Dick Morris has penned a brilliant column on why the lagging economy won’t automatically hurt Republicans this November. Here’s the most impressive part of the column:

[Clinton’s] promise to “focus like a laser beam” on the recession won him big points throughout the campaign. His 10-year record as a governor and his chairmanship of the National Governors Association bolstered his credentials. But we first met Barack Obama as an advocate of racial and partisan healing and then as an opponent of the war in Iraq. When he tried to morph into an economic expert in time for the Ohio and Pennsylvania primaries, voters didn’t buy it and voted for Hillary.

So the question that hangs over the election is: Are we prepared to trust a new candidate with almost no experience and no claim to economic expertise in the middle of one of the most threatening economic situations we have ever faced?

I said last spring that Sen. Obama would have difficulty getting elected because voters would turn against him when they got serious. I think I said that people will get serious about electing the next leader of the free world, not a prom king. I didn’t think he exuded the gravitas that people expect.

During the primaries, his blank slate worked to his advantage. He delivered optimistic speeches, causing people to think that he was like them. Because he didn’t have a record to tell them who he was, they simply imputed their values and priorities into him.

That blank slate now works against him. With financial crises looming, with gas prices skyrocketing, people will find it difficult to trust someone that inexperienced and risky.

After excoriating Sen. Obama, Morris then justifies voting for Sen. McCain:

It almost doesn’t matter that McCain is not an economist and avows ignorance of what Thomas Carlyle called the “dismal science.” We know McCain. We know he will surround himself with some pretty capable people. And, above all, we know that he won’t raise taxes.

During the campaign, conservatives who were worried could comfort themselves with the thought that a McCain administration would possibly have a Treasury Secretary Gramm. Now that that won’t happen, they’ll have to ’settle’ for Carly Fiorina, no slouch herself.

Sen. McCain also benefits from being right about the Surge. People will give him the benefit of the doubt on economics because he’s gotten another big decision right. Call it the trust factor.

When in turbulent times, the American people generally vote for the man with a track record. This year, that description only fits John McCain.

Technorati Tags: Gas Prices, Economy, John McCain, Barack Obama, Gravitas, Election 2008

Cross-posted at LetFreedomRingBlog

1. Obama supports a total handgun ban.

   Obama defends infanticide.

   Obama stands up for illegal aliens.

   Comment by Michael Ejercito — August 6, 2008 @ 8:54 am

2. The gas price situation as well as our overall energy situation is perfect for Sen. McCain. He has cut the difference and at least has bent on offshore drilling. Sen. McCain is offering a comprehensive plan. All Sen. Messiah Barack is offering-to make sure our tires are inflated. Sen. Messiah Barack is the Mr. Goodwrench candidate. Sen. McCain is the one who will take real action even if it goes against his previous positions.

   Comment by Mark J. Goluskin — August 6, 2008 @ 10:31 pm