How Obama seized the narrative

By Evangeline Morphos – Obama’s personal story was so powerful, in fact, that he was able to vanquish a master of the narrative, Hilary Clinton. He skillfully defined himself as the brave, young combatant challenging a ruthless political machine.

Brash, bold and thrilling — Obama was the protagonist for a new American electorate. He reflected the character of a nation we wanted to be — diverse, young, hip and hopeful. Audacious.

Obama won the narrative because he fought for the presidency. It now looks as if he is willing to extend that clarity of intention into his second term. more> http://tinyurl.com/d2r87bv

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With voting under way, Romney camp faces test from Obama’s ground game

English: (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By Niall Stanage – The first votes of the presidential election have already been cast — and in a battleground state. As of Sunday, 602 ballots had been returned by mail to election officials in North Carolina.

The fact that voting has already begun is an urgent reminder of the importance of the ‘ground game’ — the overarching term for the multiple methods by which campaigns try to maximize their vote through face-to-face contact, or via mail, email or phone.

The Obama campaign has a near-legendary reputation in this regard, built upon the field operation that propelled the then-senator to victory over Hillary Clinton and, later, John McCain in 2008. The Romney campaign, however, insists that it has an infrastructure in place that will level the playing field. more> http://tinyurl.com/97lfqup

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Romney is the Hillary Clinton of 2012

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By Niall Stanage – That may seem an ill portent, given that Clinton lost the nomination. But being Clinton in 2012 might be better than being Clinton in 2008.

Ideologically disparate though the two politicians are, Romney’s candidacy this year shares many of the vulnerabilities exhibited by then-Sen. Clinton four years ago. That is enough to give pause to anyone who sees him as the inevitable Republican nominee.

Clinton entered the campaign having upset the Democratic grassroots with her October 2002 Senate vote authorizing President Bush to use force in Iraq. more> http://tinyurl.com/6lhhbj5

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