I have a sneaking suspicion that we're witnessing a Cinderella story. One Democrat poised to break new ground and introduce diversity into the White House for the first time ever, defies all odds to pull defeat from the jaws of victory and managea to lose to a man who votes with Dubya 95% of the time. A month ago I was of the opinion that if the American people elect McCain then they deserve McCain. Now I believe that if America elects McCain it's because Obama actually found a way to be more boring than McCain is
I think Obama's campaign staff is full of latte drinking post modern intellectuals who wallow in their elitism, laughing at the stupid citizens who could actually entertain the idea of voting for McCain. This is a bigger problem than Obama himself. He's the perfect Democratic candidate in many respects, but the people around him are ruining it for him. Their campaign has failed to hit McCain and slow his rise in the polls in battleground states.
They are really making the same mistake Hillary did in the beginning of the primary season. She thought she had it in the bag, and sort of withdrew from the battle, standing tall above the fray. By the time her campaign realized they were losing the lead, it was too late.
I think the Obama campaign has total cognizance at this point they need to fight. However, their state of mind is desperate, evidenced by calling all the media outlets to say McCain may have known the questions beforehand to the Warren event. Only a non-Christian would have thought up that idea to spread around; it's offensive as hell when one finds out they have zero evidence. They were desperate.
Their campaign staff better get on the ball, come up with some sharp attack ads, let Obama do the Townhalls (make Obama right for it though, by saying Obama has had enough with the misleading sentiments of John McCain and wants to take it up directly with the American people with McCain present so no one can misunderstand...), drill drill drill Obama before every debate so he drops all the umms and ahhhs and shows some passion and energy with direct answers to questions, that stays on message.
Obama needs to shore up leads in blue states like Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, and New Hampshire; and try to win Virginia and Ohio. I would also put him in Florida and Pennsylvania occasionally. I wouldn't even bother with the west - most are decided and that's going to reduce the wear and tear on Obama; just keep him centralized in those eastern states, making that the entire campaign trail.
Basically, Obama needs to fight - this is very much up for grabs, particularly trend wise which shows McCain gaining in popularity. The Republican machine is fierce, it's no holds barred, it's a cage match that Obama will lose if he doesn't put his game face on, make his campaign staff do their homework and make the right moves.
In the end I think the stage is set to have an upset victory for McCain, but Obama still has the charisma to woo the American people still undecided. It will be a test of will and leadership if Obama can survive the attacks, stay on message and charm the American people into giving him the nod.
