Words of Advice to Obama

Andrew Sullivan has offered Barack Obama several sound pieces of advice that I think have great merit. Sullivan is a small c conservative who likes Obama. His advice deals with some weaknesses in the campaign.
He suggests that Obama keep positive, but have surrogates challenge Hillary's claims and credibility. He also suggests that Obama forgo the big speeches and as in Iowa get on the ground and make himself known to the people -- especially the people of Pennsylvania. There are 6 weeks between Mississippi and Pennsylvania. Plenty of time to introduce himself and his ideas. Another piece of advice concerns the delegate math. Yes, his lead is insurmountable, but focusing on that isn't helpful. Let it go and work on winning in Pennsylvania. He has time to do it. There are no other primaries to worry about. Focus your attention, be yourself, and you can win.
The final word of advice is especially important -- facing head on the Internet smears. Raise it, deal with it, rebut it, and put an end to it. And put the flag back on the lapel. Don't let the right define you. Just say, I'm an American and so I wear the flag proudly.

4. Make a speech about the Internet slurs. Stop ducking them. Confront them. Talk about your Christian faith and your childhood exposure to Islam. Tell people about your parents. Debunk that idiotic pledge of allegiance meme. Grab the flag pin issue by the lapels. Do it all at once undefensively. Yes, it will raise the profile of every single slur. But if you rebut them candidly, gracefully, calmly, you will defuse them. You can run but you can't hide from Internet crapola. So confront it; defeat it. Right now, on these issues alone, the Obama camp is actually captive to the politics of fear. Don't be.

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