How Obama Should Respond to the "Celebrity" Charge
By Anonymous Liberal Saturday Aug 09, 2008 12:00pmOver at the The New Republic, Michael Crowley writes:
More handwringing about Obama's optics: I see that tickets for his acceptance speech at Denver's Invesco Field stadium sold out instantly. In light of the apparent traction Republicans got with their 'Celebrity' meme you have to wonder if the Obama team is reconsidering the wisdom of this move. I would recommend any possible stagecraft to minimize the event's scale.
No. No. No. Crowley's instinctive response here demonstrates much of what's been wrong with the Democratic approach to politics over the last decade or so. Obama's ability to draw large enthusiastic crowds is one of his chief political strengths. It is ludicrous not to showcase that strength just because your opponent has--in classic Rovian style--tried to turn it into a liability. That's how you lose elections.
The way to deal with the "celebrity" charge is not to lower your profile; it's to turn that charge back around on McCain. If I were advising Obama, I'd tell him to get up there in front of that sold out stadium and say the following:
My opponent has taken to calling me a "celebrity" in all of his commercials. The suggestion, I can only assume, is that all of you (gesturing to the crowd) show up at events like this and donate your time and your money to this campaign because you're all adoring groupies who are obsessed with me. Now, that would certainly be flattering if it were true, but I'm not going to delude myself. The reality is I can't act, I can't sing, and my personal life is incredibly boring.
The truth is that no one would be paying any attention to me at all if I wasn't talking about things that really matter to a lot of people. You're not here tonight--and you're not watching at home--because you want to be entertained. Lord knows there are plenty of things that you could be doing with your time right now that would be far more entertaining than listening to me. No, you're here tonight because you love your country and you're concerned about the direction it's been heading over the last eight years.
You're not here tonight to see what kind of outfit I'm wearing or to hear my latest hit single--and if you are, I think you're probably going to be disappointed. No, you're here because you want change, you want a government that fights for people like you and not on behalf of powerful special interests; you want a government that keeps you safe by pursuing a rationale foreign policy abroad and keeps your family secure by creating jobs, ensuring access to affordable health care, and fighting for energy independence.
That's why you're here. That's why you're volunteering your time at record levels. That's why you're contributing your hard-earned money in record amounts.
So remember, when John McCain and his surrogates call me a "celebrity," they're not insulting me; they're insulting you. They're insinuating that you are a mindless groupie rather than a concerned citizen, a fan rather than a voter.
But it's not going to work. You know why you're here, you know why you're watching, and you're much smarter than they give you credit for.
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". . . they’re not insulting me; they’re insulting you."
On the money.
Well I really hope that the Obama Camp takes that advice, in fact they should ask for permission to use that verbatim. It says what needs to be said.
Excellent response. Hopefully the Obama staff logs on to C&L.
You can project your ideologies on Obama all you want but he's going to do what he's going to do and there's not much you can do to change it.
A simply excellent speech. I hope someone with pull gets this to Obama's people.
Good thoughts. Of course, the issues are not a winning campaign topic for McAyn. Eight years of increasing hunger and poverty weren't what Values Voters had in mind.
see http://cabdrollery.blogspot.com/
This Republican line of thought can be deflated with one word.
Why?
"Anonymous Liberal," I don't know who you are or what you do for a living, but you oughta be writing speeches for Obama. You've totally captured his personality and style. This would so dramatically disarm the Rovians! ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT.
Bravo. Absolutely perfect. Right back at them. Maybe throw in the world whining somewhere in describing the Republican's outlook.
Does that mean the kool-aid drinkers can't do their usual mindless chanting during his speech?
What the Hell? When did being a political celebrity become an insult? That was RFK, JFK, TR, Jackson, and Reagan in a nutshell....
Obama's not going to say anything to upset the elites. He know that his best shot at Presidency.
I think the Repubs and their corporate media propagandists use the word "celebrity" to avoid using the appropriate word "popularity"
Obama is very popular and well-liked, McCain..........not so much.
A good portion of McCain's votes are going to come from people not so much because they like McCain, but because they can't bring themselves to vote for a Democrat or an African-American.
I think there's a good chance that he'll say something pretty close to that.
"You know why you’re here, you know why you’re watching, and you’re much smarter than they give you credit for."
Flattery will get you everywhere, Barack! [kisses]
L.A. Confidential @ 12:
You never have anything positive to say. It makes me feel so, so deaf to your comments.
How Obama Should Respond to the “Celebrity” Charge
Sell his own autograph on E-Bay?
No. 44 @ 15:
That kind of sh*t is whats got this country in the mess we're in.
myiq2xu @ 10:
I wasn't aware that Republicans would be attending Obama's speech.
Ron @ 16:
Whats positive about the condition the United States of America is in?
Democrats must resist allowing republicans to derail their campaign and route it where they want it to go.
