It’s refreshing that Barack Obama tries not to offer simple solutions to complex issues. But as Charles Blow of the New York Times noted, Obama shows “an unsettling penchant for overly nuanced statements that meander into the cerebral. Earth to Barack: to Main Street America, nuance equals confusion. You don’t have to dumb it down, but you do have to sum it up.”
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46 Comments
Like I’ve been saying, you have to get it down to bumper sticker mentality, and if it rhymes, so much the better!
Unfortunately intelligence, good ideas, and a desire to change America for the better are not enough to get elected.
To win a national election in the USA takes marketing (and of course money).
Selling voters on candidate number 1 versus candidate number 2 is no different then selling them on Coke versus Pepsi.
Unfortunately, there are too many issues, too many nuances and too many complexities in politics for the majority of people to know and fully understand the issues at play and the ramifications of their vote.
The cute soundbite grabs voters’ attention and they remember it. It is the same thing marketers use when coming up with a slogan or catchphrase a consumer will remember in the grocery store.
To win an election, the candidate must learn this and play to it.
Phillip
The Marxists who TRAINED Obama taught him NOT to be specific.
Obama’s job was to organize Black church members, in Chicago. He was recruited for that job because the White and Jewish Marxists, who recruited Obama, could not get into the Black churches.
As Alinsky taught Obama, he is to go into the room with a pre ordained plan. He is to listen to the group, only to get their buzz words and their grievances aired. He is the instructed to present the liberal politician, the Democrat, as the solution to any problem that the “community organizing” group comes up with.
“Rub raw the resentments of the group” — That is what Obama was trained to do.
Vary true. He needs to start developing ‘talking points’ – the shorter and simpler the better.
Of course, then he’ll be accused of ‘talking down’ to America.
I think biden may help him in that area.
Biden?
Biden is the biggest wind bag in Congress.
So much so, once when Obama was asked if he was too windy, he answered with one word, “no” and that brought down the house.
windy – they showed Biden being asked a similar question and he also gave a one-word answer. It was rather funny.
“Franklin
Posted August 25, 2008 at 12:27 pm | Permalink
Phillip
The Marxists who TRAINED Obama taught him NOT to be specific.
Obama’s job was to organize Black church members, in Chicago. He was recruited for that job because the White and Jewish Marxists, who recruited Obama, could not get into the Black churches.
As Alinsky taught Obama, he is to go into the room with a pre ordained plan. He is to listen to the group, only to get their buzz words and their grievances aired. He is the instructed to present the liberal politician, the Democrat, as the solution to any problem that the “community organizing” group comes up with.
“Rub raw the resentments of the group” — That is what Obama was trained to do.”
ummmm…… yeah…..OK dude
sorry, when Biden was asked if he was too windy
brian
Read Saul Alinksy, “Rules for Radicals” — I am not making this stuff up.
“You don’t have to dumb it down, but you do have to sum it up.”
In other words, Obama already naturally speaks the Dumbed Down language Democrats buy into.
Now, to gain some moderate independent voters, Obama will have to deliver a slightly more intelligent message.
“My job as commander in chief is to keep the American people safe.”
-Duh Obama! How will you keep America Safe.
“All energy solutions should be on the table”
-Duh Obama! Like what? You’ve already ruled out Drilling for Oil in America, Nuclear, and Coal. So you don’t really mean “all solutions” do you? What the h*ll do you mean?
-Hope
-Change
WTF Obama, is your record broke?
What has Obama said regarding what he would do regarding:
Russia/Georgia
Pakistan
Afghanistan
Iraq
Iran
Israel
N.Korea
Has he ruled out nuclear? I don’t think so. If so, we will have to work to reverse that.
Other than bombing Iran, What has McCain said regarding what he would do regarding:
Russia/Georgia
Pakistan
Afghanistan
Iraq
Iran
Israel
N.Korea
Actually he does need to dumb it down.
Not for Democrats, or Republicans, or independents, but the average voter, who is only dimly aware of the government, who will react to whoever to the candidate who says what makes most sense (to them), in the most confident manner.
But it’s important that the dumb message not play fast-and-loose with the facts. The best approach: a smart message, relayed in terms any idiot can understand. That’s, alas, easier said that done.
