Lessons from the "08 Election

I learned an interesting statistic about the 2008 election that will have an important impact on 2010 and 2012. The Black turnout increased about 1% over the last election and Democrat turnout as a whole was up about 3%. Republican turnout was down 2% however. That 5% total accounts for the majority of the 7% margin of victory by Obama. These are important numbers that political strategists need to explore. They are also important for us to understand in putting together our strategy for success in future elections.I have made the contention that people are more inclined to vote for someone that to vote against someone. The problem is that John McCain never really gave conservatives, let alone all Republicans, anything to vote for. He never had a clear and articulate message or vision for this country. He ran mainly on his record and ability to work with others. That is not real inspiring when this country is longing for inspiring ideas and concepts.The only remaining strategy was to attack Barack Obama. Successful campaigns mix a clear message of vision and proposals with a strategic attack on an opponent. All McCain really ever gave voters was a muddied vision and a tepid attack on Barack Obama. That is what I believe led directly to the Republican turn out to be down 2%. Future Republican campaigns have to learn from this election and do everything possible to not repeat it.