Common Sense Politics  

1) While the diplomacy debate has gotten to the point of whether or not we should talk to our enemies, the debate needs to turn the back to the original point- should leader-to-leader diplomacy take place? If so, if Senator Obama meets with President Ahmedinejad, and President Ahmedinejad clearly states Iran is not going to change their policies, then what would Senator Obama do since he left himself no outs? There are several extremely important rules to effective diplomacy, most importantly, one must be realistic, be flexible and leave an out for yourself. By engaging in leader-to-leader diplomacy, Senator Obama will violate these essential elements of effective diplomacy.

2) Senator McCain needs to point out that Senator Obama does not know American history. While Obama talks about diplomacy and evokes the names of FDR, Truman, JFK, Reagan, etc., he either does not understand United States history or is knowingly being intellectually dishonest. President Roosevelt never negotiated with America’s enemies, Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito. Rather he negotiated with Stalin who was an ally of the United States at the time. President Truman did not believe in top-level diplomacy until the unconditional surrender of America’s enemies. President Kennedy’s diplomatic mission with Nikita Khrushchev led directly to the Cuban Missile Crisis as Khrushchev saw President Kennedy as weak and inexperienced. While Kennedy was able to avoid war by using diplomatic measures to resolve the Cuban Missile Crisis, the United States made several concessions and neither the United States nor the Soviet Union came out victorious. Finally, President Reagan only used top-level diplomacy once a low-level diplomatic foundation was established. In addition, President Reagan waited until the United States had the noticeable upper-hand militarily, economically and politically to engage Gorbachev directly.

3) Senator McCain needs to emphasize that while Obama consistently argues against Washington insiders, he himself is a Washington insider. Obama has inserted earmarks for pet projects and his total pork-barrel spending comes to $97.4 million compared to Senator McCain’s $0 in pork-barrel spending. There is nothing more Washington than wasting tax payer dollars.

4) Obama also rails against dirty Washington politics and when an opponent disagrees with him politically, he whines that he is being attacked. Yet when Obama attacks Senator McCain on the Senate floor, which clearly was an attack by bringing up Presidential campaign politics on the floor of the Senate and is unprecedented, Senator McCain has not exploited the situation since he has not reminded the American people of Obama’s promise to transcend Washington politics and run a respectful campaign.

5) Obama consistently says that his comments are taken out of context and Senator McCain and his surrogates are being dishonest, yet Senator McCain and his surrogates say little when Obama and his surrogates say Senator McCain wants a hundred year war in Iraq. In addition, Obama continues to say Senator McCain does not support the new GI Bill because he thinks it is too generous and fails to bring up that Senator McCain has his own GI Bill. Senator McCain’s surrogates need to respond strongly to this character assassination. Rather than argue about retention benefits, he should focus on the fact that those serving three years will receive the same benefits of those serving twenty years. Don't those who serve longer deserve more benefits?

6) Obama talks about crossing party lines and bringing the country together, yet his legislative record shows the exact opposite, yet Senator McCain’s campaign has yet to bring this important fact to the attention of the American people. In addition, he talks about uniting the country, while continually blasting the Republicans. How does he think he can bring the country together when he consistently takes the liberal line and has shown little ability to compromise?

7) Over the last few years, Obama has shown little respect for the office of the Presidency. While he may disagree with President Bush's is policies, his attacks and rhetoric damage the United States both domestically and abroad.

8) Senator McCain needs to put Obama on the spot in regards to his position on Iraq. He needs to ask Obama, “If we have the possibility and realistic chance of achieving victory of Iraq, should we take it? A yes or no response is all that is needed.” In addition, he needs to begin stressing the successes of the Iraqi government so that it nullifies Obama’s argument that we won militarily and it is the Iraqi government which has failed. In addition, he should take Dick Morris’s advice and ask Obama what he would do if al-Qaeda or Iran topples the Iraqi government. Senator McCain should keep pressuring Obama until Obama gives a clear response of what he would do in that scenario. If Obama keeps to his talking points rather than take a clear position, then demand he publicly answer the question.

9) Senator McCain needs to call Obama out on his domestic agenda as well. He should go to the blue-collar Americans and explain that even if Obama raises taxes to 70-80 percent on the wealthy in order to pay for Universal healthcare and free college education, the math still does not add up and Obama would have to raise taxes on everyone, including the middle class, and even that would still not be able to pay for all government programs currently offered. Obama’s plan would effectively bankrupt the United States and the middle class would suffer the most.

10) In regards to college tuition, Senator McCain should ask Obama if his plan is retroactive to the millions of Americans who have tens of thousands of dollars in student loans. If not, isn’t that discrimination and inequality and wouldn’t that lead to massive lawsuits? Why should those currently going to school be afforded with this generous program and not individuals who are having a hard time paying their student loans off?

11) Senator McCain needs to emphasize the extraordinary dangers of having a Democratic President with a majority Democratic House and a filibuster-proof Senate. This by itself would effectively create a Tyranny within the American political system something our founding fathers feared and wanted to avoid. In addition, it would rally Republican and Conservative support.

12) Finally, and most importantly, Senator McCain has to emphasize personal responsibility within our society and explain that our society needs to get back to the values which made this country the sole superpower. He needs to ignite the debate of the current societal degradation which is effectively destroying the American culture. He needs to explain, using the word “WE” when he speaks to avoid talking down to Americans, that WE need to start talking to our children about the greatness of this country and its historical accomplishments since most children know very little about American history. He needs to explain that WE as parents need to talk to our children about what is going on in their lives and the differences between right and wrong. He needs to explain that WE must start being a family unit once again and take the time to sit down and have dinner with each other. Not only will this placate the social conservatives, this message also resonates with every blue-collar and hard-working American throughout the country. I cannot emphasize the importance of you using the word “WE” rather than the word Americans when arguing the values and ideals of our society.

Some argue that the campaign has not really started and it is only June, but this is a different election than all previous elections. The debate must begin now and you must control the debate. Senator McCain is the only Republican that stands a chance of winning the Presidency and his message needs to begin to resonate with the American people. In addition, these arguments will put Obama on the defensive and Obama does not do well on the defensive. Obama has a message of change and hope. Your message can be one of “Reinventing Government: The Changes Necessary to Adapt to the 21^st Century and Returning to the Principles that Made America Great.” You can effectively Reinvent Government and make it more effective, efficient and less intrusive.

Next Week: 12 Things Senator Obama Must Do to Achieve Victory