Painting that creates wedges for the GE

[andym]

Because of the competitive nature of the primaries, a war that involves painting the opponent has been engaged.
The purpose of the painting is to drive wedges between groups of potential supporters and the opposing candidates.
Unfortunately these wedges will likely remain in the general election and wedges may be very difficult to remove.

Two examples:

In the primary season, Obama has used his opposition to the Iraq war as a wedge against Clinton who apparently supported the war at the beginning, thus separating her from the group of voters who oppose the war (a not inconsequential group). Can she regain enough of this group in a GE?

In the same primary season, Clinton has used inexperience as a wedge against Obama, including stating that he was unfit to be Commander in Chief. Experience really counts with some voters, especially older voters. I've already heard from a few older voters (>75) that adamently stated that Obama's experience is similar to W's and we can't afford on the job training (this was before the CiC comments)! Surprisingly, they were rather apolitical people. Can Obama add this group to his constituency in a GE?

Both campaigns need to start unpainting each other now and not continue to add brush stroke after stroke. Unfortunately, that will not happen in the heat of battle. Therefore, the campaigns must make adjustments in their own message before the paint dries.

For example, in Obama's case, he needs to add more about his 12 years of experience as an elected official, his common sense and how he intends to create the safe space (security) needed for the hope and change message to be heard by people who are tuning him out.

In Clinton's case she needs to show that she is willing to break with the "politics of the past", admit mistakes, and show more of her compassionate side.

Otherwise, whoever the nominee is will find it very difficult to scrape the dried paint off in time for the November election.