Reader Proposes McCain Campaign Theme

It's obvious, but it's been inchoate, so props to Jeff for putting this into form.

McCain does need a stronger campaign theme. And this is the one he needs.

I hope you check email regularly and can comment / post something on this (or even post this directly). Although there’s no way for you to verify this, I do have [a background in marketing] (as a Concerned Conservative Christian, I thought it’s important to be honest up front ;-p )

Here goes:

It’s not a secret that the McCain camp has not had a consistent theme recently in his ads and speeches, and this is something that is costing him. “Country First” is too generic and quite honestly isn’t making much traction. Here is what the blogosphere should push (so hopefully his campaign guys get the message):

Vision.

He can tie the Surge, the Financial Meltdown, Energy and Foreign Policy into one theme with this. Here’s how:

The Surge

This is the obvious one: he called for it years ago and it “fixed” the mess in Iraq.

Financial Crisis

In light of the financial meltdown, the one thing McCain has going for him is that he is on record years ago trying to get a bill passed to regulate Fannie / Freddie. I am no expert in finances and have no idea if his bill would have done anything, but it shows that he was attempting to curb the problem in advance.

Energy

This goes along the lines of “Democrats say that if we drill now we won’t see any oil for another ten years. That’s what they said ten years ago and it’s affected today’s gas prices”.

Foreign Policy

This should focus on his comments over the last two years on Russia (easy case to be made here).

I really believe he can legitimately be cast as a politician who anticipates problems AHEAD OF TIME using this theme. I also think that while the financial crisis is in the top of the news, it is the perfect time for him to launch this theme. What independent wouldn’t be more attracted to a politician who has a record of trying to avoid problems in the first place?

We just need a new shorthand for this idea. "First" plays off Country First and also suggests he's the first to note these problems. "First into the Breach?" That doesn't work but you know what I'm trying to say.

First into Fire? I dunno. Needs work.

I changed Jeff's background a little because I'm using his name and didn't want to tie this to him.

A bit of advice, to help me out: If you send me something, please let me know if you want your name used at all, or just initials, or a pseudonym, etc.

posted by Ace at 01:20 PM

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