More Unsolicited Campaign Advice
If I were running the Obama or Edwards campaigns, here's something I would do. I would try to set up a one-on-one debate--perhaps a formal one, perhaps just as side-by-side session on Meet the Press--between my candidate and one of the GOP frontrunners (Giuliani, Romney, Thompson, or McCain).
Why would this be a good thing to do? Well, first, because it would provide a lot of free publicity. The press would eat it up and hype it like it was the Thrilla in Manilla. Second, it would provide an excellent opportunity to step out of Hillary's shadow and become, for at least a day, the public face of the party. Given that both Obama and Edwards are trying to make the case that they would be superior general election candidates, participating in a debate like this would give primary voters a preview of how they'd handle themselves in the always critical general election debates. A solid performance could go a long way toward reassuring voters that they've got what it takes to win the presidency. And finally, it's much easier to appeal to primary voters when you are pitted against someone they despise. In Democratic debates, the candidates have to walk on eggshells and try to highlight what are essentially trivial differences between them and their opponents. But in a debate between, say, Obama and Giuliani, drawing contrasts would be easy and there would be a strong rallying effect. Every single Democratic voter, no matter who their preferred candidate is, would be actively rooting for Obama and cheering whenever he landed a solid jab at his Republican opponent.
An that's why I think at least one of the major Republican candidates would accept the invitation; they too are trying to differentiate themselves from the field and would welcome the opportunity to serve as the representative of their party. They'd love the chance to have Republican voters rally around them as they verbally spar with a despised liberal. It's a win-win situation.
Primary campaigns are essentially an audition. You're trying to convince the voters that you are the best person to represent the party in the upcoming general election. Primary voters need to be able to visualize you as the party's nominee. They need to see you as someone who is strong and competent and capable of handling everything that the other side will throw at you during the always grueling and difficult general election. And I can't think of any better way to make that case than to participate in this kind of debate.
So Obama campaign: get on the phone with Tim Russert and with the Giuliani campaign (or the Romney, Thompson, or McCain campaigns). Set something up. It's a bit of a gamble, but you're not going to win the nomination by playing it safe.
Why would this be a good thing to do? Well, first, because it would provide a lot of free publicity. The press would eat it up and hype it like it was the Thrilla in Manilla. Second, it would provide an excellent opportunity to step out of Hillary's shadow and become, for at least a day, the public face of the party. Given that both Obama and Edwards are trying to make the case that they would be superior general election candidates, participating in a debate like this would give primary voters a preview of how they'd handle themselves in the always critical general election debates. A solid performance could go a long way toward reassuring voters that they've got what it takes to win the presidency. And finally, it's much easier to appeal to primary voters when you are pitted against someone they despise. In Democratic debates, the candidates have to walk on eggshells and try to highlight what are essentially trivial differences between them and their opponents. But in a debate between, say, Obama and Giuliani, drawing contrasts would be easy and there would be a strong rallying effect. Every single Democratic voter, no matter who their preferred candidate is, would be actively rooting for Obama and cheering whenever he landed a solid jab at his Republican opponent.
An that's why I think at least one of the major Republican candidates would accept the invitation; they too are trying to differentiate themselves from the field and would welcome the opportunity to serve as the representative of their party. They'd love the chance to have Republican voters rally around them as they verbally spar with a despised liberal. It's a win-win situation.
Primary campaigns are essentially an audition. You're trying to convince the voters that you are the best person to represent the party in the upcoming general election. Primary voters need to be able to visualize you as the party's nominee. They need to see you as someone who is strong and competent and capable of handling everything that the other side will throw at you during the always grueling and difficult general election. And I can't think of any better way to make that case than to participate in this kind of debate.
So Obama campaign: get on the phone with Tim Russert and with the Giuliani campaign (or the Romney, Thompson, or McCain campaigns). Set something up. It's a bit of a gamble, but you're not going to win the nomination by playing it safe.
posted by A.L. at 11:12 AM
3 Comments:
Following on your suggestion, let's call for a "wrestling match style" debate-alooza. Hillary could debate Giuliani, Obama could debate Romney, Edwards could debate Thompson (if Fred could stay awake long enough.)
Points could be awarded in each case, and the handicapping could keep the pundits going for weeks. I love it. I might even watch.
While we're wishing for the moon, I would also suggest that the format of the debates would be that each one would be on some specific topic: National Security, Iraq, Civil Liberties, Health Care, etc, rather than the insane grab-bag approach currently used.
McCain would probably benefit most on the Republican side from taking up that challenge. And I bet Gingrich would love to do it even though he isn't running.
Good idea. If I was the Dem. strategist setting this up, I'd avoid McCain, who hasn't a chance anyway. Giuliani or Romney.
Hillary would claim foul perhaps, demand her own chance to do the same, which would be fine.
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