I strive to take Integral approaches to issues in ordinary life, culture, politics, sexuality, and spirituality. A graduate of Harvard University and The Divinity School at the University of Chicago, I have worked as a writer for more than 15 years. 
The central theme of Obama’s campaign in the summer of ‘08 (in case you missed it)
August 26th, 2008 by Joe PerezI think it’s time to applaud the amazing summer for the magnificent Campaign Obama. David Axelrod, David Plouffe and company have succeeded in bringing home their central campaign theme, campaigning fiercely and boldly so that America knows exactly what Obama stands for:
“I am not a terrorist sympathizer.”
“I am not a closet Muslim, a black nationalist radical.”
“I am not single-handedly responsible for the rise in gas prices.”
“I’m against drilling for oil, but not so much that I would stop it.”
“I am not going to let people question my patriotism.”
“I am not going to let people say I’m going to raise taxes on Americans making $42,000 a year.”
“I don’t disrespect our wounded veterans overseas.”
“I am not an empty-headed celebrity like Britney Spears or Paris Hilton.”
“My supporters are not foolish, Kool Aid drinking, Dungeons and Dragons playing imbeciles.”
“Taking a stand on the beginning of life is above my pay grade.”
Notwithstanding Obama’s consistent, often-repeated message about John McCain…
“John McCain, let’s face it, he’s got a compelling biography.”
“John McCain is a man who is a genuine American hero and has served his country with distinction.”
All of which is succinctly summed up in the campaign’s new tag-line:
“I am not the Messiah.”
And last week’s winning theme:
“I may be a multimillionaire, but I’m not as rich and successful as John McCain.”
With such a strong and unmistakable message, it’s positively dumbfounding how Obama could possibly be lagging in the polls. It must be that many Americans are just too bitter to appreciate his message.
(cross-posted at TPMCafe)
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August 26th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
At the risk of sounding like I just watched the Secret with Oprah, you are powerfully (and ironically) making the point that it is important for Obama to focus attention on what he wants rather than he doesn’t. If you believe in the idea that wherever your attention goes, energy flows, than it is mistake to talk about what you aren’t. You saw the results when Kerry and the Dems were saying “not Bush” while the Reps were saying “Bush”. Given that at a very subtle level the “not” part is lost, all the focus was on Bush and we got what we didn’t want. At all. Some are clamoring for the Dems to go after McCain/Bush/Cheney. While a seductive impulse, from an energetic perspective that would be a very bad “strategery”.