Prior to the conventions in 2004 John Kerry had a lead against George Bush but made three errors. He made a poor vice presidential pick, he failed to respond adequately to the Swift Boat Liars, and he failed to take advantage of his convention to make the case against Bush. Obama is unlikely to repeat these errors.
We will probably know who the vice presidential pick is any day now. Without knowing the answer it is premature to say he will do better than Kerry, but at least it is safe to predict he will not make the same mistake. Both Kerry and Obama have learned an important lesson from the Swift Boat attacks and any Democratic candidate will be better prepared this time. Kerry wanted a positive convention without criticism of Bush, but Obama plans to take on McCain:
Barack Obama’s campaign plans to use the four-day Democratic National Convention next week to relentlessly portray John McCain as a carbon copy of President Bush, in a strategic shift foreshadowed by two days of tougher attacks on his GOP rival.
The criticism itself, which will focus on the Arizona senator’s economic policies, ties to lobbyists and decades-long tenure in Washington, is not new. But the intensity of the attacks is — and it is meant to minimize the heavy emphasis on Obama’s charisma-driven campaign.
McCain has hammered the theme in recent weeks that Obama is an aloof “celebrity” unprepared to be commander in chief.
“The convention will offer a series of contrasts and comparisions of the McCain record so voters can see how clearly the choice will be in November,” Obama spokesman Bill Burton told FOX News. “The convention will also introduce Senator Obama to the country, but it will make sure to convey strongly the differences and choices Obama’s campaign presents over McCain’s.”
The move is a rejection of John Kerry’s decree in 2004 that his convention would project a positive message about Kerry and the Democratic Party while minimizing attacks on President Bush and the GOP.
Obama strategists believe Kerry’s convention was too passive and gave Bush and the Republicans space to create their own message without having to respond to Democratic criticisms. Advisers say the convention contrasts will not be personal, but will cast a harsh light on McCain’s record, lobbyist relationships and similarities with Bush. Aides say the campaign is setting out to offer a stark contrast between McCain and Obama.