Ideas, philosophies and paradigms come and go. They have life and meaning for a period of time and then they are replaced or evolve. This is one of the ways of the world. So I ask as I always do, why am I writing about this? Let me tell you why.

This presidential campaign is a classic example of old paradigms and ways of politicking vs. new ones. John McCain is part of the old paradigm.  He reminds me of what Jesus said in (Luke 5:36-37), "you can't pour new wine into old wine skins."  His campaign techniques are old. His message is old, and the manner in which he has engaged Barack Obama is old. Everything he does is based on the old political paradigm.  It does not reflect the new political thought that seems to be sweeping the country. He says he is an agent of change yet nothing he does reflects that.

This is troubling because leaders are supposed to do two things. The first thing is to lead, and, the second thing is to understand what those you lead or desire to lead are thinking and feeling. I think most voters really believe that this country is a mess and all of our social and political institutions have failed us. There is a crisis of confidence in those we have entrusted with the business of this country.

McCain's campaign has not focused enough on the issues and making the policy differences between him and Obama clear. And, that's the point here. Tagging someone as a liberal, not one of us, friend of terrorists, and all the other stuff that they have thrown at Obama are simply just not working.

I call this enemy thinking. Enemy thinking simple means that there are those that focus only on differences and use differences as a means to divide. In other words, if you don't look like me, vote like me, think like me, worship like me or have sex like me, then you are absolutely wrong and I am absolutely right. Therefore, that makes you my enemy. This is the old paradigm and is in a big way responsible for many of the problems in this country. This approach has worked for many years.

Barack Obama's effective campaign is based on the language of inclusion and unity. This message seems to be resonating more than McCain's. America seems to be moving beyond enemy thinking and recognizing that our destiny and problems are mutual.  Anyone who wants to seek office in the future should recognize this and embrace it. They just might have more success than John McCain is having. Do you think it's too late for McCain to pour some new wine into the new wine skins?

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You can learn more about me at http:/.blog.jayspeights.com/ .  And be sure to buy my book, "Harmonious Day."

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