Last Night Was Not Barack Obama's Last Chance

If you believe that Barack Obama somehow missed the chance last night to do whatever it is you think he needed to do...

Remember: he has millions to spend and a ground program that is the envy of his opponents.

Not counting last night, there are two and a half debates between now and Iowa. (I'm counting an NPR debate debate in December as one half -- it's on radio, so we can't see it.)

There are three full weeks between now and Thanksgiving.

And then three weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

So Obama has a month and a half to make his move, charge the line, draw the contrast, complete the argument.

That's enough time. In this lightning fast cycle, six weeks is an...well, not an eternity, but an epoch.

Comments

Channeling Thomas Friedman, are we? The next month is crucial for Obama. He's just one surge away...

Posted by jch | October 31, 2007 10:27 AM

Campaign Diaries's quick summary of the debate: Clinton attacked Bush; Obama, Edwards and Dodd attacked Clinton; Kucinich attacked everybody; and Biden delivered clever one-liners. The result: Obama and Edwards did what they needed to do, especially Edwards, but Clinton (barely) managed to stay afloat...
Full analysis and roundup here.

Posted by Daniel | October 31, 2007 10:36 AM

I think many in the press want a blood bath. that is not what people want. obama would lose so many supporters if he went that route. His appeal is based on substance and issues and a new era of change. If he went like it's been for the past 20 years he would be a hypocrite.
he wants to expose Clinton with substance and issues. and people in Iowa want this kind of difference debate. You can be tough, firm without shouting and acting foolish.
it is wrong of the press to push for this blood letting when it is not what much of the people in the real world want.

Posted by vwcat | October 31, 2007 11:14 AM

What is astonishing to me is how many people are writing off Obama's performance last night. It was really appealing. He was direct, he took his shots at Hillary without being offensive or personal and had his best momment not, as many report talking about the White House papers stuff, but talking about how Americans don't need to be afraid and the polotics of fear in this country.

Edwards did a good job cutting Clinton, but he didn't do anything else in my opinon to create a vision of his presidency.

Obama did last night: expansive diplomacy, a credible domestic agenda, and a true change. He effectivly represented that last night in my opinon and I think it will play well not only in Iowa but across the country.

Hillary had a John Kerry momment with that immigration question and the party is sensitive to that, she will be savaged for flip-flopper and untrustworthy in a general. And I think that's been a narrative that's been building since the last debate and was solidified last night.

Obama is, I totally agree, on his way. He's got a game plan and I don't think he gets enough credit in the media for sticking with it and having buillt such an organization and to have overtaken Edwards in the polls in Iowa DESPITE the inevitablity narrative that's been dragging him down as of late. I think mommentum has been steadily building for him and I think he'll capitalize on that furthur.

Posted by Rhoda | October 31, 2007 11:17 AM

The Democrats are sort of a throwback in that they actually discuss policy and issues, rather than merely using words as symbols of a projection of power, as the GOP candidates do. The Democrats are literate and rational, and the GOP candidates are post-literate and irrational. The consumeristic public is largely post-literate and irrational, like the GOP, but the voting public is split.

Posted by goethean | October 31, 2007 12:51 PM

An Obama/Edwards ticket starts to look more and more appealing, especially as the dynamic of the campaign are going to make it impossible for Hillary to pick either of her chief rivals. I don't understand why Richardson is not jumping on the st. pete seat. he could clean up in nm and be a strong voice on the immigration issue which is bound to plague the political discourse for some years to come.

Posted by JC | October 31, 2007 1:01 PM