within the last week McCain has begun to move away from negative attacks on Obama to more Obama-esque hope for the future messages. A recent shift in the polls shows that this tactic is the way to go, but does McCain have enough time to turn the race around?

-Hunter S. Thompson

Breakfast of Champions

Keep a look out for Obama O’s and Cap’n McCain’s to hit the shelves soon.

With plenty of critical issues they’re part of a nutritious campaign.

What kind of toy do you think you’d find in “that one”?

-Snap, Crackle, Pop

Obama, McCain, Winning, Losing

According to many polls, Obama is in the lead, even in the national poll averages, Obama is projected to win…Even after the debate, polls of those there showed Obama claimed victory over McCain:

Who did the best job in the debate?

McCain (R) 30
Obama (D) 54

Opinion of  Barack Obama (before debate)

Favorable: 64 (60)
Unfavorable: 34 (38)

Opinion of  John McCain (before debate)

Favorable: 51 (51)
Unfavorable: 46 (46)

54% say Obama was the clear winner.
29% say McCain was the clear winner.
18% say there was no clear winner.

When over half say Obama wins, is there more he can do for getting votes?

On the other hand, kind of obviously, expected with those polls, McCain is losing, down, needing to score some major points against Obama. Honestly, really, truly, McCain, must you stoop to that level, even when down on the ground yourself, when losing, when winning is evading you, to try to get points, to try to score wins, to try to get votes?

The way George Bush ran his campaign in 2000 mirrored his Presidency – slimy, underhanded, with no sense of basic decency. The way John McCain is running his campaign now, will reflect how he conducts himself as president.

The way the candidate runs his campaign is a good impression, a good show, a good preview, of what’s to come when he’s president…Which campaign is less low, better, a good choice for what’s to come?

Post-debate reaction

Obama’s been my guy since the beginning of this election process, kupo, and nothing that I’ve heard so far has given me the urge to change my mind. Now, that being said, I have to add that I hope that tonight may have swayed more voters minds, specifically towards Obama, kupo. It seems that the general Election2008 Twitter reaction was that Obama won, as well as the CNN initial polls and other similar things, kupo.
That being said, I’d like to address a couple of the key things I noticed during the debate.

First, McCain might have needed a few more pointers on how to act during this debate. While the media hype was that he was very good at town hall format situations, he didn’t quitelive up to that, kupo. He freaked some of the online population out by standing too close to the audience (at least to our perceptions), and really had a problem with looking stiff, kupo, and eventually pacing (this being interpreted as rude to Senator Obama by some).

Second note, I liked how Obama didn’t make himself out to be perfect, kupo. He could have addressed that the financial crisis is the fault of many rather than just of one side or the other, but he did admit to his lack of experience in foreign affairs and other areas (which have been left out of my notes, unfortunately, kupo). I think he could have brought in his choice of Joe Biden as a complement to that lack of knowledge, but alas, the opportunity has come and gone. Perhaps next time, or maybe he will use it in the media, that would help, kupo.

All in all, kupo, I noticed that both candidates tried to address the people, but Obama seemed to score much higher with the uncommitted voters in Ohio, and did much better with being inspirational as opposed to condescending. Seeing as Obama is still ahead in the polls, Senator McCain would have had to pull off an amazingperformance today, kupo, in order to take the lead, and that just did not happen.

It was really nice to see both candidates in this more informal kind of arena, and both candidates had good and bad moments, but in the end, the result has remained the same, kupo. Senator Obama comes out on top.