Ask McCain where his 'adoring' public is.
excellent... i also hope the obama camp uses this message...
it is a reoccurring theme: they think we are stupid...
and, this was noted in the sunday thread: the bobble heads want you to believe that
obama's vacation to hawaii makes him elitist... no doubt it will work on many... too many...
Well done. this is 100% on the money, we can only hope that the campaign takes this and RUNS with it.
11
General_Rennenkampf Says:
"What the Hell? When did being a political celebrity become an insult? That was RFK, JFK, TR, Jackson, and Reagan in a nutshell…."
Wow, I can't believe I haven't heard that until now........of course, the darling of the right, Ronald Reagan, the movie star turned politician..the ultimate celebrity President.......also what about the GOP Governor of California, Arnold.....now that's the ultimate professional celebrity.
Obama's no more a celebrity than any successful politician.
The problem with the term celebrity is some deserve it and some don't.
Bela Lugosi, Humphrey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe all earned it.
But now we have the dumbutants like Paris, Brittany, Lindsay, Hannah and Justin and all the other veterans of Disney Cable or American Idle who don't.
L.A. Confidential @ 20:
some americans still believe the illusion that obama is squeeky clean?
The approach you suggest seems practical...
Obama cannot be seen to be aggressively attacking McStain, but by attacking the Campaign, mebbe he skirts that problem
ysbaddaden @ 17:
i've got one - NOT FOR SALE!
L.A. Confidential @ 20:
Your comments are always negative against Obama. We want to support our candidate, but you always have a negative comment against him.
Another problem with celebrity, as another commenter above puts it, is that it's code for popularity.
The mcgramps camp would have us believe that politcs is serious adult matters, and not about popularity.
However, their own argument is defeated by the very fact that our democracy is based on the popular vote.
Excellent Response Send It To Barack Obama
Outstanding work went into this suggestion. You must send this to Barack Obama. Having the ability to bring talents together is a very important quality to have if you want to be president of this country. By doing so, he uses the best, and he increases his arsenal of effective campaign tools. I say send it, and you might want to consider sending with a signatures that say just that. Send it, Send it, Send it. What more can I note? Send it.
Joseph
tyree @ 26:
Right everythings going to be just fine once Obama is in. For about five weeks until reality sets in.
I think you're 100% on the right track.
McCain's "Celebrity" meme and complaints about Obama being a "Rock Star" candidate sound an awful lot like "Get Off My Lawn, You Damn Kids!" to me.
It might bother old, angry people like John McCain, but the bigger the events and the harder Obama hits Bush/McCain during them, the more excited the rest of us are; and if Obama can keep that level of excitement up straight through election day, all those new voters who aren't getting polled by anyone turn this thing from a 5-pt. race to a landslide of epic proportions.
Ignore the aging, out of touch media - they don't have a clue.
flavor409 @ 24:
Politics is show biz for ugly folks. Always has been, always will be.
Well put, AL. Think they have room for you in Chicago?
There are a few reasons why the Dems have trouble with the GOP machine.
One of them is the reluctance to get in there and go for the jugular. Taking the high road, refusing to comment on slurs and slander, are not the way to deal with opponents.
Every time an unsubstantiated claim is made, every time a personal insult is hurled, every time spin is used, Obama needs to get in their and kick ass. Hard.
I read a pretty good book recently, The Political Brain by Drew Westen. It explains why people vote the way they do, how emotion and rationalization trump reason and how failure to fight for your honour labels you as weak.
I imagine most people here have read it, but I found it useful in explaining why anybody, anywhere, would vote for a party that caters to the top 2% and hangs the rest of the American public out to dry.
Ron @ 29:
I have the right to question HIM and his policies. I want to know why he's constantly back peddling, saying one thing then saying another, towing the Bush line on some things, talking about withdrawing troops from Iraq then it turns out he wants to do that to send them to the Afghanistan front, etc, etc.
Whats wrong with that?
26 tyree Says: L.A. Confidential @ 20:
Ron @ 16:
L.A. Confidential @ 12:
Obama’s not going to say anything to upset the elites. He know that his best shot at Presidency.
You never have anything positive to say. It makes me feel so, so deaf to your comments.
Whats positive about the condition the United States of America is in?
some americans still believe the illusion that obama is squeeky clean?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU3JrXt_cPk
Most "celebrities" have achieved notoriety through minimal or lackluster reasons.
Obama was raised in a single-parent household and graduated from an Ivy League school as a half-black man.
What the hell has McDepends ever done besides proven he cannot fly a plane worth a shit ?
McStupid has achieved notoriety through non-applicable tags such as "maverick" , "Straight Talk Express" , and as a supposed "war hero" ; I always viewed "war heroes" as those that were successful in battlefield endeavors..............
L.A. Confidential @ 38:
What's that got to do with this thread?
A celebrated leader gets crowds to come to his events.
A non leader has to go find a crowd like McCain did at Sturgis and pretend they gathered just for him.
L.A. Confidential @ 32:
Grandpa sounds very cranky today. Quit projecting. People aren't as naive and delusional as you think. We'd be very happy to get something that's a little more honest and competent and not as abysmal as the previous 8 years.
