What’s going on in this election is bigger than just a choice between two candidates or between two parties. It’s about two fundamentally different visions of where we go as a country. – President Barack Obama
WHO IS this guy? I can’t believe my ears.
The man who took a bus to Ohio on Thursday was someone we haven’t heard from in a– have we ever heard from this guy? Not lately like this on the economy, that’s for sure, which is why James Carville told Democrats to “panic” back in 2011 and his group sounded the alarm once again back in June and I wrote about it here.
It is elites who are creating a conventional wisdom that an incumbent president must run on his economic performance – and therefore must convince voters that things are moving in the right direction. They are wrong, and that will fail. [...] They want to know the plans for making things better in a serious way – not just focused on finishing up the work of the recovery. – Democracy Corps
Could it be that something has shifted inside Obamaworld, with Carville’s message finally making a dent? I went searching to see if anyone else had noticed to see Josh Marshall had written something similar on the subject, so it clearly isn’t just me.
Pres. Obama’s remarks were completely different from what has been putting everyone to sleep for months on end.
See, I believe in an America where no matter who you are, no matter what you look like, no matter where you come from, you can make it if you try. (Applause.)
We’ve never been a country that — we’ve never been a country looking for handouts. We’re a nation of strivers and risk-takers and entrepreneurs, workers. (Applause.) But what we ask for is that hard work pays off, that responsibility is rewarded. The idea is if you take responsibility for your life, if you put in the effort, if you do the responsible thing, then you can find a job that pays a living wage, that you can look after your family, that you can buy a home, that you can retire with some dignity and some respect, that you won’t go bankrupt when you get sick — (applause) — that you have that core, middle-class security that built this country, and that you can pass that on to your kids so they can do things that you never even imagined. That’s the essence of America.
And I believe in that basic promise of America because I lived it. That’s my biography. I had grandparents whose service at World War II was rewarded by them having a chance to go to college and buying their first house — because I had a hardworking mother who raised me and my sister right, but also had some help so that we could end up going to the best schools in the country even though we didn’t have a lot of money.
I got involved in politics. I ran for President in 2008, and some of you joined me in 2008 — (applause) — because we believed in that basic bargain that built the largest middle class in history and the strongest economy in the world. And we felt like that basic bargain was slipping away, that hard work wasn’t always rewarded, that being responsible didn’t always get you ahead, that folks who acted irresponsibly sometimes were making out like bandits while ordinary folks were having a tougher and tougher time.
So we came together in that election — Democrats, but also independents and, yes, some Republicans — to restore that basic bargain that built this country. And we knew at the time it wouldn’t be easy. We knew it would take more than one year or one term or maybe even one President. But what we didn’t realize at the time was we were going to be hit by the worst economic crisis in our lifetimes.
And that’s been tough on a lot of folks, including people here in Ohio. It robbed millions of people of their jobs and their homes and their savings. And it pushed the American Dream even further from reach for a lot of people.
But you know what, this crisis has not changed the fundamental character of America. It hasn’t changed the fundamental character of this town, or this state, or this part of the country. We’ve still got people who are working hard. We’ve still got people who are acting responsibly. (Applause.) It hasn’t diminished our belief in those ideals we were fighting for in 2008. (Applause.)
And our mission right now isn’t just to recover from this economic crisis, although that’s job one. Our mission is to give back to America, to Americans all across the country, what’s been lost — that sense of security. Our goal isn’t just to put people back to work tomorrow; it’s also to build for the long haul an economy where hard work pays off — (applause) — an economy where everybody, whether you’re starting a business or punching a clock, has confidence that if you work hard, you will get ahead. That’s what America is about. That’s what Ohio is about. (Applause.) [...]
…and he just kept going.
THE PRESIDENT: What’s holding us back from meeting our challenges — it’s not a lack of ideas, it’s not a lack of solutions. What’s holding us back is we’ve got a stalemate in Washington between these two visions of where the country needs to go. And this election is all about breaking that stalemate. The outcome of this election will determine our economic future not just for the next year or the next two years, but maybe for the next decade or the next two.
