Who will become the key spokespersons for the Obama Administration?
As the stimulus bill was debated it became very clear that President Obama really has horrendous communicators at his disposal. I know the media lined up many more Republicans to fill our airwaves with, so that wasn't very helpful.
Republicans trotted out person after the person who could articulate their misguided views. We were stuck with Claire McCaskill and her twittering as almost the lone voice from the left to carry his message -- and that's not good enough.
I think Barney Frank does a good job too, and of course the great Paul Krugman, but he's not part of the administration. So who else is left?
President Obama can't be the only voice that reaches out to Americans to inform them on these complicated issues.
Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi aren't good at media presentation. To me the bench is very weak, so who is left? There has to be a member of Congress who has the public speaking skills to do the job. This is important if Obama wants to have an easier time getting his message across to the nation. He can't have national speeches every week.
Please list who you think should start going out and becoming on-air speakers for the Obama Administration.
Lieberman, of course! Kidding!! hahaha ok ok, bad joke.
Way to start off the thread! High-fives, dude!
I think my senior senator, Chuck Schumer, might be good for the job.
If he weren't more interested in representing the position of the fancy, high-paid New York bankers who fund his re-election bids. Did you HEAR the guy lately? Sheesh.
Schumer comes across as "slimy" (trivial I know, but true), and is more a friend of the banks than the people.
Hopefully humanity will one day learn to be humane.
I totally agree. The wingnuts just LOVE to point out that Hilary Clinton and Chuck Shumer got more campaign donations from Wall Street than anybody else. Too much baggage, and comes across as a weasel. He may not be a weasel, but that's the way he comes across.
and it disappoints me that amato can't see through barney frank.
please don't tell me you're losing a step, john!!
Some people find Shumer obnoxious, but I think he's one of the best at messaging, meaning articulating his side of the issue (and criticizing the other side) in a sharp, snappy, articulate and reasonable sounding way.
As for others, it depends on the issue. On foreign policy, I've never seen anyone destroy a President in a SOTU response the way Virginia Senator Jim Webb did to George W. Bush over Iraq in January 2007. If that's on YouTube, it's a gem. Wes Clark is also terrific at this. On Constitutional issues such as torture, the firing of U.S. attorneys, and the rule of law (and, I'm sure, in upcoming Supreme Court nomination battles), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island is awesome. On economic issues, I agree with others who wrote that Barney Frank is the king.
I also agree that Reid and Pelosi are really awful at this most important political skill.
Dr. Dean has very good presentation skills, very articulate, quite intelligent, and available!!!
Howard Dean is very well spoken, makes sense.
Good call!
Hopefully humanity will one day learn to be humane.
I would have to say that Ol' Dean would be a good choice. I remember how deftly he slapped down an attempt to tar the Democrats with the Abramoff brush. It was short, sweet, and hit the exact pressure point.
Dean knows Word-Fu!
I would like to see much more of Dean in the media. He's probably the top Democrat for interviews (even better than Obama with his less succinct answers).
I agree with you. The good doctor..Dr. Dean.
Howard Dean is great, but:
A) He's better at playing partisan attack dog, and as such, his principle job should be to take down Republican talking points from a partisan point of view. He's not part of the administration, and in this case that's a good thing, because, while there's a place for Democratic attack dogs to take down Republican attack dogs, it shouldn't be somebody IN the administration. The current administration is doing well because they're making a SHOW of being non-partisan. (Given that the polls show the public is sick of partisan bickering, Obama is doing very well by not polarizing the population.)
B) He's not part of the administration. We need people from IN the administration to play "the cool voice of (non-partisan) reason."
Wouldn't Dean fit into the same category as Krugman-- i.e. not a member of the administration or of government?
James Galbraith
statusquObama, change you can only pretend in
Great call, but again, like Krugman, not part of the administration.
Give him a call and schedule him to appear on Morning, Joe.
for one.
Go head create a new job for Bill why the hell not what do we got to lose at this point besides everything. Let's not let poverty of the imagination hold us back.
Joe the Plumber? he seems to get the Democrats united pretty well.
Al Franken.
He'd be good. He honed his debating skills on Air America.
except franken's a blind AIPAC tool.
Who's talking about Israel these days?
Everybody's a tool, in that no one is a "perfect progressive". If you're worried about purity then you'll end up like the GOP, tossing out its moderate members for not hewing to the conservative line-- how's that working out for them?
