After the Race for the White House

"America has spoken... and spoken clearly." Sen. John McCain spoke these immortal words during his speech after Election Day. The faces of his running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin and the small crowd gathering around the stage displayed the enormity of the disappointment for the Republicans’ defeat in the race for the White House. While Sen. McCain gracefully congratulated his opponent on his victory and thanked his supporters for standing by him every step of the way, a crowd of more than 250 000 gathered in Chicago city center to welcome America's first African American president on the stage. And when he made his appearance, the crowd went nuts - flags and camera flashes, cheers and tears. He was exalted like a celebrity the world has never seen before. Indeed America has spoken clearly.

 

But happens now? All the excitement of the race and the election is now behind the candidates, there is a new face in the Oval Office and a puppy in the White House. Pres. Obama is already preparing for his second run for the Office and Sen. McCain is back in the Senate serving the state of Arizona. And they are still hide'n Biden. But what about Gov. Palin? We all know and I certainly hope that she will not disappear off the political dashboard. She has only just begun! She scrummed away from commenting on 2012, but her face on the ballot that year certainly doesn't seem far-fetched. This election was all about race. Maybe the next one will be all about gender. In my opinion, this is what Gov. Sarah Palin should do next: go back to Alaska and play POLITICS.

 

Participate - Sarah Palin must do everything in her power not to fade away. Even in the Obama-regime, she should remain actively involved and participate in state and national politics. Not only will that give her more experience and keep her up to speed with the political world, but it will also keep her name and face fresh in the minds of her supporters.

 

Observe - Sarah Palin should observe the political scene. Far away in Alaska, which hardly plays in the front row of politics, she can sit back and observe the political scene, atmosphere and play. She should pay attention to the things Obama does that upsets people, new policies that Americans dislike and pounce on them like a fat kid on a cupcake. She should miss nothing! That way, she will have ample material to build a campaign on come 2012.

 

Learn - Sarah Palin made it clear that even though she was a wonderful running mate, she still needs to learn about national politics. This is nothing to be ashamed of, in fact, it gives her room for improvement, and this is exactly what she must do. Learning from fellow politicians, such as John McCain, learning about foreign policy, the national media and Republican politics will prepare her for a real fight in 2012.

 

Invest - Sarah Palin should identify key individuals that will support, strengthen and promote her candidacy for president. By investing in people with power, influence and popularity, she can stabilize her support base and expand her supporter count.

 

Train - Sarah Palin should train herself in the art of being a good politician. I still believe Obama won only because of his ability to deliver a perfect speech. It might be politics, but it works. Sarah Palin should train herself in the art; how to persuade with a simple speech, how to face the media when they put you on the spot, how to deal with criticism and how to influence even the highest ranking political figures.

 

Identify - Sarah Palin should focus on her identity. The hockey mom, the pit bull with lipstick, the supportive governor, and the advocate in the White House - everything that people associated her with and liked her for. By remaining the person who they got to know her as, will make her an individual people will identify with and support.

 

Communicate - Sarah Palin should communicate at all levels. Part of what made her so popular is her ability to speak to you and me, ordinary people. Communicating with Americans, those who really matter, will keep her alive and fresh in their minds and in their votes. Communicating with them as if they were her equals, will boost her popularity and foster a I-will-vote-for-you-again-relationship.

 

Subway - It is a strange term, I know, but with subway I mean hat Sarah Palin must, in all of the above, not become another Barack or Hillary. People liked the freshness of Sarah Palin. She should play like a politician, but not become one. In other words, she should be like the subway; people should know that she is there and that she is working, but they must never know just how hard. That way her comeback for the 2012 ticket will be just as refreshing in comparison to the same old faces of Washington politicians.

 

That’s why I think Gov. Sarah Palin should go back to Alaska, strengthen her base and play POLITICS. And if it helps, she already has my vote for president, come 2012.

 

ECDJ