Yesterday's debate, while a fantastic display of the fundamental differences between the two realistic candidates for President, largely appears to be a non-event in terms of campaign momentum. That spells trouble for our hero and candidate, John McCain. With Senator Obama's frightening climb in the polls as our economy falls into a state of near despair, Senator McCain needed to make a drastic shift in the race. He needed to (and still has the chance to) harness the feelings of average Americans. We are worried, anxious, fearful and mad as hell. While McCain's words came close to matching that tonight, his attitude didn't.
Democrats have, for some mysterious reason, been able to put this crisis almost completely around the necks of Republicans. This is hogwash of the highest order and if John McCain and the other Republicans running for office cannot mount a more convincing counter argument, they might not deserve to win. Please see the previous post for a very important news clip regarding these issues and where different key players have stood on this sub-prime issue. Here is what we wanted to hear Senator McCain say, in forceful posture, directly to Senator Obama:
"In 2006, I co-sponsored legislation that would have reformed Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac in an effort to prohibit them from using the polices that are DIRECTLY responsible for our current economic crisis. And Senator Obama, what did you have to say about that bill? Oh right, you were too busy taking campaign contributions from those organization's leaders and using it to run for President to be bothered with that silly little task of VOTING on the bill. You didn't even vote, but you sure got a lot of their money!"
In the real debate, he made mention of the contributions and some reference was made to his bill, but he largely allowed Senator Obama to get away with pinning McCain with the label "de-regulator". On this and several other key economic issues, this is simply a falsehood that hurts McCain greatly. McCain co-sponsored a bill in 2006 (thats two years ago, folks) that would have changed the regulations making it harder or downright impossible for Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac to continue the practices that caused this situation! Obama couldn't even be bothered to go on record by voting! You tell me who the de-regulator really is.
Now the debate is over and we need to map out a clear course of action for Senator McCain to recover in the polls and go on to victory in the general election. If anyone has the ability to come back from this, its John McCain. After all, the man has been counted out more times than last year's New York Football Giants! Both were underdogs going in and both will come out on top when the history books are written!
The best political asset McCain has is his brand. People know and respect the American hero that he is and the independent political leader he has consistency shown himself to be. The general reputation he has earned, outside the realm of the intellectually stunted media and the unyielding liberal Obamanation, is that of an honest and forthright moderate who works to join seemingly conflicting ideologies into coherent and proper policy decisions. The key is reconnecting the people to that image. The simple and paramount question is how?
The slick TV ads with the ominous female voiceover announcer might have worked a while ago, but they don't fit with McCain's stated goals for campaign content and we question their overall effectiveness on swaying undecided voters.
Instead of "I'm John McCain and I approve this message" followed by 30 seconds of Obama bashing, however warranted and accurate it may be, McCain needs to film himself talking and connecting with the voters on an individual level. We imagine a script would go something along the lines of : "Hello, I'm Senator John McCain and I'm asking for a small amount of time out of your busy day to explain to you why I am asking for the privilege of serving you as our nation's next President......." Then, for the next 30, 60 or 90 seconds, Americans (or, more specifically, citizens of key battleground states) see and hear John McCain explaining his position on a critical issue or theme and defining his policy agenda on his own terms, face to face with the voter. This format is much more personal and, we believe, will resonate much better with undecided voters who will see the ads as something of a mini-speech, a conversation if you will. This would be a stark contrast to the current ads both campaigns have running, where the candidates hide behind ominous music, narrators and flashy graphics showing quotes disparaging or contradicting their opponents interests. If John McCain can convincingly shoot an ad like this, it will be seen as a man coming out from behind the safety of his intellectual fort to directly stand in the way of Obama becoming our next President, rather than staying behind these safety walls of mind-numbing glossy productions and lobbing rhetorical grenades at the other side.
Additionally, and secondarily, McCain needs to articulate in a clear and accurate manner the differences in philosophy, judgment and policy that separate himself from Senator Obama. We are well aware that the McCain camp has been stressing this throughout the campaign and we are saying that they have thus far failed to do so in anything resembling a positive way. McCain has been allowed the Obama camp to cast him as "Bush's third term" when, in reality, we challenge the average outsider to find a more rage-inducing Republican from the standpoint of the Bush administration. The McCain camp should not think that negatively defining Obama is alone enough to make the case stick. The honest and "McCain-like" thing to do would be to lay out the differences and say "If you agree with Senator Obama, then he is who you should vote for. But if you are unsure or you share my values and goals but are anxious for change from the current administration, I'm the one you want." That kind of straightforward willingness to lay his ideals before himself and his political future is what got McCain where he is today and it would serve him well to do that at this juncture. A man who stands on rhetoric alone is a man soon to come crashing to the ground. The American people know that and if McCain can appear to be the man who stands for more than just words and empty promises, he will win this election.
We leave the target locations and specifics of the advertisements up to people much more knowledgeable in those areas that us. The electoral map and what issues resonate best in what parts of the nation are complex and require more studious review than any of us could provide to the campaign. However, coming from the perspective of college students in a state that is a good deal away from the fray and intellectual hangups of the beltway, we believe the basic strategy is the right course for this campaign going forward.
-Andrew Jones, Michael Hilburn & Eric Fischer
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4 comments:
This is a wonderful accurate depiction of exactly what needs to happen Andrew and I have posted it on facebook...I hope you don't mind, but it needs to be read. There is one word however that needs to be corrected..consistency I think you meant to write consistently. Great writing my friend, keep up the great work.
Hitting the nail on the head my friends. You should pitch the ad suggestion to the McCain campaign because he truly is not connecting with the independents and undecided
Andy, et al,
I agree with you that politics have become opponent bashing and often lacks presentation of policy and ideology. I think both sides would be helping the American people by clearly stating their own policies, goals, and ideas so that the American people can make a more informed decision on where they want this country to go.
While I know we differ on political ideology, I think you articulated what people on both sides are frustrated with in the political arena, and what responsibility these candidates have to be straightforward and trusting of the people's judgment.
"Additionally, and secondarily, McCain needs to articulate in a clear and accurate manner the differences in philosophy, judgment and policy that separate himself from Senator Obama." I couldn't agree more. The American people certainly have a clear choice, as the two politican's ideologies and rhetoric couldn't be more different. I still think, though, that right now what America needs is not a touvhy-feely "connection" with the next president, but rather someone who will come out with authority. McCain needs to exude security and control, and show that even in this crisis, he can be stoic and help chart solutions. I don't want my president to simply understand and empathize with the plight of everyday Americans. I want him to do something about it, and show me how I can do something. I want my economy to stop falling out from under me. McCain needs to give us the answers that Obama can't give, and show that it is only fiscal conservatism and the slashing of programs and funding that we're going to weather this mess and come out the other end on top.
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