Lesley Stahl | 06/12/2008 4:25 pm

Lesley Stahl: Obama Needs a Big, Sexy Relaunch

These are always the summer-doldrums months in a presidential campaign. Things slow down in the heat and humidity. It’s a time when each of the candidates tries to define the other, as in "Bush-2 on Iraq" vs. "Mr. Tax and Spend." Or "Too old" vs. "Too young." But you wonder who’s listening. So I was thinking: How best could Sen. Obama use this time?

First, as Gail Collins suggests in today’s New York Times, he needs to get some sleep. (See my piece on “60 Minutes” about how deeply critical sleep is to judgement, memory and overall health. And yes, this is a plug, because the story will rerun this coming Sunday.) Then, he needs to think of a way to recapture the energy and emotion of the early months of the campaign. He has to find a way to press the reset button with a big, sexy relaunch.

How and where can he do that? This is exactly why God created conventions!

So, here’s an idea: On the final night of his convention when the delegates vote and the country watches (unlike the previous nights), what if Obama had these three people nominate him, in this order:

One: Hillary
Two: Teddy (if he’s up to it) with Caroline Kennedy at his side
Three: Elizabeth Edwards

Think about it! Wouldn’t that energize the Democrats, and turn the anger of Hillary’s followers (assuming it’s still there) into jelly?

Then, of course, he has to give another speech of his life!

What do you think? And who should McCain get to nominate him?

191 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Well, McCain could get President Bush to nominate him since he intends to carry out almost the same policies. I can’t forget the “huggy” picture(remember the one with his eyes closed and giving the president a big bear hug?). Every time I see it, I think 4 more years?

By Diana T on 06/12/2008 3:59 pm

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Diana—every time I see it I think ‘nightmare.’ And the world’s had enough of that. So here’s what Obama needs to do for a ‘sexy relaunch’ to ‘Shock and Awe’ the world and the GOP: He’s considering a world tour before the convention. That would be the most brilliant thing he could do. He is so popular in Europe it’s been said he could win there in a landslide. And of course US pop and film stars are super popular too. Put the tour together with an existing project like “Plant a Billion”—a project of Nature Conservancy—donate $1 to plant a tree in the Amazon. This would have the benefit of highlighting his environmental background and also raising a lot of money for a great cause. Hit the major capitals with a free concert before Obama is introduced by headliner supporters like George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Stevie Wonder. Scarlett Johansson etc. The Boss did it for Kerry—maybe he’d do it again—and also others like Eric Clapton, Sting, Santana- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rRlBmJiz5k Paris. London. Berlin. Barcelona. Amsterdam. Rome. Zurich. Tokyo. Rio. Tanzania. Sydney. Indonesia. Locations where he is most popular—see poll: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/13/obama-the-preferred-candi_n_106… Would be big news while it happened. Have interviews in those countries with leaders perhaps on an environmental theme (Senator Obama was voted among the Top Six Illinois State Senators on the environment) and put together a convention mash-up of highlights before he’s introduced by Warren Buffett—-richest man in the world and a supporter—along with Oprah, Teddy and Caroline Kennedy, etc. It would be excellent for the campaign And for the world that’s endured so much under the current US administration—they deserve a treat.

By To the beach ~~~ on 06/14/2008 10:47 pm

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That would be great.

By Juanita Ward on 06/17/2008 11:58 pm

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D.T., WITH THE IMAGE THAT McCAIN HAS BEEN GIVING BEFORE HIS NOMINATION AS THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE; AND WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION IS WHITE, I THINK McCAIN IS VERY LIKELY TO BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT!—————- AGAIN, I HAVE TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT I HAVE DECIDED MONTHS AGO NOT TO VOTE THIS NOVEMBER, THEREFORE MY STATEMENT COULD VERY WELL BE FROM MY HEART! I AM ALSO VERY SAD BECAUSE IT SEEMS VERY LIKELY THAT MY THREE GRAND CHILDREN ARE GROWING UP TO FIGHT THE WAR FOR ISRAEL!—-DANCEWU(DOT)NET

By GEORGE WU, A.I.A. on 07/10/2008 2:47 pm

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Hillary has to have a place of significance in the convention so she can bring her votes to Obama. And nominating him would create a spark. Anything that includes Elizabeth Edwards is fine with me. I just hope whoever nominates him has a rousing speech. I do not want to fall asleep like I did 4 years ago. Even Obama’s speech was not scheduled for primetime TV. The Republicans did use primetime to their advantage. Hope this year they know how to PAR—TY!

By Brooklyn Gal on 06/12/2008 4:03 pm

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Bob Hope, a strong Republican supporter, would be a great speaker for McCain if they can channel his spirit against the Dems with this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWpU8sX10_4 And the Dems could counter with this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hMA1lQk5HU

By Brooklyn Gal on 06/12/2008 4:16 pm

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Bob Hope, Will Rogers, Mark Twain, - all wonderful about poking fun at both political parties. Thanks Carol, I chuckled.

By Bonnie Oliver on 06/12/2008 4:24 pm

Hi Bonnie, Your comment reminded me of my favorite Will Rogers quote, “I don’t belong to an organized party. I’m a Democrat.” Both parties have lots of targets to poke fun at, don’t they?

By K O on 06/12/2008 6:42 pm

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i agree on the sleep! I did like your piece on sleep and think that lack of sleep may well be what derailed Clinton’s campaign. I like the nominating idea. I also think that it would not be that big a mistake to have town hall meetings in the swing states on the issues. Obama is eloquent; he will give a great speech I am sure, and on the anniversary of the I have a dream speech. McCain, I don’t really care who he gets to nominate him. But for his sake, it should not be anyone named Bush.

By Elizabeth Bennett on 06/12/2008 4:06 pm

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Elizabeth, You make some really good points. Who would you want to see as Senator Obama’s running mate?

By Frannie Em on 06/12/2008 5:31 pm

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I really am not sure. I like Hillary Clinton as a VP, but understand that the downside is that she will movitate the opposition base to vote in large numbers. She does have high negatives. Still, she is the most logical choice. If I were HER, I would hold out for Supreme Court. But that is me. She may actually want to be VP. Other possible sound choices include Richardson, Powell, Feinstein, Nunn, others with both national and administrative experience. I haven’t given it a great deal of thought, so there is likely someone else who would be really good that has not occurred to me.

By Elizabeth Bennett on 06/12/2008 6:17 pm

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Elizabeth Have you seen Obama’s new website Fightthesmears.com? Interesting. Good Idea

By Frannie Em on 06/14/2008 3:32 pm

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I have not seen it. I think Frank mentioned it the other day. I will have to go and look at it.

By Elizabeth Bennett on 06/14/2008 7:32 pm

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Elizabeth; What have you heard of Kathleen Sebalius? Everything I’ve read is positive in the the things that count. She certainly took on Coal and the health insurance people as governor in her state and beat the pants off them. The lady has guts and would seen to be a positive factor on health care. I’d appreciate any take you have. Thanks :-)

By Frank Peterson on 06/15/2008 11:21 pm

I’ve seen this one….. http://fightthesmears.us/

By PJ Thequilter on 06/17/2008 11:43 am