Ran across an interesting American Spectator article by J.T. Young entitled, "The Republicans' 'Zebra' Field" that may give us a glimpse into a possible dare I say 'strategy' (however accidental it may be):
"Focus on Republicans' lack of a 2012 presidential frontrunner overlooks the situation's real advantages. Prevailing opinion is that the absence of a frontrunner indicates a weak candidate field, which will prevent Republicans from making November after next the contest of sharp contrasts they could win. However, current trends and historical precedent forcefully argue both assumptions may be wrong. Republicans may be about to follow the Democrats' pattern that has worked for their last three successful presidential candidates."
Young elaborates on how past incumbents usually have an opportunity to redefine their presidency and alter their record by quickly going on the attack and in turn defining an opponent; but this opportunity is an impossibility "with no leading opponent to attack." Young continues, "This not only protects the field now, it also increases the chance the nominee will be stronger. The herd of Republican candidates does not just obscure its members. It also encourages more to enter" His point is well-taken when considering the "wide-open field is atypical for Republican presidential primaries."
The last three successful Democrat presidents (Carter, Clinton and Obama), all made use of this incumbent challenging strategy, largely "unknown and undefined -- in clear contrast to the incumbents they beat."
Young's take is an interesting one to consider indeed, particularly at a time when GOP contenders are still entering the arena. This issue has the possibility of being even more compounded for Democrats if other unannounced or previously thought 'not running' Republican candidates step into the race.
"Democrats may find they have stepped into what has historically been the Republicans' problem -- facing a field of "zebras." In a herd, zebras' stripes blend the group together, obscuring the individual and confusing the attacker. In their contest, zebras don't have to kill their predator, just outrun it. So too, in a presidential contest. What is starting off as a contrast of grays, may still be black and white at the end: when it really counts."
In all probability, if the Obama campaign can't target one single individual, it'll target ALL contenders, particularly with the liberal media in tow. But hey, that's fine as long as it helps deplete that billion dollar war chest that Obama is amassing to buy his way back into the White House!