Oh and don't forget there are 11 other candidates running for president and on the ballots running against the Dual Plutocracy you can choose from also.
Was/is it likely Johnny Bomb'em could have filled the same stadium on same terms of admission?
For the Bombers staff and backers to be trying to paintball Barack Obama with "celebrity" frame truly reeks of envy that he is doing what John "did I say that?" McCain evidently can not do.
From now on out through November election Obama and his backers need to turn into each new or recycled McCain attack.
Not turn away or run away from McCain.
McCain may be getting lots of "assists" from American political media free of thought or charge but that does not mean Obama needs to avoid confrontation on the facts,record and simple truths/untruths of John McCains political history and conduct.
John McCain wins on smear,fog and record distortion. Why let Johnny get away with this stuff when his record is so weak and full of craven duplicity and spin?
Obama needs to engage,attack McCain on his record and whiplash inducing policy shape shifting and then attack McCain on his record and untruths some more and then some more.
Why do otherwise?
Likewise highlight McCain's ability to attract a crowd of 4 people in a supermarket and not even being able to do that successfully without knocking over a shelf of apple sauce.
I heard there's some expectation of trouble at the Democratic convention. Security is already getting real tight. It's almost sounds like a repeat of the '68 convention.
But the people quoted in the Dallas Morning Nudes weren't identified, so one has to wonder about their source.
Maybe it's time for the US to turn off the lights, close-up and apply for readmission into the UK (Shouldn't it be UQ now? Them broads seem to live forever.)
luckymama @ 8:
A.L. is great. He has his own blog here.
Maybe somebody with better computer skills than myself should see that this gets to the Obama camp.
L.A. Confidential @ 4:
Crepe hanger.
Ron @ 41:
I want to hear the real OBAMA. Not him parroting popular uniformed opinion or what his handlers tell him he should be saying.
L.A. Confidential @ 44:
As if a Cynthia McKinney , a Bob Barr or a Ralph Nader are any type of legitimate alternative ?
Why not just cast a vote for fucking Howdy Doody ...........
L.A. Confidential @ 51:
Of course I'm living in a total dream world of dellusion thinking I'll ever live to see that day.
Bravo! Perfectly on the mark. Rove tries to turn a strength into a weakness, and you turn the weakness back into a strength.
I wish there were a way to explain in sound bite terms the basic transference of Rovian strategy. Call Obama "one of the elite" when he isn't to hide that fact the McCain actually is. Claim that Obama is beholden to Big Oil when he isn't to hide the fact that McCain is.
The closest I've seen to this is the DHL radio ad in Ohio, which was great. I think it would be very effective if Obama's campaign could keep hammering on this idea of attacking the "straight talk" of McCain. Most effective if they can use his own words (as the Daily Show does). He needs to be shown as the liar and political opportunist that he really is. This is also where you need some strong surrogates to carry the message.
Ron @ 3:
Send it to them...word for word..you can go to his web site and write comments...it is a way for them to hear us and I have a feeling every comment is read
MCMetal @ 52:
Or Elmer Fudd
NormDPloom @ 42:
You are so right about what John McCain did to get a big crowd. By the way, where was the media when it happened? They should of been all over this story of McCain inserting himself and his wife into a event, and then using that event to make the claim he's drawing Obama like crowds.
Joseph
Anonymous Liberal. THANK you for articulating the thought that has been flitting around in my head ever since McCain's swift-boating began. McCain and his minions (if you listen to talk radio - it's a major meme) are absolutely insulting US, not Obama. I'm going to an Obama focus group thing on Wednesday and will pass this along. Don't know if it'll get to the higher-ups, but it's worth a try.
Sue @ 55:
I copied it and sent it to his campaign site. Giving credit to both AL and C&L.
Obama lost all the high ground with many when he voted for the FISA compromise. Had he stuck to the moral/ethical high ground, his slip in the polls IMHO would not have occurred. He's playing to the wrong center - the center is further left than Mr. Obama - and he seriously misjudged the quality of moral leadership this country's citizens want in our next president.
Celebrity? He was. Now? He's like the any other politician. Invesco? That's the last of his worries, as he'd to good to regain that high ground by showing leadership rather than gamesmanship.
Yes, yes, yes, yes and yes! Turn McCain's charge back on him. Point out how Republicans have been insulting the country and its people for the last several decades. We have spent enough blood and treasure on these idiots. It's time to take the country back.
L.A. Confidential @ 56:
Chimpy isn't running again ..............
L.A. Confidential @ 51:
He's already got a wife. Sorry, LA! :)
L.A. Confidential @ 51:
What does that have to do with this thread. This thread is about what AL thought would be a good response to the celebrity accusation of the McCain camp.
My main beef with Obama, besides FISA, off-shore drilling, self-righteous position of religion front and center of his campaign
Is he's seem distressingly more and more like the Pelosi/Reid branch of Democrats.
How does that tie in to the subject of the thread?
