As a person of some experience in these areas, let me just say to DV that his concern is well placed. You have Rove's people doing the play by play and they are the best at dirty politics. I was very pleased with the first response ad that Obama ran, in which he dismissed the attack ad as dirty politics of the same old variety, and then moved on to his own message. He needs to stay the course on this type of thing to draw a clean break from the politics of the past. The one thing that DV needs to reassure himself about is that we are a very long way from November, there will be ups and downs, and the election is Obama's to lose, despite what the sleight of handers and the Swift Boaters would have you believe. What folks like me look at is the long term, perceptual campaign. It is clear that Obama is walking a very clear path designed to allay the concerns about his experience. He is not letting the frenzied rhetoric from either side sway his path.

Make no mistake about it. The Republicans, despite the spin, are completely freaked out by how well the European and Middle East trip went. McCain dared him, McCain chastised him, and Obama called the bet and raised. The Republicans then tried to play the "he's campaigning for German votes" card, and Obama came right back and went to work on domestic policy. The key to looking Presidential, and to building confidence, is for this young man to keep a steady hand on the helm, continue to refine and develope his message, take a thoughtful approach on his policies without letting the Republican spinmeisters goad him into thrashing, and use very good timing and very good judgement in selecting his running mate and potential cabinet members. This is just a hunch I have, but there is a very good possibility he picks a former Hilary supporter (maybe a Debbie Stabenow) to pick up the Clinton support.

Speaking of the Clintons. That is the one area that I am concerned with. He must settle this out, and get them involved in a real way.


All the best,

Mick