The Secret to Putting McCain Away

I have given some significant thought over the past couple of days as to how defeat the McCain-Palin ticket and to put Obama-Biden ahead to stay and on the road to a handsome victory six weeks from now. Number one is this: As popular and energized as the Republican base and media has become since Sarah Palin was selected as McCain’s running mate, the truth of the matter is that she was ultimately selected for one reason and one reason only, and that is to change the conversation and put Barack Obama on a different track from what he was on just one week ago.

There is one person that Barack Obama and Joe Biden should be focusing on…John McCain. If he wins, he will be the president. Despite what we’ve been hearing from almost everyone that gets a microphone stuck in their face, Sarah Palin has very little experience and is not qualified to be a heartbeat away from the presidency, and everyone knows it. But going after her shortcomings, her lies, her controversial history will not win many points and will definitely not put any major dents into John McCain. Only placing criticism squarely on McCain and pointing out his limitations, his terrible record, his history of flip-flops and his devotion to the Bush-Cheney regime is going to score any points and make people sit up and take notice that he is not the better choice for president.

But criticism and reminding people of the truth about McCain will not do it alone. Barack Obama with the assistance of Joe Biden must be constantly talking about why they will be the better choice for president. They must talk about the economy, Social Security, the middle class, the truth about the occupation of Iraq, their new approach to foreign diplomacy, their plans for change on the first day they take office. It is also absolutely mandatory that Barack clarify how he plans to pay for what appears to most people like a grandiose list of promises of programs and this will also serve to eliminate a major talking point of Republican pundits and candidates, as well.

Finally, Obama and Biden must make it very clear that they represent the future, that their style of governing is not only the real change in this election, but will provide a new feeling of hope, of prosperity and the promise of a new way of thinking and a dynamic new direction for this country. It is this very vital point that must be driven home every time either Obama or Biden speak, and it is this crucial piece that will allow people in this country to realize the huge chasm between an Obama presidency and a McCain.