Another Obama Mistake
Obama is going on what is called a "media blitz". He wants to pass a second stimulus package and start the wheels turning on universal health care, and so he is using his extremely high approval rating to his advantage by making all of these public appearances. He wants to make people feel good about him, that he is not aloof, or just some guy who sits around working on the economy 24/7, dreaming of electric sheep, and has no life outside the presidency.
I will say this, whether you like him or not, today marks the completion of his second month in office. Think about all that he has accomplished, all of the major pieces of legislation he has succeeded in developing and pushing through, in TWO MONTHS. It's absolutely insane. He has accomplished more in his first two months than some presidents have in their first two years. In first two months he's probably accomplished more than 42 other presidents (in their first two months).
I guess I just don't agree at all that what people need to see is a president who still fills out his bracket, dammit. A media blitz that emphasized policy (and accomplishments) would make a hell of a lot more sense. I don't have any great faith in the intelligence of the electorate, but it still seems to me that when times are this tough, people aren't going to find this regular guy shit so compelling.
Imagine if the economy still hasn't turned around by next election cycle (not too far-fetched), and the Republicans can endlessly hammer Obama as the guy that hobnobbed with celebrities and athletes while Rome burned. How does that media blitz look now?
Ok, here's the thing though. If Obama was on a media blitz talking about public policy, derivatives trading, credit swaps, and bundling sub-prime mortgages would we be having the discussion right now? No. Obama has been working his ass off, and people know that, but what Obama wants to accomplish through this media blitz is NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT that he is a "regular guy". People are fucking genuinely frightened about the economy right now, and what he's doing is saying, look, the economy is bad, but have confidence, keep doing the things you're used to doing. Fill out a bracket, look, see, I'm doing it. Watch the late night shows, have a laugh. He's setting the tone.
Now some people want a "grrrrr the economy is awful, anger anger anger, depression depression depression, serious serious serious" tone from the president, but he wants to make people feel like everything will be ok. A concerned optimism, rather than just concern.
All that he's "accomplished" in his first two months won't mean squat if he can't save the economy from tanking. His economic and spending policies leave a lot to be desired if you're not Jimmy Carter. While they may work, he needs them to. If they don't, I'm not sure you're going to be "proud" of his accomplishments this year.
If you know beforehand that his policies won't work then you need to get off your computer and take the first train to D.C, explain to the White House why they are wrong and how to fix this thing.
Sincerely,
America
You may want to put "accomplished" in quotes!! Unless $2 trillion in debt is an "accomplishment"
He hasn't completed his first hundred yet. The jury is out on whether or not this is a good or bad thing. One thing I know, is that he is still hosting town hall meetings. He is still trying to avail himself to the people. That is a good thing. Okay, he is not perfect and I doubt any of us would be if we were under as much media scrutiny as this guy is under. But I do believe that he is on the job. It isn't just about "having fun" nor is it about a publicity stunt. I also feel he just got in, give the man time and lets see what he does.
Oh I would also like to add that I agree with Chitown on this one. The reason I stopped visiting another blog was because all they talked about was politics and they were supposed to be a football blog.
Well put.
I guess we need to give him a chance...
BUT...
he should probably NOT try to jam EVERY CAMPAIGN PROMISE EVER into the first 3 months. Obviously, he did not take enough time to actually think before he filled out his bracket. I guess that's his thing though!!
-Wayne Ironwood
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If everyone from MGoBlog met, would it be like the fight scene in Anchor Man?? That's how I picture it.
.....nothing above the neck.
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Army surplus.
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need to...check-up from the neck-up,Tom!