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...Most of us have broken into our nearly evenly divided groups of supporters.
There is a small portion of the electorate, less than 10 percent, that should be the focus right now. Notoriously, voters undecided this late in the campaign don't react to reason or partisanship, but more to emotion and style.
Tonight was an opportunity to get in a death blow to the McCain-Palin camp, to send them really reeling after an abysmal week. Obama failed to provide that blow and they are getting a chance to regain their breath.
Obama needs to learn to be more concise. Speak in "AP style," think about ink. Give answers that encapsulate ideas in the shortest terms. If elaboration is required, let it come secondly. Don't bog down in details.
McCain came out tonight and put Obama on the defensive from the beginning. It kept him on a par with the younger man all evening. Obama's best shot tonight would have been making McCain lose his temper.
It wouldn't be hard. Use a line like, "This guy can't even tell the difference between Sunni and Shia without his companion whispering in his ear." I guarantee you, the old Navy man would have come unglued.
Obama needs to think about who the specific target is for the next five weeks. It's not anyone reading these boards. It's not those steeped in or even strongly curious about issues.
It's people like Sarah Palin.
Think simple. Be concise. Give the impression of clarity and strength and vigor above all else.
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