With the stinging comment that he is just another elitist, Obama and his Boyz are trying to re-introduce him to the voters.

Obama’s early maneuvers suggest a clear understanding within the campaign of his strengths and weaknesses. He bought air time in 18 states, a sure sign that he hopes to expand Democrats’ traditional electoral map. He opted out of the public campaign-financing system — revealing his determination to press his financial advantage, even at the cost of handing his Republican opponent the opportunity to raise questions about the sincerity of his rhetoric on reform.

And with a first ad that delves into his biography, Obama acknowledged ongoing concerns among his advisers that voters do not know whether he shares the values and beliefs of ordinary Americans, a potentially critical vulnerability. The ad speaks to the reality that enough questions were raised about Obama through the long nomination battle that he needs to address them. The campaign’s concerns include both taking on misinformation — such as the persistent claim that he is Muslim when he is in fact a Christian — and framing a biography unlike that of any nominee in the modern era.

Even as the campaign seeks to take control of Obama’s image, hammering home the message that his is a thoroughly American story, the decision last week to opt out of the public financing system — and forgoing more than $84 million in campaign funds — added a new dimension to his profile as a politician. And it appeared to immediately cut both ways. Sen. John McCain pounced on the decision, questioning Obama’s character. “He has completely reversed himself and gone back, not on his word to me, but the commitment he made to the American people,” McCain told reporters Thursday, citing Obama’s initial pledge to stay within the existing campaign finance rules.

Actually, Obama is just making sure that everyone knows who he is and is desperately trying to head off any “business as usual” tags that may come along. This shows that you can “sell” a candidate to the people, regardless of issues.