It's good to think like a star athlete when taking on a race. One can be a  relay runner, sprinting along with energy bursts, offered in sound bites,  only to pass the political baton to the next guy.  Or, the athlete can choose to see the win before the race begins.  Once visualized, the runner acts not as a participant but as the winner.  Take a note from the Clinton play book, and see how Hillary did exactly that tonight.  She smiled and spoke as if she was the nominee, took hold of the reigns just like this was day one still spouting her inevitable winning status. 

Hillary Clinton has never been nor will she profess to be the underdog, and that one fact is the key to a President McCain as a reality.   Hillary will take the party fight to the convention if she can.  She's a lawyer and she's litigious at her core.   We are at the event horizon being sucked in to the black hole of an inevitable  two-man fight. The Media shines on-'may they go at it like gentlemen and take defensive stands'.  We are a nation that loves to see a good duel.  Yes, the final campaign is on; the gloves come off.  Hillary would never fight head on, as it demeans her as the inevitable one.  Follow her example and assume you are the winner Mr. McCain.  Do Not Engage.

Take your Winner's Circle-your victory lap.  Every stop is a celebration and your speeches are best when you are relaxed.  Make them townhalls- you're great there and you can answer any question with tact and accuracy.  As for gloves coming off- get the debates with Mr. Obama going as soon as possible.  President McCain cannot wait in the wings, left or right- it's all about the West Wing now. 

All paths to POTUS that political spin doctors prescribe may say all of this.  But just in case not, here are a few ideas to get the McCain game on:

1)  Capital Townhall- 50 in 2008

Over the next few months, set up a townhall meeting in every  state capital.  Get back to conservative fundamentals, making states rights a cornerstone of policy. It's the local, grassroots political actions that brought  John McCain back to life this time. 

2)   Humor

John McCain is a real person of whom others can relate.  Whether 35 or 70, people do like him. He's relevant and  has a GREAT sense of humor.   Barack Obama isn't that funny.  Without a written speech, Obama is awkward on his feet and unnatural.  McCain's talent sings on Letterman and Leno.  John McCain needs to go on The View again, Ellen, The Daily Show, and any lefty lounge act show that seems an odd choice. Get talking and lighten up where and when appropriate because funny is attractive and infectious.  Bill Clinton won the 1992 election with a minority of the popular vote.  In part, it's because he went on MTV and Arsenio Hall as well as 60 Minutes and Meet the Press.  Catch a bit of McCain today on the late night shows and we will see the vote tally tick up.

3) Center Middle East Policy on Israel

There is no clearer reason for our active involvement in the Middle East.  We are allies with Israel because of strategy, it's location, and Israel is a democracy.  But we are with Israel as a spiritual ally.  This fact is critical.  We are a Judaic-Christian  society feeling the threat of Islamic Extremism.  Benjamin Netanyahu said it best that the Islamic Terrorists do not hate the West because of Israel, they hate Israel because of the West.  The United States is a target because it is a free power with free thinking people who are allowed to criticize and choose political and religious expression. 

Obama said recently that he does not honor the National Anthem nor the wearing a flag pin as others might find the patriotic symbolism offensive.  The USA is the greatest nation but he doesn't want to promote it.  Obama shows a fundamental flaw of foreign policy in his naive plans of negotiation with all leaders.  But then, maybe it isn't ignorance.  I suspect he's making a very calculated choice to move away from a Judaic-Christian way of existence, World Order rather than American Nationalism, and general appeasement as a policy.  Israel is key and our POTUS needs to defend it and determine Middle East Policy with Israeli interests as paramount. 

4)  Choose Sarah Palin as VP Candidate

Alaskan Governor, Sarah Palin, 44, is the first woman governor,  a staunch conservative, with great approval ratings.  She will be an unknown to many and that will pull in a great flood of scrutiny in the press.  Palin will appeal to many women feeling disenfranchised by Hillary Clinton's loss.  If Obama does not pick Ms. Clinton as the VP  candidate, many liberal women will not run to Obama.  While Palin differs with liberals on key issues of abortion and gay marriage, she is a symbolic entity, a mother, and an experienced state leader.  

Palin will pull in the moderate voters in general not wanting Obama.  Palin is a great choice as a young, vibrant bright candidate with all of the appeal of Barack Obama, a conservative record stronger than Mitt Romney, and offering a woman's perspective of Clintonian levels.  Palin is strong on Right-to-Life, Second Amendment, and even contradicts McCain on drilling in Alaska.  Sarah Palin is a winner.

5) Mad Money Economics

Jim Cramer has a following reminiscent of Trekkies tracking  Captain Kirk.  He also presents money matters in a bright, educational way. Cramer pumps up faith in the economy by encouraging personal wealth achieved by doing your homework.  Conservatives- the small business owner, young family man, or concerned investors all want a clear plan of attack to stimulate the economy without tapping the federal till.    Get Jack Kemp out there and talking about Supply Side, Reagonomics of stimulus, deregulation, and simplified taxation.  POTUS-Elect McCain can easily step in as a helpful father figure and needs to do so.  Confidence is critical for a fiscally conservative President.

Finally, we need to see John McCain as he is.  I said it before, let John be John:  the Hero with decades of experience, who was fighting for this country when Barack Obama was potty training; the Angry Father-figure, staunchly defending his country on the global scene;  the Neighbor who knows all of the local news and can tell us about the area where we live  from his years of experience  in it.  Be Patriotic, Honest, Straightforward, Tough, Clever, and Careful.  Present McCain this is your time.  Step out in front of the camera tomorrow and take the Oath of Office telling us you are committed to us as a people.  You are the only Presidential Candidate today with a voter mandate.  We look to you for the next move.