And I want everybody to be clear about what this choice is. My opponent and his allies in Congress, they believe prosperity comes from the top down. They believe if we eliminate most regulations and we cut taxes for the wealthy by trillions of dollars, that somehow our whole economy will benefit, and all of you will benefit, and there’s going to be more jobs and better security for everybody. That’s their basic economic plan.
…and going.
THE PRESIDENT: …The lack of regulation on Wall Street, the kind of thing that they’re prescribing, that’s exactly what allowed people to game the system that caused this whole mess in the first place.
So, no, I don’t think that Mr. Romney’s plan to spend trillions of dollars more on tax cuts for folks who don’t need them and aren’t even asking for them is the right way to grow our economy — (applause) — especially since they want to pay for it by cutting education spending and cutting job training programs and raising middle-class taxes…
[...] Governor Romney’s experience has been in owning companies that were called “pioneers” of outsourcing. That’s not my phrase — “pioneers” of outsourcing. My experience has been in saving the American auto industry. And as long as I’m President, that’s what I’m going to be doing — waking up every single day thinking about how we can create more jobs for your families and more security for your communities. (Applause.)
That’s why my administration brought trade cases against China at a faster pace than the previous administration — and we’ve won those cases. Just this morning, my administration took a new action to hold China accountable for unfair trade practices that harm American automakers. (Applause.)
And let me tell you something. Americans aren’t afraid to compete. We believe in competition. I believe in trade. And I know this: Americans and American workers build better products than anybody else — (applause) — so as long as we’re competing on a fair playing field instead of an unfair playing field, we’ll do just fine. But we’re going to make sure that competition is fair. That’s what I believe. That’s part of our vision for America.
It’s a start in the right direction, at least as campaign rhetoric goes and beats the message that hasn’t been working so far.
For the second time today, I’m moved to write sounds like 2008 all over again. I did 2008 already. I want to try something different this time.
You know, like maybe something actually gets fixed this time?
Coventional wisdom states that the unemployment rate is the strongest predictor of the election outcome. Conventional wisdom may be wrong. California with one of the highest unemployment rates should be a solid Romney state and Oklahoma with its low unemployment rate (OKC has a 4% unemployment rate) should be a solid Obama state. That isn’t being reflected in the polls.
The Great Depression and the Bush Great Recession have common characteristics that aren’t found in the post WWII recessions. Both are associated with a Wall Street collapse and a severe housing bubble collapse. It took ten years, WWII and massive government spending to end the Great Depression. Oklahoma is the only state where a housing bubble did not take place because average housing prices in Oklahoma were already low and housing prices have risen incrementally, albeit more slowly, during and after the housing bubble collapse that began in 2007.
The Democrats want to make this election a contrast election. In 1936 the FDR led Democratic Party made it a contrast election. FDR was blessed with the GOP selecting a self made millionaire the Governor of Kansas, Alf Landon who, like Romney had a stiff awkward personality and never was able to relate to ordinary Americans. The GOP campaigned on a platform of de regulating Wall Street and repealing all the New Deal legislation including repeal of the 1935 Social Security Act. The GOP called FDR a Boshevik and a Communist out to destroy the American way of life and the New Deal was a failure as evidenced by the 16% unemployment rate in the months leading up to the 1936 election.
It’s rather easy to see how the Democrats want to make the 2012 election campaign a contrast election on two fronts. In 1948 due to the inevitable post WWII deep recession Truman’s favorability ratings plumetted to the 20′s and his GOP opponent was all but declared the winner of the 1948 Presidential election months before the election. Truman was also lucky to draw an out of touch candidate Tom Dewey who like Romney and Landon also had a stiff awkward personality who was never able to relate to ordinary American voters. Truman described Dewey as ‘the little man on the wedding cake’ and ran a campaign against a ‘Do Nothing’ Republlcan controlled Congress.
In 1936 FDR ran a successful populist campaign against the GOP’s platform of a Wall Street, free market, unregulated economic system. FDR’s populist themes were articulated by FDR in a Madison Square Garden speech:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjSTQwamo8M&feature=related
Obama because he is African American will not be the main voice in vitriolic attacks on a do-nothing Republican Congress since the Republicans would raise the red meat dog whistle of Obama being ‘arrogant’ and ‘uppity’. Joe Biden, who can relate to white middle class workers in the rust states (Pennsylvania, Ohiio, Wisconsin and Michigan) has taken on that role effectively.