Think Woody Allen Zelig (?)
katy @ 22:
Jesus God in Heaven the man went back "home" for a vacation. I don't listen or watch any of them anymore..no cable, no MSM ..listen to NPR and am counting the days until I can cast my vote for Obama...in our state early voting starts Oct. 6 and I will be there.
Maybe more should look at that to prevent long lines on election day.
Sadly, Democrats and Progressives suffer from low self esteem.
You only need to look as far as Nancy Pelosi.
Why would a group try to diminished their own strengths?
To do what is suggested above would be just too darn mean to John McCain and his campaign.
Let's hear it for the high road to a Presidential loss, but the happiness that taking the high road brings!
flavor409 @ 43:
I think you missed a spot:
Mick Piobr @ 63:
Stand by ur man!
ysbaddaden @ 64:
I also think of Woody Allen when I see McDepends.
The scene in "Sleepers" , when he's got a whirlybird on his back and he's flapping his arms .....Reminds me of McStupid's acumen as a pilot.
51
L.A. Confidential Says:
"I want to hear the real OBAMA. Not him parroting popular uniformed opinion or what his handlers tell him he should be saying."
What about McCain?
Do you "want to hear the real MCCAIN. Not him parroting popular uniformed opinion or what his handlers tell him he should be saying."
Or do your standards apply only to Obama?
ysbaddaden @ 64:
Well remember that time Obama sneezed late last year during once of his speeches. He pulled out his hanky and wiped his nose real quick then people applauded.
MCMetal @ 52:
Because Hillary might have beaten Howdy Doody if America weren't so sexist. She would have had to go negative, but it was her turn to be president. It was sooooo unfair! Always remember that her supporters (dozens of them) will never forget.
flavor409 @ 71:
I already know where McCain stands and what for.
I expect more from Obama then going through the motions.
It's all driven by attacks from McCain.
Democrats and Progressives: a study in passivity while America is destroyed.
Ruthless People @ 46:
SEE? This is why the blogs get such a bad rep! NO fact-checking!
I think they were pickles.
LOL
probably one of the best posts i've seen here.
Bill B. @ 68:
Since when can McDepends act and sing ?
And I have a hard time believing a life of Depends , Ensure and an empty-headed bimbo for a wife is anywhere near exciting.............
Another insult of the McCain camp.
O.T. Watching Faux news Sunday with the guest Rick Davis, he claims to be reaching out to democrat voters. If they were really reaching out they would be correctly be calling them democratic voters. They cannot get away from trying to get the rat in there.
kerplunk @ 75:
http://tinyurl.com/5u48z5
L.A. Confidential @ 72:
McCain reported that Obama threw his hanky into the audience to screaming adoring fans. Some of these women hadn't been out since Tom Jones.
kerplunk @ 81:
Is American Idol producing this Election? You have to wonder.
74
L.A. Confidential Says:
flavor409 @ 71:
51
L.A. Confidential Says:
“I want to hear the real OBAMA. Not him parroting popular uniformed opinion or what his handlers tell him he should be saying.”
What about McCain?
Do you “want to hear the real MCCAIN. Not him parroting popular uniformed opinion or what his handlers tell him he should be saying.”
Or do your standards apply only to Obama?
I already know where McCain stands and what for.
I expect more from Obama then going through the motions.
Sorry, my reply function isn't working. You say you "know where McCain stands and what for"
What would that be?
All I see is more of the same GOP nonsense that has been plaugeing this country for the last 8 years. We don't need more of the same.
Quite right! Obama should milk the Celebrity status. Anything other would be the same as dancing to the Repiblican tune. All they want is to see Obama veer into another direction as a result of their remarks, and point out that he's flip-flopping again. (I hate the term Flip-flopping. We should be renaming this move as "McCaining".)
So, he's a celebrity. What's wrong with that?!
MCMetal @ 78:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Laf6XmuRQiY
The democrats are too stupid to win the November election. The dems are the lap-dog of the repugs. They need advice from us bloggers and they don't take it anyway. Cenk Unger (don't know the correct spelling) the host of The Young Turks wrote an article. I think it was posted on The Huffington Post. He explained exactly what type of TV commercial the dems should run. I thought it was a genius idea. That was several days ago. I 've been waiting for that very TV commercial to appear. Instead ,about two days ago -they came out with a very watered down version of what the Young Turks host suggested. ....about 5% the effectiveness of what they should have done. The dems are too weak. Only 85 days or so until the election and McSenile is trailing close behind Obama even though it's glaringly obvious that he has the alertness and mental acuity of an 85 year old man.
Too bad Estelle Getty is dead.
She could put a video of herself on the internet
As the mcgramps girl.
Obama's new campaign song?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipZDG6__Zfc&feature=related
flavor409 @ 83:
I'm irrelevant now in the scheme of things. But it affords me the peace of mind to question AUTHORITY.
ALL OF IT. And EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM.
Thats why no one likes me. I spare no ones ego not even my own.
