It's the Story, Stupid...

Here's the thing: If Barack Obama wants to win this fall against John McCain -- and it seems obvious he will capture the Democratic nomination -- he needs to send his story to those reached only by MySpace, Facebook or iPods, parenting sites and tech guys, as well as to those reading The Huffington Post, mainstream media and attending political rallies.

He needs to disseminate his story to the masses. He's already written it, at least twice in his autobiographies. Now he needs to make sure everyone reads it.

If Barack Obama wants to counter the claims that he is just another Democratic member of the leftist elite, he needs to buy up the rights to his two books and make his story available for free-audio versions accessible through podcasts downloadable through iTunes, and text versions accessible, emailable and downloadable at his website.

Because it is story that makes the difference. The books sold well, but the book buyers know who they will vote for. He needs to get that life story to the masses.

If Barack Obama wants to win blue-collar voters who sit squarely in Hillary Clinton's camp and who may happily defect to McCain come fall, he needs to give his books away. The twists and turns of his stories can convince disgruntled Democrats, because it is story that wins hearts.

It is the stories we tell about our lives that make us heroes or victims. Stories are the lens through which we perceive the world. Storytelling is everything.

And if Barack Obama wants to win this fall he will find a way to get his story into every home that can't afford the money to buy his books or the time to read his message.

The largesse of that gift will not only squelch the "elitist" complaints, it will sway the hearts and minds of recalcitrant Democrats, because the stories in Barack Obama's two books -- Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance and The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream -- are compelling narratives of a hero for America.

Hillary Clinton tried telling stories, but she chose some that video footage contradicted. John McCain has a good story, and America knows it well.

If every Democrat had a chance to hear or read those Obama tales -- for free -- they would be hard pressed to vote Republican this fall. They simply must have access to those stories. Easy access.

Comments

[Liberoservative]

As an Obama supporter.. I have to just say one thing... I love Mike Huckabee! this dude is straight up!

[Liberoservative]

I have read his books and when I read his first book.. I was in tears... his angst was my angst in figuring out where he really belonged... that he realized that he belonged to the HUMAN race is where I found myself as well.. Unfortunately, there are very few left in this nation that value reading. They prefer the 30 second soundbyte and then the MSM spin on what that soundbyte means... I find the MSM to be a disservice to the American public in the fact that they don't delve deeper and then present both sides.... I find it heartening that the American people are doing their best to educate themselves on the issues. I find it disheartening that not enough are doing that same thing....
Tonite... when he was in Cape Girardeau.. my home state... the apathy of the audience was obvious... it was sad and disheartening.... I hope that America can get over themselves and not pass up this chance we have to move D.C. beyond the lobbyists and partisan politics that has been going on for the past 20 years....

[ThreeCentsWorth]

It would sure get rid of the "elite" tag. Hillary should have told stories that wouldn't be contradicted by video, and McCain's is a good story.

[Newyorkgal]

It's a great idea. The other candidates make up stories because they realize the importance of "stories." He has his own stories, and this would be spoon-feeding the public -- which is necessary these days.

[zebra3]

It's a nice idea, but the publishing companies probably won't let that happen unless someone pays for the books (or MP3s), and if he gives "gifts" to the masses, the MSM will portray it as bribery.

[RFI]

Beautiful idea. He needs to reach out before other people with twisted versions of his story (see swift boat) do so.

[IslandGyal]

Those darn people don't read those types of books. I am educated enough, but I know the masses won't understand the nuance of what he wrote. I have seen the versions from the likes of Ann Coulter compare his book to Adolph Hitler's " Mein Kampf", and Jews accusing him of racism. Now, Anne Coulter is a Yale graduate, what's to be expected of the dumb masses?

[jrysk]

Evelyn Pringle has just published the second part of her bombshell expose of Obama and Rezko.

Obama will be indicted quite soon:

Curtain Time for Barack Obama - Part II

http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_evelyn_p_080513_curtain_time_for_bar.htm

[FLA1]

I agree wholeheartedly. If people want to know why many African-Americans, "latte-sippers", and young college educated people vote for Obama, one of the reasons is the authenticity of the story. You don't feel like a guy who planned to run for President was writing it. It is honest and self-evaluating. I agree that if more people read it, they could not help, but realize that of the candidates, Obama has the most American story. Also, audiotape or ipod is the best way, because we (Americans) don't really like to take the time to read anymore, unfortunately.

[hopeless277]

I'm waiting for Obama to start pushing McCain's buttons at a debate. I hope he can rile him up real good. We'll see if McCain can really control that temper.