I am an avid diary-reader but first-time diary composer. I have been an Obama supporter since before primary voting began and am cautiously optimistic that he and Biden can win in November. However--I am concerned that our recent focus will hurt our candidate and our mandate in November.
Specifically: I have noticed a sharp shift in the focus of this wonderful site in the last week (coincidentally since Palin was selected). Say what you will about the selection of Palin (and much has indeed been said), but the choice has had the desired "Rove-ian" effect on the Left: it has caused us to lose the crystal-clear, razor-sharp focus that we have so steadfastly maintained all the last 18 months. That focus on our objective, that relentless drive to get the word out, get people fired up, registered, walking the walk for turnout, has recently taken a back seat to what I feel is an inappropriate thirst for total obliteration of Palin beyond merely questioning her suitability to the role of VP.
The Republicans, led by the master spin-meister Rove, know how to play this game and are goading us to play up these stories which are "at the margins".
Let us faithful supporters of the Obama candidacy recommit ourselves to some key guiding principles going forward (and these are just my ideas; feel free to agree/disagree/append as appropriate):
- Focus on expanding TURNOUT - the one variable that we have far better control over than our Republican counterparts (there are more people identified as Democratic-sympathetic by far this year; if more of those vote then our job is done)
- Focus on ISSUES - This community is outstanding at exposing the facts behind both the candidates' relative stances on the issues and their relative grasp of the issues. You're also great at unearthing and exposing supporting (or contradictory) evidence that ultimately lends more credibility to our candidate and undermines the credibility of the other candidate (Essentially doing the MSM's homework for them). Let's recommit to that standard of excellence I have grown to appreciate from a distance.
- Go back to our roots on HOW WE COMMUNICATE THE MESSAGE - I have been a proud supporter not just of Obama but on the methods he and his team have employed throughout the primaries and so far in the general--respect, dignity, honesty, consistency, the expectation of intelligence on the part of the listener, and a relentless focus on issues that matter to Americans without divisive language and repulsive tactics. Until recently these tactics have been the norm on DailyKos as well. Let's get back to that.