-Moogle

Presidential Debate 10.07.08

8.00 Town Hall Format. Rules Listed

8.03 Candidates Introduced, Coin flip Obama Starts.

8.04 First Question: What’s the fastest, best way to help Americans suffering from economic Crisis?

8.08 Who would you appoint as Treasury secretary?

8.11 Q: What in the Bailout Package will actually help Americans?

8.15 McCain’s history is incorrect -Obama

8.17  McCain knew this crisis was going to happen

8.18 Q: How can we trust either of you with our money when both parties created this crisis?

8.20 G. Bush spent all the nation’s money -Obama

8.23 Obama doesn’t know how to spend money. -McCain

8.24 It seems McCain is just saying that I know how to do everything and Obama doesn’t know what he is doing.

8.25 Energy is agreed upon as the most important issue.

8.26 No one is sticking to time rules

8.28 Q: What sacrifices will you ask every American to make to ease economic crisis?

8.30 McCain wishes to stop spending all across the board with the exception of vital programs.

8.32 Obama wants people to buys energy efficient home and cars.

8.34 How would you break America’s bad habit of too much debt and easy credit?

8.35 Obama wants everyone to share the burden.

8.36 McCain wishes to get control to the people to spend on health care and to give tax cuts to

8.37 Q; Would you give congress a date to reform social security and medicare?

8.38 Obama wishes to increase taxes to people that make +250000 a year

8.40 McCain attacks Obama again he has no experience and wishes to increase taxes

8.43 What would you do within the first two years as president on the environment?

8.45 McCain wishes to create jobs that deal with green energy

8.46 Obama agrees and wishes export the technologies

8.48 The Canidates are using too much time.

8.50 Q: Should health care be treated as a commodity?

8.51 Obama wishes to lower the cost of health care and wishes get ride of perexisting condisions.

8.52 McCain wishes to give people a $5000 refundable credit.

8.54 Wants to give the people control of thier health care.

8.55 Q: Is health care  a privilege, a right ot a responsiblity?

8.55 McCain: Responsibility

8.56 Obama: Right

8.59 Q:How will recent economic distress affect U.S. ability to be a peacemaker?

9.00 McCain believes you need experince to lead the country, like himself

9.04 Q: Define your doctrine for use of U.S. military for humanitarian purposes?

9.05 Obama wishes to lead the world against terrorism

9.06 McCain wants to bring the troops home with honor

9.08 Q:Should the U.S. respect Pakistani sovereignty or ignore it to pursue al qaeda?

9.10 Obama: in sort no

9.12 McCain wishes to get the support of the country to help

9.13 It is getting ugly. They are starting to go back and forth about attacking Pakistan

9.16 Q: How do you reorganize U.S. strategy in Afghanistan?

9.17 Obama wants Afghanistan to take control of that area

9.18 McCain wishes to work closely with them to fallow through with the exciting strategy

9.20 Q:How can we apply pressure to Russia on humanitarian issues without starting a cold war?

9.22 Obama wishes to help out the countries in trouble and not try to invade them

9.23 Q: Is Russia under putin an evil empire?

9.23 Obama maybe

9.24 McCain maybe

9.25Q:If Iran attacks Israel, would you commit U.S. troops to support Israel?

9.26 McCain yes without hesitation

9.27 Obama wishes to take other options before , but yes

9.29 Last Q: What don’t you know and how will you learn it?

9.29 Obama: he did not really answer the question but made a point that he is the creation of the education system

9.32 McCain: he doesn’t know what is going to happen but says he can adapt

9.34 End

A Few Pointers

Now, I’m not a politician, and I may not have much experience in that area, but I have a brain, and, unlike many people of the general population it seems, I actually use mine.

It seems to me that the Obama campaign has not yet capitalized on the opportunities their opponents have given to them. McCain and his people have been the main aggressors, but Obama seems to have a kind of “media armor”, which is probably there partially due to his tendency to only stretch the truth rather than outright lie. I would really like to point out some openings that any strategist would point out are good places to apply media pressure.

First, there’s something that the media has begun to hit, and the Obama campaign recently released a video talking about this issue, but there needs to be more powerbehind it. While the McCain camp has been attacking Obama’s marginal relationship with Ayers, the Democrats have neglected to fully attack the relationship between John McCain and Charlie Keating.

