by Anita S. Lane
Now that Barack Obama has been hit hard by Clinton’s kitchen sink, it’s Obama’s turn to fight back. But given Obama’s promise of “clean” politics, what kind of “fight” can he really have?
Obama wants to play “by the rules,” but it’s apparent he has an opponent who has little regard for “the rules.” Can he really play fair and win?
If Obama wants to win, his strategy moving forward needs to be the following:
Lay down the law
Obama needs to set clear boundaries for his team and his advisors, as to what actions are acceptable and what actions are not. He does not need another Canadian/NAFTA debacle.
Forcefully fight back
Clinton is on the attack. Obama must fight back—and he must do so forcefully. He must clear up any misrepresentation presented by the Clinton campaign, clarify the differences between him and Clinton, call into question her experience and her judgment for executive office, and question why she’s failed to release her tax returns—as well as her papers as first lady. I recommend he do so in press conferences and in written statements (taking full advantage of free air time). Voters need to see that he’s a fighter. But he has to fight Obama style.
Stir up the romance
It’s been said that Democrats fall in love and Republicans fall in line. If that’s so, then Obama needs to make Democrats fall in love with him again. Smile. Talk that talk folks love to hear. Tell ‘em, “I love you back!” It’s not that Dems (and others) aren’t still in love with Obama, they’re just likely feeling a bit insecure in their relationship because of the other woman—Hillary.
Do what’s worked for him
Obama must not veer from what’s worked for him in the campaign thus far. He must be himself, continue taking the high road in his rhetoric and stay committed to his core values. Keep having fun at his rallies, stay positive and keep hope alive.
Update his stump speech
Obama needs to update his stump speech to include more details—new details, while still presenting his inspirational message of hope and change.
Run feel-good, message-based ads
Obama’s campaign ads in the various states need to make people feel good while offering detail on his plans. The ads should demonstrate that Obama understands the issues that concern the voters most, and that demonstrate that he has and will do something to help improve their situation.
Obama has to reconnect with voters in the upcoming primaries and shore up their confidence. Obama needs to run feel-good ads with sincere, enthusiastic voters of all ages, races and cultures stating why they’re for him. While Clinton’s ads stir up fear, Obama needs to create powerful ads that stir up the hope and aspiration that Americans have, while giving them reasons to believe it can come to pass.
Get a good night’s sleep
It’s easy to be negative on little-to-no sleep—you know, pointing fingers and yelling, “Shame on you!” However, it takes rest to remain positive and draw out one’s best inspiration. Voter’s want Obama’s best. So get a little rest. It will be to his advantage.
If the last three days before the March 4th primaries are any indicator, I think we can expect to see some hard hitting NAFTA-gate and Rezco-related ads attempting to defame Obama’s character and credibility—as well as more ads that attempt to cast doubt on his foreign policy experience. The Obama camp needs to be ready, and they must fight back.
Lest we forget
Obama needs to remind the voters that he has the populous message, the popular vote, the delegates and the momentum. Everyone knows that securing the Democratic Party nomination doesn’t require that one candidate win each and every state. You'll win some and you'll lose some.
We can’t forget that Obama managed to upstage the presumptive front runner for the Democratic Party nomination—and then he proceeded to out-raise her, out-campaign her, stage an upset in Iowa and then go on to win eleven straight contests in a row. Truth be told, Hillary Clinton had a 20 point lead in Ohio two weeks prior to the primary. Yes, Clinton may have gotten her grove back, but Obama never lost his.
Now that Barack Obama has been hit hard by Clinton’s kitchen sink, it’s Obama’s turn to fight back. But given Obama’s promise of “clean” politics, what kind of “fight” can he really have?
Obama wants to play “by the rules,” but it’s apparent he has an opponent who has little regard for “the rules.” Can he really play fair and win?
If Obama wants to win, his strategy moving forward needs to be the following:
Lay down the law
Obama needs to set clear boundaries for his team and his advisors, as to what actions are acceptable and what actions are not. He does not need another Canadian/NAFTA debacle.
Forcefully fight back
Clinton is on the attack. Obama must fight back—and he must do so forcefully. He must clear up any misrepresentation presented by the Clinton campaign, clarify the differences between him and Clinton, call into question her experience and her judgment for executive office, and question why she’s failed to release her tax returns—as well as her papers as first lady. I recommend he do so in press conferences and in written statements (taking full advantage of free air time). Voters need to see that he’s a fighter. But he has to fight Obama style.
Stir up the romance
It’s been said that Democrats fall in love and Republicans fall in line. If that’s so, then Obama needs to make Democrats fall in love with him again. Smile. Talk that talk folks love to hear. Tell ‘em, “I love you back!” It’s not that Dems (and others) aren’t still in love with Obama, they’re just likely feeling a bit insecure in their relationship because of the other woman—Hillary.
Do what’s worked for him
Obama must not veer from what’s worked for him in the campaign thus far. He must be himself, continue taking the high road in his rhetoric and stay committed to his core values. Keep having fun at his rallies, stay positive and keep hope alive.
Update his stump speech
Obama needs to update his stump speech to include more details—new details, while still presenting his inspirational message of hope and change.
Run feel-good, message-based ads
Obama’s campaign ads in the various states need to make people feel good while offering detail on his plans. The ads should demonstrate that Obama understands the issues that concern the voters most, and that demonstrate that he has and will do something to help improve their situation.
Obama has to reconnect with voters in the upcoming primaries and shore up their confidence. Obama needs to run feel-good ads with sincere, enthusiastic voters of all ages, races and cultures stating why they’re for him. While Clinton’s ads stir up fear, Obama needs to create powerful ads that stir up the hope and aspiration that Americans have, while giving them reasons to believe it can come to pass.
Get a good night’s sleep
It’s easy to be negative on little-to-no sleep—you know, pointing fingers and yelling, “Shame on you!” However, it takes rest to remain positive and draw out one’s best inspiration. Voter’s want Obama’s best. So get a little rest. It will be to his advantage.
If the last three days before the March 4th primaries are any indicator, I think we can expect to see some hard hitting NAFTA-gate and Rezco-related ads attempting to defame Obama’s character and credibility—as well as more ads that attempt to cast doubt on his foreign policy experience. The Obama camp needs to be ready, and they must fight back.
Lest we forget
Obama needs to remind the voters that he has the populous message, the popular vote, the delegates and the momentum. Everyone knows that securing the Democratic Party nomination doesn’t require that one candidate win each and every state. You'll win some and you'll lose some.
We can’t forget that Obama managed to upstage the presumptive front runner for the Democratic Party nomination—and then he proceeded to out-raise her, out-campaign her, stage an upset in Iowa and then go on to win eleven straight contests in a row. Truth be told, Hillary Clinton had a 20 point lead in Ohio two weeks prior to the primary. Yes, Clinton may have gotten her grove back, but Obama never lost his.
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