Posted by: McQ on Monday, February 18, 2008 Yes, Republicans have developed a five point strategy they think will help them defeat Obama should he be the nominee: The first called for pointing out what the GOP views as a seeming incongruity between Obama and the mantle of commander in chief.The greatest point here is his lack of experience, of course, and the fact he has no military background. If Iraq is going well, McCain has to make that a center-piece of his contrast, since Obama didn't support the war and McCain was a supporter of not only the war but the surge. The second point harkened back to Obama’s days in the Illinois state Senate, noting how his “pattern of voting ‘present’ offers many openings to question his candidacy.”I think this will be lost on most voters, although, it seemed to make some impact when he was questioned by both Edwards and Clinton during a debate. The reasons are as arcane as the rules, but there is actually a fairly palatable reason for voting that way in Illinois as I understand it. But if that explanation is made and it seems reasonable, that line of questioning needs to be dropped like a hot rock. What Republicans don't want is a repeat of the McCain/Romney kerfuffle where McCain falsely accused Romney of desiring withdrawal and wanting a timetable. McCain stubbornly stayed with the rhetoric even when it had been proven to almost everyone's satisfaction Romney hadn't wanted or demanded either. It made McCain look like a spiteful old man. The third offered hope to the GOP faithful that “we can be confident in a campaign about issues.”Well, yes and no. How do you campaign against "change" and "hope" without using a rhetorical bucket of cold water to douse his ideas with "reality". Or said another way, does the electorate really want to deal with reality or are they into the fantasy of "hope and change" to far to be deterred? A fourth bullet point relayed how “undisciplined messaging carries great risk,”Yeah, like saying "we could be in Iraq for 50 or 100 years?" Or, "I really don't know economics that well?" UPDATE: The RNC issues a clarification on the 2nd point: "It''s a reminder to Republicans that running against historic firsts (Obama OR Hillary) presents great risk," this source said. "We have a lower margin for error in talking about the first African-American or woman major party nominee."OK. That too. [T]he fifth and final attack point stressed, “His greatest weakness is inexperience. He is not ready to be commander in chief. He is not ready to be president.”To me this is the only real thing the Reps can play up and play up hard. Even his supporters can't pretend that his experience level is anywhere commensurate with the demands of the job. They're just willing to take the chance. What the Reps have to do is frame the argument in such a way that it isn't worth the chance (while leaving open the possiblity that a more seasoned Obama, say in 8 years, might be perfect for the job - without really meaning it, of course). Republicans have to convince voters to make a gut check before voting and if they've been successful in pushing their argument, that gut check will voters them pulling the lever for McCain. |
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