The 2012 presidential campaign for the White House is in full swing. The president is in campaign mode, and N.J. Governor Chris Christie considered a presidential run. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is leading Republican polls, while Texas Governor Rick Perry is misfiring. Ron Paul is third in polls and Senator Rick Santorum is hanging around. Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann appears an afterthought and former Governor Sarah Palin hasn't announced whether she's running or not. And Herman Cain surprised some political observers by winning Florida's Presidency 5 straw poll.
In these early days of the campaign, people in D.C. are asking "Do you think Obama will win?" Interesting question, since I am a registered Republican. But my answer every time is yes, President Barack Obama will win the next presidential election because... the Republican Party has spent more time standing in the way of progress, instead of introducing policy to spur economic growth. And because when the Tea Party arrived in D.C. last year, instead of being invigorated, the Republican Party became stagnant and scared.
Yet the President can do three things to ensure victory in 2012:
First, speak from the Oval Office. If the president uses the Oval Office, the way President Ronald Reagan effectively did, his conversations might provide direction and comfort American fears, much the way President Franklin Roosevelt's fireside chats did during the Great Depression.
Second, the president has to appear more engaged and touch his supporters. He recently spoke at the Congressional Black Caucus' dinner for the third time as president, but it was the first time he shook participant's hands. In his speech, he mentioned playing golf with President Clinton earlier in the day. Anyone, who has been in a room with Clinton, knows he's not shy about shaking hands and people today, still feel connected to him. President Obama needs to assure Americans that he is just as connected.
Third, the President must simplify his message, so that it is easy for businesses and individuals to communicate with one another. The American people can benefit if given reasons to remember President John F. Kennedy's famous words "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." The President's message should resonate with the rich and poor, educated and uneducated, because to steer the country out of economic uncertainty, we all have to know how to do our part.
If President Barack Obama can do these three things, he wins in 2012, because he's the candidate that has demonstrated a balanced approach to governing. President Obama wins in 2012, because his investment in our nation's future highlights education, alternative energy, and access to health care for all Americans. He wins, because until we see something different, his vision and leadership are good for America.
Atiba Madyun is President/CEO of the Washington, DC based government relations group The Madyun Group and founder of Party Politics a feature of The Madyun Group with the purpose of simplifying public policy for young audiences.