Making the Closing Arguments for an Obama Presidency

By Innocent Chia
Democratic Presidential nominee, Barack Obama was roundly criticized by the media, on the dying days of the Democratic Party primaries, for blowing his lead in the polls to then rival, Sen. Hilary Clinton. The Junior Senator from Illinois was said to be weak on his closing. Opponents and other observers wondered out loud whether he would withstand the hailstorm that was certain to come from the Republican Party and his Republican colleague, the Senior Senator from Arizona. What the soothsayers did not see coming on the last lap of this legendary marathon was an economic whirlwind that has dumbfounded both camps, mostly crippling the McCain camp. The Wall Street implosion cum main Street asphyxiation or “October Surprise”, coupled with titanic unfavorable ratings for outgoing Republican President, George W. Bush, have left McCain over-promising at campaign rallies and under-delivering at debate nights.

His most recent rally event promise is to “whip Senator Obama’s ass” at the next Presidential debate with domestic policy focus on October 15, 2008, at Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY. However, it comes on the heels of a similar, yet un-kept, promise by Sen. McCain to “take-off the gloves” for a knock out of Sen. Obama at the second debate in Nashville, TN. As that second debate unfolded to an end it was obvious that instead of taking off the gloves, the gloves fell off the hands of Sen. McCain. Sen. Obama’s apropos metaphor was that of “wheels falling off the Straight Talk express”. In the heat of this to-and-fro, the focus here and now is figuring out how Obama maintains his momentum and closes the deal on November 4th.

The Democratic nominee has to continue riding the horse of economic hardship till it can race no more. While the markets are currently showing good signs of bouncing back, consumer trust and confidence has dwindled to a depressing low. Therefore, look to the Obama campaign staying focused on its economic message, as well as stepping up relentless reminders of the umbilical cord between Sen. McCain and George W. Bush and their failed policies. He has to continue drumming home the fact of Sen. McCain’s disconnect with Main Street America and poor judgment in assessing the economic bill of health of the nation as fundamentally sound. The Obama campaign has to loop and re-loop senator McCain’s excerpt of a “fundamental deregulator”, the consequence of which the world economy is in dire straits.

Also look for Sen. Obama to continue fleshing out his plan for economic recovery concurrently. Emphasis on the role of the middle class is rightfully paramount. Not surprisingly therefore, Sen. Hilary Clinton and President Clinton are getting “dispatched” to key areas to remind folks of the “good times” of economic prosperity. The strategy also resonates well with many Hilary supporters that were disaffecting or disengaging from the process. Her presence is a guarantee to them that she continues to be a powerhouse within Democratic Party circles.

Senators Obama and Biden must also feed on the general empathy that American people have for the personal stories of candidates. The difficult experience of losing his first wife in a car accident put Sen. Joe Biden in an uncomfortable place where, like innumerable single parents, he had to juggle so much more without the benefit of a second opinion from a loving partner and trusted confidante. More than any one candidate, Sen. Biden understands this segment of the population and he connected with them at a visceral level during the single debate against his rival, Gov. Sarah Palin.

Obama needs to stop parachuting about his Mom and his grand parents. I would look for him to detail out what it meant for his loving mother to feed them on food stamps; that he understands the uncertainty of struggling families because he lived it. He has to impress upon us his appreciation for the grandmother. In so doing, I will look for him to extend adoration and respect for every mother in America and every grand-parent that has sacrificed so much for their grand kids. Any such sacrifice is done with the hope that the grand kid will achieve whatever goals they set for themselves. If I were in Obama’s larger-than-life-shoe, I would rap-up in the following line: “Mom, Grandma and Grandpa: Your voting for me will be an endorsement of all your efforts, all your sacrifices, all your hopes and belief that your grand-kid can be all that they desire to be in this beautiful and great country, the United States of America. God bless you.”

Camp Obama must also stay vigilant and message-consistent. The campaign cannot afford to be derailed by another discussion on race such as during the primaries. While the esteemed Civil Rights leader and Georgia Senator, John Lewis made a judgment call in his biting statement to call out the McCain camp on the dangers of their not-so-veiled racial innuendos, the discussion on race is one that the Obama campaign hardly wants to engage in. But it is good that Senator John Lewis caught the hand in the jar, thus leaving the McCain camp on the defensive.

However, John McCain on the defensive and on the ropes is nothing new in the long career of the Vietnam POW and longtime legislator. He has been down that bottomless pit before and knows how to get up and get going. Fact of the matter is that the Obama campaign have to figure out how to get the massive numbers of newly registered voters to the voting booth on Nov 4th. The youth vote has traditionally been a tough one to count on. Yet, it remains the Secret weapon that Sen. Obama is counting on. Their turnout at the primaries, during rallies and as foot soldiers of his campaign has been crucial.

Finally, on a stylistic note, Sen. Obama should keep away from wearing suits whenever he is hanging out in crowds other than in stadiums and other large arenas. Other than showing how tough and fit he is, rolling-up of his sleeves really makes him one of us – hardworking, accessible, approachable, warm, confident and trustworthy.

In the words of Sen. McCain, an “all of the above” approach and more must be employed in order to keep Obama in the lead and his opponent in the dog house. It is an election for the history books. Do not be fooled into thinking that this race is over until the votes are counted and a victor declared. This means that the ugliness is far from over. Each camp is keeping watch over the opponent and on bended knee for the other to falter. Look for the more disciplined side to carry the day. Senators Obama and Biden have kept their poise and are winning the admiration and support of the people, so far.

Comments

[sokari]

Hi Chia - I tried subscribing to your feed but it is not working. Can you check this please.

Thanks
Sokari