I think that Barack Obama will win the Democratic nomination. As many have pointed out recently, mathematically it is impossible for him to lose unless the super delegates overturn the pledged delegates, and I think the Democrats are aware of the hullabaloo that would be raised if that were to happen. Considering this, it looks like we will have a McCain vs. Obama race for the presidency in 2008. Up until the past week or so, I might have given the edge to Obama. But so much can change in just just a few days much less 7 months, and indeed we have heard the brakes screeching on Obama’s momentum. So assuming Obama is the Democratic nominee, what can he do to be victorious come November? Here are my thoughts:

1. Keep a lid on Reverand Wright and his church. Do not let him give any interviews or release any statements, ever. He will inevitably be put in a position to defend himself and his words, and anything he says that follows will not be good for the Obama campaign.

2. Consider holding a meeting with the church elders or perhaps speaking to the congregation. This might be tricky because it would probably involve some confrontation with respect to the church’s ideology. But Obama’s relationship with the church needs to be reconciled, and I think this is probably the only way to do it. Only after this could he continue to justify his close ties to the church and to Reverend Wright.

3. Completely sever the Obama campaign from supporters of Reverand Wright who will espouse his views. These people who appear on news talk shows and post on Internet message boards will only damage the Obama image. Release some statement that will discredit these supporters, and make it clear that these views have no part of the Obama campaign.

4. Stop talking about race, at least for now. Obama has lost his credibility on this subject for the moment. He may have given a great speech about race, but it doesn’t matter. Anything he says right now about race will be highly scrutinized, and that is never good. I am thinking specifically of a statement he said that included the words “typical white person.” Those words are not OK. White people do not want to be stereotyped any more than black people do. Just stay away from that for a while.

5. Since the possibility of a campaign about racial reconciliation seems to have gone out the window, at least for a little while, start shifting the focus of the campaign toward political change. Find some other hook. The Obama image can still be a huge advantage, especially when pitted against McCain. It just cannot depend on race anymore.

6. Beware of any other dirt that might come up in this campaign, and get out ahead of it. After the Reverand Wright crisis and the SNL skit that parodied the media infatuation with Obama, everyone is going to start scrutinizing him a lot more closely. There are going to be no more free rides built upon Obama’s media appeal.

I don’t know how things will turn out in the general election. I think it’s too early for anyone to predict anything. I don’t think the Reverend Wright scandal sounds the death knell for Obama’s campaign. But it could very well be the first of a series of fatal blows. I hope Obama considers that he needs to take action to stop the bleeding. These suggestions could be a start.

A note: these thoughts come from an undecided voter with conservative leanings.

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