Boring So Far, Campaign Issues To Expect

Much of the hoopla piled onto the 2008 political season since the last election is not being ignited yet. The melodrama in both parties has been a partial story, with the Obama-Clinton bickering marriage, and the McCain-GOP awkward one-night stand. McCain's pros and cons have not really been used as campaign fodder, and neither has Obama's exoticism. So what's the deal? Patience, my dears, patience.

Do not expect this campaign to continue to small bore-a-thon for long. The conventions are pretty much pep rallies for each party that try to remind everybody: Hey! You are supposed to pick sides soon! Soon after they both wrapup, expect some of these "issues" to make headlines:

• McCain's age: So far, no one has pointed out (at least not seriously) that McCain dined with Attila the Hun. That might be because it can easily be turned around and hurt the attacker (remember Reagan v. Mondale in 1984). McCain's age is like Obama's race, it shouldn't matter, but it will, and voters will justify their reasons to themselves why it should.
• McCain's One Term Try: Today was the first day I read anyone actually posing this question to McCain: Will you pledge to run only once? He said, Nay. Good or bad, we will have to wait and see.
• Obama and the Weather Underground: Obama reportedly has visited some of the Weather Underground's key leaders in the past. The WU was a leftist, violent, anti-war activist group in the 1960's. This may never get attention, as his link to that group is tacit at best, but you may soon be hearing William Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn in a Breaking News update.
• McCain is an angry old man: This is called assassination of character. It is also called calling a rooster by its name. McCain has long been rumored to be a hot-head of major proportions. Many of his colleagues have, at one time or another, claimed they think McCain is unfit for the presidency just judging his dangerous temperament. They may become louder as Election Day nears.
• Obama's race: Many are claiming this is the reason why this election is such a dead-heat, when it shouldn't be. The Bradley Effect might be covered more and more as the stale poll numbers plague the campaign.
• McCain is filthy rich: Thanks to Cindy McCain, who is valued at over $500 million, McCain is at a different level of rich than even the Clintons. This, along with how we met and hooked up with Cindy (coughADULTERYcough) might end up making headlines.
• Obama's assassination: No one says it, but everyone thinks it. Will the possibility that someone will attempt to kill president-elect Obama be raised? How will it affect everything?
• McCain's death: Same as the last one, but by natural causes (he's old, remember). Will these scenarios raise the importance of the VP?

lhp