Yeah, fuck me but I don't think Big Bird, binders, or Romnesia will carry the election...

[cherokeeprogressive]

Ridicule and mockery aren't going to cut it, folks, they just aren't. Ridicule and mockery aren't good campaign strategies; they're ways to alienate those who haven't decided how they're going to vote yet. They're schoolyard strategies amounting to nothing more than a single day's talking point. Watching and listening for any misspoken word and parsing it to use against your opponent aren't going to swing an election when what people are aching to hear are solutions to the problems they've been facing for close to 8 years. ESPECIALLY when you can point to ways you've made their lives better in the last four years. Sooner or later people begin to wonder why you're talking about the opposition's single sentence gaffe rather then your own record.

When President Obama asks a crowd "Do you want me to save Big Bird?" like he did in Ohio on Oct 5th, he doesn't win any converts. Those in attendance were already committed to voting for him. The video goes around the world though. Big Bird isn't real. People know that. No new votes here.

President Obama needs to stand up and say "THIS IS WHAT I'VE DONE" and list his accomplishments. What romney said yesterday afternoon isn't going to last more than an hour or two. What President Obama says lasts longer because he's President.

We've been through Nugent, Bain, Dancing Horses, Offshore Accounts, Big Bird, and Binders. We've danced in the metaphoric streets thinking each and every one of those things were going to SINK his candidacy in short order. Now the Powers That Be have President Obama using the word romnesia and we're thinking THIS IS THE NEW BEST THING. It ain't. Romnesia says nothing about President Obama's 4 year record; it's just more mockery and ridicule.

Someone needs to point this out to President's team. It ain't working, and the harder they work to focus this election on ridiculing their opponent only seems to send the pre-election polls in the wrong direction.

[Lex]

1. The polls aren't going in the wrong direction.

[cherokeeprogressive]

2. Okay.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Au contraire, mon ami. Ridicule and mockery are extremely effective

because that's what the comedians, the cartoonists, the late-night guys like Letterman and Leno, and SNL and The Daily Show pick up on. That's how the message gets to the low-information voters who don't give a crap about abstract policy. If the sense in the popular media is that Romney deserves mockery and ridicule, it works. Remember what happened to Al Gore?

[Indpndnt]

9. Exactly right.

If it didn't work, the repubs wouldn't get into such a rage over each shot. Big Bird? Pissed them off. Binders? They tried to make it their own because they knew it worked. Romnesia? They're fuming. Of course, it works. Mockery can be devastating if there is something there to really mock. And Willard provides plenty of reasons.

Besides, I remember the President listing his accomplishments in the last debate and in his stump speeches. Add ridicule of your opponent - who richly deserves it - and you've got a very effective, verbal, one-two punch.

[cherokeeprogressive]

14. I'm up to go to work at 5 a.m. I'm in bed at 9 p.m. I don't see Letterman or Leno. SNL lost its

attraction for me almost two decades ago. The Daily Show? That's Jon Stewart's show, right? Haven't seen it other than clips shown in other shows. I'm a staunch Democrat, and haven't seen a minute of Maddow's show, Sharpton's show, Tingles' show, Ed's show, or Hartmann's show. I don't bother myself with political punditry on TV. I'd rather watch sports or documentaries.

If this is how you think the "message" gets to the "low information" voters, you're sadly mistaken.

What do I remember about Al Gore... Hmmmmm... I remember he LOST.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

16. OK, that's YOU. That's not millions of other people

who do watch those shows. I'm very impressed that you're so superior that you don't watch popular comedy shows, but lots of members of the unwashed masses do. Otherwise, obviously, the shows wouldn't exist. And the millions of people who do are potential voters.

What you should remember about Al Gore is that he was ridiculed in the popular media for being stiff and wooden, for wearing earth tones and claiming to have invented the Internet. I'm not saying that's why he lost (technically, he didn't lose), but it sure didn't help him.

[grasswire]

26. actually, Gore didn't lose.

Maybe you missed the news about that.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

34. I am quite aware of that.

However, the election was close enough for them to steal.

[spooky3]

47. grasswire was responding to the other poster (n/t)

[Turborama]

63. It's way past your bed time. n/t

[cleanhippie]

107. Actually, it is you who are mistaken. It is in exactly these ways that low-info voters get the

message. You can choose to disregard this fact, but it doesn't make it any less true.

[ProudProgressiveNow]

18. Agreed!

[goclark]

58. The Globe this week

has a huge article about him " Romney ARRESTED and HAULED OFF IN HANDCUFFS!"

It is right in the MIDDLE for everyone to see!

It nails him -- I'm still in shock. There is an article about Obama but it's the same old Birth certificate stuff. Little stuff about Biden and Ryan but the kicker is Romney.

I tried a google search but no link luck yet.