LA Confidential -
We've got 2 options for President - Obama or McCain.
You can cynically whine all you want about the FACT that Obama CLEARLY won't be all things to all people, CLEARLY can't wave a magic wand and make the USA the "God's Gift To Mankind" we were all led to believe it was in Elementary School, has CLEARLY cut deals with big business and will continue to have to do so to remain in power, etc etc etc ..
BUT it all boils down to: "Who do you want? Obama or McCain?"
He's not my first choice either. But I back Obama 100%.
Why don't you?
I could not disagree with you more. A very important quality for being president is having the ability to synthesize the talents around you. This takes away the need or concept of Barack Obama being or appearing to be a God.
I have always enjoyed your comments and that has not changed. I was wondering if you hold resentments relating to Hillary Clinton's defeat. I too was a avid Clinton supporter, but in wanting to make sure we don't get McSame in his place, I must; I will work hard to support Barack Obama. I could totally wrong about my assessment. If so, I apologize.
Joseph
L.A. Confidential @ 32:
Well, that would be 5 weeks longer than if McCain were in charge. We've already seen what seven years of those policies have done to us. And after the 5 weeks, it would still be better by leaps and bounds. Let's face it; Obama would be a better leader than McCain. He will be a master at foreign affairs. He'll improve things for us without having to kill thousands of our troops in the process. Obama will improve our economy. We'll see more and more jobs. He won't be lying to us like the present admin. He'll bring us back into a time of peace and prosperity, and we'll be able to concentrate on our problems here at home more effectively.
And, it will be nice to have a mature administration in power instead of the petulant buffoons that we have now.
Site monitor, my comment at #64 is awaiting moderation. Can you please tell me why.
Brilliant, especially the bolded parted. If they can turn it into an insult on the American people, they'll completely neutralize it.
In message #86 - I talked about a TV commercial idea from the host of The Young Turks. I found the video on Youtube that is part of the idea. The Young Turks host said run a commercial which shows all of Bush's failures over the last 8 years and then end the commercial with this clip ; http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=3U5KZzgaB2k
ronhohn @ 21:
The fact is that no one seems to actually like McCain or his policies.
Court Jester @ 54:
Yep. That's how the neocons operate. It's Orwellian. The updated version of "1984" would be called "2000," and would use "Rovespeak" instead of "Newspeak."
Damn Good!!! I certainly hope he uses something very very close to that!
Umm, can someone tell me how any Republican meme is determined to have political traction? The pundits can repeat something till they're blue in the face, but that doesn't mean the American public is buying it anymore. One positive result of the last eight years, is a public that has become much more skeptical of catch phrases and talking points. Barack Obama gets this, and so, obviously, does Anonymous Liberal. Great job, Anonymous! I really think you must have been channeling Obama's speechwriter. I will not be surprised when I hear these themes in his next speech. It's this line of thinking that has drawn so many "fans"!!
seatech1 @ 91:
We'll see. I didn't trust Clinton either when he first ran. But he kicked conservatism on it's ass and that was refreshing enough.
MountainMan23 @ 89:
I don't trust politicians. I'd love nothing more the Obama winning me over and changing my outlook toward the future but he hasn't even been officially certified as the nominee at the Democratic Convention yet.
Excellent post!! I really hope that the Obama camp is thinking along the same lines. Clinton tried the tactic of mocking Obama's popularity, and it did exactly what you say here--it insulted the people who vote and support Obama. In that case it was fellow Democrats, and in the general election, it's insulting fellow Americans.
Spot on post!
The rich elite media want to control our elections. More money for them. A Lot of Americans watch Fox, listen to Limbaugh. Questionable sources influence their thinking. In other words, middle class republicans are sheep. Voter ignorance is a real threat to our democracy.
L.A. Confidential @ 100:
I don't trust them either ..
Democracy BEGINS with getting "your" candidate elected, it doesn't end there. That's when WE start pressuring them to do what WE want.
The childish notion that WE elect "our" candidate and then go back to vegging out is insane.
And to be sure, Obama is not yet the Democratic nominee, but get real, OK?
Beth in VA @ 101:
And McCain's ad pissed off a lot of "celebrities" too .. not just Paris!
MountainMan23 @ 103:
Fine just understand I'm not the kind of voter who's buttons are pushed by the media or a speech and responds like automata.
It doesn't get any more real then that.
Worth a mention.
