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Enough with the 'clever' pundits and talking heads.. what would real people say?
If I was a close advisor, here is my view:
First, keep handy two opposites: keep your cool sense of humor, BUT get serious! Stern!
If Senator Clinton can get all up in your face with "Shame on you Barak Obama!"
You take her to task: "Mrs. Clinton, we are better than that! TReating one another
as if we are children! Leadership demands dignity! REfrain from being the school marm!
You're better than that!" (I know this is a John Edwards line, but you've borrowed
John's stuff before; keep it up. Better you use his lines than your worthy opponant.)
Next, face the 'name' situation head on. I've had several 'church ladies' confront me with
the "he's got a Muslim name!" meme. When they say that to me, I say: "My middle name is Lee,
but I'm no man!" And they laugh.
You may add on: "We know many hispanic citizens who are named 'Jesus,' but that don't make them
the Messiah!" And about your first name (this will get the Bible thumpers good..)..
"The name "Barak" is biblical, check out Judges, chapter 4. Barak was a Hebrew warrior
who led the people into military victory and peace.. and I would love to do that for you
all, lead you into victory in the name of the Lord! The name Hussein means "handsome one."
And I do all right with that!" Then smile that shy grin. Don't be afraid to talk about yourself.
Your worthy opponant talks about herself very much...
Add the theme of 'trust' to your 'hope' message. Who do the American people trust? Can you trust a leader who would do or say anything to win? Do anything to win? Would that mean that after she won, she would do anything..? The political leadership of 'bullying'? Haven't we had 8 years of that? How's that working for us? Who do you trust? Do you trust your children and their future, to a leader who thinks its all about her, and her experience, and her past, and her contacts, and her political games that break the kneecaps of those who stand in her way? Is that what you want your children to think that expresses leadership? No more bullies in WAshington.
You're heading into Pennsylvania, and get there NOW! Be a constant presence, get out there....
Philadelphia is ripe for the picking, even tho Governor Rendell (who is wavering!) and Mayor Nutter support your worthy opponant. Philly has a rich history, with a varied AFrican American population, many colleges and universities, a 'latte' crowd, and many immigrants. It's the Cradle of Liberty, and you could build on that meme. If you can, host a rally in Independence Square, pass out flags to all the children, let one of Philly's amazing gospel choirs pump up the crowd, concentrate on the freedom theme that says: "Here, in Philadelphia, in Pennsylvania, in the United States of America, here anything is possible.. millions came thru Philly from the very beginning, looking for the promised land... immigrants, and indentured servants, the wealthy and the enslaved, the impoverished and the conniving, but the promise is still here. (point to the crowds) YOU are the promise!" There's also a rich heritage of churches, do a church pilgrimage tour, and gather up the harvest.
The suburbs of Philly were once republican country, but no more, they're turning purple. Push the boundaries. Work the Blue Collar belt of the Lehigh VAlley, the cities of Wilkes Barre, and Scranton, hit the coal mining regions that are still hurting from economic collapse, they need hope desperately, without false promises, or snide remarks. These cities were devastated with the loss of jobs, and have become a settling place for Puerto Rican immigrants; this has led to conflicts, but point to the promise.. the Cradle of Liberty. Address the immigrant issue head on: most of us are the result of immigrants who came here (or who were brought here!)... and they made a life with hope, and promise of freedom...
There are many republicans in Pennsylvania, but they are 'old school,' not 'neo-cons,' but traditionalists, who are patriotic in the old sense, who center their lives on family, church, community, and responsibility. I don't know when the republicans claimed this as their description, but we need to snatch that back fast. Appeal to their sense of fair-play, pass out the flags, and at every rally, pledge allegiance to the flag, and be very obvious about putting your hand on your heart (Make sure the press gets those pictures on the front pages of the local newspapers.. that'll squash another internet rumor.)
When Geo. W. Bush blew thru here in 2000, and 2004, he hit every Wal-Mart parking lot with a rally, drank coffee in every rural diner, took off his jacket and tie, rolled up his sleeves, and slapped a lot of folks on the back. The people's response? "I might not like everything he's done, but he's a lot like me. That's ok." Get the point?
Don't buy into the 'conventional' wisdom that says all women flock to your worthy opponant. That's tripe. REal feminists know they have brains, and seek out someone they trust. Remember that old television game show "Who Do you Trust?" Isn't that what leadership should be about? Trust?
Talk to your worthy opponant openly: Ask her where are her tax returns. Ask her if she has released to the public her papers during her husband's tenure in the White House. Ask her if her thirst for leadership is about what she wants to do, or if she wants to challenge them to leadership? Is it really only about Her?
And tell your daughters, Sasha and Melea, that when you get to the White House, they can have that longed for dog...
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