Yes...the his handlers stage managed Bush to wins against Gore and Kerry, but Obama is a much stronger campaigner that either Gore or Kerry.
I recall listening to a debate between Gore and Bush while driving on I88 in New York... both my wife and I were stunned at how inept Gore was in finding the handle. He rambled on and on about the 10% - 90% while Bush just grinned (I guess) and said "Everybody pays taxes. Everybody gets a tax cut." Then there was Liberman on the ticket.
Obama told an audience today regarding McCain/Palin "They must think you're stupid." with a bit of anger in his tone. Quite a change from the lofty eloquence of last week. Good. He can say it simply when he has to, something Gore never could.
Kerry? Rich wife, Ditto for McCain, and now a trophy VP.
But Kerry wasn't the kind of guy Ma and Pa Kettle could see themselves having a a cup of Maxwell House with at the kitchen table. Obama's making progress there. There's a soft sell yet incredibly potent Biden ad running in Northeast Pa., with Biden remarking about... "coming home, and I brought a friend.." that's getting a powerful reaction among those who've seen it. Check it out:
link.brightcove.com
An then there's Florida, which everyone has as a red state, despite how close it's been previously. I think it's swinging for Obama.
The Bush stage management worked because Gore and Kerry let it work, and the media gave Bush a pass after 9/11. In the past few days we've seen a different Obama, and the media is livid at getting nothing but talking points from the McCain camp regarding Palin. Charlie Gibson should be polite and respectful, but if he lets the Palin "interview" turn into a rambling free campaign ad for Palin devoid of substance his career will be toast.
It's right to be concerned, but what you're seeing is the ebb and flow of a campaign that everyone else is seeing - and it appears the Obama group is making the right adjustments. |
