The Obama-Clinton '08 Duel - Differences in Connecting with Voters

I'm struck by the profound differences between the Clinton and Obama campaign approaches to connecting with supporters.

In Superficials & Symbolisms: On "Obama Crush" and "Hillaryland," I noted that the Obama camp uses symbols and personal contact to establish direct grassroots connections WITH people. In contrast, the Clinton camp uses images of feminine authority and pop culture allusions to appeal TO people.

Both approaches are reflective of the candidates' personalities. Sen. Obama was an effective community organizer in Chicago, working with churches and local groups to secure support for vital social issues and to "get out the vote." On the stump and in his runaway bestseller "The Audacity of Hope," he emphasizes bipartisan reconciliation and listening.

In contrast, Sen. Clinton boasts a long record of forceful, principled top-down leadership. Except within her close-knit clutch of longtime advisors, Sen. Clinton is widely known less as collegial, and more as authoritarian. Based on her confident, experienced wisdom, Sen. Clinton emphasizes telling, not listening.

In recent decades, Americans, led by baby boomer voters, have elected authoritarians to the White House, rather than diplomats and peacemakers. And that may be the case for 2008, as well.

Sen. Clinton may, indeed, prevail over Sen. Obama because of her muscular approach to politics. Tony Soprano doesn't take guff from his enemies... and Hillary chose to play the Tony role in her Sopranos video spoof.

But then again, the traditional approach may be all wrong for Generations X and Y, who comprise all U.S. voters under 45 years old.

Obama is betting that younger voters will reject top-down politics as usual, and will opt, instead for authenticity and personal connection. "Turn the page!" Obama urged the Calfornia Democratic Convention 2 months ago.

Judging by the huge crowds of young, energtic supporters attracted to Obama events, he may be correct. And by all accounts, Barack Obama's second quarter 2007 fundraising will easily surpass that of Hillary Clinton, both in total dollars and in number of contributors.

My recent personal experiences with the Obama and Clinton campaigns illustrate the profound differences in their approaches to connecting with voters.

Clinton Campaign Contact
A month ago, I received an email from a California co-chair of the Hillary for President campaign. In it, this likeable woman with a distinguished resume graciously thanked me for certain positive articles I've written about Sen. Clinton.

After several friendly email exchanges, she provided me with her phone numbers, for my use to ask questions at any time. At my request, she will soon pen a guest editorial for About.com's Liberal Politics about why she supports Hillary Clinton in the 2008 race for the White House.

As a result, I have solid respect for this Hillary campaign co-chair, and look forward to learning her reasons for selecting Sen. Clinton over Sen. Obama and the other Democrats.

But I've received no mail from Sen. Clinton. And emails from her campaign are routinely written, signed and sent by her staffers or by Bill Clinton.

I listen to Sen. Clinton. I admire her. I respect her. But I feel no personal connection to her.

Obama Campaign Contact
This past weekend, I participated in a brief conference call with Barack Obama, in which he took a few questions. Sen. Obama made me feel like it was just him and me and a few others. In everyday lingo, the senator warmly thanked me for making time for his phone call and for my support... and his gratitude felt genuine. Not one staffer or aide uttered a word.

That really happened. Except that a few thousand others were likely on the conference call, too. And they probably all felt the same symbiotic connection with Sen. Obama.

Please don't think I doubt Sen. Obama's sincerity. He's a down-to-earth guy, and is undoubtedly grateful for each one of his supporters. Sen. Obama may be ambitious, but he doesn't seem to stumble over an inflated ego. (And apparently Michelle is active in keeping his perspective real... )

That's my point: Obama loves the grassroots. His campaign is all about building buzz and electricity among the voters, then harnessing that energy to build an Obama for President movement from the ground up.

I receive emails weekly, sent and signed by Obama, and written in his style and word choice. I received snail mail last week from the senator in which he wrote:

"I am confident about my ability to lead this country. But I also know that I can't do it without you. This campaign has to be about your hopes, and your dreams, and what you will do...

That's how change has always happened -- not from the top-down, but from the bottom-up. And that's exactly how you and I will change this country in the coming months and years."

I understand why rock-star sized crowds flock to hear Barack Obama speak, and to shake his hand. I understand why enamored followers might have a crush on Obama.

Barack Obama has effectively established a vibrant, personal connection with his supporters. Sen. Obama wants to have dinner with us. He wants to hear our ideas. He wants to shake our hands. He wants to have conference calls with us, and personally thank us. There's nothing frosty or distant or intransparent about Sen. Obama.

As actress Sally Field once blurted at the Academy Awards, "You like me. You really like me!" After the 2-term bile spewed by the Bush administration toward the American people, a candidate who actually likes us makes voters almost giddy...

As a result, despite my being quite informed about the vagaries of political campaigns and techniques, it's hard to not be swept up in Obama-mania.

The Obama-mania feeling is contagious, and the Obama '08 campaign hopes the feeling spreads upward from the grassroots.

But Who Will Win the 2008 Democratic Nomination?
I can enthusiastically support either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama in 2008. And truthfully, I haven't yet decided which Democrat I'll vote for in California's primary next February.

But this I can tell you: Barack Obama is taking a big gamble, relying on a youth-oriented grassroots movement to create a groundswell to carry him to the White House. Like it or not, this campaign strategy rarely wins federal elections in the U.S.

Bob Dylan may have warbled "The times they are a'changing," but the country elected Richard Nixon as president in 1968.

But here's the thing: Obama owns ALL the 2008 buzz. And in a few weeks, it'll be revealed that he has the biggest bucks, too. And by a healthy margin.

Who will win the Obama-Clinton '08 duel? This contest is far from over. Stay tuned...

(Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Related Reading
Clinton in 2008 Info Hub
Obama in 2008 Info Hub
Superficials & Symbolisms: On "Obama Crush" and "Hillaryland"
Supported by Republicans, Obama Takes Lead in Presidential Race