Now, that we are into the GE swing of things, I wanted to help shift gears, in my own little way, by putting out to this cool TPM community, a thought about, what I believe should be a key  Democratic Party strategy in redefining the political majority in America.

It's the Lobby money stupid!

This message, I believe, is a key strategy to expanding the Democratic tent for Independents and disgruntled Republicans, while strengthening the Democratic base.

We all know that the Democratic nominee Sen. Obama and his campaign has not, does not and will not allow for the funding of his campaign to come from lobbyists and special interests. This is all the more bolstered by what many of us have heard that Sen. Obama will announce on June 5th, that the D.N.C. will no longer accept contributions from federal lobbyists or political action committees, following the rules he established for his own campaign last year.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/obama-camp-sets-new-money-guidelines/

This position, as we are all well aware, creates incredible leverage for the American people to all the more have a genuine seat at the decision making table in Government. Undeniably, this principled position has been a key element in attracting Independents and disillusioned Republicans to voting for Obama in the primaries, let alone in allowing so many Democrats to sense that they will be heard in an Obama presidency.  Meanwhile, McCain’s 'change' message, undeniably, has one significant hand tied behind it's back by the immense funding that he has sought and received from the special interests. This simple, convincing and foundational message can easily be lost in the media white noise and frenzy of a Republican magnification of the kitchen-sink strategy that will pervade the Presidential campaign. This need not be the case.

In the primaries, I believe, that the Obama campaign didn't highlight this painfully obvious and crucial difference with HRC early enough and as often and as consistently as it needed to. The effect of not doing so, I would argue, was partially responsible in leading the Obama campaign to cede valuable territory on the issue of which Democratic candidate can really deliver on this promised change. 

There is no need to go negative. Simply a consistent, assertive and forceful reminder to the American people of viewing the McCain campaign’s 'solutions’ as bound and beholden to special interests. This will casts a justifiable skepticism and doubt in any voters mind as to what kind of change that a McCain presidency will actually be able to deliver. 

Redefining the American people's interests without the influence of special interests. Wow, now that is change and leadership we can believe in!!! I believe, this message needs to get out, forcefully. On the stump, in the ad campaigns, by surrogates, in any debates, and included in any and every policy speech.

As I have mentioned already, this has been a key
element in attracting Independents and disillusioned Republicans let alone in
allowing so many Democrats to sense that they will be heard in an Obama
presidency. All the more reason to come back to this message again and again
and again. 

p.s. apologies in advance for the length. :)