Obama Vs. Clinton = Effective Framing of Issues Vs. Triangulation = Lakoff Vs. Dick Morris

[DrFunkenstein]

I am really shocked at how many people seem to get lost on Obama's ability to convert moderate conservatives.

Alot of people at DU are familiar with George Lakoff's indispensable 2004 booklet, "Don't Think of an Elephant." He talked at length about the liberal dilemma about having the facts on our sides without the least use. You could couple it with "What's the Matter With Kansas?" as must reads of the last Presidential cycle.

Lakoff's big idea was thinking about politics through framing, which has to do with the way the brain (in American culture, I'd add) processes campaign information through various filters. It is a great read and I highly recommend it (rather than explain the whole thing).

In any case, Obama's appeal to moderates and conservatives essentially answers the questions posed by both books (neither of which provides nearly sufficient answers to the problems they bring up).

In a nutshell, Obama instinctively knows how to frame liberal issues to the American public in a way that the Clintons never could.

During the 90's (and well beyond), they chose to make up the difference by throwing away some of the key issues in the progressive agenda like media consolidation and a social safety net. They also chose to dissocociate themselves from the term "liberal," thus legitimizing the efforts of the vast right wing conspiracy to make it a dirty word (which it remains to this day).

I won't even go into what effect this has had on Hillary Clinton's foreign policy posture.

Despite his impressive - in the fullest sense of the word - ability to make moderates and conservatives walk away nodding their head, Obama has not sacrificed a progressive agend in the process. He simply knows how to frame progressive ideas in a way that makes them common sense.

Alot of people around here deride him for this accomplishment, but it remains a key part of Obama's appeal for me. Not only does he have rock solid plans for health care and energy reform, but he can really drum up the public support for the issue and get it passed through Congress.

[billbuckhead]

1. Yeah because Obama reframes the 2008 campaign into one about race

Yeah because Obama reframes the 2008 campaign into one about race and the Republicans sure don't want it to be about them and their deeds. They don't want to face the Clinton's again since they lose when do.

[stillcool]

2. People on DU seem to want it..

to be about race...or is that just parroting the media? I don't watch television..so I regard these candidates by what they actually say. It is fun though to watch the shit-slinging-fests..as I'm sure the sentiments expressed here are in no way indicative of the American population...People just want to "Highlight" their shit.

[Cha]

6. It isn't Obama who's

doing that but then you knew that.

[Democrafty]

3. Great post!

For me, this is key: "In a nutshell, Obama instinctively knows how to frame liberal issues to the American public in a way that the Clintons never could."

So many people who have been voting Republican are more progressive than they realize. Not only that, but they're voting Republican against their economic interests. So reaching out to these folks with the right kind of rhetoric is so important.

[IndyOp]

4. Dr. F -- specific examples please --

How has Obama delivered a message that is as progressive or more progressive than Clinton or Edwards but had it received better because of the way he framed it?

I am interested and would like to better understand what you are driving at...

[XemaSab]

5. Have you read Lakoff?

You should. He'll change the way you think about politics. :)

http://www.rockridgeinstitute.org/

(Don't Think of an Elephant was good, Moral Politics was better :) )

[NoBorders]

7. We have slammed Dems for years for poor messaging/framing

And here we keep slamming one of our own because he does it well.

[guruoo]

8. They all "triangulate" n/t

[KittyWampus]

10. framing your message is vastly different than triangulating.

[guruoo]

11. Absolutely.

And they're all doing it -framing AND "triangulation".

(with two possible exceptions: Dennis Kucinich, and Ron Paul)

I've worked many many campaigns, and have come to believe people
simply place too much importance in campaign cycle rhetoric.
I choose a candidate based not on what they say they'll do, but rather
what I believe they'll actually do once in office.

[KittyWampus]

9. NH exit polls said plainly, people are turned off by how Edwards presents his populist economic

message.

[gdaerin]

12. Excellent Post

[JAbuchan08]

13. I still have my doubts about Obama

but I've kicked the thread, because I've seen Obama smack down the right wing and I believe that his conciliatory language is a lot less risky than the actual and substantial compromises of principle that Hillary's record represents.

[FrenchieCat]

14. Yes, Interesting isn't it....."Obama instinctively knows how ..."

That's the best part; that it is instinctive!

Thanks!













Obama's Mom and his Grandparents. Kansas Folk.