All right, ever since the outlier-ish CNN/USA/Gallup poll hit the street, people have been acting as if some sort of sea change has occurred. The SCLM pundits are foaming at their collective mouth, the Clark people are deliriously happy, and the Deaniacs are saying things like "it's crunch time!" and "guys, we need to write MORE letters."
Personally, I'm not convinced yet that this supposed tightening of the race is anything more than a matter of perception fueled by a single poll, but what do I know...
Anyway, the Dean campaign seems to be trying on some new strategies for size, so they must be taking things seriously enough. If I were Joe Trippi, here are a few moves I'd want to make:
- Up the ad buy in every market that matters: There's no reason why Dean should be outspent in any early primary state. You have the money and you should use it. If there are slots left, fill them.
- Emphasize the money advantage in a way that keeps the focus on how it was raised. We have the most contributors, and we have the most money. Why be ashamed? You know, I keep waiting for someone to ask John Kerry why he thinks it is that Dean raised seven times as much money in the 4th Q. I'm so fucking tired of being told that I'm a moron because I think Dean is more electable. If your guy is so fucking electable, why doesn't he have any money? Why are his poll numbers terrible? If his innate "electability" were as fucking obvious as he fucking makes it sound, he'd have raised $50 million bucks and this thing would be over. Jesus. And that criticism applies to more than just Kerry, of course.
- Don't play this "Is it better if we win big in Iowa? Would it be better if Kerry finished second in New Hampshire? Should I give Dick Gephardt a back rub?" game anymore. Don't ever stop taking it to these guys. If you're going to roll out a tax reform package, roll that sucker out. If the plan isn't at odds with a repeal of the Bush tax cuts, explain why And then explain it again. And then explain why the plan is better than Clark's plan. Ask why Clark's plan is silent on single people. And people whose children can no longer be claimed as dependents. And married soldiers with no kids. And gays and lesbians, for that matter.
I'm too tired to come up with any more right now. Help me out.