Wait until you see it --- it all fits!
He has always been Bat S--- crazy!
Now, even the GLOBE socks it to him!

[Shivering Jemmy]

4. "Yeah, fuck me..."

Is this obligatory?

[demwing]

5. I think the President knows the "how to get votes" game

(he's done it better than anyone in this country so far). It includes swaying converts, but of equal importance is firing up the base.

Look at 2010 to see the effect of an uninspired base...

[Rosa Luxemburg]

89. The economy is really perking up

we need to spell out that

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251157928

[Live and Learn]

113. +1 nt

[progressivebydesign]

6. The lovely thing about America is Free Speech. You can have your opinion.

I just don't happen to share it.

the polls are fine. the Obama Campaign is great... all my friends and family are talking about right now is Binder, Romnesia, and the lame ass stuff that makes Romney unqualified and creepy.

[reformist2]

7. You're too idealistic. A humorous wisecrack often seals the deal.

You have to remember it's a big country and people are persuaded in all sorts of ways - by reason, by logic, by ideology, by common sense, by fear & paranoia, and many - a lot, actually - by humor.

[KurtNYC]

56. Yes and yes. Humor has power when it is based on truth.

Romnesia works because Romney REALLY does seem to forget or ignore what he said 2 days ago. "Binders of women" resonates because it conveys the tone deafness of his faux pandering and disengenuiousness.

[renegade000]

8. actually i think a vague "plan" with no details is a better strategy

it works for romney!

[cheriemedium59]

10. I could not disagree with you more...

Each issue, whether Bain or Big Bird and now 'Romnesia' tells a story of Romney and his
character (lack of), detachment from the 99%, and his history. I think the President is doing a brilliant job of getting into the minds and hearts of the undecided, independents, and his Democratic base AND maybe a moderate Republican or two.

No one said this election would be a blow out. It has been said from day one it would be a close one. But the internal polling is all pointing towards an Obama win.

I think the President did a brilliant job during the debate this week!!

[Nye Bevan]

11. Drip drip drip. This stuff is cumulative. Dukakis in a tank alone didn't cost him the election,

but Dukakis in a tank PLUS Willie Horton PLUS his robotic answer when asked about the hypothetical rape of his wife all helped to contribute to his loss.

[reformist2]

99. Yep. I was actually a Repug back then (sorry), and that campaign still makes me laugh.

George Bush was no great shakes, but Mike Dukakis was a terrible candidate. I still remember the SNL skit of him at the debate, where they had some contraption to raise and lower Dukakis to make him even to Bush in height. That was devastating.

Oh wait, here it is.

[flamingdem]

12. The Cult Bishop is just to weird to be President

That should be sinking in once again after that moment of Fake Momentum (Fauxmenum)

[Jennicut]

13. This is the twitter election. Every new meme happens within a day or hours.

This is true for both sides. Obama has listed his accomplishments many times. But what sticks with people is what gets passed through twitter quickly. This is just the way elections are going to be for now on, so get used to it. The old days of debating about your plans for the next 4 years are pretty much over. It is all about instant reaction now. Some people can't handle keeping up with it.

Also, the trackers are going up for Obama. RCP is back to Obama being in the lead.

[cherokeeprogressive]

20. "the twitter election"

Baby Boomers will make up the bulk of voters in 2012. I dare say they're not well versed in Twitter.

I'm 50, spent 10 years teaching computer applications including everything from Windows, Office, Web Page Design, and don't have a twitter account nor have I ever sent one.

I don't know ANYONE who "tweets".

Yeah, I guess I'm outside of the "norm" enough so that my vote doesn't matter, nor does that of my peers who ALSO don't live on a tree branch.

[Jennicut]

25. All the people I know tweet. And text.

Information is much faster these days and stuff spreads like fire on Facebook, Twitter, and with texting. I don't even call my husband anymore. All we do is text.

The campaigns seem very in tune with how quick information gets out there. Almost everyone in the MSM has a twitter account and most of the time I get more info from that then on CNN or MSNBC. These are babyboomers. Big Ed is on twitter and is a babyboomer. You may be shocked. The MSM is slow sometimes. You can get pool reports from reporters faster then you can get info on tv.

Howard Kurtz has a good summary about twitter affecting the race here:

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_21797448/election-coverage-twitter-age-much-changed-from-past

[cherokeeprogressive]

31. And... EVERYTHING you read on twitter is the honest truth.

Yeah, I've heard.

[theKed]

96. You know what else is the honest truth?

All the news on TV, every story you hear from friends, and every word said in a stump speech.

Thank good theres some refuge for honesty.

