If John McCain or his supporters had any doubts about the challenges ahead, they should have been removed last night. Obama once more demonstrated that he can hit the rhetorical heights at will, turn out a crowd whenever he needs and pose as a unifying figure, hovering above normal politics even while taking partisan jabs at his opponent. By contrast, McCain’s speech appeared defensive and uninspiring.
Obama might have rather limped across the finished line – he has been consistently out-campaigned and out-performed by Hillary Clinton since the end of his February hot streak – but he will be a formidable general election opponent. The aircraft hangar campaigning of the fall campaign will play to Obama’s greatest strength, his set piece speaking skills.
Beyond the issue of when will Hillary drop out, the question is how will Obama pivot for the general. When it comes to policy it has not been a case of toujours l’audace with Obama but toujours la même chose. He has, as the primary process has gone on, stuck ever more closely to the Democratic party’s comfort zone when it comes to ideas. If he is to establish a decisive lead, he must be prepared to breakout of this. Education offers him the best opportunity to do this.
The buzz that surrounds Obama this morning will take a long time to die down. It is a historic moment for America that a black man has now won the nomination of a major party. This combined with his youth, eloquence and good looks will give the campaign a Camelot air for at least the next few weeks. McCain must not become testy during this period. The public is not yet ready for an attempt to take down Obama, so McCain must be patient. Hillary’s decision to stay in the race until the bitter end, and then some, has meant that doubts about Obama are already in the minds of key voting blocs. McCain must give them time to come to the forefront. Meanwhile, he should concentrate on burnishing his own reformist credentials.
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