• Obama has spent the beginning of the general campaign in a frenzy of activity, whether it’s brushing off earlier promises along with public financing, showing that he’s ready to compete with McCain in red states, or launching a bold initiative to reshape his public perception with voters and convince the undecided that he is not some scary outsider but “one of them.” Or at least he better understands their lives than a befuddle McCain. Obama’s campaign is taking advantage of what many presidential candidates would see as touch territory: The fact tha, despite an uber-publicized Dem primary fight with Hillary, a majority of voters do not have a solid understanding of Obama’s biography and personal story. While this also means the GOP can have a field day in shaping it to their benefit, Obama’s camp is trying to beat them to the punch. The “Country I Love” ad release in 18 states and his ongoing economy tour are both efforts to leave behind the harsh rhetoric and race to the Left of the primary and embrace a moderate tone on the trail. Dangers still lurk if the campaign appears to trying too hard to appeal to working class whites or other swing demo’s or if policy positions are fabricated or forgotten entirely from the primary and earlier. Flip-flops may be tolerated on inane items like campaign financing, but voters will not let a policy flip-flop go.
  • Both McCain and Obama are out West today - Obama also stays there tomorrow. JMac visits Fresno, CA while Obama tours the ultimate swing states of Nevada and New Mexico. With a serious combined swing through the West this week, is that the real battleground heading into the general? It could add up, as McCain has been eyeing California for months (although his drilling stance now hurts his chances) while Obama has touted his ability to be competitive in states like Colorado and Nevada.
  • Speaking of flip-flops… The fight between McCain and Obama has already become a contest to see how many times one can label his opponent a dreaded flip-flopper. McCain slams Obama over financing; Obama hits McCain back over his own financing “flip-flop” and offshore drilling. With the ‘04 election having introduced us (and poor John Kerry) to the term, the ‘08 campaign has officially become the flip-flop election. But do voters care? This isn’t a choice between a dangerously stubborn George W. Bush and a terrified Kerry attempting to move to the center by leaps and bounds. Both McCain and Obama have committed the ultimate sin many times throughout their political careers and yes, during this very campaign. And unless the move is horrifically blatant, will voters see a change of heart on certain subjects - if it’s done right - as a refreshing break from the ideology of the past?
  • McCain may be faced with a couple of Right Wing Naders in this election. Bob Barr and the disgruntled supporters of ex-candidate Ron Paul have been slow to warm to McCain and his more moderate message. While Libertarian nominee Barr is dangerous only in Georgia, Paul has a huge number of dedicated grass roots supporters across the country - and he has indicated that he will not endorse any candidate in the election. So will his backers go with what they see as the lesser of two evils? Or will they follow the commands of their leader and carry on  an underground “revolution” among the GOP. The McCain campaign is worried.
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