There is no reason why Obama and McCain are this close in the polls. The silent majority is the core reason. Say what you like but they are a force to be reckoned with. They do not picket. They are not on the message boards. They do not have bumper stickers but they cannot stand abortion or gay rights.

While campaigning in the "red" states, Obama needs to empower the people with the idea that their votes are not a foregone conclusion. He needs to emphasize the audacity of Republicans who make assumptions that just because historically certain states have voted in certain patterns that it is the power of the people to decide in this unprecedented election.