Ad idea

In Australia last year a relative newcomer, Kevin Rudd, who had never served in government (only in Opposition) ousted the 12-year leader of a relatively popular conservative government, John Howard. He made the cast for change by suggesting New Leadership.

In the first and only debate, he made what I thought was the most crucial argument in his opening statement. He listed off a whole list of reforms that the country wanted and needed, that the government had done nothing about for 12 years, and he said: "This is what is at stake. The Howard government is returned to power, and absolutely nothing changes."

With that in mind, I just sent this message off to the Obama campaign suggesting a new advertising run, but I have no idea if anyone will ever read it. Is there anyone who can suggest how I might get it to someone important over there? I'VE SEEN THIS CAMPAIGN WORK.

Anyway, maybe it's just pie in the sky. But here was the idea.

Run a series of ads under the theme of 'It's never going to happen':

- "Universal healthcare - McCain has spent 26 years in the Congress voting against it, Palin opposes it philosophically. If McCain wins, it's never going to happen."
- "Equal pay for equal work. McCain has voted against it his whole life. Palin opposes it. If they win, it's never going to happen."
- "Tax cuts for the middle class. McCain wants to give billions to corporations and the millionaires. So does Palin. Obama wants to give tax cuts to the middle class. If McCain wins, it's never going to happen."
- "America is reviled in the world. McCain wants to continue Bush's unilateral foreign policy that has made us hated and less safe in the world. Palin thinks Iraq is a "task from God." Obama wants America to lead the world and have its respect. If McCain wins, it's never going to happen."

At any rate, maybe people have suggestions and we can brainstorm. I dunno, I'm just feeling somehow *useless* at the moment as far as the campaign is concerned. It seems like we all have this energy but nothing's happening with it because it's such a big and monumental task. Feel free to spitball or tell me to shut up. :)

but, I don't know how to help you get through to the Obama camp. Hopefully they have some snoops here on DU?? ;) Good Luck!

It's as good an idea as any I have seen.

I know it's easy to feel down when the polls show the GOP bounce. It happened last time. I think Bush was up by 12 after their convention, then things were back to even-ish after the first debate. I hope that's what happens again here (or the flood gates open and Barack takes a significant lead) but that's no reason not to think outside the box. I think it's clear that the game plan that got Obama to this point isn't going to get him to November... on the *surface*, anyway, as the big story is the millions of new voters being registered.

I think it's a wonderful idea, Josh!

Dig around and try to find a way to get at the Obama campaign with this!

I would drop the last one, though, about America being reviled in the world. I remember something like that backfiring *big time* when a bunch of Guardian-readers in England wrote en masse to swing-state voters in the 2004 election. There are plenty of knuckledraggers who couldn't care less what the rest of the world thinks, except maybe to take pride in being loathed. Weird but true.

But I really like the "If McCain wins, it's never going to happen" line a LOT. :applause:

I've had the same thing floating in my brain. But I didn't know how to put it out there.

It's brilliant because of two things- It puts them on the defensive. AND it reminds p;eople. Three things. It also reinforces that Obama plans to deal with these issues.

Even though I do think Obama is probably thinking along these lines, I would like to see the Obama people get this idea.

this board is not limited to those of us wanting Obama to win, ya know?

in that I don't think either of us is going to be able to get this to our chosen campaign.