We have been told repeatedly by Barak Obama, his advisors and their willing conspirators in the left-stream media that this is a campaign clamoring to focus on issues. They want this presidential race to focus on their solutions for what ails America, yet they are unable to fulfill this wish because of the character study and personality-driven politics of the John McCain-Sarah Palin ticket.

Let’s accept this additional dash of audacity from Senator Obama — and talk issues.

In their unbridled quest to undermine both the GOP ticket’s reform brand and Governor Palin’s executive experience, the Obama campaign has taken to calling her Alaska’s queen of pork. Tell us then, Senator Obama, despite this misleading charge you direct at Governor Palin, are you ready to reject earmarks?

Here’s a fact: John McCain has never accepted an earmark while you have accepted $1 billion in earmarks during a single term. For the record, that’s roughly $1 million for every working day you’ve been in office.

Senator Obama, you say that while some tax rates may return to pre-President Bush levels — specifically those of the wealthiest Americans — you will cut taxes for the middle class, for 95 percent of Americans. Tell us then, Senator Obama, why are you singling out and raising taxes on 5 percent of Americans? If we follow your rhetoric that these are difficult economic times for everyone, why are you pursuing punitive policies against any Americans?

Also, Senator Obama, is it possible you are being a bit disingenuous when saying that 95 percent of Americans will receive a tax cut? It would seem so, since the truth is almost 45 percent of Americans pay zero taxes.

Oh, and Senator Obama, another question. Bear with me as we formulate this one. Since you’ve been resolute in your opposition to the Iraq War, and adamant in your position that American troops be brought home as soon as possible, things appear to have improved over there. You yourself opposed the surge that you have had to now acknowledge as being successful. It was your fellow Senator, John McCain, who pushed and pushed for that strategy to be adopted and brought to the battlefields of Iraq. This would seem to count as a success on his part and an error in judgment on your part.

But here’s my final question. Could it be John Kerry faltered in 2004 because he was not prepared to defend his long record, or perhaps too much of it was indefensible? Could it be that you, Barak Obama, in 2008, offered Democrats a chance to go in the opposite direction? Yet in so doing, your party has chosen someone with a paper-thin resumé, whose approach to issues is pure collectivism packaged under the rubric of change? Perhaps, we’ve found the answer in the increasing number of stories that detail the buyer’s remorse Democrat leaders are feeling. It’s as if they got caught up in the cult of personality rather than focusing on the issues.

Richard Olivastro is a professional member of the National Speakers Association, president of Olivastro Communications, an executive leadership development company. He can be reached at Rich@Olivastro.net or 877-RichSpeaks.