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_10132731
Good suggestion, Anonymous Liberal. Also: Obama should look out at the stadium crowd and say, "I see people here representing all age groups. I see that my opponent doesn't have a total lock on our senior citizens over age 70, does he? I see that he doesn't have a lock on those between 50 and 70, does he? And to those of you under 50, a greater share of you participated in the Democratic primary than has been the case in my lifetime, and certainly ever since 18 year olds were first given the right to vote in 1972. If you think John McCain doesn't have a lock on Americans under 50, stand up and cheer! John McCain thinks that you're crazed star-struck celebrity followers who only care this year because of Barack Obama. If your main reason for being here is that you think I'm a celebrity and that issues don't matter to you, tell John McCain you agree with him, let's hear from you now? Hey I think I heard someone out there, well this is a democracy after all and I appreciate a random celebrity follower or two, that's okay. Thank you very much, I'll accept your vote -- (smiles broadly). (Expression turns dead-serious:) Now if your reason for being here is that you care about the issues, and you believe 2008 is a pivotal election where the stakes affect the future of our great country, and you care about your personal future and your children's future, and the future of peace and freedom and the environment of this planet and U.S. public safety and disaster response, and care about the integrity of our great Constitution and the future strength and reputation of the United States in the world and the economic well being of all of us who are not among the privileged few in the upper-upper-upper-upper uber-rich CEO oil executive class, but rather care about having a vibrant middle and upper middle class too, with people having the ability to move there through education and hard work and not just free trade but fair trade with job opportunities and health care for all Americans, please stand up cheer! I hope John McCain hears what you just cheered for and realizes that what you cheered for is not celebrity worship, and hope that for once in sinks in and he is able to understand it. That's our best hope for ending the stupid direction he wants to take this campaign."
L.A. Confidential @ 53:
Hey, what do you know, a moment of clarity from one of the doomsday posters on C&L!
So, instead of constantly whining about how we're all choosing between the "lesser of two evils," pretending that a "true progressive" has ever had a chance in hell of being elected president (oh, and BTW, Hillary and Bill aren't "true progressives," either...), trying to convince everyone here that it doesn't matter who we vote for because WE'RE ALL DOOMED--DOOMED, I TELL YOU! and urging us to throw away our ballots like you plan to do, how about opening your brain to reality, acknowledging that we have only TWO REALISTIC choices for president and casting a vote for the candidate most likely to change the shitty path that BushCo has led us down?
Straightening out this country is going to take a very long series of small, careful steps in the proper direction. Expecting to yank the country hard left in one fell swoop is, as you admitted, delusional. Politicians are, by their very nature, panderers. To get elected, they must tell the majority of voters what they want to hear, and there's a huge difference between what a local population wants to hear (as in a House, Senate or even Governor's race) vs. what an entire country wants to hear, especially when that country is as large and varied as the United States.
F#*k yeah!
He should say that verbatim
Obama has already betrayed progressives in a countless number of ways (FISA, NAFTA, free trade, Iraq, gun laws, Israel, faith-based initiatives, etc.) that I'm surprised he still has as many supporters as he does. People are clearly feeling so helpless that they feel they have no choice but to invest all of their hopes into this unimpressive politician.
So the above speech would be somewhat ironic since Obama insults the intelligence of his fans/voters each time he deceptively hides his platform behind populist rhetoric. A corporate whore is a corporate whore.
Phantom @ 110:
Then Jesus is your candidate. Feel free to write him in on your ballot!
I notice the trolls are here in full force -- "Oh, gee, why aren't you concerned because Obama isn't perfect? You can't ever vote for someone who is not perfect! So maybe all us Democrats should just vote for Bob Barr this time!"
Back to the actual point -- this is an excellent article and I hope a thousand people email it to the Obama campaign. It is amazing to me that cowards like Michael Crowley have any credibility within Democratic circles, but you can bet that he is just parroting the "conventional wisdom" he has been hearing at the Village. Undoubtedly, the Village is chattering about how Obama just has to "tone it down".
And there is no way that Obama should do this.
Here's an interesting take on America by Italian newspapers.
Effedieffe, Italy
For America, War
is Like Breathing
The large weight of the military-industrial complex has distorted society--economically and spiritually--to such an extent that the society now depends on war like a drug addict depends on his dose.
(read the full article in the above Link)
Just sent A.L.'s text in verbatim to the Obama campaign (with due credit to A.L. and C&L), with a suggestion that they use part or all of it in some form or another in Sen. Obama's acceptance speech.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/contact2
I suggest everyone here who has posted about how spot on this is do the same. The more of us that speak up to the campaign, the more likely we are to see some of this tactic make it into the speech!
(Oh, and donating a few $$$ while you're there wouldn't hurt, either...)
go rekroc!
May I suggest a change to your last few paragraphs?
"The truth is that no one would be paying any attention to me at all if I wasn’t talking about things that really matter to a lot of people."...
I can't help it if my opponent is not very popular. I can't help that my message of hope and better leadership reaches people across America and abroad, while my opponent's commitment to more of the same only reaches the few: the few who have benefited from 8 years of faltering infrastructure, a national decline in education, the loss of good paying jobs, mountains of government dept, sky high oil prices, and a war without end.
I can't help it if most Americans feel worse off than they were 8 years ago and don't want more of the same. If offering an alternative to the past 8 years makes me shamelessly popular, than my opponent and his party only needs to look into the mirror for why this is so. American's have not only heard my opponent’s message before, they've lived it, and they're tired of it. I can't help it if they're no longer buying it. I'm offering a change in Washington, a new sense of commitment and leadership, a change in policy and we're going to get started on January 20, 2009.
