This is the first in a series of strategy sessions that I want to host. We will look at strategy for both Obama and McCain between now and the conventions, from the conventions into October, and then the stretch run.
Yes, we’ll even do one for Hillary Clinton: how best for her to step aside.
But first, let’s consider how Obama might best use his time between now and the Denver convention in August.
With what I will guess to be about 90 days between Hillary’s concession and the convention, Obama has a good chunk of time, and plenty of resources, to play with. What should he do?
1. Have a “come-to-Jesus” meeting with Hillary AND Bill Clinton.
No, he won’t pay her bills. No, she can’t be on the Supreme Court. And NO, no, no she can’t be on the ticket. With her negatives, and they have been consistently around 50% for a year now, he can’t risk losing any advantage he might have with Obamicans and/or independents. Also, his fired up base will not be as eager to campaign hard for him with her on the ticket. Furthermore, with her on the ticket the press will have an excuse to go digging deep into everything the Clintons have done since leaving office in 2000, and Obama will have to answer for whatever they find.
Yes, she can help. She and Bill can campaign hard for him in Ohio, Florida, and California. They can go into Appalachia, into the hills and hollows, and talk to the seniors and women who Obama has not yet convinced he is ready “on day one.” Why would they do this? If they are seen as spoilers then she will be cooked for 2012, in case Obama loses and she runs again.
What will he have to give her in return? Not much as I see it. A promise to support her for Senate Majority Leader, and to throw his full support behind her in her next Senate race, a race that might not be a gimme’ if she has to face Rudy Giuliani.
2. Choose a veep. Get it right.
There’s plenty of time to speculate on this. My shortlist is Bill Richardson, Kathleen Sebelius, and Jim Webb. Other people like Ted Strickland, Ohio Governor. We hear Biden tossed around, and Ed Rendell. Johnny Ed’s name gets mentioned (no way!)
Whoever it is needs to be first and foremost a second barrel to the Obama “new politics” shotgun. No pandering, no spinning, no DLC mind games. This campaign is about change, not only in foreign and domestic policy, but in the way the Executive Branch deals with Washington at large. In other words, Obama needs someone who projects toughness, smarts, and incorruptibility.
When the choice is made, the veep needs to go everywhere, all 50 states, and do the big rallies like he did in the nominating season. This will allow him to get wonky, and do the town hall meetings.
3. That’s right, town hall meetings.
Steal “straight talk” John’s best forum, get better at it than him (not hard), and talk specifics from Kalamazoo to Brownsville. 90 days of solid policy sound-bites. He has to reverse the media narrative that he lacks substance. Let the veep have the big hoopla rallies, let Bill Clinton and Ted Kennedy do that. Obama has to make the sale on policy to the folks who haven’t yet decided to trust him.
4. Go abroad.
Just before the convention he needs to go to Europe, to Iraq, to Afghanistan, and Israel. He needs to be seen walking and talking foreign policy with our most critical allies and in our most dangerous battle zones. This is how he can counter McCain on foreign policy.
“Well John, I was in Baghdad in August, and people are still afraid of getting killed. It will take a diplomatic, not a military solution there. Our troops need to redeploy to Afghanistan and shut down the Taliban and al Qaeda. In Israel our policy should be . . . ” On and on, from recent experience, and with conviction. The Republicans think they can salvage the war for this election. Obama needs to explain the larger strategy: rebuilding America’s soft power while getting the Middle East policy straightened out, and bringing the troops home, as 60+% of Americans have wanted for two years now.
5. Own the energy issue.
This one brings it all together: the war, the economy, the environment, and the desire for substantial change. Explain an energy strategy that will reduce our reliance on foreign oil while also creating jobs–give this speech all over the country–especially in Texas (wind), PA (wind), Iowa (ethanol), New Mexico (solar), and anywhere else where green collar jobs can be created. Talk nuclear, talk coal sequestration–speak with fervor about this issue, raise it to the top 5 in the voters’ minds, and own it. Make McCain try to figure it out. He won’t have time, and then he’ll look foolish.
6. Meet any swift-boaters with pistols at dawn.
Seriously, hit back, HARD.
