Have actual principles and convictions, don't just fake them. That way, you won't have to remember to keep all your pretended positions straight during your campaign.

Speaking early this month at a church in Selma, Ala., Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) said: "I'm in Washington. I see what's going on. I see those powers and principalities have snuck back in there, that they're writing the energy bills and the drug laws."

... But not only did Obama vote for the Senate's big energy bill in 2005, he also put out a press release bragging about its provisions, and his Senate Web site carries a news article about the vote headlined, "Senate energy bill contains goodies for Illinois."

The press release said he voted for the bill "reluctantly" because he wanted something "bolder"....

While trivial, the remark is the sort of throwaway line that can trip up a candidate in the heat of a national campaign, and it shows the challenge the young senator will face in coming days as his words are dissected and scrutinized with fresh intensity.

Today's hint: Try telling the truth. It gives you such an advantage, it's almost like cheating!