In his column today, Bob Novak claims (by way of an unnamed Republican) that McCain can win the election if it is "about Barack Obama." He compares it to the 2004 election where John Kerry lost because the election became all about John Kerry. While I think that his assessment of 2004 is pretty accurate, I also think that 2008 cannot be framed the same way.
Novak himself inadvertantly makes the point for me:
Obama is a far more interesting personality and an incomparably more appealing candidate than Kerry.
There it is. Obama is so unlike John Kerry that the two can't fairly be compared. In my opinion, an election that focuses on Obama simply reinforces his strengths, lets the American public get to know him, and assures him of victory in November.
Furthermore, one thing is clear this year: Americans are ready for change. As long as the election focuses on Obama, voters will see firsthand the face of real change from Bush administration policies. If McCain can't keep the focus on himself, so that he can explain why he is different than Bush, then he has no chance at all. Even if he does this, however, I think his chances are slim.
Sorry Bob Novak, but you are way off the mark on this one.
Crossposted at An Idea Lives On