The smartest First Lady since Eleanor Roosevelt, and possibly the only member of the Obama entourage who's more popular than the President himself.
"In theory theory and practice are alike. In practice they are very different."
Michele Obama has been very impressive, that is for sure. I have not heard a negative word about her I don't think.
But, she hates America. That's what I heard on Fox. She isn't proud of US for being #1 and hates whitey and... and... and she's a baby-momma.... and she hates America!
Hopefully humanity will one day learn to be humane.
sleeveless dresses! in february! the nerve!
she's RIPPED and we can't trust people who work out
she can fist-jab like a pro!
A terrorist fist bump?
a terrorist fist jab.
Shelley-O has been looking gorgeous by the way.
Combining the fist-jab and RIPPED comments, I'm imagining her fist-bumping some conservative, who then has to go to the hospital (or simply crumbles into dust). :)
Outside of Congress, Robert Reich.
Within Congress, Jon Tester.
and he was positively beaming about the budget.
Huge smile on his face. Huge
Lurch Forbes?
He's been maintaining a low profile lately.
"Happy Talk".
'nuff said
I still can't believe that Howard Dean doesn't have a spot in the new administration.
career.
That may be, but shouldn't his incredibly successful "50 State Strategy" have revived it? Maybe I'm an optimist, but I'd like to believe that American's can get over one mildly awkward moment in the face of the greatest crisis we've faced in decades.
And, I mean, Limbaugh gives an angry Dean yell for hours every day and makes millions from it.
Hopefully humanity will one day learn to be humane.
I'd vote for him if he ran, he's sharp as nails in my book.
Who cares about the Dean Scream? Not me.
I couldn't remember who it was, then I remembered who it was, it was George Miller from the 7th district in California. He is on Education and Labor in the congress. I have a feeling that he will be around often.
Bobby Jindal!
So far he's done the best job of making the Democrats' position look to be above criticism.
"In theory theory and practice are alike. In practice they are very different."
joe biden, notice the bruise on his fore head they been hitting him on the fore head with a smart stick!
Hey tyree - the 'bruise' on Biden's forehead was from Ash Wednesday. He is a Catholic and they do celebrate Lent. Just like we Episcopalians, who also had 'bruises' on our foreheads.
jesus ,tyree slaps his head , youd thought i knew that since my wife was a benidictine nun for 16 yrs!
..do tell!
It'd be bigger news if his *wife* was still a benedictine nun. :)
And tyree! You sly dawg you!
Converting a NUN back to the wicked ways of sin?
Nicely done!
!
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
Drum some sense into people.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8__EwAT8VM
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Robert Johnson not the blues player the senate finance committee economist.
i am a democrat
obama is great when he gets out and addresses
those issues that are important, but
the rest of the dems need to quit holding
their balls and start walking the talk.
every democrat in congress that represents
their constituents, needs to get out and
start backing the president in all public
forums on every issue we elected them to
support and back us on.
get a backbone and do the right thing
not just the political thing.
Chris Rock?
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Rosie O'Donnell? The French?
I dunno. Where is "they all suck" when you need him/her?
"If the US government enforced its banking laws like it did its park regulations, we wouldn't be
in this damn park in the first place." OCCUPY.!!
?
?
?
^
There you go John the gig is wide open grab it.
methinks this site might be a launching pad for John's career in politics...no?
If a drone kills a child in Kandahar, do the crying parents make a sound?
Paul Begala is articulate and can get in your face. I've seen clips and heard him on the radio, he has humor and knows all the players.
great choice
*
waxman has been consistant throughout the bush years...and he really pisses off the loofa guy.
Is a HUGE plus, IMO. ;-)
"In theory theory and practice are alike. In practice they are very different."
The Balls from Boca.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
^
He's a member of (or at least he takes money from) that evil group of overseas lobbyists whose acronym starts with an "A" and ends with a "PAC".
Honestly, I don't give a fuck- I like the guy. But the purists....
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
half...
The guy's from my district, seems well-liked, and is a good speaker.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
the 3/4 that are Catholic and the 1/4 Lutheran, but that's not the issue, is it?
Like I said, I like the guy, and I like him a lot. And the fact that most progressives do like him blows holes in that "AIPAC is the root of all evil" myth.
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
Obviously, I'd forgotten the A%*$C thing. Maybe not as critical an issue as it might seem at first glance?
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
Not very effectively, it seems, mebbe. ;D
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
I should have kept my insignificant religious mud out of the water to begin with.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
Schumer then.
we're running out of people.