[BarackTheVote]

28. Boomers might vote in large numbers

but their kids can swing an election, and we're the ones on facebook and twitter. If memes like Big Bird and Binders can energize the eighteen-twenty-somethings, a demographic that usually has low turn-out but is on the whole some of the most liberal people in the country--if these people are convinced to GOTV because they were part of sharing the meme, because they have ownership over that meme, then it can only mean good things for our side.

[Jennicut]

30. I am in my thirties and use twitter regularly.

I am surprised that someone doesn't use it, quite frankly. "Binders full of women" came from people posting about it on twitter so much it trended. It was not directly from President Obama.

[aquart]

33. EXCUSE ME?

I'm at the top of the boom. Medicare card. I TWEET and RETWEET.

[cherokeeprogressive]

39. Good for you.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

36. I don't, either. Obviously, however, many people do.

And for that reason the influence of Twitter can't be discounted.

[Waiting For Everyman]

41. I'm 62, a boomer, and I tweet and text... and use a smartphone.

I hate Facebook though, even though I have a page I never go on it -- well, rarely that is. Nothing personal is on it except my name. I keep it mainly to find old friends, in case any are looking for me.

But twitter, yes, that's very political and of-the-minute. I think it's very useful for news.

[OldDem2012]

73. I'm almost 62 and have accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and a number of message boards...

...you must have been a very slow learner because everyone I know my age or older has Twitter and/or Facebook accounts.

[pintobean]

100. 15% of online Americans now use Twitter

8% use it daily

Overall, a relatively small share of society is tweeting. This follows an earlier study that said only 2 percent of U.S. adults get campaign news from Twitter. But keep in mind a couple things: 1) “It’s the right 2 percent” — Twitter and its users are influential beyond the network itself, and 2) Twitter pulls better usage rates among some key demographics. From the study:

Several demographic groups stand out as having high rates of Twitter usage relative to their peers:

African-Americans — Black internet users continue to use Twitter at high rates. More than one quarter of online African-Americans (28%) use Twitter, with 13% doing so on a typical day.
Young adults — One quarter (26%) of internet users ages 18-29 use Twitter, nearly double the rate for those ages 30-49. Among the youngest internet users (those ages 18-24), fully 31% are Twitter users.
Urban and suburban residents — Residents of urban and suburban areas are significantly more likely to use Twitter than their rural counterparts.

http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/mediawire/175757/15-of-americans-now-use-twitter-8-use-it-daily/


This is from May, so it's a little out of date.
There are no numbers on how many of those people follow politics, or how many of those are undecided voters.

Eta - 78.3% of Americans use the internet.
http://www.internetworldstats.com/top20.htm

[Chorophyll]

102. I'm only a few years younger than you, and I know a boatload of people who Tweet.

That said, my mom is 87; she can't figure out how to work a cell phone, but she's a "high-information" voter and she hasn't been complaining.

Maybe you're just feeling a little cranky today?

[Liberalynn]

104. I'm 50 too and I tweet

It's not that you or your vote don't count, both do. Generalized statements, however, like "Baby Boomers will make up the bulk of voters in 2012. I dare say they're not well versed in Twitter" , is what I have a problem with. Implying that the majority of us are technophobes comes across as unscientific sterotyping." NONE of US can speak for ALL OF US nor should we try.

There are a lot of 50 someones and even OLDER someones on Facebook and Twitter. Yes I know some Boomers who eschew modern technology for whatever reason, but that does not mean all of us do.

I'm sorry but this is the age of social media and campaigns have to appeal to as many people and venues as are possible. What works for you, may not work for all and vice versa.

IMHO the Obama campaign is working to get out the word on the more serious issues while at the same time, appealing to the lighter social media side. To me that's smart!

[Live and Learn]

114. You and other rational people will vote for Obama anyway.

This is about getting those that don't pay attention and are easily manipulated by propaganda.

Obama has listed his accomplishments quite often but I think the average American is bored when listening to that kind of speech. A lot of people I know say they don't watch the debates or political speeches because they are boring.

I agree that the Twitter revolution is unlikely to change the election much but these are the now young voters that we need to encourage to vote so we don't want to forget them. And the tweeters are the future of America whether Twitter survives or not.

[blue neen]

15. Starting a post with "Yeah, fuck me" will not carry the election,

nor will it make anyone take the rest of your post seriously.

[Tigress DEM]

17. 5 words TINA FEY turned the tide

When Tina Fey got up and showed how ridiculous the things Sara Palin was saying really sounded, people stopped taking her seriously.

Obama WON the first debate according to DEM standards. He had the content, but it put even HIM to sleep.

When half the country is freaking out and screaming hysterically, sometimes you just have to get in a good slap up side the head to reset the threshold so honest facts and figures can be discussed.

[cherokeeprogressive]

22. So you're betting the future of the country on Tina Fey and Sarah Palin?

You know McCain/Palin LOST in 2008 right?

