More Advice for Brother Barack

Obviously, I think the key to Obama winning is an effective media barrage in California, and I'd add especially in Northern California.

In the meantime, I'd like to suggest an unorthodox idea--a photo op scheduling visit to former President Jimmy Carter. Not to get his endorsement (though of course if it's forthcoming that would be great); more to get him to say something to the effect of, "It's unseemly for a former President to take such an active partisan role, even on behalf of his wife, but particularly to engage in negative attacks."

Carter's well-deserved reputation as "a great Ex-President" would give whatever statement he might give some resonance. I think Barack and Michelle on the lawn with Jimmy and Rosalynn would be a superb video bit.

While he's there, Barack Obama should talk to Jimmy about his experiences as President. Could save us all a lot of trouble down the road.

I think there is huge affinity between Obama's experience and Carter's. While there is no precedent for much of what is happening this year, I think references to 1976 are more relevant than those of 1992, Clinton's year. Nineteen seventy-six was the last time when the national Republicans' prestige was so low, and the Democrats produced a candidate of relatively short political experience who gained national attention through a hopeful message for change and retail politicking.