I'll do it... not really, but you are right Evet, we are runnig out of people. the person/persons that do it need to insure they don't stick their foot/feet in their mouths, the repug talking heads will be waiting i'm sure.
...Amy Klobuchar, who has been doing a stellar job on the Maddow show. And soon, Al Franken, who has plenty of media experience.
Got to get in there first.
And see above re: Robert Wexler.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
Maines. Love to see her up there telling some Republican . ."Your a dumb fu*k you know that?"
Now I'm thinking about Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. She tears apart that fake conservative Colbert, anyway.
i've been hollering for weeks (it seems) about this... where are the dems?!!
i've got no suggestions at this time, but am reminded of howard dean's appearance on countdown last week - it sure was great to see him again...
maybe i imagined it, but it seems howard made sure there were cheerleaders out there when needed...
is it a media shut-out? are the dems blacklisted?
Barney Frank
He's coherent, has relevant facts and figures at the ready and does this cool looking thing with his fingers which make him look all, I don't know, thoughtful ? Isn't it nice to see THOUGHTFUL people in charge again ?
~smiles to self~
PS, plus the fact that he's gay is just such a slap in the face to all those bigots out there-and they need a good slap
So many contenders ... so little time!
Kucinich, Fiengold
Mark Warner from Virginia? He's a fairly eloquent fellow, and he presents well on the teevee....
Speaking of Virginia, JIM WEBB would be good.
maybe Tim Ryan from Ohio. I used to like to see him run the 30 somethings. Or maybe Kendrick Meeks. Let some of the young guys start getting some face time. Out of the 30 something crowd Debbie Wasserman-Schulz gets most of the air time and most men won't want to here from her. We need to get more tough guys out there.
Huh? Maybe if they're gay. Wait, scratch that. I bet gay men like her too. Sorry, man, but she just wipes the floor with whatever GOP mouthpiece she gets matched up with whenever I see her. Throw in that she has a hottie-body, and yeah, I want to hear from her. Particularly in answer to the question "what are you wearing?"
Feingold?
John Hall, my NY Congressman? Jesus, youd think being a former rock star would get you on TV once in a while...
Webb?
Tester?
But, you know, the reason I think we don't see them is because the media, for 15 years, has looked at Rethuglicans and put them on camera. It's become an instinct. They understand the language. Nothing new is said, so they don't have to think. They freak out when Dem's are on and call BS, or give a different version. They look like deer in the headlight's.
INTELLECTUAL LAZINESS!
to discuss the budget, matt talked to 2 guys from CNBC - including that santelli jerk - and THEN mary matilin...
WTF?????????
Personally, I'd Like to see Sheldon Whitehouse with a Higher Profile, reasoned - articulate - not the most gripping speaker from what I've seen ... but an effective communicator
Big Eddie Schultz has always a good talking head for Obama.
I thought of Michelle right away, and John Dean.
I'd like to see more media spokespeople in the mix as well as pols.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
Been seeing a lot of him debating Republicans. One thing about Schultz is always smiling and can talk just as loud as his opponent.
who, if you saw him in a bar, "Looks like a Republican," for lack of a better term.
Midwestern, a good talker and listener, he could appeal to some of the right-wingers sitting on the fence.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
He was a Republican. He has the ear of a lot of middle of the road people too. And he has way to many commercials in his program. Republicans like that so they would trust him. Heh
He contributed to the approval of Alito when he asked his listeners to tell their reps not to filibuster Alito's approval for fear of losing the filibuster for legislative matters. But Ed got it wrong - the "nuclear option" applies only to judicial nominations.
He also refused to recognize that corn ethanol drives up food prices. I gave him leads to 4 grain mills within 5 miles of his studio who were willing to be interviewed on his program to dispute his claim.
Ed declined and continued to stubbornly spread his corporate-farming propaganda despite widespread evidence to the contrary.
Ed would inevitably be a huge embarrassment for anyone he would represent.
Yeah, I forgot about that. (I rarely get to hear Ed anymore, as he's not on here in Miami any longer.)
Got to give him props though, for supporting local farmers and businesses, I guess...
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
Webb is always great.
Grayson looks good so far.
Feingold is good.
Kucinich of course.
Biden wonked out the VP debate (in a good way), lets see some more.
Klobuchar maybe not ready for primetime, but maybe so.
Landrieu puts out a moderate liberal voice well (at times).