Phantom @ 110:
What kind of a whore are you, corporate or volunteer?
Yo Obama! Quick, pretend you're not so popular! Pretend people don't like you! Pretend you're not a good speaker! Pretend you don't know what you're talking about! Otherwise, it's not fair to the doddering, forgetful, obnoxious old man you're running against!
Yes, I agree with this piece. Crowley has a good point about the celebrity thing but going on the attack is a much more forceful way of countering than pulling back into a shell where you can't even punch. You end up looking weak and a little less of a celebrity. Not much to gain there in my opinion.
tell them they are confused reagan was a celebrity not me.......i haven't been the movies
Bartleby @ 76:
Those same pickles America finds itself in now? Figures, George Bush put us there and John McCains knocks em on the floor!
L.A. Confidential @ 99:
Oh, did he. With welfare reform. And NAFTA, right?
Shyeah.
Phantom @ 110:
how did obama betray people on Israel,NAFTA,free trade and gun laws?
Rationale is a reason or explanation of your beliefs, whether it is rational or not is still debatable.
L.A. Confidential @ 100:
So true. If we mobilize now, we can take over the convention and nominate Dennis Kucinich so we can have *the best* candidate.
(Disclaimer: previous comment was tongue-in-cheek - sorta.)
Obama is the nominee and this whole line of argument is pointless. I'm not sure I can label you a concern troll, but are you clinically depressed? I can understand why after eight years Bush, but this back and forth is, if not fully off-topic, at least distracting and illogical. This thread is about what he should say as the nominee, not whether he is - that's been decided.
I agree with MountainMan, not my first choice, but 100% behind Obama. The alternative is not just beneath consideration, but too frightening to contemplate
Also, I have been reading AL's blog - damn savvy individual, very tuned in and clear observations. Put AL with George Lakoff and we have our own Rove/Frank Luntz team. Hire them! And then listen to them and do what they say! If you do that, the "Why can't Obama close the deal?" meme will become "The polls have to be way off with Obama leading by 25 points."
Whenever possible, don't deny the attack -- embrace it.
"Dukakis, you're a member of the ACLU!" WRONG: "Gee, I'm sorry." RIGHT: "Yes I am, why aren't you? What do you have against the freedom of speech?"
"Kerry, you're a flip-flopper!" WRONG: "No, I'm not, sometimes." RIGHT: "You bet I'm a flip-flopper! When I get new information I reevaluate my position and make dynamic decisions. I won't stay the course if it means driving over a cliff -- George W. Bush will."
"Clinton, you had sex with an intern!" WRONG: "I did not have sex with that woman." RIGHT: "Yes, and I apologize. Next question?"
"Obama, you're a celebrity!" WRONG: "No, I'm not, I'm boring just like you." RIGHT: "Thank you. Obviously changing our government is an overwhelmingly popular position, and I hope my upcoming landslide victory will help propel those changes forward."
For the love of God and country, Democrats and liberals, stop apologizing for being RIGHT.
I don't think Obama should respond.
1. Since when is someone who has earned his fame through politics a celebrity?
2. Being a celebrity seemed to help people like Ronald Reagan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jesse Ventura, Fred Thompson, Sonny Bono and Steve Largent. If anything, Americans are more likely to vote for a celebrity.
3. Why waste time on non-issues.
katy @ 115:
Thanks, katy... :)
I'm just getting REALLY tired of all these people who self-righteously proclaim that burning their ballots in protest and washing their hands of our political process, because no candidate resembles their vision of an ideal president closely enough, is a much more "principled" decision than voting for the only candidate who has strongly indicated that he'll reject most of the policies that BushCo has shoved down our throats and who actually has more than a single-digit chance of getting elected (vs. the other candidate who gleefully embraces most of those policies and simply argues, like the rest of the neocons, that it was the incompetent exection of those policies that were wrong, not the policies themselves).
Moose @ 127:
you make an excellent point....it's a non-issue to us but
obviously this is a strategy the mccain is sticking with.
they've done demographic group studies with linguistic
negative framing questions . this works with some demographics. so your right it's nonsense and i wouldn't
spend Much time on it as a compromise to what your thinking....on one of the major media news shows when that's used if i was obama...i would be clever and say i don't where you get this "celebrity" label....i'm not a celebrity...i'm a u.s. senator....a celebrity in politics that's somebody more like ronald reagan or my friend
arnold....so yeah don't spend much time on it but denounce it...oppose the negative frame. i wanted him to address a couple months ago
I've read all the posts. Here's my take - the whole thing, the whole election campaign thing is a sham. It's basically just a way to distract Americans from the "real" facts behind the issues in our day-to-day lives, and entertain us just long enough to get the next bunch of rogues into power. The candidates are pre-selected, and the software has already been loaded into the Diebold machines. The People lose either way.
