Something rather amazing happened this week and it’s the emergence of Michele Bachmann as a serious candidate for president. John H. Hinderaker over at Powerline knows her and didn’t want her to run, but has been awakened, “Suddenly, Bachmann doesn’t look like a fringe candidate anymore.” More:
That Barack Obama is without a clue when it comes to the economy is no revelation, but that he lacks empathy–traditionally a Democratic refrain–is a bold and interesting twist. The fact is that Obama does often seem to be weirdly detached from the problems he ostensibly is trying to solve. Perhaps that is just his style… It is no surprise that Bachmann’s enemies continually underestimate her, but I am beginning to think that her friends have underestimated her, too. (emphasis added)
Another person who hasn’t been sure about her is Karl Rove, though he ran her first campaign, he was unconvinced a few weeks ago when talking to Bill O’Reilly.
Mrs. Bachmann is touching on a real problem for Pres. Obama, which is he just doesn’t connect emotionally and it is his style, but it manifests in the feeling that he doesn’t seem to get what’s going on with people. His recent interview with Ann Curry I highlighted that sounded like he wanted a second term for the sake of it is another part of this problem.
Tangential to this challenge is Bill Daley, who is not connecting with business leaders either, which has been rougher to do than anticipated. The Obama camp does the optics, but they’re struggling on connectivity, because people now have seen and heard the pitch before and received insignificant follow through.
Now comes this from the LA Times (emphasis added):
But her decision to address Obama’s purported lack of empathy is notable—largely because Bachmann emerged into public notoriety as a vanguard of the slash-and-burn “tea party” movement, which largely took a mistrustful view of government in any context. Moreover, the term “empathy” is one that has long been derided by conservatives.
It’s a sign that she, along with Mitt Romney and her other rivals for the GOP nomination, view the economy, and especially the unemployment rate, as the incumbent’s biggest weakness, and that forging a connection with voters unhappy with the country’s direction will be the key to victory.
Going against your type is the strongest counterweight to reveal depth of purpose, if not character. This is the most interesting move from Bachmann, revealing her camp not only gets it’s the economy that is the Right’s best weapon, but that the human element of tapping into the emotions driving how people feel about the economy is something she and her team gets, too.
There are a lot of women out there in Republican primary land who are sick to death of the men running their party. The boys’ club better take Hinderaker’s advice to start paying attention.
It’s early, but so far Michele Bachmann is emerging as no joke, which could translate into real currency if she starts amassing a serious following. She’s already proved she can raise money.
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