A supporter once called out, “Governor Stevenson, all thinking people are for you!” And Adlai Stevenson answered, “That’s not enough. I need a majority.”
http://www.npr.org/programs/wesat/000205.stevenson.html
You can find specific answers to your questions on what Senator McCain offers in the way the defense of the country should be ran here.
http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/054184f4-6b51-40dd-8964-54fcf66a1e68.htm
If you talk at all you’re talking down to America. Remember, we have an entire economy based on people rushing out to buy shit they don’t need on credit because it’s advertised on television by stars with big tits.
Now bigguns is what every man in America understands!
Mccain on Russia ‘kick them out of the G-8′, of course he was saying that before Georgia.
Obama just needs to learn how to swagger, that’s enough to sway some.
…And the Topic is:
Obama Needs to Sum it Up
.
.
.
As usual, the Obama supporters can’t summarize the positions of Obama. (pssst…they don’t know!)
All they can do is attack McCain.
Once again Phillip Brownlee has it wrong. He writes as though Obama actually has plans but that he is speaking above our understanding. EXCUSE ME but Obama has no plans (or plans we wouldn’t like) at all just like the democratic party has been for the last 8 years, especially the last 4 years.
Just like the democratic party he spews lies about President Bush and then says he will not do THAT and it is time for CHANGE which does NOT tell the American people what he is going to do.
Barack is not speaking above our intelligence, democrats and republicans alike, he is speaking complete jibberish because if he really told us what his plans for change were, he would know that the America people would roast him alive.
Lots of Wingnut projection here; considering how the Repuke strategy du jour of the last three elections has been to reduce the debate to referenda on cojones size, it’s funny to hear the usual Repuke suspects decry anybody “dumbing down.”
Either Obama is an “elitist” or he is too dumbed-down: can’t have both. So which is it, Repukes?
Senator Huey Long went on record saying that no political speech should ever be pitched above a fourth-grade level. Given the success Repukes have enjoyed in national elections since 1972, I’d say they were the ones taking his advice.
BorgHunter:
You’re a stupid ass. The fact that you don’t know what Barack Obama’s plans are doesn’t mean he has none. Ever think to check his website, numb-nuts?
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/
As stupid as you are, I’m betting you don’t catch a lot of Borgs. Trekkie loser; hope you’re enjoying your parents’ basement.
“Barack is not speaking above our intelligence, democrats and republicans alike, he is speaking complete jibberish because if he really told us what his plans for change were, he would know that the America people would roast him alive.”
Bush turned us into a third world country on the verge of despotism and I don’t see anyone roasting him
Bush turned us into a third world country
—–
Dave, crawl out of your basement and look around. We are not in a third world country.
HERE is a “Third World Country”
KENYA! Where another Obama lives:
http://www.texasgop.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Obama_Commercial
“As stupid as you are, I’m betting you don’t catch a lot of Borgs. Trekkie loser; hope you’re enjoying your parents’ basement.”
ROFLMAO!
I watch Obama on Cspan Yesterday it was filmed at a book appearance one was right after he was elected to the senate and one was a year after the election. He was intelligent and insightful in he words and thoughts.
Both attributes seem alien to the average voter, there is a real possibility that a year ago I could not imagine.
The Democratic candidate for President of the United States will lose to the Republican candidate.
Obama should use the same tactic as the Republicans, simple images and simple words that a three y.o. can understand. Act and talk like you are a twelve y.o. School yard bully. Be more a hair pulling, shrew that plays on the mean little kid that lives in all the public minds.
Sound more like Hannity and O’Reilly, there would be no need to be right or truthful in what he said.
He could claim that McCain is a wife beating child molester and He knows it because some unnamed source that McCain was in the fourth grade with that bought drugs from McCain.
The question keeps being asked as to why Obama was running neck and neck with McCain.
Answer, the American people do not want someone that is intelligent and insightful as President. It would just make them feel too stupid to live! Of course lets keep saying its because the voters really do not know Obama like they know McCain. But what do you know of McCain? He is not the maverick as claimed Paul accused Obama of following a Marxist philosophy. Yet McCain has surrounded himself with Communist Socialist inspired advisors i.e. Neo-conservatives.
A point that was brought up the other day on another public board, it kind of stand against the claim that Democrats are weak on national security and the military. Yet it is pointed out that it has been Democratic Presidents that have taken this country to war more then a Republican president! That kind of like saying that he is the sweetest, kindest soul you would ever meet. But boy he will punch you in the nose at the drop of a hat!
