For the record: I am a strong supporter of Barack Obama, but I will always be an Edwards Democrat
While I believe that Obama will end up winning the nomination, there is no denying that he is in a very tight spot now. So far, his main issue has been his failure to win over the blue-collar voters(with exceptions in Wisconsin and Virginia). I believe that Obama can win the working class vote, but here are my suggestions on how:
1. Make a speech on the economic realties of America: Obama's "A More Perfect Union Speech" was able to briefly quell the controversy over Rev. Wright. Therefore, I suggest that Obama make a televised addressing the economic realities and divisions of America in order to quell his accusations of being out of touch. This speech should address issues such as inflation, outsourcing, poverty, worker's rights, and rural recovery. When he is talking about inflation he should correctly list the prices of various consumer goods(i.e. milk, butter, meat, veggies), and how they have risen under the current administration. He should also emphasize how his days as a community organizer on the streets of Chicago opened his eyes to the plight of ordinary Americans, and he should also describe any specific experiences as an organizer that particularly stand out in his mind. When he talks about trade he should say that he knows the impact of outsourcing on people's lives because of his days he spent working with steel workers who had their jobs sent overseas. Knowing Obama, this speech will be an immediate success and provide him a brief window of opportunity. However, it is of vital importance that he does not squander it.
2. Run ads with clips of the speech:
If this speech is successful as I think it will be, he should use it to his advantage. For example, if runs an ad about inflation, he should include in it the section of his speech where he talks about inflation .
3. Hire Dave "Mudcat" Saunders:
Although Edward's campaign failed, he was still able to conduct a very successful rural outreach program. One of the reasons it was so successful was in part due to the work of Mudcat. Someone like him would be a valuable asset to Obama, and it would increase the pressure on Edwards to endorse Obama.
4. Talk about his plans for saving family farms and rural recovery:
Two key issues for rural working-class voters are the protection of family farms and rural revitalization. I know he already has a plan for these issues, but he needs to go further. When he is running ads or campaigning in rural areas, he should talk about how it is of the utmost importance that rural areas and family farms be protected, and what are his plans for doing so. By jumping on an issue that is so key for rural voters, Obama will be able to portray himself as the candidate that most understands their concerns. However, I would like to emphasize that Obama should make these speeches very descriptive about his policies so as to undermine his opponents claims that he is not detailed enough.
5. Emphasize his days as a community organizer, especially when talking to blue-collar voters:
In order to address accusations that he is out of touch, Obama should say that he is not out of touch because he personally witnessed the troubles that ordinary people endure during his days as a community organizer. It would be helpful if he could describe any specific experiences he had as a community organizer. It would also be helpful if Obama located some of the people that he served as a community organizer and film them describing how he made a difference in their lives. When Obama talks about trade, he should say that he will never sign on to a NAFTA like agreement because he has seen how NAFTA devastated people's lives during his days as a community organizer helping steel workers.
6. Use these surrogates:
Some surrogates that would be helpful on the campaign trail would Chet Culver, Mari Culver, Russ Feingold, and Bob Casey Jr. These surrogates would be very helpful in reaching out to blue collar voters. Also, the use of Mari Culver would ratchet up the pressure on John Edwards to endorse.
Let me leave you with one final comparison. After Bobby Kennedy lost the Pennsylvania primary in 1968, he was dogged by accusations that he could not win blue-collar or rural voters. However, he put those fears to rest after he won the Indiana primary.