The Obama campaign is in a rut, and has to move much more aggressively to regain control of the story of this campaign. I am barely seeing Obama in the news anymore. I'm not seeing him on television. I'm not hearing his words. Where is he? He can't do his uplifting, inspiring, electrifying thing if he is not regularly getting himself out in front of the American people and grabbing control of the national spotlight.

Obama is the unity candidate. So he's got to be pro-active in unifying instead of letting the Clinton people successfully drag his campaign into tired arguments about black-white strife and ugliness. It's not a matter of whether he gets the better of the argument or the worse of the argument. The very fact that he is seen to be engaged in that argument at all is bad news for him, and plays into the Clinton strategy of turning him into the "black" candidate standing against the "white" candidate Clinton. There are a lot more white people in America than black people, and Obama needs to stay in control of the high ground as the universal Democrat with broad crossover appeal to Independents. No matter how much justice he has on his side, he loses that high ground if he is drawn into racial arguments.

This campaign has been all about Hillary Clinton and her people for over two weeks now. Sometimes Clinton's publicity is good publicity; sometimes it is bad publicity - as in this Ferraro situation. But either way, it is Clinton that is the story. That's no good for Obama. Obama, his staff and his surrogates have to move much more boldly to make him the story again . Where the hell are they? I'm seeing Clinton people everywhere I turn.

Obama is a natural born leader. They guys has to get out in front and lead. Now is not the time to play it safe and play it passively. He needs to start acting the role of leader of his party and the next president of the United States right now. Seize the day, Barack! Make bold statements! Get the media to turn it's attention away from the Clinton melodrama and back toward the exciting Obama campaign. Start being the leader of the country - immediately.

Olbermann's "special comment" tonight was typically melodramatic, self-important and over the top. I'm sure he thinks he is helping Obama. But once again the story is all about Clinton. And Olberman probably helped turn Ferraro into a martyr among the white middle-aged granny set. There is no doubt Ferraro and the Clintons are intentionally seeking to be racially provocative. But Olbermann walked right into the trap. He compared what Ferraro said to that old Al Campanis nonsense, which was about Campanis's boneheaded remark that blacks can't swim because they lack "buoyancy." That's a very weak comparison, and for older white Democrats with positive memories of Ferraro, and who think there is an element of truth in what she said, it is going to turn people off and make them think poor old Geraldine is being attacked unfairly.

Obama is all about creating a sense of optimism, good humor and good feelings. Obama's statement at today's press conference was much better for his message than the strident Olbermann comment, which fell for the Clinton polarization trap. But Obama's statement got barely any coverage. Obama needs to be pro-active in healing and unifying. That's what turns American's on about him. To the extent Democrats are divided, whether on racial or gender lines, Clinton wins and he loses. He should be out charming the pants off the Geraldine Ferraros of the world, not getting drawn into this young black guy vs. old white gal smackdown - even if he is not doing the smacking down himself, but people presuming to speak for him are. He ought to call up Ferraro, say some publicly complimentary things about what a trailblazer she was, and invite her to a frank public discussion of the issues she raised - maybe on Oprah or a similar venue. That's what Americans want - a breath of open, fresh air instead of a retreat into the standard politically correct, verbally and intellectually constipated camps. Obama needs to get out there and win over the Geraldine Ferraro Americans with his unbeatable charm, frankness and appeal.

Make the Clintons fight back for a change. For two weeks the Clintons have been setting the agenda. Obama is still running a national campaign. It is not enough to be stumping in Pennsylvania or wherever he us. He's fighting to win the argument on Florida and Michigan, fighting to win the argument with the superdelegates, and fighting to win the electability argument with the whole public. He needs more exposure.

He should be making provocative and exciting statements about the issues of the day. He should be driving the news instead of reacting to it. He should be making new policy addresses on Iraq and other issues. It's about setting the agenda and making the other guys fight back and struggle to keep up. Go on the offensive! Change the subject and make Clinton fight back. And as she starts to fight back, change the subject again to something else she has to fight back on. Keep her off balance.

Obama really needs something new to break out of this news rut. Message discipline is great. But you can't take a message that is designed for a two month campaign and stretch it out to five or six months. It looks like his campaign is trying to put him in a play-it-safe box. He needs to be bold again.

How about challenging John McCain to a debate? Who says you have to wait? Put McCain and Clinton back on their heels. Or let rip with some major criticism of Bush or McCain, and make that the story. Provoke Bush into getting into an exchange with the Obama camapign. That elevates the campaign to the Presidential level. Show Democrats you're in charge now, Barack, that you're ready to seize the helm, and that the country's agenda is already moving into your hands.