Secondly, McCain seems to have a problem with keeping his emotions in check. Use this to your advantage! An opponent who is thinking with his emotions – especially that of anger – is an easier opponent to beat than one who is calm and seems to be in control. McCain is missing a piece for his “stone wall”, and there is nothing he can do about it, as it is “who he is”. This is not something to just let slide under the media spotlight, this is something to drag to the surface and point out whenever possible.

(The above point could also be used well during a debate – if the opponent visibly loses his cool on stage in front of millions of people, there will be no way to cover it up. It could be the perfect checkmate move.)

Third, don’t let statements like those made recently by the McCain campaign and Sarah Palin slip by undetected by all but those hyperconnected though the internet. These statements can be used against those who make them, and it is best to use these golden opportunities – the opening is there, one must just take the initiative and attack rather than sit back and watch and wait for others to do it for them. As is often said, “if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.”

Lastly, while I believe that the main debate should be about the differences between McCain’s and Obama’splans for the future, I also believe that we should continue to keep Sarah Palin in mind, as, if the McCain/Palin ticket wins this general election (which continues to seem more unlikely as I continue to watch Nate Silver’s predictions on FiveThirtyEight.com), it is possible that we shall see that woman sitting behind the desk in the Oval Office in an official capacity – something I’m not sure many people would be happy with. The Obama campaign needs to address issues that threaten the union of the United States of America, and make sure that these facts are noticed by the public.

Many opportunitieshave arisen for Senator Obama and his supporters to make moves against their opponents, of which only a few have really been used to their greatest extent. Now, those points that have been exhausted (remember the lipstick on a pig arguments?) should stay retired, but new points – or old points that have not yet been dredged up – should still be hit, and hit hard.

Good luck to Senator Obama in this regard, and I am looking forward to watching the town hall debate tomorrow night.

Also, let our thoughts be with Senator Joe Biden and his family as they mourn the passing of his mother-in-law, Bonny Jean Jacobs. May her soul rest in peace.

-Lelouch

Oh yes, a note. This will be my last post here, as I am moving on to bigger and better things. Hopefully someone will take up where I have left off, and I hope that they bring a intelligent perspective to the table. Best of luck to all of you.

The Home Stretch

With less than a month to go before the next President of the United States is chosen I thought I would take this time to share a few thoughts with all of you. Both Barack Obama and John McCain have a chance at winning this horse race, but they each have things they need to do to ensure victory.

Obama needs to keep his head on above all things. McCain has been trying to push Obama’s buttons for a while now, attempting to arouse anger in the Democratic presidential hopeful. Obama needs to keep a cool head to avoid being viewed as an angry black man.

Obama also needs to keep attacking McCain on issues involving the economy since it is the issue on everyone’s mind. Using McCain’s tie to the Keating Five incident could help, but reminding the American people that tax cuts don’t equal an economy boost would be even better. Doing so would give Obama another chance to link McCain to Bush and push the strong points of his proposed tax plan.

McCain has two options at this point; he can either keep betting at the tracks (like he did with Palin and his Campaign Suspension) or he needs to pull a 180 and start showing the American people he has a grasp on the important issues (like the economy and health care).

Trying to pull a 180 at this point in the game is not only risky, but difficult. Doing so successfully would require McCain to take control of the narrative (something he seems to utterly fail at) starting with his own image. McCain needs to stop taking cheap shots at Obama which just make him look like the weaker candidate and start showing America he has a better grasp on the problems at hand than Obama. McCain needs to avoid talking about the economy, instead focus on foreign policy and oil crisis two areas he seems strong with voters.

If McCain still wants to throw the dice (I mean what does he have to loose really?) he should stop looking at angering Obama which has done nothing but bite him in the ass. Start by really pushing at Obama’s “socialist” health care plan and start asking the question “What are you going to cut from your change platform now that the economy is in the tank?” Or better yet, really go after the “looking back” aspect that Palin touched on in the VP debate. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, use the opportunities given to you by that running mate of yours.

-Mr. Ed