In reflecting back on his 1992 presidential campaign, William Clinton credits his success, in major part, to his strict adherence to his campaign’s theme- "It’s the economy, stupid!". Lest he stray from this theme, he notes that he taped the phrase to his mirror- presumably right in the middle of the girly centerfolds. The singularly unfocussed McCain Campaign might be well served to adopt a similar technique by requiring that all senior staff wear Sarah Palin T-shirts.
As many seniors do, the McCain people now wander blindly about in a frantic search for their reading glasses -- perched comfortably on their noses. In their current cloudy vision, McCain senior advisers see Governor Palin solely as their ambassador to the great unwashed- the Republican Conservative base; whereas they perceive Senator McCain as the eloquent barrister who can most ably present his case to that murky middle- that pretentious jury of unaffiliated Americans who refrain from judgment until viewing every scrap of immaterial evidence.
Frankly, the McCain Camp’s perception is not merely presbyopic, it’s outright political blindness. Of all four candidates on the national stage, Governor Palin is currently the only one who commands attention. She is inveterately despised by the left, and passionately adored by the right; and per force, the nation fixates on her every utterance. That’s just fact; love her or hate her, the world is focused on her. No one is listening to the safe, soothing tones of Senator Obama; or the scattershot message of the desperate Senator McCain; but the entire world, love her or hate her, is listening to Sarah Palin.
Now, how is the McCain Camp maximizing this primal energy, this international celebrity, this incredible political messenger? They have her traipsing the backwoods, further solidifying already rock hard votes. Instead of expanding her appeal, they marginalize it. To those who love the art and science of politics, this ineptitude is not only dispiriting, it’s criminal.
Those with political acuity see clearly what must be done here: 1) the campaign must take advantage of Gov. Palin’s high profile, including national ads; 2) the campaign should not present her as a pit bull, but a reasoned female executive; 3) her theme must be -‘with Obama, we go from the frying pan, into the fire"- Jimmy Carter; 4) her message must be economic with a few bulleted steps to help average Americans: e.g - (A) $2,000 stimulus package; (B) mortgage assistance; (C) tax relief; 5) she must tie the 401K/stock market downturn to investors’ fears of Sen. Obama’s liberal tax predisposition- "they all know he’ll raise taxes.".
This election need not be over. But, the McCain Camp must accept and understand that they presently have the only "outsider" candidate that is uniquely suited to the current political climate, and that’s Sarah Palin. In moderate, "presidential" tones, she must present a reasoned argument that sets forth that the nation’s problems came from Washington, corrupt Democrat politics and Wall Street; and a concise program that will address those problems.
In so doing, Gov. Palin may tarnish McCain as she indicts Washington insiders Biden and Obama. But true to his persona, McCain can accept the criticism of Washington insiders approvingly, and assert pride in having selected the "people’s advocate" as his Vice President.
The McCain Camp must stop treating Governor Palin as the very caricature drawn by her detractors. Read this comment from a communications expert relative to Governor Palin’s rumored appearance on Saturday Night Live:
"Richard Greene, a public speaking coach and author of "Words That Shook the World: 100 Years of Unforgettable Speeches and Events," said if he were a Democratic official, he'd be pulling any favor he could to keep Palin off Saturday Night Live. "She is so charming and so media savvy," Greene said. "When she has a script, she will completely seduce America."
The map to victory is directly in front of the McCain senior advisers in the person of Governor Palin- the only question is whether or not these old guys will locate their eyeglasses in time to see it.
www.wegotsarah.com