PRESIDENT Obama didn't win the first debate by HIS OWN standards. He said as much last much last night.

You keep whistling past the graveyard though...

[Indpndnt]

46. Yeah, they lost in 2008, in part, because Palin was relentlessly mocked.

By Tina Fey, in particular.

Mockery is extremely effective. Just ask Al Gore or Michael Dukakis.

[Tigress DEM]

119. AND it took a woman to break the taboo so Palin was less of a victim.

We women can take each other to task for doing the wrong things in ways that don't quite work when guys do it.

[Indpndnt]

121. +1!

[Tigress DEM]

118. NO, I'm saying that EVERY weapon in the aresenal should be used, don't discount humor and sarcasm.

Do we still have to do all the solid hard work to get OBAMA elected? Yes.

But ONE thing that the humor has done has enabled people to keep a conversation going with those who are honestly misinformed, but likely to vote for Obama if they really had solid facts.

Prior to Tina Fey, Palin was spinning out wild stuff and people were sucking it up thinking they were so cool. "Lipstick on a Pitt Bull" was their pride and we made them see how stupid it was to be proud of that. We could "laugh at Tina doing her Palin impression" but we couldn't criticize Palin directly.

When people are laughing together at the absurdities of the political situation, they can keep working to get the facts out there. Now more than ever, it's the people who haven't given up on friends or relatives on the "other side" who just could switch over and vote in their own self interests.

99% of us are screwed if Robme wins, so every voter we can bring out of his clutches is someone who will benefit from NOT having his insane policies enforced on America.

[creeksneakers2]

19. They need to push a theme to the end

It should be about Romney's dishonesty. The theme is you can't TRUST Romney.

[grasswire]

23. funny, I see Obama do that regularly. List his accomplishments.

He did it just last night on The Daily Show.

[Bolo Boffin]

45. Me, too.

[apples and oranges]

24. Did you forget that the MSM picks the parts they want to show

out of 30 minute speeches? They're not going to include him listing off his accomplishments. They cut that part out and then complain that Obama's only talking about Big Bird and Romnesia!

[OldDem2012]

27. Your concern is noted and filed appropriately. nt.

[blue neen]

35. In your own words: "Ridicule and mockery aren't going to cut it, folks".

It's the very first line of your OP.

That's all.

[trailmonkee]

42. big bird makes me happy, unlike this thread

Put that in your binders of women.... Unless you have Romnesia of course

sorry, i couldn't help myself...

On a serious note, don't sweat it... Remember Obama's response to rmoneys bs on benghazi the last debate? Remember that face melting guitar solo that obama laid on mittens.... Looked directly in his eyes and shut that Fucker down! Obama had many approaches in this process, the cutesy meme stuff is just part of it..

[upi402]

38. An informed electorate making rational decisions

is a statement I heard Chomsky make.

don't know whether to laugh or cry, I thought.

(i like the term 'bad-self' BTW) lol

[southmost]

32. it's a shame that issues aren't the focus

but seems that zingers, gaffes, and ridicule carry the message farther

[Samjm]

37. It eats news cycles

Of course hearing the word Romnesia isn't going to change the race by itself. But what it does do is eat up a news cycle. Which is one less news cycle for Romney and friends to get THEIR message out. One less news cycle to convince Mr Undecided to vote for them. One more news cycle where Mr Undecided sees the President being confident and funny, and likeable. One more news cycle where the slow erosion of trust in Romney can continue.

[TheDonkey]

40. Yes because "i can see Russia" and "flip flop" were very ineffective

Last edited Sat Oct 20, 2012, 02:18 AM - Edit history (1)

NOT

These are zingers that "low information" voters latch on to and can remember. This is how Romney mounted his comeback by just saying "good paying jobs!" Over and over again.

Romnesia helps vividly describe Romney's biggest flaw, he is constantly changing his position for political points.

Big Bird highlight how phony his deficit reduction plans are.

Binders of women a great example of his out-of-touch persona not to mention it is another lie that is now being covered in the media.

Concern noted.

[ProSense]

43. Three things:

1)

Poll: Obama Leads Romney By 10 Points In Michigan

DETROIT (WWJ) As President Barack Obama and Republican contender Mitt Romney prepare to battle it out in the debate ring, the most recent poll shows Obama is pulling no punches in his lead over Romney in Michigan.

The newest EPIC/MRA poll shows Obama with a 47 to 37 percent margin over Romney.

The GOP candidate has lost five percentage points in the state since the previous poll, and pollster Bernie Porn thinks he drop can directly be attributed to Romney’s remark about the ”47 percent” of Americans who would rather rely on government handouts than take care of themselves.

“I think in terms of the impact of that, it was very profound, and I think most people may well consider it a revealing comment more than thinking that it was an invasion of his privacy in comments before fundraisers,” Porn said.

