So, What Happened???

[Steely_Dan]

I just have to say this...

Among the perceived failures of our current President is the fact that he and his staff have allowed the Right to define the issues and the debate(s). I don't know why more people on this board do not acknowledge this fact. As soon as you allow the opposition to control the message, you have lost. The ability to define the argument in any political debate is rule one and is absolutely necessary. How could this administration not understand that? It is fundamental. And if you think this that this is a minor point, consider how pervasive the damage is from not understanding this simple requirement.

-P

[spanone]

1. it's all filtered thru the media circus.

[zipplewrath]

2. Rahm

The president was convinced, by Rahm I presume, not to confront members of his own party (t'would be "retarded" after all). Therefor, the conservative dems in the senate, and to a similar degree the pro-life democrats in the house, have been willing to leverage the opposition of the GOP to their own narrow ends, without having to accept any of the political blame for the grid lock. Healthcare has taken this long, not because of the GOP, but because of Democrats like Nelson, amongst others. Obama has let them off the hook, and in fact by trying to "court" them, undermined his own efforts by making the process appear "bought and paid for". It allowed the opposition to portray the effort as "one sided" and as a "political payoff to powerful members of his own party".

[Steely_Dan]

4. Excellent and Accurate Analysis n/t

[Kyril Enko]

9. Like I said.....

...Emanual Can't. His ass should be punted like the overinflated football (read: ego) it is!

[CrispyQ]

3. Yes, you would think a president as bright as Obama would understand this.

The dems are terrible at taking control of the message. I'll never understand why they don't hire Lakoff or some other person who could help them frame the issue & take control of the message. A few days ago, another DUer commented that the dems wrongly assume that people will be swayed by the logic & reason of their argument. Sadly, most people are swayed by their emotional response to something - a lesson the dems have still not learned!

[Steely_Dan]

5. Exactly!

[NJmaverick]

6. The problem is the Right is getting no resistance from the left

or in many cases they are getting help from the left.

[notadmblnd]

7. Democrats are always reacting to what the republicans say

and always apologizing for what ever they say. I think just because we see ourselves as the more evolved species of the political animal, that we too often take the high road, and it hurts us in the long run. People want their leader to be seen as fighting for them and their interests, not appeasing their opponents because it's the civil thing to do.

[AllentownJake]

8. He tried to use their terminology to frame an issue

and win support from the other side.

Which always backfires.

Remember "Compassionate Conservative", no one actually believes that shit.

The other sides base is going to hate you because of the letter after your name no matter if you try to speak their language.

[HughMoran]

10. Yeah, he doesn't realize this

...as the Republicans have been back on their heels about healthcare, jobs bill etc...

You are missing something somewhere as your post diverges from recent reality.