I can believe my ears- easily. This is the 2008 version of Obama running for President in 2012. It’s the guy called Candidate Obama, the one who knows how to win elections.
It’s too late to convince me that electing Candidate Obama isn’t going to give us President Obama- the one who is all rhetoric and little action, the one who staffs his White House with Wall Street cronies, the one who is all excuses when asked “remember when you said you would…?”
It’s very simple- talk is cheap. If President Obama was the leader that Candidate Obama claims he is, he wouldn’t need to be busing through Ohio making promises. He’d have the state sewn up.
Unfortunately for President Obama, many of us take the old lyrics to heart- Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss– and we Won’t Be Fooled Again.
The “Betting on America” bus tour seems to be another indication of acknowledging a close election.
Doris Kerns Goodwin who I know is a supporter, said maybe like FDR he is learning from his mistakes and will be better in a second term? Maybe but I think maybe he has learned because he has mildly criticised Wall Street and they have acted like 14 year olds and had their feelings hurt..and contributed to his opponant, he has realized that it was not his inate wonderfulness that got them to support him in the first place.Further I don’t think he needs any more of the Republican treachery to understand that bi-partisan was always an illusion.
BTW~ This is off topic but maybe others are having the same problem. I would like to buy you one drink a month but the subscription options, no matter which one you choose will only let me buy you two. Wish I could but most of my $ is going to help my struggling daughter who just got laid off again! Never let your children get degrees in journalism.
I wonder how many people this is going to work on? I wonder how many people are going to tune this out and say “you had four years” to deliver and you didn’t?
Q: “I wonder how many people are going to tune this out and say “you had four years” to deliver and you didn’t?”
A: All of them.
Is that why Obama is ahead in swing states and the national polls?
I think that Mr. Carter was leading at this point in 1980 as well.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/behind-the-numbers/2008/10/reagans_comeback.html
History would seem to disagree with your memory.
You mean this history?
The article you pointed to talks about the final weeks of the camapaign, that being October; what month is it where you are?. Of course, my posting was meant to be a little tongue in check, but not only are you dense, but you lack a sense of humor.
“A: All of them.”
Patently out of touch with reality….and I’m dense? I’d rather be dense then delusional. And just to show I have a sense of humor…President Mitt Romney BWAHAHAHAHAHAJHA!
Being ahead in the polls, and even winning elections, doesn’t mean you’ve won over people. Often it simply means that your opponent stinks more than you do. GW Bush wasn’t rewarded with a second term in 2004 because he was so awesome; a small majority of Americans simply could not see dumping him for John Kerry.
As long as we have this bs two-party stranglehold on our government, the only thing you can say about the winner of a national election is that he was deemed preferable to the Other Guy. Period.
To be specific, winning the Presidency means that more Americans preferred you to exactly ONE other guy- because most Americans have bought into the Two Choices meme pushed obsessively by the media.
Barack Obama is not preferable to either Jill Stein or Rocky Anderson in my book- so he’s not getting my vote.
Empty rhetoric; he’s full of shit. If voters believe it they deserve what they get.
Bleh. He’s said all this nonsense before. He can’t deliver, except to friends and cronies. I think way too many of us are tired of backwards economic growth, a stagnant or non-existent job market and the whole Obama schtick. NO thanks.
Ms. Marsh, while I value your opinion greatly and enjoy your writing, I must say that an interpretation of the president’s remarks are subjective.
For me, were Barack Obama be running for office the first time I’d think,”This is the guy; he knows what’s going on for the faceless unwashed struggling in a rigged game.”
But….I already did that in 2008. Now, I read those words and think that words are cheap. I look at actions, and in that regard Pres. Obama is a disappointment. And that is being charitable. By 2008 the DLC and the top tier of the Democratic Party decided that consideration of those earning under $85,000 per year was a waste of time.
Such a claim is supported by Obama’s actions. So for election (and re-election) a candidate opens the bag of rhetoric to convince the surplus population to give their vote to them. After all, this nose-holding effort only takes place every four years.