- more -

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/10/01/obama-leads-romney-by-10-points-in-michigan/

2) Politico: Obama Camp Has Biggest Fundraising Day(for the Obama campaign history) After Town Hall
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021579972

3)

Actually five,

4) The OP is nonsense because the President has always presented his accomplishments, sometimes in large bold graphics.

5) Just because the media and morons are in the tank for Romney, doesn't mean the hits that chip away his support aren't working.

[Lex]

44. Thank you for the FACTS.

Always appreciated.

[ProSense]

51. You're welcome. Remember this:

It doesn't get any better!

[Common Sense Party]

66. That's great, except for two things:

1). Probably 90% of the country did not watch the convention, and thus didn't see this.

2). We don't have 16 minutes to get the message across. We might only have seconds.

[ProSense]

76. None of the clips are from the convention. n/t

[TheDonkey]

85. That is what makes a catchphrase like "Romnesia" works, but you need to use it

[Qutzupalotl]

123. Where will this be shown?

Internet only, or something more?

[spooky3]

48. It's not an either/or thing. Different types of messages reach different people.

[Common Sense Party]

69. I guess that's probably true.

Maybe the binders and Big Bird are for the low info voters who don't pay attention to issues and accomplishments, but can latch onto mocking memes.

[Live and Learn]

115. Exactly. Even on DU users attach themselves to different formats and issues. nt

[JDPriestly]

49. The big job now is to get voters committed to Obama out to vote.

We aren't going to change any minds at this late date.

And the undecideds will vote as they wish.

You would be surprised at the number of people who do not know one party from the other. A lot of the undecideds will answer a poll but are too apathetic to vote anyway.

It's now a question of getting Obama voters to the poll. Focus on that. The rest will take care of itself.

[Jim Engle]

50. I would agree that...

the big bird, binder, and now Romnesia attacks are silly and will not resonate with independent voters. We need the independent voters to win! Obama needs to go back to attacking him on what he did or didn't pay in taxes, his Bain offshoring and destroying US jobs, and his Mormonism with "magic underwear". Obama can win by attacking these points without having to defend is record as we all know it takes time to fundamentally change the economy where rich fat cats and corporations pay their fair share.

[Floyd_Gondolli]

55. You're trying too hard

[Jim Engle]

78. Sorry, but I don't know what you mean. n/t

[Floyd_Gondolli]

80. You're following a script

One that I've seen here frequently over the last 2 weeks.

[Jim Engle]

81. I guess I am trying to say...

let's not follow the script. It is not working. Obama needs to get back on the attack and highlight what he can do under his administration for the next four years!

[Floyd_Gondolli]

84. That's not the kind of script I'm talking about

But by all means enjoy your stay.

[Jim Engle]

86. Thank you..

I do plan to enjoy my stay at DU1

[Kennah]

91. So you've changed your mind and you're voting for Obama?

http://upload.democraticunderground.com/10021586333#post2

[Kennah]

90. Pretty good choice on a user name as well. Easier to hide.

If you aren't voting for Obama, what do you care?

[Floyd_Gondolli]

52. I respect your opinion

But your political instincts may be a little off here.

Romnesia is a jumping off point to run through the litany of things Willard has changed his mind on, or instances where he has willfully misled voters or lied to them.

It's catchy in a way stump speeches need to be. It frames Romney perfectly. And as someone else said it has fired up the base today, which is not debatable. At all.

Whether or not you use Twitter is irrelevant. Plenty of people do including many who are 50. Whether or not anyone in your social circle uses it is also not relevant. It's anecdotal.

And if you think people are whistling past the graveyard here you have not been paying attention.

[Kalidurga]

53. It's my party and I'll mock who I want to

Mr.Romnesia has earned the mockery of anyone who can see past his BS. I caught on about 6 years ago. Some people have just caught on today via the handle of Romnesia. My low information SO thought that was the funniest thing he has ever heard from a candidate and he gained some respect for Obama for that zinger. The point is you never know what it is going to take to get through to someone.

[DefenseLawyer]

54. Bob Shrum?

Just how many Presidential elections have you won?

