..........bringin' a knife to a gunfight!

I've given you a couple of recent images of both of our presidential candidates to illustrate what I'm talking about. A post on a friend's blog got me to thinking more and more about this issue. Which images appeal more to you? The guy walking along with Joe Liberman (who is usually not far from his side), or the suit and tie picture with the Rev. Billy Graham and son Franklin Graham; or, is it the younger guy talking with the people about what changes need to be made in America. Whether the changes can be made or not, he is listening and winning the support of the "common guy"; while the other candidate will rely on the 'ole Republican "base" that George W. Bush made such a big deal about. Like it or not, the Republican Party is in a bad way with image and crowd appeal. The Republican Party's commitment to stuffy image won't work in the 21st century. Let me share an experience of my own that will be relevant. When I moved to the current high school where I teach marching band, I swore that I would never, ever use props on the field to win competitions. We would rely on the traditional "playing and marching only" approach to compete. After a couple years of losing by only a couple of points here and there, I decided to continue playing and marching as usual; but, with some props to make the show more attractive to the masses. It worked! It was enough to put us over the top. We still put most of our emphasis on playing and marching; but, we use the props to be more competitive. At some point, the GOP will have to re-invent or failure at the polls will continue to be SOP. The 2008 election is going to be very important for America. I'm convinced that the Democrats sent their best candidate into the race, even when there was another choice in Hillary Clinton that could have won the election, too. Who did the Republicans send? Well, after spinning their wheels with the likes of Fred Thompson; they chose John McCain. You mean that this is all you have to send into this historic race? That's what I mean with my post title. I predict that this election will be a larger landslide victory for the Democrats than that of LBJ in the 1960's. I support standards and many other conservative values, but I can't hitch my cart to John McCain. I don't see or hear someone that is listening to the people of the USA. I see a patriot and an experienced legislator, who has given much to this country; but, I also see "more of the same" old crap coming my way via his presidency. I know this will offend some of my readers, and that is not my intention. It's time to put away the dark blue suit, diagonal striped tie, and white shirt uniform; get a little more involved with the regular guy, and be more appealing to those that will put you in office. It's time to lose or re-invent for success!