***I wanted to repost this diary because it seems clear that it is ever more important for Obama and the Democrats to get his message out, loud and clear.My apologies for the repost.***
Contrary to what we want to believe, we are in for a fight. The Republicans have shown that they know how to fight dirty and that they are willing to do anything and say anything to get their way. Yet, from our side, all I hear is "stop worrying, everything is under control". I am not one to panic and I am not now. But I am concerned that we are lulling ourselves into this false sense of saftey.
Its encouraging to see Obama hitting back and making it clear that the Republicans are about nothing more than negative attacks. Its about time. Yet, I don't hear this being said by supporters. All I hear is how Palin did this and Palin did that in Alaska. That is not our strongest attack point. Our strongest attack line is the most basic: McCain has no plan for the future - other than to stay the course. But where can you go to hear this? The fact is, a vast majority of Americans believe that Obama will raise their taxes. Yet, in fact he will cut taxes for the vast majortity. Many Americans have no idea what McCain's position on abortion is. They actually think he is pro choice. Many Americans think that the Democrats for "big socialist government" and that the Republicans are for small government. Yet, most Americans don't see how the government has grown in the last 8 years, or how the government wants to interfere in women's reproductive choices (or things like Terry Schiavo for that matter).
There are certain things that are not going to change. We cannot change the fact that McCain is perceived as a war hero. But we can make it clear that he is a flip flopper, beholden to the religious right. We cannot change the fact that McCain is seen as a maverick. But we can make it clear that in fact he has been in Washington for decades and has been part of the problem all this time - how now will he all of a sudden be the person to clean things up. We cannot change the fact that Americans believe he has the experience to be President. But we can make it abundantly clear that he is a calculating, unwise fool who has made light of possible war with Iran, has limited understanding of anything besides war and has jumped on board the Bush White House's foreign policy blunders, one after the other. We cannot control how the media portrays this race, but we can influence the information out ther. (Side note: I just got back from four days in Europe. To my suprise, I learned that my European friends (all very smart and most involved in politics in their home countries) knew little about Obama or his proposed policies. I was suprised to learn this. Also, in the airport lounges, CNN blasts all day. You know what that means? In the span of ten minutes you hear "Maverick, New Mavericks, Palin Factor, Insurgent McCain" about 100 times. That, people is what we are dealing with.)
With all due respect, I need all of you out there who keep saying that those of us that are concerned are chickens or hypervenilating to stop. Stop patting yourselves on the back for volunteering - all us want Obama to win and are doing our part -- and stop deluding yourselves into thinking this is a cake walk. If we as Obama supporters do not start seizing the upper hand when it comes to facts about the candidates, then things could get ugly, quickly. As of now, I don't think most Americans really know where the candidates stand. As long as Obama has to fight of swift boating and this crazy stupid popularity of Palin, he won't have as much of a chance to get that message out himself. So yes, talk to friends and family and neighbors. And volunteer. But please have something to say other than "we are going to win this thing".
*** Someone had a diary up today about their experience phonebanking. That diary makes clear what I have tried to say in this diary: people don't understand that Obama will save them money and help them economically. Its that simple.