Obama in PA has to do four things:

[musiclawyer]

1. Spend of lot of time NOT in the big cities explaining what the DLC, and HRC are really about. No downside, only upside.

2. Attack McCain, everyday, even over the top at targeted times. Don't let that fucker have 6 weeks of freedom.


3. Condemn Ferraro even more, and by association HRC. Unmask what "the race tactic" really is, and turn it on it's head. Show that he's a self made man and that he is beholden to no one--which is necessary for "change."


4. Then define what "change" is--the tangible action needed to restore the dignity of the working and middle class and escape their dire straights--something whish is not the objective of the GOP and the DLC.


By doing so he shows the contrast between the GOP/HRC and him. He might even win, and if he loses, it won't be by much.

[endarkenment]

1. An actual interesting OP. Congratulations.

[democrattotheend]

2. Good thoughts

I think he has defined what he means by change, but it has unfortunately fallen on deaf ears. He believes that you can't change the policies in Washington in any meaningful way until you change the system, where corporate lobbyists have so much influence that the voices of ordinary Americans get ignored. And ordinary people let this happen by failing to pay attention.

I think if he harps on that more it might help, especially if he can give examples to show how economic measures with popular support have failed because of undue influence of lobbyists.

He needs to do some retail politicking, and spend time in the Pittsburgh area and in the "Alabama" in the middle of the state. Ceding those areas and running up margins in the cities works for Democrats in the general, but it keeps the state closer than it has to be, and it won't be enough for Obama running against another Democrat.

[Vinca]

3. Just heard on MSNBC the Obama people are busy registering

people to vote - 60,000 or so already. He'll probably do well in Pennsylvania just because his organization is so well run.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. Let's analyze this...

1. Spend of lot of time NOT in the big cities explaining what the DLC, and HRC are really about. No downside, only upside.

He will need to spend time in the various rural counties of this state. But do visit the cities because they can easily provide the margin of victory (as they have in the past in this state). Many an election has been thrown here in PA due to in excess of 300,000 - 400,000 votes coming out of Philadelphia, which was enough to overwhelm the rest of the state's votes.

2. Attack McCain, everyday, even over the top at targeted times. Don't let that fucker have 6 weeks of freedom.

Agree that he does need to dealt with. McCain is a very weak candidate - along the lines of Bob Dole (ironically the one person who vorciforously defended McCain against the wingnuts on the radio). Unfortunately, the Clintons have invoked a strategy of below-the-belt attacks on Obama rather than attacking the object that needs to be attacked - McCain. So time is wasted flinging off her mud-slung nonsense.

3. Condemn Ferraro even more, and by association HRC. Unmask what "the race tactic" really is, and turn it on it's head. Show that he's a self made man and that he is beholden to no one--which is necessary for "change."

I think the Ferraro thing has reached a crescendo and has been exposed for what it is. So IMHO, little or no more time needs to be spent on her anymore. She is a has-been and is but one of what has been a steady parade of distractions that have been sent out by the Clintons to throw the party under the bus, and she won't be the last. I think he has said his peace and it's time to move on. The more she protesteth, the more she distracts, which is part of the strategy. As has been shown in a political cartoon - Clinton is playing checkers while Obama is playing chess and he needs to continue his more sophisticated game.

4. Then define what "change" is--the tangible action needed to restore the dignity of the working and middle class and escape their dire straights--something whish is not the objective of the GOP and the DLC.

I think he has defined "change" in enough speeches. From the ones I have managed to see, he does try to tailor the "change" message to each area that he speaks to and this needs to continue. Although we are "one country", we are also VERY VERY "regionalized" and each region has unique needs and would naturally desire to hear a message that directly addresses that region's issues. E.g., Michigan, home of a failing auto industry, has a vested interest in how to reinvent that sector or at least provide alternatives for those workers to make a decent wage and continue to work towards realizing their own "Amercian Dream", but that issue might be irrelevent to someone in Alaska or Nevada or Puerto Rico.

He has the potential to win if he can bring out the young people in this state. Although PA has a median age the same as Florida (39.6), "median" means HALF the people are above that age and HALF are below. We should not get into the habit of ignoring that younger half.