Now the Race is On

This Presidential race has stacked up to be a true test of branding might.

McCain/Maverick vs. Obama/Change.

Both parties have found their footing and have refocused their campaigns and their message. It will be a true test of two brands that are now totally focused.

What each has to do now is dig in deep on their position, their word and their message.

The Democrats put on an excellent convention that stayed on-message and on-course. As the party out of power in DC, they have a tremendous advantage in being able to claim change as their theme. The power of one word, one sign, one message was evident at the convention this week. The Clinton's were not easily beat, but with one word (Change) a relatively unknown guy took them down.

What the Republicans need to do most at their convention next week is to showcase one word, one sign, one look. It is not about being better than the Democrats (nobody could put on a better show than Obama did last night) it is about being different in a clear and focused way.

The difficulity in politics is that you need 51% of the vote to win, trying to appeal too broadly is a temptation. But in the end, the winner is the candidate that can attach himself or herself to a powerful idea in the mind.

My biggest concern for McCain is this: What will the signs say and will they all be the same. If McCain nails that, then this could be a race to remember and he might even win.

Comments

[nuudelchin]

tnks

[Erik]

One more note...

You have said that naming your company or brand is one of the most important things that you can do. I agree. And you have also stated that if you have a bad name, change it. I haven't heard any comments about...

Barack Hussein Obama II

A name that could cost him the election.

[Erik]

I think Obama has really hurt his campaign by not sticking with his motto of "change".
Change would have meant the following....

1- not attacking his opponent(politics of old)
2- not choosing a Washington insider for over 20 years(surely not change).
3- not choosing a women for his VP choice(if he did this would it have been a big change).

Instead McCain is the Maverick who chose a women on the ticket(great move for McCain).
She is a true conservative that will rally the conservative base and get more women to vote for him.

Obama may have been the rocket that just took off and couldn't maintain his momentum(fad) and McCain is looking more and more like a plane that has taken off and is gaining momentum(trend).

[Erik]

I think Obama has really hurt his campaign by not sticking with his motto of "change".
Change would have meant the following....

1- not attacking his opponent(politics of old)
2- not choosing a Washington insider for over 20 years(surely not change).
3- not choosing a women for his VP choice(if he did this would it have been a big change).

Instead McCain is the Maverick who chose a women on the ticket(great move for McCain).
She is a true conservative that will rally the conservative base and get more women to vote for him.

Obama may have been the rocket that just took off and couldn't maintain his momentum(fad) and McCain is looking more and more like a plane that has taken off and is gaining momentum(trend).