Bottom line: I think N2N is the future of campaigning, and has helped the Obama campaign some in the short term, but overall its potential has not been reached yet.

Therefore, George, I think you have a point. I think this sense of “new technology” or even just the utilization of technology is immensely helping Obama. I mean, I can even phone bank from Italy. Four years ago, that was not possible. I think the polls or the gap between McCain and Obama would be much more vulnerable if it was merely an issue of occasional distrust in McCain or dislike for Palin. There has to be something that’s sustaining Obama’s lead and I think you’re on to something when you say it’s a result of the connections, person to person and person to candidate, that his campaign is building. I think it also helps that the guy has everything from ringtones to an iPhone application. It makes it that much easier to bring Obama with you everywhere.

I’m sure the country will be watching to see how the proposition on gay marriage does in November. I think the ruling would have more legitimacy if it’s instituted by the public, rather than top-down as the courts did it, but then again I’m not sure what the California Constitution says on the matter.

I agree that the Rorschach effect is pretty strong with Obama, but just as we shouldn’t project our aspirations onto him, neither should we do so to McCain. I don’t think McCain’s choice shows contempt for women. Who’s to say that archetypical progressive feminists are the only acceptable female political identities? In fact, Sarah Palin sees herself as a feminist, and is part of a pro-life group called “Feminists for Life.”

Re: Emily’s comments, I think that the conservative base was a much more formidable weakness for McCain than a handful of states. So I think he plugged that electoral gap pretty effectively–now he can move to the center and try to co-opt the reform theme as a maverick who has at times been at odds with his party (see his nomination acceptance speech) while “eating his cake, too,” and consolidating his social conservative support through Palin. This is a pretty good ruse on McCain’s part, since I can’t imagine that Palin will be playing any advisory role in his administration. In fact, I can’t think of what role she will play–she’s more conservative than he is, and McCain will know way more about foreign policy than she does. And McCain will be running the show, so my guess is that she helps appease the base, and then she gets marginalized while (if) they’re in office.

I haven’t heard the McCain speech from the other night–only snippets so far. But from what I’ve heard, he made a tactically brilliant move by trying to steal the reform image. I think Obama needs to drive his economic message home. With 58? days left, this campaign is going to be less about the national spotlight; it’s going to be won in the trenches of small towns, and in local newspaper headlines. That and the debates. I remember hearing something about this on NPR, so I looked up the definition of the word “campaign,” and it comes from the French word “campagne,” or “open country.” That term got is meaning from when armies used to move from their fortresses to the open fields to fight at the beginning of summer. Well, summer is ending, but it’s going to be war.

Glad you’re on board. I think it is very interesting how the McCain campaign keeps recycling Obama’s keywords like change and as you say bi-partisanship. I think this is a good sign, however, because it shows that at the very least, Obama is framing the debate. They are using our words.

First, she has a two month old baby with downsyndrome. Now, I’m not saying a mother has to be the one who takes care of the children, and, to be fair, I don’t know what Palin’s husband does. However, in no developed country that I think of are women allowed to go back to work two months after having a baby, let alone campaign for VP.

Second, there are already phrases associated with her such as “pistol toting mommy.” I think this new epithet gives us a great indication of what kind of foreign policy stance she’ll have since her background does not.

I realize Obama picked Biden to make up for a particular weakness–foreign policy experience and experience in general. Women, however, were not McCain’s weakness. His weaknesses were states like Pennsylvania and New Mexico. His weaknesses were with anti-war supporters. He did not choose a candidate who filled those weaknesses; he made a choice of manipulation. Therefore, it’s going to be very interesting to watch how this choice plays out through the convention and on into the campaign season. (Only 65 days left!)

This scenario does intrigue me… it’s an Old guy with experience who picks a “young” person with not much to offer… Kind of like chicken fried steak… with a side of something like wild berries. Those two things would look strange sharing the same text-box on a menu.

vs.

A young guy with plans for change and the zeal to make it happen who picked a colleague with experience and some deal of wisdom. And to continue the food thing… eggplant panini with a side of spanikopita.

I know which meal I’d prefer to eat… and which would be better for me in the long run. >.>

(I don’t know if this food thing actually works, my apologies if it does not)