Obama’s Best Attack…Ever!!!

[ProSense]

Obama’s Best Attack…Ever!!!

by joelgp

Around lunchtime today, Obama held a press conference with a group of average Americans standing behind him. He then launched the simplest, most coherent attack on republicans ever with live props, and an all-out social media saturation campaign. It’s so effective because you don’t have to understand the intricacies of Washington-speak nor be well versed in policy. His question was simply:

What can you do with an extra $40.00 per-week in your pay check?

He then asked Americans to go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/ to tell other Americans what they could do with $40.00. Obama reported that tens of thousands of Americans have already submitted the many ways they could use this money.

So why did I say it is his best attack ever?

1. It shows the stark contrast between Democrats fighting for $40.00 for average Americans while the GOP is trying to protect the millions for billionaires.

<...>

3. The cons have already gone nuts over this. Look at just a few headlines.

<...>

So Obama punched and punched with a simple message that even has Romney speaking this language:

“Mitt Romney said Thursday that the $40 dollars many Americans would lose if the payroll tax holiday isn’t extended would make a “very substantial difference” to those who would be without it.

“It’ll be the difference between having a meal that includes meat or just Hamburger Helper,” said Romney in an interview with ABC News’ John Berman aboard the GOP candidate’s new campaign bus in Northern New Hampshire. “It could be the difference between being able to take your family to McDonald’s at the end of the week, it means the difference between being able to go to a movie or not going to a movie.”

So, four hours after Obama opened up his can of $40-dollar campaign on multiple fronts, Mitch caved, Romney flipped and now Boehner and the House have all cried uncle.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/12/22/1048046/-Obama

[rhett o rick]

1. This is the way to fight the bastards. Keep it up Mr. President. nm

[Left Coast2020]

45. We would be in better shape as a nation if the Prez had......

.....an Attorney General that was equally agressive against the morgage companies, banks, et al, that put us in this crappy financial position in the first place.

Yes, he's putting up a fight against the repugs. But what about being a bit more through of doing what an administration should do for the people?

[rhett o rick]

47. Yes I agree. nm

[Warren Stupidity]

2. He should fight like this more often.

[rhett o rick]

3. LOL. I beat you by seconds. nm

[Enrique]

11. he can't

for some reason people always come up with.

[BlueToTheBone]

4. Now let's sweep the bastards from all offices.

Even the dog catcher!

Want to help with Arkansas' hope for the 3rd District? www.Aden4Arkansas.com

Here's a 30 second HUGH Help at DFA. Become a supporter - we need 150...really! 30 seconds!
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/campaigns/4286

[rocktivity]

5. Rinse and repeat, Mr. President! RINSE AND REPEAT!

Last edited Fri Dec 23, 2011, 12:53 PM - Edit history (1)

All that you, Peolsi, and Reid have to do is over the next twelve months is react this strongly and publicly to every "No" the Rethugs come up with, and you'll have no trouble holding on to your Oval Office!


rocktivity

[MannyGoldstein]

6. Obama was able to maintain the status quo!

Amazing!

[TheWraith]

8. Good to know you can maintain the status quo of slamming Obama.

Got to make sure that even a win isn't good enough!

[MannyGoldstein]

17. Do you disagree with my post?

I'm very, very happy that we won. And Obama deserves the credit.

But I'm struck by the fact that, for Democrats, maintaining the status quo has become an exceptional achievement. I look forward to a future of Democrats getting big wins that unambiguously move America forward - I think you do too. And we both hope that Obama leads the charge.

[ProSense]

19. How

"But I'm struck by the fact that, for Democrats, maintaining the status quo has become an exceptional achievement."

...exactly is a payroll tax holiday "maintaining the status quo"?

[MannyGoldstein]

20. Will it be different from the payroll tax holiday that we have today? nt

[ProSense]

21. No, and

"Will it be different from the payroll tax holiday that we have today?"

...that was the "status quo" too, right?

[528 hz]

24. Maitaining the status quo? Try DECIMATING THE SOCIAL SECURITY FUND!

[Mojorabbit]

30. I know, right? How is he going to turn around now and reinstate the payroll tax back to what it was

after all this rhetoric?

