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Moreover, despite their presumed standard-bearer's (Sen. Obama) admirable manner and wit and first-draw educational credentials, he is surprisingly weak when trying to discuss policy, history and current events at even a short step beyond the superficial. His recently manifested ignorance regarding the language spoken in Afghanistan was a revelation, especially as he has made Iraq and Afghanistan the centerpiece of his critique of Bush. The more the campaign forces him to speak without benefit of teleprompter the less confidence voters are likely to hold for the sureness of his knowledge and judgment.

I certainly am not predicting that Sen. McCain and the Republicans are likely to win. Obviously, the public is ready for change. But if RC candidates from president on down cheerfully and relentlessly make honest, principled arguments 12 hours a day for the next 5 1/2 months, we may well be surprised with the results. Let each candidate make his or her own argument to the local voters. If Republicans do well this season, it will be one district or state at a time. A nationalized election works against us. The local logic of each candidacy and his or her convictions is our strongest play.

Certainly, if our candidates wander around their constituencies crying into their beer while national conservative pundits inventively conjure up new modalities of public alienation from us, we can make defeat more likely.

We have one great abiding advantage: Obama, like most liberals these days (and unlike FDR and JFK), believes he sees a coming age of limitless energy, less trade, less prosperity, less rugged personal independence. Despite his high rhetoric, at its heart, his is a pessimistic message of hunkering down together to share whatever may perhaps be "sustainable" for us.

We conservatives believe in an exceptional America of ever-greater prosperity and happiness -- if we have but the spirit and courage to fight for it. For more than two centuries, the American people almost always have believed in and voted for that American dream. And for more than two centuries, they have been right.

Sour peddlers of some over-intellectualized American nightmare usually lose. No reason they shouldn't lose again this November.

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Tony Blankley is executive vice president of Edelman public relations in Washington. E-mail him at TonyBlankley@gmail.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.

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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA.

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