The Message is the Campaign

In order to get elected, a candidate must have a message- a clear concise message that resonates with a majority of the population. Campaigns are long drawn-out processes where an unending list of issues are debated, positions are formulated, and records are examined. Nevertheless, it always comes back to the message.

Lincoln's message was simple. "I'll preserve the Union." FDR said, "I'll give you a new deal." Reagan- "I'll cut taxes and defeat Communism." Regardless of whether or not it should be, Americans choose presidents based on which candidate has the most compelling message that resonates. It's not so much about what IS right. It's more about what FEELS right. This year is no exception.

Senator Obama's message is clear and easy to explain. It goes something like this. "Over the past eight years, President Bush has ruined our economy, fed the rich at the expense of the poor, started an unnessesary war in Iraq, and earned the disdain of the rest of the world." Like it or not, this is a message that people can understand and unfortunately many identify with it.

Senator McCain, in contrast, is struggling to find a compelling message. With the exception of Iraq, McCain's message is really not that different than his opponent. He seems to be trying to "out-Obama" Obama. Take the mortgage crisis as an example. Obama says that it is the result of "corporate greed." McCain responds in echo, "Wall Street corruption!" Obama says that we are destroying our environment. McCain responds, "Commision on Global Warming!" Obama says, "No foreign oil in ten years." McCain says, "Barack I can name that tune in eight!" (with some stab about Obama's lack of support for clean coal or nuclear.)

Make no mistake, I will be voting for John McCain next month. But, I will be doing so not because I am inspired by his message, but because I believe that Obama's policies will result in disaster for the country. If McCain wants to win in November, he needs to find his message. Being the kinder, gentler, older, more-experienced version of Obama isn't working.