Posted by Jed Lewison on Sun Sep 14, 2008 at 5:15 PM Pacific

Making The Case For Barack Obama

So Barack Obama is coming to Las Vegas on Wednesday -- it'll be just your typical mid-September rally with afternoon temps in the low-nineties, or high-eighties if we get lucky. There's a chance I will be out of town, but if not, I'm definitely going. Believe it or not, it'll be my first time seeing him in person -- that's an exciting prospect.

It's actually very interesting timing, because it connects with a discussion that I had with a friend earlier today, and something that I've heard from folks on other sites and on comments here.

For the most part, the discussion has centered around whether or not Obama should attack McCain, and if so, how aggressively. But I think that might not be the right frame. The question really is what comination of tactics and strategy will best allow Barack Obama to make the case for his election as president of the United States.

In talking with my friend, we both agreed that the most effective critiques of McCain -- and arguments for Obama -- have come directly from the candidate, whether in high profile speeches, everyday rallies, or town halls. That's unusual in campaigns today -- typically, the staff has to make up for the candidate's weaknesses.

But without taking anything away from the Obama campaign staff, who I think are among the most talented staffers I have ever seen operate, the most talented person in their operation really is the candidate.

And that's a good thing. That's the way it should be.

Think back to every major moment in this campaign -- the closing days in Iowa (when I was supporting Edwards), or the high flying days in February after Super Tuesday, or the lows after the Jeremiah Wright controversy. Think about the way he ended the primary, or that magnificent convention speech.

The best moments in this campaign have all revolved around Barack Obama, not in a cultish kind of way, but by the power of his words and his message. He has proven himself to be a fundamentally good man. He is capable of the rough and tumble of politics no doubt, but he still manages to do it with a decency and grace that we need in a president.

Above all else, Barack Obama is able to convey his empathy. Even when he disagrees with you, or with someone else, there is a fundamental respect on his part. The fact that he is able to express such disagreement with empathy is one of the things that defines Barack Obama, at least in my mind.

All of this is a long way of saying: who better to make the case for Barack Obama than Barack Obama. If there are v0ters aren't comfortable with him being president, what better way to assure them than to put him in front of them, so they can see for themselves that he is the real deal.

What I'm getting at here is that perhaps the best type of advertising campaign is one that actually features Barack Obama himself. The ads can be tough. He can make the case against repeating the mistakes of the last eight years, and he can talk about the flaws of McCain. But he can do so in a way that also strengthens himself.

It'd be a different kind of ad campaign, but this is a different kind of political campaign. And perhaps because it is unusual, people might pay more attention.

I'm not sure that every single ad from here on out should feature Barack Obama, but my gut tells me that alot, perhaps most, should. He's the campaign's best asset -- why not use him?

Anyway, I'll end with a housekeeping note: I'm about to head out for the evening, but I'm looking forward to hearing what you have to say about this idea. What are your thoughts? What would you do? I'm not fully wedded to my thoughts here -- this was a totally off-the-cuff post. But I am interested in figuring out the answer, because getting it right will determine the outcome of this election.