After Obama’s latest “faux pas”, the blogosphere has been in a tizzy over whether or not it is all right to talk about the working class when you are about to be fighting a primary in a primarily working class state.
There are those in the blogosphere who think that allowing himself to speak without thinking was bad PR and that you don’t alienate the people you want to win over. While there is certainly logic in the “don’t insult the guy you want to hire you” argument, you also have to wonder if bowing to PR isn’t one of the reasons politicians so rarely commit to “substantial” statements.
One of Hilary Clinton’s most heard criticisms is that she bows to the pressure to tell people what they want to hear. People criticized her for not being enough in touch with her emotions, so during her next television appearance, she made sure to cry. (Nobody would accuse a man of not being in touch with his emotions, but that is a post for another time.) Many people aren’t sure whether or not Hilary is trustworthy because it seems like she will say anything to get elected.
McCain, for his part, is staying out of the fray. His nomination is secure, and he is doing the best thing he can do for his campaign—not getting mired down in the infighting that is plaguing the Democrats.
So—which candidate do you prefer? The candidate who stays strong and silent and refuses to get drawn in to the squabble? The candidate who will tell you exactly what you want to hear, no matter what? The candidate who sometimes forgets to run statements past the eloquence police? Or do you prefer a different campaign strategy—perhaps a blend of all three?
What do you think makes for a strong campaign?