[Viking12]

57. Please proceed....

concern duly noted

[serbbral]

59. @Cherokeeprogressive

I won't tell you to go "F" yourself Cherokee. I was just sitting around thinking the same thing. How cornballish this 'Romnesia' sounds and shaking my head. The Big Bird got very tired fast, the binder hasn't really accomplished much, just kind of silly and stupid and it just doesn't fit Obama. I want him to win, but I don't think it's going to happen if he doesn't say what his economic plan is if elected for four more years or at least tout his own economic accomplishments. I was very happy the way he handled himself in the second election, but one thing did bother me. He could have at least stated how the unemployment has gone down, talk about how it's below 8.0 and how it and the economy continues to improve, while Mitt Romney kept talking about how bad the economy is/was. I'll say it again as I've said it so many times throughout this election, Obama and his team just haven't let the public know about his accomplishments enough, instead letting the republicans and others define him. I DO think that's one of the reason why Romney's momentum continues to move. The second debate helped to halt it a bit, but not enough. Those, like myself, who are for him believe in him, but those undecideds want to hear about the economy, what he plans to do and what he has accomplished. He needs to keep repeating that, no matter how repetitious it may get. He's had plenty of opportunities to say in so many words, "See how the unemployment has gone down. If you give me 4 more years, together we can continue to grow this economy." Mitt Romney, no matter how untrue his plan may be, to some undecideds and to some voters who don't know any better, comes across as a man with an economic plan with his so called 5 steps and he just keeps talking about the economy. That's what most people want to hear about, more jobs and that's one of the reasons why the race continues to be so close. Like the saying goes, it's the economy stupid. Yes, Cherokee, I agree with YOUR post 100%!

[Floyd_Gondolli]

60. I love the irony

You go on and on about how these little catch phrases don't work, then close your post with perhaps the most well known of them all. One that's 20 years old, but oh sure they never resonate.

[serbbral]

68. @Floyd

Okay, good point, but I still think 'Romnesia' is corny and the Binders and Big Bird is just silly to me. Just my 2 cents. He needs to talk about his accomplishments more and leave those things alone. The ECONOMY is a serious matter and may cost him the election.

[Floyd_Gondolli]

72. I don't disagree on the shelf life

I think you throw it out there for a couple of days and then move on to something else. This is actually better than Big Bird in my opinion. A friend said tonight they wished he had saved it for the debate. I'm not sure about that, but it definitely works in a stump speech for a couple of days.

[KurtNYC]

61. Voting is under way. At some point the election is about momentum and it helps to feel

like our victory is inevitable.

I think Obama's re-election was propelled both by a masterful and structured campaign by the Obama team -- Harry Reid, the 47% tape release, Romnesia -- and by the lack of an electable opponent (again) on the other side.

As for the range of humor and attacks, they are part of a multi-pronged, multi tasking political war. The campaign has talked plenty about Obama's accomplishments and so has Obama. 56 million heard this in the 2nd debate:

four years ago I told the American people and I told you I would cut taxes for middle-class families, and I did. I told you I’d cut taxes for small businesses, and I have. I said that I’d end the war in Iraq, and I did. I said we’d refocus attention on those who actually attacked us on 9/11, and we have gone after al-Qaida’s leadership like never before, and Osama bin Laden is dead.

I said that we would put in place health care reform to make sure that insurance companies can’t jerk you around, and if you don’t have health insurance, that you’d have a chance to get affordable insurance, and I have. I committed that I would rein in the excesses of Wall Street, and we passed the toughest Wall Street reforms since the 1930s. We’ve created 5 million jobs, gone from 800,000 jobs a month being lost. And we are making progress. We saved an auto industry that was on the brink of collapse.

[Common Sense Party]

62. You're exactly right. This race is as close as it is, because the President has not

EFFECTIVELY communicated to the public:

1). This is what I have done
2). This is how it has helped you
3). This is my vision for what I will do for you in the next four years

Obama should be walking away with this thing. It's too close, and I think it's because he has not closed the sale. You don't close the sale merely by bashing your competition (though some of that is inevitable). You close the sale by listing features and benefits--this is what I have, and this is what's in it for you.

[ProSense]

64. Maybe,

You're exactly right. This race is as close as it is, because the President has not

EFFECTIVELY communicated to the public:

1). This is what I have done
2). This is how it has helped you
3). This is my vision for what I will do for you in the next four years

Obama should be walking away with this thing. It's too close, and I think it's because he has not closed the sale. You don't close the sale merely by bashing your competition (though some of that is inevitable). You close the sale by listing features and benefits--this is what I have, and this is what's in it for you.

...you missed it all.

March:

Today:

Accordingly, he should be "walking away with this thing."

[Common Sense Party]

65. Maybe the American people have missed it all.

I know he has listed them before. But in the first debate, for example, I didn't see him defend his record much. And in the second debate, I didn't hear him lay out his agenda much.

Too much time spent on Big Bird and binders could be better spent showing what a great leader the president is, what he has done and what he will do. He will make Rmoney look weak and inferior by comparison. But repeat, repeat, repeat the message until the public can recite it by heart.

That's my observation. I think if he did that, some of these polls wouldn't only be a point or two apart. The President would be out in front by ten.

[ProSense]

79. Carville, Greenberg Say Obama Economy Message Is Working

Carville, Greenberg Say Obama Economy Message Is Working
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021586141

I thoroughly enjoyed the Big Bird hits. The Romnesia wave is equally fun. Reminds me of Romneyhood. To this day Romney can't shake the perception that he only cares about the wealthy.

