I’ve unsubscribed from barackobama.com not because I hate our president or because I feel betrayed, but because my participation in his campaign is dependent on his agenda. It is not unconditional. When the president’s attention once again includes GLBT equality, as I’m confident it will, I will once again become an avid participant.
I also made repeated donations and did everything I could to spread the President's message. During the campaign, I often found myself defending the President to friends who were suspicious of his level of support for gay rights. I find myself defending him still, but it's getting harder and harder to do.I'm no single-issue voter; I recognize how many pressing issues our country has on its plate. But the President promised to be a "fierce advocate" for gay Americans. Instead, we've had nothing but fierce silence--until last week, when we were fiercely attacked in Justice's DOMA brief. I'm still a strong supporter of the President, but the frequent emails from administration officials about other issues are just a constant reminder of what it hasn't addressed. I prefer not to receive them unless and until the President starts to make good on his promises to gay Americans.
Three suggestions:
#1
Obama: Stop Addressing Palin
Start ONLY discussing McCain's policies and ideas (and dishonor). Leave Palin to EVERYONE else. If asked a question about her, say simply, "We don't know much about her, there are a lot of questions about her past, but that is up to her and the McCain campaign to explain and provide. I'll leave it to them to provide the answers to the questions voters keep asking."
Done and done.
And keep saying this OVER and OVER. The only the way the media picks up a line of attack is when it is repeated (Rove knows this VERY well). Keep saying there are "questions about her" and push the media to the McCain campaign for answers. Again and again. There's no need for Obama or the Obama campaign to answer those questions.
#2
Dem Women Leaders: "McCain-Palin is Lipstick on a Pig"
Have a press conference or send out big-name women leaders as surrogates on multiple shows(Pelosi, Clinton, Sebelius, McCaskill, etc.) to state that McCain-Palin policies are "Lipstick on a Pig" and challenge the McCain campaign to make it a gender issue with them. Take the fight to them, draw the fire away from Obama. What will the McCain's response be? Nada.
#3
Have a Press Conference During Palin's ABC Interview
Let's face it: regardless of how hard-hitting the questions are by Gibson, Palin will stick with the talking points (see her performance during the AK Gov Debate) and everyone will be talking about how great an interview she is the next day (kinda like the build up to her speech and the accolades afterwards). The McCain campaign is outmaneuvering the Obama campaign in handling her right now. So, it's time to preempt.
Have a press conference or rollout an big endorsement during her interview. Make a big announcement...it's time to step on her rollout with something that draws media attention. Stop wasting your time "responding" and start being more proactive (like you were in the primaries).
