Obama Campaign Strategy: "Base-Only" or Independent-Oriented?

OBAMA

• Now They're Blaming Bush for Obama's Campaign Strategy (By Karl Rove, FoxNews.com) Mr. Cook concedes that a “base-only” strategy has its weaknesses and risks, requiring a candidate to place all his political eggs in one political basket. That’s why Mr. Bush’s re-election would have rejected a “base-only” strategy in a nanosecond as politically insane.
• Obama's Strategy at Odds with His Message - By trying to become a bold populist, the president is at risk of chasing away independent voters he badly needs in 2012. (by Josh Kraushaar, National Journal/ Against the Grain)
• Poll: Majority of voters say Obama won’t win reelection campaign (By Alicia M. Cohn, The Hill) Of those surveyed, 54 percent of independent voters indicated they believe the eventual GOP nominee will beat Obama. That number won’t necessarily translate into votes by the crucial independent demographic; however, it does signal an early lack of confidence as Obama begins to ramp up his reelection efforts.
• Majority Expects Obama to Lose Re-Election (ABC News/ Polls) And independents – the linchpin of national politics – by 54-36 percent expect the Republican candidate to beat Obama.

Independent leader Jim Holbert files for Kentucky 5th Congressional District

Laurel resident running for Congress

Special to the Times-Tribune
July 9, 2008

Jim Holbert, Independent candidate for the Kentucky 5th Congressional District U.S. House of Representatives seat, filed his nominating petition with the Kentucky Secretary of State’s office in Frankfort on Monday. The filing puts Holbert on the ballot in the 5th District for the Nov. 4 General Election for Congress.

Holbert’s candidacy has been on record with the Federal Election Commission since March, and he has been actively conducting a grassroots campaign in the District on a progressive, populist platform.

Holbert outlines his positions saying, “We’ve got to stop ‘politics as usual’ and start bringing common sense to our regional and national problems. We need trade and industrial policies that will bring back good middle-class jobs. We must start enforcing the existing laws which are supposed to protect Americans from such problems as illegal immigration and unsafe job conditions. And we’ve got to de-fund and defeat the forces behind terrorism through smarter oil, energy and economic policies. We won’t do it through open-ended wars. Our stated objectives in Iraq and Afghanistan have been achieved, and it’s time to bring our troops home.”

Holbert, who resides with his family in Laurel County, is a former Army and Coast Guard officer who works as an Emergency Medical Service helicopter pilot in southeast Kentucky.

To get involved, email contact@jimholbert2008.com
http://www.jimholbert2008.com

2008: Edwards' pitch

John Edwards' populist pitch (USA Today)

Florida: Crist a bipartisanish self-styled populist

...Independent voters are more interested in candidates who offer real solutions to real problems than those who want to dwell on divisive social issues to excite and turn out religious conservatives.
Charlie Crist appears to understand this. Unlike his predecessor, he has no ideological or religious agenda. He calls himself "the people's governor" and tends to side with consumers against big corporations. He is just what Florida needed after eight years of Jeb Bush, who exerted strong leadership in the pursuit of some wrong-headed policies, some of which Crist is beginning to tweak or correct.... (St. Petersburg Times)