[serbbral]

74. @ Common Sense Party

There you go Common Sense Party. You really do have common sense.

[OldDem2012]

77. Just in case you hadn't noticed....

...and I suspect that you haven't, the President and VP Biden are talking about what this administration has accomplished every time they go to a public event or appear on TV. They also talk about finishing what they started over the next four years.

By the way, this is big-boy, contact politics...the bashing goes with the territory.

[ellisonz]

82. I would say he's done the first and second fairly well...

...but I agree that the 3rd is lacking. The problem is that the President is too honest. He knows the GOP will obstruct him for at least 2 more years and doesn't want to make promises he can't realistically hope to keep. He needs to get over it and he also needs to acknowledge that in relation to the jobs/economic situation, the problem is and has been Republican obstruction. He needs to stop being polite about what has happened - as Jan Schwakowsky commented, it's sabotage.

[applegrove]

67. I would say a joke should not go longer than one news cycle, during one day. If it is a good

joke, and punches through to a truth on Romney, it will be repeated on the msm/internet that night. Then move on by the next news cycle and get back to the issues and the seriousness of the choice Americans face.

[begin_within]

70. It's all about perception and image, and the right wing knows that, and does the mockery big time

Just go to Yahoo comments and you'll see thousands of examples of mockery, mostly of Obama but now also of Biden, and of Democrats and liberals in general. So I have no problem with mocking Romney or Ryan or the Republicans or conservatives in general, even on what seem like trivial things. It's all about perception and image, and any damage you can do to someone's image is helpful.

[quinnox]

71. Let's just say the Obama campaign hasn't exactly been a model of how a campaign starting

out with a huge advantage should be run. Some WTF moments and miscues. Hopefully it will not cost us the ultimate penalty, which would be a Romney victory. The campaign has definitely gotten better as we get closer to the finish line thankfully.

[Sebass1271]

75. I agree somewhat. PO has done GREAT

Work, remarkably, without congress and he has an economy that is getting better.
The stock market hasn't stopped rising, unemployment has gone down, he has saved Medicare and social security and
Is the signature President of great legislations like HCA, Leadbetter, Repealibg DONT ask DONT tell and DACA.

He should campaign on his accomplisjments Not on Big Bird.

He should leave The bird, binares And Romnesia to his surrogates.

[jsmirman]

83. You have a knack for being wrong.

[Electric Monk]

92. I've noticed that as well, fwiw.

[Cali_Democrat]

93. OP also has a knack for xenophobic racism

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021347209

His words when referring to Libya and Libyans::


"backward, third world country"

"shitty little piece of sand"

"may the fleas of ten thousand camels infest your fucking armpits AND your crotches, you stupid fucks."

"your shitty prophet"

"Fuck Libya"

[Occulus]

106. That brings up a point.

Why is it that so many (by no means all, but many) of the posters here who have "dem" "liberal" "progressive" etc. in their username- present company excluded, of course- come across so often and with such regularity as anything but?

[Cali_Democrat]

108. The OP also whined about alleged intolerance against Christians on DU months ago

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002337613

Yet he had no problem referencing sand and camels when referring to Libyans. He had no problem saying "your shitty prophet" in reference to Islam while complaining about anti-christian bias.

Quite an inconsistency.

[Cali_Democrat]

87. LOL. I knew the term "Romnesia" would piss someone like you off

Last edited Sat Oct 20, 2012, 04:12 AM - Edit history (1)

No surprise there. Clearly an effective attack

[amborin]

88. romnesia = LIAR ... just more polite..might not work to be more overt..

[JNelson6563]

95. You mean like the first debate?

What the President did in the first debate was talk about what got done and what else he wants to do. He did it in a sober, statesman-like style.

You saw what happened. Everyone from Faux News to the leftist of the lefties acted like it was the biggest political blunder they have ever seen.

Just throwing that out there.

Julie

[Skidmore]

97. This is the portion of his stump speech

the media focuses on.

[theKed]

98. A good humorous bite

like "romnesia", or "binders full of women" are effective because they're a mneumonic device. Every time "big bird" is mentioned, you remember how Romney declared he would cut PBS funding and fire the moderator of the debate he was in. And if you didn't see it, and you're wondering "what's all this hubbub about?", well, it cues people to go look.

It condenses long minutes of dialogue and policy into seconds. And because its catchy and funny it propagates through the masses faster, with less resistance. The best an opponent can do is co-opt it, which rarely works.

