the elevator pitch

With a Barack Obama victory an apparent given, the analysis of the U.S. presidential election will soon turn to how the 47-year-old junior senator from Illinois managed to become the most improbable leader of the nation. That is, of course, presuming he is victorious on Election Day this Tuesday.

The charge that the media is complicit in Obama’s victory is a fallacy. The truth is nothing has stuck to Obama because he and his campaign team have not let up on their astounding level of organization and diligence.

Down the stretch, there were no major screw-ups. Yes, Joe Biden opened his mouth before thinking carefully about what was going to come out of it and it’s true that Obama should have been less diplomatic and more assertive during his encounter with Joe the Plumber. But compared to the on-air gaffes of Sarah Palin, the “Meet the Press” debacle where John McCain couldn’t remember the name of George Schultz and the failure of Joe to show up for a campaign stop, Obama has looked impeccable.

Several weeks ago, we wrote that the candidate who wins the soundbite war will likely win the election. For all his eloquent speeches, Obama has not had a “free at last” or “ask what you can do for the country” moment. The phrase that defines him, it appears, is still to come. For now, we have the “Yes, we can” mantra, which doesn’t grow old simply because of the rising numbers that continue to utter it. And to prove he is a rock star he has managed to get his sychophants engaged in his speeches as if they were reciting the lyrics to a hit song. He says, “You don’t boo McCain, what do you do?” And they chant, “Vote.” (Who knew politics could be so cool?)

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Barack Obama and his communications team have failed to grab the headlines since the Republicans stole the momentum during their convention. The problem is they want to dissect the differences in policies and issues, but no one is paying attention. The Obama team needs to win the soundbite war. Then, when they have the spotlight again, pivot back onto the issues — where Obama is clearly stronger because of his positions and his intellect.

The Elevator Pitch – which is never shy about offering advice to people who are way, way above our paygrade – presents these lines for use by the Obama camp as it tries to win the U.S. presidential election for the Democratic nominee:

1. “The Straight Talk Express sure makes a lot of U-turns.” – For use when discussing John McCain’s flip-flopping on the issues.

2. “Do you know what the leaders of Cuba, China and North Korea have in common with the bottom half of the Republican ticket? None of them answer to the press.” – Without mentioning the Governor of Alaska’s name, Obama can go to an extreme to point out the GOP’s audacious stance that keeps Sarah Palin away from the media.

3. “Under John McCain’s tax plan, the Americans who make less than $66,000 would receive a $309 tax break. That’s not change – that’s chump change. And for those who make more than $603,000, John McCain would give them $45,000 back every year on their taxes. That’s not putting country first, that’s putting Big Money first — again.” – For use when discussing the difference between the candidates’ tax plans.

4. “The Republicans seem to forget this country was founded by community organizers.” – A point that can be made when the GOP denigrates Obama’s public service record.

5. “It’s a shame John McCain would tarnish one of the finest records of service in modern American history by running the kind of swift-boat campaign he promised you he would steer away from.” – To counteract McCain’s status as a war hero.