My old boss from many years ago at Congressional Quarterly, John Bicknell, writes in Roll Call today that Obama’s choice to adopt Harry Truman’s “give ‘em hell” strategy would work better if it was still 1948:
Perhaps most importantly, despite the economic problems the country faced in 1948, underlying support for continuing the New Deal was strong. Obama faces an even tougher economy, and his economic program inspires little loyalty beyond the Democratic base.
Nearly as significantly, Truman’s personality fit the moment. Can Obama, the cool intellectual, be convincing as the fiery populist? Perhaps, but he lives in a much more open and diverse political world than did Truman, who could get away with saying things that no candidate could utter today without his words being instantly reported and just as quickly condemned.
In a speech in Gary, Ind., just days before Election Day, Truman said, “If anybody in this country is friendly to the Communists, it is the Republicans.”
Then, Pietrusza writes, “Having smeared the GOP as Reds by day, by night he proceeded to condemn its leadership as Nazi and fascist” and effectively called Dewey a front man for Hitlerites, raw talk three years after the end of World War II.
Jonah, I believe that’s your cue.
Although I suppose it’s not that hard to imagine Obama calling the GOP a bunch of Communists and condemning them as Nazi and fascist.
Can we stop calling Obama a "cool intellectual?" It's not 2008, he's no longer a fresh face, or a blank slate on which the gullible could paint their fantasy image of the perfect democrat. He's a well-known now, we've seen him in action and , far from projecting "cool", he comes across as angry, petulant, and in your face. At times he comes across as desperate, the very opposite of "cool." Cold maybe, but not "cool." As for the intellectual part? Please. What new, innovative idea has he ever come up with? What truly memorable phrase has he ever uttered? By now it's apparent that he's obsessed with golf, vacations, and watching spectator sports, I bet he hasn't read a real book since he became president. So enough with the "cool intellectual" garbage. No one's buying it anymore. That goes for "hip" too.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseObama doesn't have to win with Truman's strategy, he just has to win Ohio.
And with Mr. Mitt "I Heart Pink Slip" Romney on the GOP ticket, that will be an easy win for him.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseOh, well that settles it, then. Might as well pack it in now.
He also has to win North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, etc. But you're right, let's go ahead and concede the whole thing.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"He also has to win North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, etc."
Obama?
No, he doesn't have to win these states.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYes indeed, let's go backwards 65 years to have a campaign strategy for the future.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHopefully Obama can't win by running against a do-nothing Congress because the country doesn't want what he wants Congress to do.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseJoey, I see nothing wrong with calling Obama an intellectual. It's not that he's come up with any "new, innovative ideas", i'ts that his ideas are perfectly in line with those of academia. Yes he's unimaginative but so are they.
I agree, though, "cool" isn't the right word to describe Obama's temperment. I think "distant" works better.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseCan I ask a stupid question? We all agree that the size of the government, Federal, state, local, whatever, needs to be cut. Wouldn't it be more likely to happen with someone who already has, you know, CUT STUFF?!?!?!? What has Gingrich, Huntsman, Paul, Santorum, or Perry cut?
Followup: if we need to cut stuff, why is that a thing to criticize someone about?
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