I guess what I am saying is "obnoxious troll fails to understand social media"

[Bluenorthwest]

101. Romensia is a way to say 'Mitt is a liar' with some humor. Sticks like glue.

I love the part where you say 'Big Bird isn't real, people know that'. Hilarious. Stating that as if it was some insight is just so funny, I think that the remark will define you in my mind for all time, more than the various right wing and xenophobic things you have posted in the past.
In short, one of the least informed and most absurd OP's I have read on DU. 'Big Bird is not real!!! Alert the media!!!'.

[TwilightGardener]

103. Bullshit. Policy doesn't win over the apolitical people who only pay attention

in the last two weeks of a campaign--if they cared about that, they'd have been paying attention the whole time. Ridicule can stick and do great damage in the eyes of voters who don't otherwise care about the issues. It makes the ridiculee look absurd and unacceptable. Ask: Sarah Palin, John McCain, Howard Dean, Al Gore, George Bush Sr., Michael Dukakis, Bob Dole...

[Lucinda]

105. Everything matters. You never know what the catalyst will be to change a vote.

My Rep friends and family don't like Romney to start with, and just can't admit that things are improving with Obama. If something can turn them off enough to stay home, it's a win.

[OldDem2012]

116. I call it the "fence post" theory....

....you throw as many snowballs as possible at a fence post to see what sticks.

Quite a bit has stuck to Romney and his "message". I don't doubt for a second that more is coming.

[porphyrian]

109. Votes will win this election for President Obama.

The idea that the debates or witty quips will make enough of a difference to swing the election at this point is a myth. Any undecided voters remaining at this point are just as likely to forget to vote on Election Day as they are to bother doing so. We already have record turnout in absentee and early voting, both of which favor President Obama two or three to one, and there will likely be record turnout on Election Day. This makes any attempt to steal the vote statistically too difficult to try without getting caught, though that doesn't mean some republican won't get busted trying anyway. In spite of all of this, the media has a profit motive for promoting a horse race, even if it has to lie about it, as there is still too much PAC money out there for them to harvest, and they intend to milk them for every drop. So, for your sanity, don't believe the hype. Vote. Make sure everyone you know votes.

[Frank Cannon]

110. Consider yourself fucked.

Big Bird, Romnesia, Binders of Women, etc., may not carry the election themselves, but they are all results of gaffes from the worst candidate the Republican party has ever put forth for President. He sucks, as a politician and as a human being. We all--Democrat and Republican--see it and know it. And that is why he will lose.

But I appreciate your concern.

[hiphopnation]

111. I hear ya

I think you spell out some legitimate, lucid, and pointed concerns about the messaging of this campaign and, frankly, this president. And it has been a problem that has dogged him consistently since this term began. Anyone remember 2010 midterm election when ever Dem in the country couldn't run away from AHCA fast enough in stead of embracing - indeed, boasting - the "progressive" reform he had delivered to the country? That was a strategy that started with the top of the ticket. I'm frequently confounded by the messaging of this candidate and his team. They allow themselves to get in the mud and the muck. I know it's Chicago-style, they want to beat Rove at his own game, and all that crap, and, while I think that kind of campaigning has its place, I agree that I don't think it can be the crux of your entire argument. "I know your frustrated, but just LOOK HOW AWFUL THE OTHER CANDIDATE IS!" is not effective campaigning. Furthermore, more than just "THIS IS WHAT I'VE DONE" it also has to be "THIS IS WHAT I WILL DO." I agree with the notion that the MSM has misrepresented the case when they say that O and his team haven't laid out a clear vision for the next four years but the reason that perception is out there, again, goes back to MESSAGING. Cherokee, I'm with you, I scratch my head at this team frequently.

BTW, I text and tweet. I think that both things can be true. I.e., campaigns are increasingly happening in shorter clips of time with social media and the web AND a campaign has to hone and perfect its over-arching message to voters. 2008 you could sum up in two words "Hope & Change." What is 2012? "Romney is awful?" We all know it's true, but is it enough for him to squeak it out? Too close for my comfort...

[rbrnmw]

112. Excuse me but your OP is utter nonsense

Of course these type of things work Look at Willie Horton Card Carrying Member of the ACLU, Bleeding Heart liberal, all the attacks against Al Gore and John Kerry. If you wanted political meat Al Gore and John Kerry had it and the President certainly does too but we live in a Country where jabs and barbs work Look how successful people like Lee Atwater and Karl Rove were and are.

[demwing]

120. +100

politics is a contact sport in America. To the winners go the spoils...if you want to change the game, you first must learn how to win the game.

[krawhitham]

117. Romnesia might have legs, it is a way to call the man a liar without saying the word LIAR

the word LIAR polls badly

[CreekDog]

122. you're being dishonest about us and about Obama by saying these are our only campaign tactics

you don't even deserve a response except to say that you are misleading and misrepresenting the actual campaign and supporters here as a caricature of what they really are.

you also talk to us as if you aren't even on your side.