[a2liberal]

35. Yup

It bugs me how so many people fail to see that. Yes, I'm always happy to see the Republicans implode, but I also don't see any way out of the permanent damage to Social Security.

[treestar]

41. A bad economy could do just as much in that regard

So if it is helping the recovery, it may be better for the fund in the long run.

[a2liberal]

44. Good point I hadn't considered that

Though I still think that the same thing could be accomplished in other ways that don't endanger Social Security. Like for example a tax cut or credit and adjusted withholding tables to reflect that.

[LiberalAndProud]

25. I don't disagree with you, MG, but witnessing what just happened,

I find it more than a little ironic that Obama ended up beating Boehner and his obstinate House goats with their own stick. They are the ones who always and forever claim that reducing taxes is the only way to stimulate the economy. Yet they could not bring themselves to support the President on reducing taxes.

The Republicans are contrarian. There is no rhyme nor reason for their stubbornness except to understand that they will oppose all things Obama, without regard to the damage they are doing to our country. With those yahoos in the majority in the House, maintaining the status quo is, sadly enough, reason for celebration. I join you in hoping that Obama will have fewer of them to deal with after November.

[Mr Dixon]

27. Agreed

Hater among us

[Sheepshank]

36. lol subtelty has never been a hallmark

Some are working very hard to present anyone but Obama as the ultimate solution. I'm just wondering when they will actually come up with an actual person as an alternative...seems to be working in that general direction imho.

[nobodyspecial]

55. No, I think many are secretly cheering for the GOP to return

and destroy things even more. They are like a death cult -- cheering the destruction of America because they think it will usher in the destruction of capitalism and their great revolution.

[RBInMaine]

9. I think if Obama handed you $1000 and said "go have fun" you'd find a way to bitch about that too.

Were you born negative and whiney, or is it some viral thing? Really, this is damn good news. Obama delivers a serious blow to the TeaNuts, and all you can do it bitch. Unreal. You really should consider a blanket, a glass of milk, and some cookies. Maybe a lullaby too. Sheesh.

[SidDithers]

16. +1...nt

Sid

[Mr Dixon]

29. AGREED

Spot on

[Kahuna]

37. +2 nt

[treestar]

42. That would add to the deficit and deplete the SS fund!

you are right

[Surya Gayatri]

48. +1,000 !

Love how you think, RBIM. SG

[rhett o rick]

49. I agree. We've come to expect so little. nm

[sarcasmo]

7. Hopefull this can turn some of those that are living on social secuirty as their only

source of income and vote Republican.

[RBInMaine]

12. Brilliant ! Thank you Mr. President !

[rufus dog]

13. kick

[BumRushDaShow]

14. K&R

[JNelson6563]

15. Rock on Mr. President!

[pa28]

18. It worked brilliantly.

Republicans will go to any length to shave millions off the tax bill of the top .001% but they'll begrudge ordinary Americans forty bucks a week in tax savings.

Great start. Let's run with it.

[Scurrilous]

22. K & R

[great white snark]

28. You are happily pushing RW memes.

Between this and the "status quo" talking points you are on a roll. Knock yourself out!

[a2liberal]

34. Please answer me this

Do you believe this "temporary cut" will ever be allowed to expire? Or will this $40 thing be brought up every single time? And if it does not expire, do you believe that Congress will forever continue to make up the difference to SS from the general fund? Also, how is it a RW meme to point out political reality?

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE how the Republicans imploded over this. But I still think it is a terrible idea long-term because it is indeed the first step toward the destruction of Social Security. Remember that FDR bragged that nobody could ever destroy it _because_ it was funded by its own tax. We have permanently destroyed that aspect by setting the precedent that it's ok to replace that with other funding sources.

[Ship of Fools]

26. What about medications?

I found it interesting that he didn't elect to speak about people's hardship of purchasing
meds vs. purchasing foodstuff...That HAS to be one of the more common complaints.
Just a thought.

[Bandit]

31. Now we should be asking just how badly hurt the millionaires would be if they had to give up $40.

Contrast and Compare.....Millionaires would not even notice it, while the average American worker considers it a big deal...

