Party Favorites How have the campaigns been successful in this election season?

Author: Will Bellaimey

After the slow-motion self destruction of our last two presidential campaigns it's a funny feeling for us Democrats to look back and say "you know what, we did that just about right." Of course, it isn't over yet. But whatever happens, the 23 year-old geniuses behind Obama campaign deserve some major props. They have out-fundraised, out-messaged and out-organized the Republican machine at every turn.

But what could they have done better? With that, let's go to questions from imaginary people who are imaginarily upset about the way the campaign has gone.

Q. Why didn't the campaign take public financing?

A. This last month Obama raised 150 million dollars, mostly from people like you and me giving twenty bucks online. Is that slimy money controlling politicians? No. Should we fix our campaign finance laws so that slimy money stops controlling politicians? Yes.

Q. Why didn't they pick Hillary Clinton to be VP?

A. It would have hampered Obama's 'change' message in the same way Palin crippled McCain's "experience" cred. More importantly, Obama wants to run the Democratic party in a very different way than the Clintons did. Having Bill back in the White House is a great recipe for drama, but a bad one for governing.

Q. Why didn't Obama go on all those town hall debates with John McCain?

A. Those could have been really cool to watch. But they were a wild card. McCain needs risky moves to win. Obama doesn't.

Q. Why did Obama sometimes support things that I don't like?

A. Because you're probably not an undecided voter. It was better to support some bad issues than to make the election about those things. You can't win without compromises. Ask Ralph Nader.

Q. Why has the campaign been so negative?

A. It really hasn't. Neither Barack Obama nor John McCain really enjoy personal attacks. But Republican strategists know that to win, they have to make people angry and frightened. The next few weeks are gonna get ugly.