Remember, we have an entire economy based on people rushing out to buy shit they don’t need on credit because it’s advertised on television by stars with big tits.
Wow! I might like this place. So true. No BS.
will larry craig, republican, idaho, represent the butt pyramid wing of the republican party next week in minnesota? or if its a really young male crowd perhaps mark foley?
unsettling penchant for overly nuanced statements that meander into the cerebral.
Of course had you all stayed with Hillary Clinton we wouldn’t have any problem understanding the issues, her stand on them, and her differences from John McCain.
Instead, we have a “dream” candidate, way short on experience, long on dreaming, and without the backing of 30% of those of us supporting Hillary.
remember in the 2000 republican primaries when george “i’m a unifier” bush accused mc cain of being mentally unstable? what was that all about?
The Democratic convention starts today, and my new running mate Joe Biden and I recorded a message about what we all need to do next.
When we started this campaign, very few people thought we would make it this far.
But we put our faith in the power of ordinary supporters like you coming together and building a movement for change from the bottom up. And that’s exactly why we’re here.
I’d like you to watch this special message — and I have a request.
We have our team, and this week the eyes of the entire country will be on our movement. Now is the time to take the next step and own a piece of this campaign.
Watch our video message and make a donation of $5 or more today:
https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/message1?source=20080825_BO_ND_E
You joined this campaign because you’re ready for real change in this country.
Over the next four days, the Democratic convention will define what change means and highlight our differences with John McCain to every voter who’s tuning in.
We’ll show the change we will be bringing the country on the economy, health care, energy, foreign policy, and the issues that affect all Americans.
But make no mistake about what we’re up against. John McCain has embraced the same old politics of fear, division, and Karl Rove-style attacks — which makes sense coming from someone who’s voted with George Bush literally 95% of the time.
From the very beginning, this campaign has been in your hands. Now more than ever, we’re counting on you to see it through.
Watch the video Joe and I recorded and make a donation of $5 or more now:
https://donate.barackobama.com/messageofchange
Thank you,
Barack
I wish he’d offer his solutions, ideas, inspiration for Change – and not just solicit money from me.
Senator John McCain could never convince me to vote for him. Only Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama can cause me to vote for McCain, which I will do.
Those that vote for Barack Obama are Liberals.
Liberal: An Open Minded individual Whose Brain Has Fallen Out.
“Dave, crawl out of your basement and look around. We are not in a third world country.
We just consume 3rd world goods.
Obama sending me email asking for money reminds me an old fashion christian tent revival, complete with healing and snake handlers.
In my email daily now. I don’t know, it makes me feel, well dirty.
It’s good that Obama is cerebral. He is much deeper thinking than McCain has been or ever will be. I agree that Obama comes across kind of dopey because he tends to think out loud. He does need to be more to the point.
I have gotten emails from McCain and his supporters for money. I don’t know why they think that I must be a McCain supporter. Obama ain’t perfect, but McCain is worse.
Might be a nice change to have a president who actually knows where he’s attacking and why. We’ve had the lamebrain we could drink beer with, but unfortunately that didn’t qualify him to run the country, and we’re in a hell of a bind. Maybe a little intelligence would be a good thing.
Obama is not very smart, at least not on his feet.
Watch how Obama acts, without a teleprompter.
I don’t care how smart he is in front of a camera, I want a president that is smart when he is in the oval office away from the cameras planning what he will do the next day.
brian
I agree!
George W. Bush is horrible in front of a camera, but George W. Bush has gotten his way, pretty much all the time.
Cameras don’t really matter much, if you have a strong leader.
Obama, on the other hand, can not even seem to think at all, without a teleprompter.
Bush is a strong leader? Compared to what, 8oz. test monofilament? As far as thinking on his feet, what good does that do when he’s consistently wrong? Actually, the guy isn’t even president; he delegates that job to the cabinet members who most frequently stroke his scared little ego.
The link following shows the Report Card for the two candidates. Excellently done!
http://savecalifornia.com/PresidentialReportCard.pdf
It pretty well speaks for itself
Leaders are not afraid to take a stand on an issue by being clear on their opinions. BHO plays both sides of the fence for a reason.