How To Control The Narrative On National Security

I litigate cases for a living.  And litigating cases can be a lot like political campaigns.  There is always a fight to control the narrative. Especially at trial.  I find the best way to control the narrative is to push your own narrative of the case, rather than respond to opponent's spin on a case.

Obama has let Clinton control the narrative on national security.  Indeed, the problem with the response ad to the 3 am ad was that played right into Clinton's ad--brought her narrative.  

And going negative on taz returns will not solve his national security program.

Obama has to state his case first in a clear contrast (negative?) ad like the one below.  

Release this ad on the Friday morning before the eleciton in all major markets in PA.  

Script for 30 Second Ad:

Barack in suit talking straight to the camera:

    I agree with Senator Clinton that national security judgment is critical in this election and you, the voters, should judged us by our record:

     In 2002, before the war, I said the war in Iraq was a mistake.  (Quote dumb stupid war flash on screen or quote of Teddy say let no one question Obama's opposition to the war)

     Senator Clinton, like Senator McCain, voted for that war.  Senator Clinton voted for Bush's war after faling to read a report that should have left grave doubts in her mind about Bush's policy in Iraq. (picture of report)

     As you know, that war has cost thousands of lives, wounded many thousand more and cost billions of dollars. Worst of all, Iraq has diverted our attention for finding the terrorists that attacked our county.  (pictures of flags and soldiers)

     In matter of war and peace where lives of thousand of our brave soilders and the security of the United States hang in the balance, judgment matters.  Neither Pennsylvania nor this country can afford someone who gets it wrong.  

•  Tip jar

  by jhwvertigo on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 12:01:44 PM PDT

•  I was thinking the same thing

  It should start at 2002.  With a pregnant mother with her hand on her tummy, watching the Senate as they vote on the war resolution and her husband in the back ground packing his seabag...then put some fluff in between to show current cost and lost of life, then show the lady son/daughter at the age of 20 plus getting ready to take up arms as she visit her fallen husband grave...then flash "at what cost" for a dumb war then end with some real facts as of today with this question...who send them there, why didn't the stand up to the President?  

  by jamaicanblood on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 12:09:39 PM PDT

•  I Agree

  I agree completely. This is insane. Clinton surrounds herself with generals and in front of the press corps says John McCain is a better president then Barack Obama. Where is he? He can't respond with talking points and conference calls.

  He doesn't need to attack or belittle her but he needs to get himself in front of cameras and refute her point by point.

  Point 1: Iraq as you said. It was the wrong move, it's been a disaster, it has increased, not decreased the terrorist presence in Iraq. Cost us hundreds of billions. Cost tens of thousands of Iraqi and thousands of American lives.

  Point 2: Afganistan, because of Iraq we took our eye of the ball there. Al Qaeda is now stronger then after 2001. In 2001 Bin Laden was convinced he'd be dead or captured in a year and he's still free.

  Point 3: Iran. He was belittled by Clinton and McCain about his willingness to talk to them. He needs to explain why the not talking policy has hurt us there. After 9/11 moderates were in control of Iran and were helping us with Al Qaeda and the Taliban. How did we repay their help? We put them in the Axis of Evil. They approached us to negotiate peace with everything on the table including recognizing Israel and their nuke program. But we were riding high from what looked like success in Iraq at the time so we gave them the finger. The result? The moderates lost face and lost power and the hard liners are back in control. Not talking to them CAUSED their current government.

  Point 4: Pakistan. Clinton and McCain said he was naieve and wrong to say he would "bomb Pakistan". He never said this. He said he would attack TERRORISTS in Packistan if the government there refused to act. I thought we wanted to go after Terrorists... Indeed shortly after he said this the CIA and the Defense Department DID JUST THAT by going after the #3 Al Qaeda leader.

  He should own this issue. The facts are on his side. But he can't do it with speeches, talking points, and conference calls. He needs to get in front of some cameras and make the pitch directly himself.

  by Obama Independent on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 12:26:06 PM PDT

  •  You ought to send this comment to

    the campaign. Excellent stuff.

    by paintitblue on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 12:31:46 PM PDT

    •  Actually...

      Actually I just did, been thinking of writing a diary about it too.

      by Obama Independent on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 01:07:39 PM PDT

•  Doesn't work

  I think you have the right idea, change the playing field, but I don't think your ad concept works. It may change come November, but the polls on the war are improving as the MSM talks about the "success" of the surge. I think Obama needs to address national security isssues from the position of where we are today, not 2002. That playbook worked well in 2006, it may not work in 2008.

  by VClib on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 12:44:13 PM PDT

•  Read "The Three Trillion Dollar War"

  If you haven't read this book or watched the video interview with the book's authors, Prof. Joseph Stiglitz and Prof. Linda Bilmes, over at DemocracyNow.org then you do not know what you are talking about when it comes to the Iraq war.

  Until this book and the author's research, the information and facts have not been available but they are now.  This information gives those who opposed  the war all the ammunition they need to run the pro-war camp right out of town.  Here's the link:

  http://www.democracynow.org/...

  by ProgressForGoodGov on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 12:58:26 PM PDT