But. I feel that this convention has uncovered some gems of political strategy that may serve well the Obama campaign were they to choose the right ones to polish. I think Hillary needs to recede from the spotlight, she is great as a symbol, but her following is too hysterical, too divisive, to be a committed target. Rather than using her to rally her message, Obama must use her message to rally her supporters. This will be crucial.
On the other hand, Bill needs to whistle-stop the entire south this fall. He needs to step in where Hillary must recede. Bill can connect in a way no other living politician can. Including Obama. Bill has the veneer of success emanating from his gilded words. And with one former president in the background, being consciously tied to McCain, Obama needs a second one, who inserts success into the voter’s subconscious, to suggest his candidacy.
Biden was a fine choice, he comes across as smart and humble, with enough of a rough edge to his style to impress humanity. I think this theme, seen in both Biden and Kerry’s speeches, needs to be continued: confirm personal friendships and untie the personal McCain from the Candidate.
Which brings about a larger point about what needs to be the Democratic strategy. They must not try to go negative in the way McCain does, Obama must not appear in commercials that attack McCain. Sure, the stuff that has been used recently is innocuous enough. But it is a slippery slope from there to rovian politics. Rather, negativity needs to be used as it was today. It needs to come from sources who have the esteem (B. Clinton), the pity (Kerry) or both (Gore) of the public. If these figures can make comments that rile McCain, while Obama stays above the fray, with Biden as liason betwixt, then I think Obama has a chance.
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