When Bill Clinton was running for his first term he came up against some angry white people in the industrialized North. In order to re capture this group of voters Bill had to sell them a different package. He had to be perceived as something he wasn't. You see in that area of the country they felt the Democrats were all about blacks and minorities at that time. So his chief selling agent came up with a message that was, well, better for consumption and was more "class based". That eventually turned the tables in that era and led him to victory.
Now this election things are even worse and especially for a black man. That man better be "for the people and when we say for the people we mean for all the people, everyone. He cannot be and the key word here is perceived as being for minorities and the elite only.
The entire economy, to use a polite word, is a mess and getting worse for average and lower income Americans of all races. The auto industry is teetering and ready for collapse. Just who can afford those gas guzzling $35 K auto's when there is no longer any credit worthy Americans left. Just the have types and they can't buy them all. Just ask your local car dealer if you want it straight. Buying perhaps, financing another story.
Throw in off shore job loss and non returning good paying, jobs that Americans will get, food, gas, utilities, health care, insurance and you can name a dozen more everyday expenses, things are bad, ok, worse then bad for many. What Average Americans are looking for is someone who just doesn't profess God and morality and to be working for the common good but actually is working for the common good and demonstrating that, now.
So for Obama to win, even though HIS RECORD doesn't speak to it at all and his followers do not care, he needs to sell the rest on the perception that he will fight for them against those "elitist Washington, business types. Yes SELL THAT PERCEPTION. Hey their words not mine. I just brought it too you a little earlier then they did. Now just look with open eyes and tell me he doesn't come from that same background. Look at his running mate, look at who he hangs with. Alright it doesn't matter to you.
Now what we are talking her is straight packaging, Easter Bunny sales, no more, no less. What the democratic packaging and marketing arm calls "the brand".
The man isn't what you see. In my opinion it is all smoke and mirrors, yet many don't see it that way. Now don't get me wrong, they need to package McCain in a similar fashion. Why, well he is of the same concepts, ideology, agenda. Sure a few twists but where the tire meets the road the same.
Now for those of you who do read me and understand, the rest don't care to. Yes they are that 15% or so that voted in YOUR CHOICES last night. They are that 15% who has it all. They're the ones who see as our president says "No problems in America". They are of all age groups, all races, all religions and yes all birds of a feather.
Did they work hard for what they have. No issue here. That in fact is not the issue at all but they seem to linger on that as justification for what they do, or I should say fail to do. The issues are what is happening to millions upon millions of people all across this land and race, color, religion is not the qualifier. To say I grew up poor and made it is worthless. Another day, another age, another set of circumstances. The issues are real, there and smack in ones face and if they do not wake to it soon it will be at their door if not there already. Someone has to pay for it all, fact.
So you see, even though I'm nothing, a nobody, who would rather always be wrong in this case, they prove the point for me by what they do and don't do. They confirm what it is I have been saying and writing to time after time, perception.
So believe or not. Yet understand this, whatever good befalls this nation is on you. Yes and whatever bad is also upon you. Let us hope, like you say you do, that only good comes of it. Frankly, I am pessimistic by what they do or fail to do, their works, the fruits of their labor. Does anyone want to judge on anything less?
Robert T. Melaccio Sr. 2008 Copyright ©2008 Robert Melaccio Sr.
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