July 25, 2007

Obama Campaign Models Itself On "Reagan Revolt"?

No, seriously. That's what they're telling the Politico.

"Now, it is blasphemy for Democrats," Obama pollster Cornell Belcher said of Reagan, "but that hope and optimism that was Ronald Reagan" allowed him to "transcend" ideological divisions within his own party and the general electorate.

The upbeat message, Obama advisers say, won't prevent the candidate from stepping up both veiled and explicit contrasts with Clinton, who he hopes to portray as an old-hat conventional politician whose varied positions on the Iraq war reflect calculation rather than leadership.

Well, there's just one tiny difference I'd point out. Ronald Reagan had a specific vision of who he was and what he stood for that his supporters clearly understood. It was more about principles than just being "upbeat".

Obama is a tabula rasa who is, at least at this point, whatever his supporters want him to be. The campaign can package it any way that they want but if the candidate can't articulate exactly what he believes in and what his priorities would be as President it's an indication that neither he nor his campaign may be ready for prime time.

Posted by Gary at July 25, 2007 11:03 AM | TrackBack
Comments

And Reagan viewed government as the problem, Obama views it as the solution. Sorry Barack, not buying that snake oil.

Posted by: rbj at July 25, 2007 11:08 AM

Let's not forget Obama's comment that he would meet leaders of Iran, North Korea, etc w/out conditions. Barack is smart, and good looking, but clearly not ready for prime-time. Strip away the looks and buzz, and he's another tax and spend liberal, but no foreign policy experience at all, and apparently, no foreign policy experts on his team.

Posted by: kmr at July 25, 2007 05:57 PM

Or alternatively, he's basing it on the successful campaign of Chance the Gardener.

Posted by: The Colossus at July 25, 2007 07:28 PM