What if Obama said something like this in his remarks Weds....

[grasswire]

....to specifically address the hysteria of the "alternate universe":

I want to say something directly to conservatives, Republicans, and tea party members. I want to say this directly to you because I was elected to be the president of all Americans and it is my duty to be clear and straight with you all.

I'm told that many of you have a lot of fear about the next four years. Some of you are depressed, crying, even stocking up on food in the fear that something terrible is about to happen in this country, this election. You have been told many stories that are, frankly, designed to make you afraid.

You know, we have some legitimate differences in policy, you and I. We don't agree on everything. That is the American way -- the way that my ancestors and yours fought for. We disagree. Okay. Good! There is room in America for differences of opinion, and for disagreement, and for discussion.

But I ask you tonight to agree as an American on one thing: that we -- each one of us -- will not fear truth and we will question the voices that seek to make us afraid of each other and of democratic processes. Your political opposites are not your blood enemies. They are your neighbors. Your fellow Americans.

I believe in the goodness of the American citizen. I believe that when we are united, Americans can do anything. Solve any problem, build anything, fix anything, dream anything. I promise that I will always speak the truth to you. I will never say things intended to scare you or endanger you.

Some say that America is broken. Some encourage hate, and fear, and obstructionism. Look back in history. Has hatred, fear, and obstructionism ever, ever, ever brought human progress?

I say come -- come with me. Honor truth and dialog. Come without fear. Come with courage and acceptance. Come with pride in each other, in America, in our democracy.

(then) Governor Romney, will you join me in pledging to only speak the truth to the American people in this campaign?

[grasswire]

1. maybe the last part is too much nt

[Beartracks]

2. Agreed. Would be pretty cool to hear the rest of it in real life, though. :) n/t

[Kablooie]

3. Nice sentiments but I would expect the Republican Tea Party response to be...

You lie!

Nothing will dissuade them from their maniacal hatred of everyone who talks with sense, knowledge and moderation.

[NCLefty]

4. ^That.

People usually find exactly what they are looking for.

[grasswire]

5. doesn't matter if they believe it

The strategy of it is to put Mitt out. He could not dare pander to fear after this. But he will, and he will look like a craven nut compared to Obama.

[Kablooie]

6. Good point

[begin_within]

7. I'd rather have him just say, "Hey conservatives... suffer."

[Ztolkins]

8. Send the campaign an email...

They may not get it, they may laugh it, but they might not.

I'd love to hear O give a speech like this... Maybe informal, on the stump

[JoeyT]

9. Might wanna run that by some of the people that

live in red states and deal with them on a regular basis. Fox would lie, spin, and misquote and the teabaggers would lose their fucking minds is what would happen. "Obama said you're yellow and hateful!"

They'd either see it as an insult or as an attempt to enlist them in creating a Muslim Atheist Communist Dictatorship, depending on which way Fox spun it, and completely freak out.

You can't reason with or reassure crazy people. Any attempt at reasoning or reassurance is going to be seen as absolute proof of whatever delusion they're nursing. The only thing you can do is convince everyone that isn't nuts not to listen to them.