CSM - "Obama casts Congress as the problem, tells Americans to 'let them know'"

[TomCADem]

I saw some threads asking why isn't he wacking Republicans. Well, here he is doing that.

Another thread asked where is he? Well, he was in Detroit highlighting a company that is making the transition to clean energy products.

Another thread asked why isn't President Obama using his bully pulpit to demand that Congress act. Well, there you go.

Finally, this story does not report it, but President Obama also once again pushed for more spending on infrastructure to put construction workers to work.

I am sure the threads attacking a Democratic president on a Democratic board were just rhetorical, and that you all knew that he was doing and saying what you said he should be doing and saying, so carry on. Surely, the left is not simply buying into the corporate media narrative of Blame Democrats and Give Republicans a Free Pass.

:hi:

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/0813/Obama-casts-Congress-as-the-problem-tells-Americans-to-let-them-know

Facing his own presidential rough patch, President Obama used his Saturday radio address to direct criticism at Congress, telling Americans that they "deserve better" than the "partisanship and gridlock" exhibited in the government's legislative branch.

The rhetoric may have some political logic, as the president can use his bully pulpit to cast himself as aligned with a frustrated public, and as willing to lead if only Congress would give him a chance.

But the barbed message also carries political risks, since critics say Mr. Obama shares blame for the gridlock because of his own failure to lead. Another danger is that the president becomes known more for griping and commiserating than for laying out a positive direction for the country.

[Ruby the Liberal]

1. You have completely missed the point.

It isn't "we" or "Congress" or "Washington".

It is "obstructionist Republicans" and until he starts calling out the differences, people believe that he doesn't stand for anything, there is no difference between the parties (and their goals) and will vote for what they understand as opposed to vague notions of "them" being "Congress".

Fail.

[Waiting For Everyman]

2. Where do the juicey new trade agreements fit into that logic?

Or nominating a Repub to the Federal Reserve board? Or refusing to let the OFA network help in WI? Or choosing a right-to-work state for the Dem convention? Or for that matter, continuing to keep Bill Daley as his chief of staff?

Those are all from current threads too, and nobody forced him to do any of those things.

[Ruby the Liberal]

3. Tom, this article went viral last weekend (and is still being linked this weekend in OpEds)

It may explain where much of the frustration is coming from, and it isn't about the generic "blaming Congress". The generic "blaming Congress" IS the problem.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/opinion/sunday/what-happened-to-obamas-passion.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&pagewanted=all

Excerpt:

When he wants to be, the president is a brilliant and moving speaker, but his stories virtually always lack one element: the villain who caused the problem, who is always left out, described in impersonal terms, or described in passive voice, as if the cause of others’ misery has no agency and hence no culpability

And this excerpt gives concrete examples of "vague ideology"

To the average American, who was still staring into the abyss, the half-stimulus did nothing but prove that Ronald Reagan was right, that government is the problem. In fact, the average American had no idea what Democrats were trying to accomplish by deficit spending because no one bothered to explain it to them with the repetition and evocative imagery that our brains require to make an idea, particularly a paradoxical one, “stick.”

Nor did anyone explain what health care reform was supposed to accomplish (other than the unbelievable and even more uninspiring claim that it would “bend the cost curve”), or why “credit card reform” had led to an increase in the interest rates they were already struggling to pay.

Nor did anyone explain why saving the banks was such a priority, when saving the homes the banks were foreclosing didn’t seem to be.

All Americans knew, and all they know today, is that they’re still unemployed, they’re still worried about how they’re going to pay their bills at the end of the month and their kids still can’t get a job. And now the Republicans are chipping away at unemployment insurance, and the president is making his usual impotent verbal exhortations after bargaining it away.

This is why he is failing. People need to hear what the problem is, who caused it, why they did what they did, why they were wrong, and what our plan is to rectify the situation. Vague ideologies about "them" and "Washington" does not explain any of this and therefore, people have nothing to vote for (only things to vote against). See: 2010, November

[formernaderite]

4. that's exactly right

I wish he would go back to what he talked about before his election. When he spoke about what the future looked like, and what he'd like to see done in Washington. He can't have run out of issues already... When he speaks about what he'd like to see, people listen. When he blames everyone and the dog, people tune out.

[sendero]

5. Congress is polling ..

... in the basement so blaming them is politically probably about the best he can do right now.

Obama has a tough road ahead - the economy will NOT be substantially better in a year. The last issue that Dems stood firm on ("entitlements") will have been compromised with the help of him and the party.

The only good news would be one of the batshit crazy repugs getting the nomination (Perry, Bachmann, Pawlenty, Palin if she's dumb enough to run) but I don't think that is going to happen.

[GeorgeGist]

10. There are no villians in Obamaland!

A better tomorrow, tomorrow!

[madokie]

6. There damn sure are a bunch here who have bought into that repuke narrative as you explained it

DU is hard to take anymore there is so many concern trolls that its getting hard to find threads about the good of the democratic party and or our fine President.
Anyone here show me who in the opposition that would even be able to hold a light to the good that Obama is doing for us average Jane's and Joe Democratic voters.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

11. Well said.

[Ruby the Liberal]

12. Please, do post something positive.

Our economy is heading over a cliff right now and the employer of last resort will not be financially able to address it until 2013 thanks to election priorities (of both parties).

I would k&r to the heavens something positive, and the Lily Ledbetter law doesn't count. Too January 2009.

Bring me something positive about what my party is doing NOW to avert this economic catastrophy the Rs are steering us into.

As I said to someone the other night who brought up SCOTUS - you need to REPEAT this DAILY and several times a day if need be, every day from now until November 2012. Help me here. I *need* something to work with.

[OHdem10]

7. Is he just wimpily saying the Congress. He has to say the

Republican Congress. Totally ineffective if he is
specific in his attack.

[Bluenorthwest]

8. Where does he 'wack Republicans'?

Disingenuous post, not respectful of our intelligence. This milquetoast 'bipartisan language' is fetid, rotting, and it is a huge part of the problem. It has one source. It needs to stop.

[Cali_Democrat]

15. Exactly

Why doesn't he specifically call out the Republicans in Congress?

[Bluebear]

9. He did not wack (sic) republicans here.

He blames partisanship and congress as a whole. he does not appear to have the fortitude to call out the other party.

[Renew Deal]

13. Not a bad strategy when congress has an 82% disapproval rating.

;)

[upi402]

14. I think it's the WALK, not the TALK

He says all the right stuff. And then kicks us in the brains ...

He hits for the team that hates him. And betrays his loyal supporters.
Honeymoon's over.