Kuttner is very good.
Krugman rules.
He writes their talking points and organize the gop that spew them on cable.
The dems should do the same coordinated with Obama's team.
Ed Markey from Massachusetts and Barbara Boxer from California are both very knowledgable and good spokespeople.
Boxer and Webb
Good suggestions
And Krugman does rule!
One more... how about Maxine Waters ?
that his wife overcooked his eggs this morning.
Blamed it on illegal immigrants, and had his own wife sent back to Mexico.
Jim Webb. Gravitas, experience, clear & concise delivery, and he's very telegenic (but not attractive enough to seem like he's coasting on looks). One big down side: he's outspoken and won't deliver talking points. Therefore, as a somewhat 'moderate' member of the senate, he'll probably part ways w/obama on a number of issues, and will probably be unwilling or poor at hiding that fact.
Klobuchar has been surprisingly good on Maddow, but she's a little too much of a lightweight.
Though I may be in a minority here, I think McCaskill has been doing, by and large, and terrific job over the past few months as an Obama surrogate - and she speaks well to the moderates and independents - who are, after all, the most important people to bring along with the rest of us over the next 4 years.
I'm surprised Webb's not out there more often, during his campaign he was kicking Republican ass and taking names. Then he just kinda disappeared, I wish he'd come back.
As a constituent of McCaskill's, I worked like a dog to get her elected, but she's proven a little ditzy on the media waves. I do commend her on getting out there though with her sleeves pushed up ready to work. Just a little more gravity from her would be perfect.
Thom Hartmann of Air America is so articulate and is able to explain complex political issues in a way that the average American can take in in an enjoyable manner....I say this because my 85 year old mother listens to him and GETS IT! If he was willing to speak on the issues in the major media outlets he would be great (and he's telegenic to boot).
Get them made in Hollywood.
Problem solved.
What is your conceptual, continuity?
.
Represents Toledo well.
Agree. Kaptur is my first choice.
"I've never pictured Hell as a place of fire, sulfur and demons with pitchforks, I've always imagined it as a place of excess and broken dreams and hopes."
I was watching Chris Matthews this afternoon was soundly impressed with Barney Frank. No matter what Darrell Issa tried to get across Frank just wiped the floor with him. It was amazing to watch Frank sit patiently and then attack. I have never seen much of Frank in action but it was wonderful. Issa at the end just looked defeated.
That's what we need. Someone to stand up to the bullies.
Don't know how you could have missed seeing him in action-but we need more besides him.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz; Florida, 20th
.
Kendrick Meeks
Debbie Wasserman Shultz
Jim Clyburn
Elijah Cummings
Dick Durbin
Rangel is ethically challenged right now, but he's sharp & funny.
There's also Boxer, Webb,Chris Dodd.
Yeah, definitely, from the political side, active politicians in the Senate.
BOXER
WEBB
DODD
BAYH
Combine that with keeping Pelosi, Reid, Shumer, Murtha, and Frank, as far out of sight as possible, and we've got a winner.
From inside the administration:
Susan Rice
Jim Jones
Steven Chu
(Economist: vacant. Geithner can't talk his way out of a paper bag.)
From outside the administration:
Howard Dean
Al Gore
Colin Powell (sometimes)
Bill Clinton (sometimes)
Paul Krugman (ALL THE TIME)
Need to be hidden in a basement someplace:
Reid
Pelosi
Frank
Schumer
Kerry
Biden
If your choices remain in the "basement" I will owe you
a HUGE "Thank you" since every single time these individuals
come on the tube, my husband goes ape and I have to
hear him yammering and threaten him with no dinner, if he
doesn't stop.
Dodd hits his nerves too.
We do need a "new" face & voice as so many carry too much of their
own baggage to really be heard by the majority.
Debbie Wasserman Shultz, Barbara Boxer, Jim Webb, Robert Wexler,
and several others get my vote.
We have the GOOD INDIVIDUALS and need to bring this great discussion
to the White House.
PLEASE FORWARD THIS LINK TO OUR PRESIDENT.
Markey, Webb, Whitehouse, Klobuchar, good. All need some review of communication basics. Jack Reed. Not Schumer, please, he's in Wall St's pocket, no?
Max Baucus can be good but not certain where he is on some economic issues challenging corporate privilege.
When this Cabinet was being put together I didn't understand how so many people who had been fighting this agenda for years would then implement it.
See http://democrats.senate.gov/ There are some here I've not heard.
