Counterpoint.

A sure way for Obama to lose, if it isn't already inevitable, would be to follow this advice. Sonia is operating on a couple of different false premises when she gives advice like, "Stop obsessing about Sarah Palin...stop trying to tie McCain to Bush...start talking about gas prices...start talking about immigration," and, "Don't run the general election like you have run your primary elections."

Here is the deal; prior to the Republican convention Obama's polls were headed down for two reasons, and two reasons only. The number one reason was over exposure. Everyone I asked about the election from around last April till the Conventions had a variation of one of two reactions, "So it's going to be Hillary against Barack, and "I'm sick of seeing Obama every where I turn." The Democratic primaries were so intensely fought and subsequently covered by the media that more than one person I asked thought Hillary and Barack were already the nominees of two opposing parties, it was as if McCain didn't even exist and the whole election hinged on whether or not Obama was to much of a risk. It was pure over exposure, and Barack's European tour was the tipping point. There is nothing his campaign has done smarter than send him on vacation to Hawaii and prominently feature the Clintons in Denver. Killed two birds with one stone.

The second issue that lead to Barack Obama's drop in the polls was the muddying of his message. No, not the "change" message. The other stuff. This I can only speak to from a personal perspective, but week after week, throughout July and August, hearing reports of position changes on Iraq, nuclear power, off-shore drilling, and a host of other topics drove me fucking nuts and made me throw up my hands and shout what's the fucking point?!

The thing that's baited me back into caring just a little bit again is Sarah Palin. Beyond the fact that she seems to have been picked after a weak vetting process in some cynical political ploy to attract Hillary Clinton voters, besides that, she is one the most dangerously unqualified people you could have picked to be Vice President for someone who, if elected, will be the older than any other Chief Executive at beginning of their term in office than in the whole 219 year history of Presidents.

The one point I agree on with Sonia is that the Obama camp must throw the base some red meat. Look what the nomination of Palin and the GOP convention did for the Republicans. They must tie Palin to Cheney, putting their abuses of office side by side just as they must continue to put McCain in juxtaposition with Bush. There is no difference, this is not a case of apples and oranges. The tired narratives that people like Sonia operate by and strive to reinforce can not stand. This is not an election the Republicans can be allowed to win.

-Cross posted at Mccs1977 with additional afterword remarks.