What the candidates need to do NOW to win the GE and the primary fight

[andym]

At this point, both Clinton and Obama will have problems in the general election against McCain and the continuing primary fight is likely to exacerbate them. As much as some Democratic activists believe McCain is easily defeated, he is already even in the national polls without the strong negative campaigns that will be launched against his Democratic rival. And that's with his pro-war position being wildly known!


Clinton is running on experience in the primaries. This won't cut it against McCain who will be perceived as more experienced. She will need to bring back the "experience for change" theme. However, Obama will continue to reinforce her image as a politician of the past which will make this difficult. Needs to stress her economic credentials, as the economy will likely continue to decline. She will not win the Commander in chief argument with McCain, needs to stress the economy, her independence, and her principles (countering triangulation)-- perhaps how she disagreed with Bill on certain issues in the past. It will be difficult to use the change theme against McCain who will argue that he has promoted more significant change than Hillary (McCain-Feingold) while having more experience.



Obama is running on his fresh approach to politics and the possibility of change. The very theme of his campaign and his youthfulness left him open to being cast as inexperienced. This is a very big problem for the GE, especially since voters (especially older ones) can be easily convinced that Bush's inexperience helped to cause the problems the country now faces. He must challenge it, by constantly invoking his personal experience in his speeches as examples of how he has tried to promote change over the 8 years of service in the Illinois senate as well as his experience as a US Senator. His theme: "Enough experience to know how to get things done, not so much as to get corrupted by the system." Needs to expand argument based his good judgment and common sense. Also, more emphasis on the economy, since it will continue to tank. It will be difficult with constant attacks on his perceived lack of experience from Clinton and McCain.


The coming weeks will determine if either of the possible Democratic nominees will be able to overcome their perceived negatives enough to build the coalition needed to win the GE. Ironically, the degree to which they are successful will also determine who wins the primary fight, as that will sway the superdelegates necessary to win.

[andym]

1. I suppose I should have asked, will it be possible to do overcome the painting.

I suppose I should have asked instead, will it be possible to do overcome the painting.