Look at campaigns and then look at governing. As was said by the late Ruth Gordon in “Every Which Way But Loose,”……”i don’t believe ANY of that shit.”
mrpister–I am with you. Well said.
As far as Taylor’s post, well, I believe that Obama has woken up to discover the campaign is close, even against an extremely lame opponent. Therefore, he is revving up his rhetoric in hopes he can motivate those he fooled before so he doesn’t flat out lose to a repeat of the 2010 lack of turnout.
Like you, I am one who believes actions speak louder than words.
Mrpister and Ladywalker- 100 percent correct. Obama is basically asking the American people to pretend it’s 2008 all over again, and he’s the New Guy who will deliver the Change We Need in Washington. Well, bullshit– you aren’t the New Guy anymore, Mr. President- in fact, as it turns out, you never were. Just more of the same.
We aren’t all RAJensens out here. That’s your biggest problem.
Calm down, TM. This is warmed-over 2008 stump speech rhetoric, nothing more. Here is what’s missing from his speeches and your analysis; Obama outlines how Romney will use his power to reduce the role of government in our lives to the benefit of business and the rich. But, Obama will not go on the record and state why he believes in the federal government and its power and why and how he will use this power to improve our living conditions to strengthen opportunities at the expense of the rich and the powerful. Until Obama does so, anyone can write onto this blank tablet any conclusion you wish; just like 2008.
We have not come this far without a struggle and I assure you we cannot go further without a struggle.
For twelve years this Nation was afflicted with hear-nothing, see-nothing, do-nothing Government. The Nation looked to Government but the Government looked away. Nine mocking years with the golden calf and three long years of the scourge! Nine crazy years at the ticker and three long years in the breadlines! Nine mad years of mirage and three long years of despair! Powerful influences strive today to restore that kind of government with its doctrine that that Government is best which is most indifferent.
For nearly four years you have had an Administration which instead of twirling its thumbs has rolled up its sleeves. We will keep our sleeves rolled up.
We had to struggle with the old enemies of peace–business and financial monopoly, speculation, reckless banking, class antagonism, sectionalism, war profiteering.
They had begun to consider the Government of the United States as a mere appendage to their own affairs. We know now that Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob.
Never before in all our history have these forces been so united against one candidate as they stand today. They are unanimous in their hate for me–and I welcome their hatred. FDR
Unfortunately, many Americans live on the outskirts of hope–some because of their poverty, and some because of their color, and all too many because of both. Our task is to help replace their despair with opportunity.
This administration today, here and now, declares unconditional war on poverty in America. I urge this Congress and all Americans to join with me in that effort.
It will not be a short or easy struggle, no single weapon or strategy will suffice, but we shall not rest until that war is won. The richest Nation on earth can afford to win it. We cannot afford to lose it. One thousand dollars invested in salvaging an unemployable youth today can return $40,000 or more in his lifetime.
Poverty is a national problem, requiring improved national organization and support. But this attack, to be effective, must also be organized at the State and the local level and must be supported and directed by State and local efforts.
For the war against poverty will not be won here in Washington. It must be won in the field, in every private home, in every public office, from the courthouse to the White House.
The program I shall propose will emphasize this cooperative approach to help that one-fifth of all American families with incomes too small to even meet their basic needs.
Our chief weapons in a more pinpointed attack will be better schools, and better health, and better homes, and better training, and better job opportunities to help more Americans, especially young Americans, escape from squalor and misery and unemployment rolls where other citizens help to carry them.
Very often a lack of jobs and money is not the cause of poverty, but the symptom. The cause may lie deeper in our failure to give our fellow citizens a fair chance to develop their own capacities, in a lack of education and training, in a lack of medical care and housing, in a lack of decent communities in which to live and bring up their children.
But whatever the cause, our joint Federal-local effort must pursue poverty, pursue it wherever it exists–in city slums and small towns, in sharecropper shacks or in migrant worker camps, on Indian Reservations, among whites as well as Negroes, among the young as well as the aged, in the boom towns and in the depressed areas. LBJ
We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.
It is for these reasons that I regard the decision last year to shift our efforts in space from low to high gear as among the most important decisions that will be made during my incumbency in the office of the Presidency. JFK