Obamas strategy re: Healthcare has been pretty weak.

[cleveramerican]

From the beginning His "let them work it out on the hill" strategy was flawed.
He, himself must put forth, explain , and campaign for His vision.


Voters see that 4000 page thing and are repelled.
The press conference didn't work because he wasn't advocating anything.
No role for ordinary voters was laid out.
And the Gates thing watered down the message even further.


Its time for the Presidents team to huddle

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[cleveramerican]

2. Tell me where I'm wrong

I am right and you know it.

[salguine]

4. You're not wrong.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

5. You're not wrong. Obama should have used his political capital to take control

over this issue. I feel like he's too afraid to do so and is just passing the buck to Congress. I am so frustrated with that. To be fair, he fully realizes that Congress makes the laws. However, no one is suggesting that he 'make law'. I just wish he had exercised more leadership on this issue. He is losing control over the policy, allowing the Repukes and mainstream, corporate media to frame the issue. He is essentially making the same mistake that the Clintons made: allowing the right wingnuts to take ownership over the issue and frame the parameters of the debate. They do nothing but spew lies about his plan, and the media is right there with them. The saddest story to me is that the Democrats themselves needed to be out there and in front, helping the president push this agenda. Many of them are weak-kneed, lilly-livered, and/or simply don't hit back hard enough against these Repuke lies. It's infuriating!!!

[paulk]

3. thanks for trying to bring some real discussion to DU

have you seen this?

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07242009/transcript3.html

[BklnDem75]

6. So your last thread didn't do too well...

so you tried another angle to bash Obama.

Clever! Clever indeed!

[cleveramerican]

11. I want him to succeed

I don't think its bashing him at all

[dolphindance]

7. First you take the police's side on the race issue, now you're beating up the President.

I think I know your agenda. Unrec.

[cleveramerican]

12. I have no agenda

I am reacting to events, just like you.
I do understand that its easier for you to assume I'm the boogey-man than to face hard unpleasant things.

[QC]

8. A little advocacy would have been nice.

Of course, taking a position involves the risk of losing, so that's out.

As Homer Simpson famously said, "Trying is the first step toward failure."

[MarjorieG]

9. They were tryong to avoid Clinton's mistakes; thought if brought in players, a public option, but

mostly assumed more Dems would be with them and pass quickly. May not have anticipated Baucus throwing schedule off by weeks.

Obama will fix this in reconcilistion and conference, selling it to the public once put together.

[cleveramerican]

13. he should blanket the airwaves during the recess

I'm not sure he has anything real to sell.

[cleveramerican]

15. I think you are spot on

when congress reconvenes in September you will see a new tact by the President.
You will never again hear the phrase"let them work it out on the hill" out of his mouth.

[avaistheone1]

20. Obama knew Baucas' agenda and had no problem with it.

[MarjorieG]

21. Meaning what? A lot of this is show, and actually keeping bi-partisan support in future battles,

like Climate and Regulation. Baucus badly dragged out the schedule, which was not on the White House agenda. Sometimes the Conservatives have good cost-saving measures, necessary when we talk about creating more people to be covered.

[depakid]

10. You really ought to change your screen name

Because- and I hate to be the person who has to say this- the very last thing you are is clever.

[cleveramerican]

14. says you

clever is what I aim for and seldom achieve.
what are you aiming for... snarky?
I think you nailed it.

[backscatter712]

16. Concern noted.

The real action's going to be in conference committee anyways - that's where Obama & co. takes charge and demands they fix it.

[Hieronymus]

17. Obama lost my support. He caved in to the cons and blue dogs. He didn't

even need gop votes.

[cleveramerican]

18. He's not done/ don't give up

the nation wants it.
The president wants it too
He'll straighten out his sales pitch.

He needs to get mad and go after those who want to quietly kill it.

[natrat]

19. he has to appear to be for a good plan while in reality he is just a corporate whore like the rest