Check the segment on PBS News Hour for 2/26/09 with Robert Greenstein from the Center for Policy and Budget Priorities - an excellent exchange on the budget. Best I have seen to date in terms of a rational explanation on the complexities and priorities set by the administration.
Budget Director Peter Orszag is also very good at explaining the administration priorities.
ROBERT GREENSTEIN............. He should become a well known DEM and soon.
Me.
I'm an unknown just like these hacks you see on the television with only a couple differences.. 1) I'm not a hack 2) I'm not anywhere like Joe the fakeass plumber. I'm a human being, the epitome of the people, broke as a joke and working daily who sees the madness and the mayhem as we know it. Tell these fakers who dont know the heart of the people to bugger off. :-) Until then, we have no option but to <3 Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow, Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, and comedians such as Carlos Mencia, Paul Mooney, Katt Williams, and Louis C.K.
Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity--- BulletTooth Tony
Jon Stewart deliver their rebuttals: what is really annoying is the amount of time the news media gives to Republicans spreading misinformation.
Tell it like it is ... I like your style!
Huzzah!
...is that unlike the GOP, the Democrats don't march in lockstep. I don't think you'll ever find the one person who communicates the message better than Obama himself. The Dems can throw out different people on different issues.
Price you pay for maintaining a big tent, I guess.
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
Sheldon Whitehouse or Russ Feingold present themselves well - articulate, intelligent, and well-informed. Whitehouse is a stellar attorney and is sharp as a tack. He presents himself excellently.
But I'm not sure Obama would.
These guys serve us better as watchdogs of, rather than spokespersons for Obama.
Feingold and Whitehouse reacted quickly to counter Obama's DOJ upholding of Bush era states secrets privilege to block courts from hearing cases.
Cliff Schecter (sp?). No one is better than he is as a media person. Not only can he speak in an articulate way, but he doesn't get flummoxed by right-wing talking heads. He makes THEM upset. And he's not a loudmouth blowhard -- but he isn't a milquetoast either.
He was on a few years ago, but I guess the networks got wise to him -- "A liberal? Who can crush the right-wingers? We can't have that!"
... is russ feingold? dick durbin? howard dean?
and how in the world did daschle get run out of town, while timmy "tax cheat" is still sitting on top of the treasury?!!
Barney Frank is likely the sharpest and ballsiest of the suggestions thus far.
Joe Biden if he doesn't get bogged down with other tasks.
Garrison Keillor could do the job quite eloquently.
is a rabid right-winger, I believe.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
Where did you ever get that idea? I've seen him on stage and read him in Salon. If he's a right winger, he's one hell of an actor and for what reason?
in a thread hear sometime back. Couldn't glean too much from Wiki in a quick scan.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
Don't tell me they got to him too!!!
Nooooooooooo!!
Especially on health care
Bill be the man!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiGCD2Z0w9s
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
I love Mr Bill! That was hilarious.
Senate: Dick Durbin, Chris Dodd, Debbie Stabenow
Congress: Jon Tester, Tammy Baldwin, Barney Frank, Debbie Wasserman Shultz
we need to hear from thom hartman-he's informed and mild mannered-also a middle aged white male (not semitic) which makes him palatable to good ol merikans...
though he is an Independent.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
...that the mainstream media has a left-leaning bias, they're lying again, as usual. You've read that whine from Repubs over and over since last summer, right?
Well, read THIS!
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/john-farrell/2009...
Media bias isn't any different now. You can hear/see it at CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, ABC -- just like in earlier years. Broadcast journalism should not be a vehicle for a newsperson's own political bias -- but it is.
Go forth armed, and shut those neocon Repub complainers up!
Barny Frank
Howard Fucking Dean
Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Ed Schultz
Bill Clinton
Barb Boxer
Tester
Jim Webb
Cliff Schecter
Feingold
Thom Hartmann (but not many know him.. he should get out more often because he is as smart as they come and can debate ANY issue)
Biden (I like him but he could really screw things up with one sentence)
Markey, Whitehouse, Klobuchar
Paul (please don't hit me)Krugman
I've been moderately pleased with how Bob Casey's been handling himself lately.
He has potential. Maybe too nice?
Cheers,
How about Bobby Jindal?
Anything he says will turn more people against the Republicans!
I'd love to see Russ Feingold step up. A biased cheesehead I may be, but I think he's the best senator in Congress. Quick witted and honest, he's the everyman with an intellect.
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