Did we tell the electorate about our successes?

[Rosa Luxemburg]

Something went awfully wrong in this election.

Why wasn't this mentioned?

55 straight months of growth in jobs in the private sector, 4 1/2 million new jobs created from 10/2009 till today, stock market is near an all time high, the budget deficit has dropped from $1.3 trillion in 2009 to $483 billion this year, interest rates are still near 40 year lows, and inflation is well under 2.0 percent. All in all, things are so much better than when he took office!!

[raging moderate]

1. I did.

When they would listen. I mentioned the huge Dow increase, the staggering drop in the unemployment rate, the approximately ten(?) million jobs created during Obama' presidency, etc. When I had trouble obtaining handouts about the impressive record of Governor Pat Quinn, I photocopied a page off the Internet and distributed it to many, many houses as I walked around.

I do have a wonderful idea. At least, I think it is wonderful. It comes from somebody's snarky comment insinuating that Pat Quinn only conceded when he did in order to be able to throw his hat in the ring for Mayor of Chicago.

Well, why not? This man is one of the unsung heroes of the Democratic Party and the State of Illinois. My husband and I have followed him ever since we were young adults living in Chicago.

I think that Patrick Quinn should run for the office of Mayor of Chicago. If you look into his record, I think you will, too.

[upaloopa]

2. Because we don't own the media. Obama said it

in just about every speach he made.

[gmb92]

4. Precisely

Perception usually matters more than reality. Half the country still thinks we're in a recession.

2/3 think the budget deficit is increasing.

http://www.pollingreport.com/budget.htm

rather than plummeting.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/11/upshot/a-falling-budget-deficit-but-a-lingering-attention-deficit.html?_r=0&abt=0002&abg=0

and if it is falling, it can't be due to a revenues surge from a growing economy (remember, half think we're in a recession) or the rollback of the Bush tax cuts on the wealthy, which hardly anyone really knows about. It must be due to austerity.

And for those who think the budget deficit is a big deal, guess who they voted for...the leaders who will do everything they can to balloon the deficit once again.

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/11/guess-what-gop-proposals-would-do-to-the-deficit.html

passing the buck to future generations. That was how Bush rolled. Of course, most of their agenda will be vetoed. We're screwed if Republicans take the White House again while Congress is in their hands.

So the media plays a big role in stoking false perceptions. Since so many think the economy is in a recession, Republican governors can retain power simply by pointing out that their state economy is growing, which gives voters the impression that they are beating national trends, when in fact they are usually lagging (see Wisconsin drop growth).

[doc03]

3. No but smart Republicans like John Kasich did only he

took the credit and got re-elected. Meanwhile his Democratic challenger was hiding from Obama.

[gmb92]

5. Wasn't difficult for them

Since half the country falsely thinks the national economy is still in a recession, all they have to do is point to positive growth in their state, earning credit for it even if their state's economic indicators are trending upward more slowly than national trends.

[gmb92]

6. Job growth closer to 10 million since 10/2009

according to BLS.gov

Obama is outperforming Reagan, the darling of the Republican party (Bush's performance on jobs was a total disaster).

http://www.forbes.com/sites/adamhartung/2014/09/05/obama-outperforms-reagan-on-jobs-growth-and-investing/

[Rosa Luxemburg]

7. good

[Blue_Tires]

8. The deficit was the biggest head-scratcher

since so many teabag repubs made it an issue in 2010...

[Rosa Luxemburg]

9. the deficit came from Bush

[Electric Monk]

11. I'm still waiting for it to also become a mainstream talking point. Funny, that. nt

[Recursion]

10. Why didn't you notice that we told the electorate about our successes?

Obama certainly did, so did Pelosi. Many times.

[Odin2005]

12. My generation LAUGHES at these "successes".

We are facing a CRISIS of underemployment and stagnating wages. As far as the average 20-something is concerned we are in a depression with no hope for an end while the beltway pundits cheer about the stock market. As far as my fellow Millennials are concerned, the numbers have no relevance to their daily lived reality. They just know that they have tens of thousands of dollars in student loans to pay off and can't find any work that is worth shit.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

13. however now they know it will get much worse for them under the Republicans

[aspirant]

14. jumping for joy

How would they know that if they didn't know that the economy was booming? If we have to inform them of all these successes that they have not experienced and are unaware of, why would they even care? That's like going to a homeless man and proudly telling him that the stock market is up, unemployment has fallen and then being confused by his non-interest in voting.You can't have 1 stock list of talking points and expect everyone to jump for joy when they're enlightened.