If Obama or McCain were interested in government of, by and for the People, they'd be standing up for the rule of law; they'd be speaking out about restoring the Constitution, repealing the Patriot Act, holding the criminals in this administration accountable; closing Gitmo and bringing our troops home from abroad as soon as logistically possible, etc. etc.
I'll probably vote for Obama, mainly because he's bright and articulate - which will be a welcome change from W. McCain is just a sad old man who the Repugs finally enabled to live dream and run for President - his Daddy would be proud.
But, the neo-cons and so-called Republicans will be just as happy if Obama wins, because they know he won't really be able to change much - the corporations are firmly in control. That is evident from the fact that both parties have eagerly participated in misleading the public for years. They do what the corp. big boys want, because they put the money in the campaigns and in their pockets. That's why both of the candidates change their positions so much; and the changes they make are usually not in the best interests of you and me.
I'd really like to be an idealist, or even be more positive about this whole charade.
I'll continue to pay careful attention to what is being said by the candidates and by the pundits and so-called analysts, I'll even watch most of the convention coverage. I'm willing to be open and to embrace new thinking and ideas. I'm not interested in whose got the smartest campaign tactics or the cutest or most gotcha ads. I'm interested in substance, integrity, honesty, and commitment to the citizen of this country, and I'm not seeing it yet.
Your point is excellent. However, he needs to view everything he says as a McCain ad. Lifting part of the first paragraph above leaves............
"you (gesturing to the crowd) show up at events like this and donate your time and your money to this campaign because you’re all adoring groupies who are obsessed with me."
So, beware. Remember we have seen a lot of things said come back to bite.
I'd highly urge Obama to pull a Ronald Reagan: "I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent's youth and inexperience." said in the 1984 presidential debate. He should try something like "I don't plan on exploiting my opponents lack of popularity and vision."
Site monitor waiting for a response for my comment@64 on waiting for moderation. It's been over 2 hours.
[Sorry, Ron. All the monitors are having a big shindig while watching Olympic volleyball. ; ) We'll try to be more attentive. Site Monitor]
this should be trumpted loud and clear at the convention...
by the way, the response to Michael Crowley..."I agree, Obama should give his speech at the Elks Lodge in downtown Denver. You wouldn't want people to actually here your message and get there names for turnout in the fall. It is of the utmost importance that act just like Karl Rove and John McCain want you to, because that has worked so well for George Bush."
myiq2xu @ 10:
You mean like the sheepish automotons with their purple thumbs or their "four more years!" chants?
I don't know about you, but there are about 50 million Americans who owe an apology to the other 6 billion humans they screwed over and a solemn pledge to not vote in this election or any others the rest of their lives as the most basic of a conciliatory gestures.
☻☻BB☺☺ @ 2:
I agree 100%. Verbatim, every single word. If he did, I would send him a check for a $100 that very night; $1 for every percent to which I agree with your post.
Good call!
"...and my personal life is incredibly boring."
Huh? His personal life is what made his two books bestsellers.
It's the reason he has the support that he has, he obviously has no real experience to be President.
what is "real experience" to be president?
Me thinks a lot of folks have Rove all wrong...
It's NOT "Attack the other strength and 'make' it a weakness" That is too large a feat for tubby Rove.
It's "Attack the opponent for what we are secretly doing or our own weakness and put the focus-spotlight on them while we get away with it"
Bush had NO military experience, so attack Kerry's record so the focus is on doubting what DID happen vs. asking what DIDN'T happen...Bush in Alabama.
KKKarl Rove is a playground-bully in a fat man's body...who grew up with a queer male role model so he now attacks gay male role models as a smokescreen about his own past/hidden desires.
they’re not insulting me; they’re insulting you
THANK YOU! Finally someone else made the point i've been thinking this whole time!
No, no, no! You're right that the Obama campaign needs to turn the celebrity charge around, but it is a lot simpler than you suggest.
There is only one candidate for president who was elected to office BECAUSE he was a celebrity -- and that candidate is John McCain.
McCain returns home a celebrity
Obama has only obtained "celebrity" AFTER becoming a candidate for president.
Keep in mind the this is The New Republic speaking. It's a faux Liberal magazine whose main purpose is to be the print version of a concern troll and shift the Democratic party to the right by conceding all points to Republicans. Taking any advice from this rag would be ill-advised.
.....i'm not a celebrity......period....let the surrogates
do the qualifying....the gloves will be off after the olympics....watch and see. obama allowing mccain to
give him debate material. mccain campaign revealing
true colors.
SaddleRay @ 132:
good call.
L.A. Confidential @ 73:
Wow, thank you for that inciteful comment. You are truly on top of the substance of the political campaign.
"Crowley’s instinctive response..." is to assume the fetal position.
Awesome. Obama should say this word for word!
I like Anonymous Liberal's proposed response, but it needs humor and a bit of gentle mocking. Such as a funny campaign commercial showing McCain in his many celebrity roles.
And, yes, the McCain campaign is not as dumb as their arguments would make them seem. They just think the American people are dumb.
shorter Anonymous Liberal
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