Obama The Delegator

I've long said that a candidate should spend his time doing two things:

1. Raising money
2. Meeting voters

Really, I should have added the third thing -- which is obvious -- is thinking about policy ideas, and preparing for speeches, debates, interviews, press conferences, etc.

But the point remains: If a candidate is worrying about what color the yard signs are, then he's not focusing on those things that nobody can do better than the candidate: Raising money and meeting voters. By the way, in economic parlance, this is known as the law of comparative advantage.

Today, there is a story in the NTY that shows Barack Obama atleast "gets" this rule:

Mr. Obama was not thrilled with a campaign slogan, "Change We Can Believe In," that was unveiled last September. And he did not initially like the campaign’s blue and white logo -- intended to appear like a horizon, symbolizing hope and opportunity -- saying he found it too polished and corporate.

"He made his concern clear, but said, 'We have bigger fish to fry here,'" recalled David Axelrod, the campaign's chief strategist who was behind the logo's design. "That's one of his talents, his ability to distinguish between things that are absolutely essential and things that aren't. He'll give you some latitude based on your expertise."