[coalition_unwilling]

32. It wasn't an 'attack' so much as a finely-honed stiletto

Last edited Fri Dec 23, 2011, 01:29 PM - Edit history (1)

inserted between the ribs of Teabagism. In other words, Obama had every right to use the 'hypocrisy' label against Repukes but chose instead to take the high road of letting ordinary people illustrate that hypocrisy. A class act.

To wit, one cannot say ones favors tax cuts but then, when the other party proposes tax cuts, oppose them. Likewise, one cannot say one favors cutting taxes on millionaires but raising taxes on the working class (unless one wishes to commit political suicide).

The DKos link is an excellent debate of the pros and cons of economic stimulus via temporary reduction in FICA withholding too. So thanks for the link.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

33. It's about time...

he loosened his belt , reached down his pants and found his balls.

[opihimoimoi]

38. Obama PoliSci Chess Master De Facto Vs Rookie Baggers and Nooner Stooge......Eating Crow is so hard

[AtomicKitten]

39. The issue is tee'd up for another go in two months.

The GOP being the less than brilliant tacticians that they are (derp) have given the president an early Xmas present that keeps on giving.

[treestar]

40. Wouldn't make a big difference to Mittens

He of the $10,000 bet. Mittens is getting off to a bad start and he has not even been nominated yet.

[JDPriestly]

43. Sorry to spoil the party.

But how are these people getting $40.00 now going to feel when they reach 67 and are told that, no, they are not going to get Social Security because, after all, they never paid into it and the money in the general fund needs to go for defense.

This is one of Obama's worst ideas yet.

I will vote for him, but I will be holding my nose.

[ProSense]

46. Rest

But how are these people getting $40.00 now going to feel when they reach 67 and are told that, no, they are not going to get Social Security because, after all, they never paid into it and the money in the general fund needs to go for defense.

...assured that will never happen.

[JDPriestly]

50. You only get what you pay for.

We seniors were able to rebut Simpson's accusations that we were sucking on the teat of the taxpayers BECAUSE WE PAID INTO THE SYSTEM. The Social Security Trust Fund holds our money. The government borrowed from that trust fund.

So now they are trying to destroy the trust fund and Social Security with this "tax holiday."

Doesn't take a PhD in math to figure out what is going on.

But for the math-disabled, I am explaining. 2+2=4. 0+0=0.

If your contribution to Social Security is 0, then one of these days, conservatives will tell you that your entitlement to Social Security is 0.

Anyone who thinks any differently has not been paying attention.

[ProSense]

53. Maybe,

"You only get what you pay for...Doesn't take a PhD in math to figure out what is going on. "

...but care to explain how a one-year payroll tax cut equals "they are not going to get Social Security because, after all, they never paid into it"?

[JDPriestly]

56. The one-year payroll tax cut is not going to be ended.

No president will have the courage to reimpose it. No Congress will have that courage either. That's why this is such a scam and why people are so foolish to fall for this.

The mentality that likes this tax cut is the same mentality that thought 0 interest mortgages for the first few years were a good deal. It's just not very bright to go for this kind of a deal. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

That the Social Security benefits will continue to be paid out in the future although working people are not paying in and that the payroll tax will be reinstated -- two "too good to be true" beliefs. Not going to happen.

[OnTheOtherHand]

57. why do you keep saying 0?

I manage a small payroll. Don't go telling me that the employees "are not paying in" -- I do the withholding myself.

As for the rest, frankly it doesn't take all that much courage to point out that in the long run, Social Security benefits have to be paid for. Even messing with the payroll tax was somewhat risky, but I don't agree that the reduction is fated to be permanent.

[JDPriestly]

58. Why do you think that the reduction will not be permanent.

[CrispyQ]

51. Stranger things have happened.

There was time I never thought that American citizens could be killed or detained on the order of the President, anywhere, including the United States, without judicial process.

[ProSense]

54. No, they haven't. n/t

[Festivito]

52. I could bet 400 or more Republicons more than the worth of their integrity that they pass lies.

..because their integrity isn't worth a dime.

But, the first one that did show integrity in the face of opposition, that is they would know better information that we can verify together, would get the entire $40.00 and my undying gratitude.

[opihimoimoi]

59. its the camptown lady doo dahh