Obama Gets "Detailed"

In campaign stops across Wisconsin, Barack Obama decided to mix things up a bit and CHANGE. The plan was to get "a little more detailed."

That really is a CHANGE!

Janesville -- Appearing in Janesville, Waukesha and Racine, Obama opened what his top strategist described as a new chapter in the campaign: trading massive rallies for somewhat smaller events; trading what Obama called soaring "applause lines" for something "a little more detailed"; and sharpening an economic message that echoed defeated rival John Edwards and his biting critique of special interests, unfair trade and overpaid executives.

In that sense, Wisconsin might be a preview of the Clinton-Obama showdown March 4 in Ohio, another Midwestern industrial battleground that is home to many working-class voters struggling in a flagging economy.

...Among the ideas Obama touted in Janesville: a homeowners fund for victims of mortgage fraud; a tuition tax credit; a middle-class tax cut; an infrastructure and jobs program; and a fund to promote jobs by promoting a "green energy" industry.

Obama's anti-Washington rhetoric critique found twin campaign targets, as he assailed a "Washington where politicians like John McCain and Hillary Clinton voted for a war in Iraq that should've never been authorized and never been waged - a war that is costing us thousands of precious lives and billions of dollars a week that could've been used to rebuild crumbling schools and bridges; roads and buildings; that could've been invested in job training and child care; in making health care affordable or putting college within reach."

Both of those candidates took shots at Obama on Wednesday, suggesting that his campaign was big on talk and short on substance.

"I'm in the solutions business," Clinton said at a rally in Texas. "My opponent is in the promises business."

Appearing in Washington with GOP members of Congress, McCain was asked about his jab Tuesday at Obama for offering "platitudes."

"I've not observed every speech that he's given, obviously, but they are singularly lacking in specifics, and that's when, as the campaign moves forward, we will be portraying very stark differences," McCain said. "It's not an accident that he has, I think, according to the National Journal, the most liberal voting record in the United States Senate; I have one of the most conservative. That will be when people want to know our specific proposals."

I've heard a number of Obama's speeches. They are inspiring but lightweight, no details.

Has he talked about the sort of judges he'd nominate to the Supreme Court?

Is he looking for another Ruth Bader-Ginsburg? I wouldn't know. My guess would be yes.

Obama's idea of talking details has been to direct people to his website to read about his policies. It may take McCain and the Republicans to inform the voters about the details.

Initially, I thought McCain wouldn't stand a chance against the so much younger and dynamic Obama. I thought he'd have an easier job defeating Hillary because she has such a high negative rating to begin with.

Now, I'm feeling somewhat confident about McCain.

Even though McCain is a more moderate Republican on some issues, there is a dramatic difference between him and Obama.

I don't believe Red State America is going to be swept up by Obama-mania come Election Day.

Obama is a wonderful speaker, though he should consider CHANGING some of his lines. They're getting a bit worn.

While likable and charismatic, I don't think Obama's ability to deliver a speech will convert those with conservative principles to support his very liberal policies.

He may be able to get out the vote, but nothing will get out the conservative vote like the thought of putting the man with the most liberal voting record in the Senate into the White House.