What's in it for the media?
If Obama kicks ass in South Carolina (still a maybe). If Obama kicks ass in South Carolina he NEEDS to milk this win for everything its worth. It's the media's comeback story they've been salivating for-if the Obama campaign plays it right.
Somehow, Hillary's tie in NH was billed as a major win for her. This gave the corporate media all the headlines they needed to sell papers and bring in viewers. The Comeback girl took the stage light and used this win to create a story of victory as if she had already been doomed to lose.
Frankly, I am surprised that the disputed Nevada delegate results have not received more media attention. The "Who Won?" story seems like a big seller to me.
If Obama kicks ass in South Carolina, his victory speech will frame his story. It needs to be about a solid and rising comeback. About challenging the impossible, about not just winning against the NY senator, but also against an ex-president! It needs to be about being ahead in the solid vote count and in the delegate count. He will need to connect with all of the Feb 5th states in that speech, and talk about unity. He will need to talk about how important the smaller delegate states are too. He will need to make some powerful critiques of Bush that will rally the Democratic faithful. He will have the opportunity to frame the story for the rest of the campaign cycle leading into the all important CA + primary chapter of the election.
News reports make it seem as if Hillary's lead has become more concrete.
I'm not not so sure yet. She's still in the lead nationally, but Obama has made significant ground in closing the gap. Articles emphasize Hillary's 12 point lead in CA, however the same polls showed a wider margin in their previous polling data.
Its hard to know if there will be a South Carolina boost to the victor due to the lack of any historical precedent. However, if Obama can make his victory speech golden (which he could very well do) then he has a chance to take on the lead title and kick ass on Feb. 5th too.
During the one week between SC and Feb.5th, Obama will need to bring out all of the campaign's big guns and travel across the country as much as possible. He will need a couple days touring up and down CA doing major events with Oprah. He will need to make huge events in large delegate states and small ones. If he's got any more secret endorsements to announce, that week will be the time to let them rip.
The tour will need to focus celebrating his celebrity and spreading his message of hope, success, and a redefining of experience, and leadership.
From his new perch, he will need to ask major questions to the media about Hillary's assertion that she has more experience, asking for some more details, and taking offense to any suggestions as to his accomplishments not being experience worthy. He will need to woo a few major Latino organizations and endorsements and run countless Spanish radio ads to connect strongly with this community.
Obama can make this happen, but it will be a major challenge. Is he up to it? Are his supporters ready to take it to the next level? To surpass any and every hurdle thrown their way?
I think he can. Although I don't know if he will. And my stomach aches with the knowledge that Hillary will swiftboat him in every angle she can. But Obama's HOPE message still rings strong with me. I will proudly continue to wear my Obama lapel pin that only says HOPE on it. And I will call the people in my precinct to build up as many votes as possible.
But he needs to pull all the stops, and push hard for victory.
Obama needs to do what it takes to win. Not Hillary's whatever it takes approach, but what it takes to win.
Do you think he will stand up and do what it takes to win?