There is nothing more intriguing than a blank piece of paper. I am not normally a sentimental person, but a blank page represents starting over, turning over a new leaf, filling out the page in our lives with nothing holding us back.  In many ways this explains the dichotomy that is Barack Obama. The very things that should make him unelectable or at least unqualified to be President of the United States are propelling him to that very office. Obama has no previous experience that would qualify him to be president, he has not been the Governor of any state, which would give him executive experience, NOR has he run a business or owned a business. Not that a president needs military experience, but he lacks that as well. So clearly there is nothing on his resume that rises near the qualifications one might expect for the presidency. Barack Obama stands for little if anything on the national stage, nor has he accomplished anything of note in his short two years in the US Senate. These qualifications are exactly why he will probably be elected the next President of the United States.

This may sound defeatist on my part, as I am not a supporter of Obama, but it seems Mr. Obama just may be riding the Perfect Political storm in his 2008 campaign. Here are the main contributors:

• Obama's lack of any distinct record or political stand allows him to be a "blank page" for everyone who envisions him to be the champion of their cause. Obama's "Change" campaign is long on soundbites and imagery but very short on details, thus allowing him to be the person who will "fix" what just about anyone has a beef with, whether or not its feasible or not! Each group will fill in Obama's blanks with what they want to hear, and what they want done. These people dearly want and hope that Obama is this person.
• Obama's lack of record also makes it difficult for anyone to really know who he is, and find out what he believes. This is very dangerous; he is so young, and inexperienced, that he hasn't gone through the normal "vetting" process that politicians endure in their careers. How can you run against a man who takes any position that’s handy to get elected, yet has no record for having stood for anything in the past? It is impossible for an opponent to differentiate themselves from him.. Those of you in Pennsylvania should know of what I speak, it is exactly the strategy Bob Casey Jr. used to unseat Rick Santorum, probably the best conservative Senator in the Senate in 2006.
• Charisma. Obama has it, he is young and energetic, and he can hold an audience. This fact adds more magnetism to the people who already dearly WANT him to be the person they think will address their problems.
• Race. Lets face it, Obama is the first person of color to represent one of the major parties as its candidate, and he has been and will be the media darling of this race. It is already starting in the newsrooms, polls are coming out and all of the talk is of how Obama can widen his lead when people hear his message. It will not be long before those who speak out against him will be labeled as bigots and/or racists. Every word that comes out of McCain's mouth will be parsed in such a way as to find offense.  This has been going on in the Democratic race already, but its impact has been dampened by the minority status of Hillary Clinton. One can only imagine what it will be like when they focus on a Republican.

I believe we can fight this perfect storm, but it is going to take effort. I'm not sure McCain has it in him to do it.  Honestly I'm not certain he was the best option to try.  But since he is running, his best friend is going to be his willingness over the years to divest himself of Partisan politics and anger conservatives.  He has a very well documented record of standing for change, and reaching over the isle to accomplish it. This should be the center of his campaign coupled with how Obama has no record. Ads should focus on his record of change and ask what change Obama has accomplished on a national level.
McCain should not run from the War, and I do not think he will. He should remain resolute in his stand to do the right thing in Iraq. He should focus on his much documented stand to enact the "surge" over a year earlier than Bush.

In short, McCain cannot afford to play the same politics that have run the last three presidential campaigns, he must do something different, he cannot directly attack Obama, and he cannot get “cute”. He has to focus on his ideas, and keep it simple. Though he cannot attack Obama, he should respond to every attack and punch Obama throws his way, the only way he can damage Obama is by return fire or in sword fighting terms, Riposte. This is a strategy that George W. Bush never understood, and he paid for it.  So far McCain has shown the ability to Riposte well, hopefully he does not lose his nerve

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