how obama is taking the wrong track

[dempartisan23]

his whole focus seems to be on iraq and foreign policy. where republicans are weakest are on the economy but based on the campaign so far you would think obama doesnt know the economy is in bad shape. forget foreign policy. TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMY.

[sniffa]

1. He's taking the Karl Rove approach

Attacking (relentlessly) his opponent's strength.

[lurky]

6. Yes, all they have is their (perceived) strength in

foreign policy. Once this has been exposed as vapor, they will have nothing left but homophobia and racism. That alone is not enough to win anymore.

[AlCzervik]

11. i think you're right and it's a good plan.

[sniffa]

15. As a fellow Frankenphile, I figured you'd see it too

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6432594

:hi:

[AlCzervik]

21. It's awesome to see that used for good instead of republican.

:toast: :loveya:

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. I think he will do this more now that he has shown that he can make connections in other

nations.

[LSparkle]

23. I think you're right -- he had to pass the "Commander-in-Chief test" first

Now he can start touring the country with John Edwards and HRC
talking about creating One America and standing up for working
people.

[woolldog]

3. He wants to change that perception first.

that McCain is better at foreign policy. And then go after the economy issue.

[babylonsister]

4. Let him get back to the US first, wouldya? nt

[HereSince1628]

5. There isstill plenty of time to hammer on the economy.

And it is likely to be a more pressing topic by September. This European trip has provided tremendous footage for ads that will be assembled and run this fall.

[elkston]

7. I don't doubt he will go full steam on Economy when he gets back.

This trip was necessary to perhaps impress upon doubters the actual vision of a President Obama that seemed to elude them.

He doesn't have to beat McCain on Foreign Policy, he just needs to seem competent. He has passed that test, and it had to be done.

Now its back home and then hardcore message on the economy and energy policy.

[BlooInBloo]

8. Your concern is noted.

[woolldog]

27. stop saying that!

:rofl:

[high density]

9. People already trust Obama on economics

Now the idea is to make the voters realize that he knows what he's talking about in regards to foreign policy as well.

[dempartisan23]

10. then why isnt he ahead by 20?

if this is an election about iraq, we lose. its that simple.

[Drunken Irishman]

16. Why did Clinton only beat Bush by 4% in 1992?

It was the economy then, too, yet Clinton narrowly defeated Bush in the 1992 presidential election.

Just because you believe Obama should be up big does not mean he really should be. The country still does not know Obama, which is a big reason why he took this trip, and until they do, there will be many skeptics. Had Obama not taken this trip, McCain would have hammered him on foreign issues and that would have hurt him in the long run. McCain wants to define Obama as not fit for the presidency and for an unknown candidate like Obama, someone fresh, that can kill his chances.

[stillcool]

28. why isn't he ahead by 20?

because we Americans are divided by black white and brown, red states and blue states, Christians, Jews, Muslims and atheists, and people who care more about party than country, and of course flag pins. That and a bunch of people actually believe what they see and hear coming from their tv.

[stray cat]

12. Americans question his experience - he needs to do both

[Drunken Irishman]

13. You don't understand politics, do you?

Obama is still fairly unknown to most of America. Even during the primaries, the country's eyes weren't on him entirely. This trip, at this time, is to define who Obama is. Believe it or not, but because of the coverage he is getting, this will be the first real glimpse of Obama many Americans get, since they are now just starting to pay attention to the election. Because of this, they will see a candidate acting presidential, meeting with foreign leaders and bolstering his foreign policy experience. This has always been Obama's weakness and because of this, McCain could have defined him as lacking on the international stage, but now Obama has taken this talking point away, or at least changed it to a certain extent.

The interesting thing now is the first real images Americans will see of Obama is on the international stage and that will stay in their minds longer than a speech in Pittsburgh on the economy. Obama has months to discuss the economy, but he only has weeks to define his image and if he doesn't define his image, McCain will do it for him. Obama essentially preempted McCain's chance by doing this and now McCain can try to characterize Obama, but he will be less successful because of this trip.

Now Obama can focus on the economy and won't have to worry about McCain making him look lost, not presidential and a foreign policy lightweight. Which he would have had to do if he spent this past week in America not bolstering the weakest part of his image. Once the American people perceive a candidate as something, whether it's true or not, that perception is hard to shake. Kerry was perceived to be an out of touch liberal elitist and justified or not, he couldn't get beyond that. Dole was old and out of touch and now McCain is slowly looking old and out of touch as well. If that image for McCain takes hold and Obama was successful in shaping his image as someone that can unite the world and lead us again, he will win this election in a landslide. But first thing first, shore up your weakest areas and Obama's weakest areas have always been on the international stage and looking presidential.

[dempartisan23]

19. reps are already defining him

and its working. there is a radio commercial running here about how obama is a flip flopper. meanwhile, im hearing no negatives ads about mccain. where is all that money obama has? obama is being defined negatively as we speak

[Drunken Irishman]

20. Wrong.

Go look at the polls, Obama's weakness has always been foreign policy and it's still a major issue. He's shoring that up, showing America he can lead and then he'll discuss the economy.

He already has an inside track on the economy, so why ignore the weakest issue of his campaign, one that could ultimately cost him the election? It doesn't make sense and thankfully you're not running his campaign, or he would be crushed in the general.

[stillcool]

30. It's working?

if that is the case, than low information voters will determine the election, regardless of what ad the Obama campaign puts out.

[Fleshdancer]

14. I think he will once he's back in the States....

since he's overseas, it makes sense to focus on foreign policy. :shrug:

[Guava Jelly]

17. There are many tracks to be on.

And enough time to travel several of them.
Lets give Ol Conductor Obama a chance to get to it..Trains only move so fast.

[RB TexLa]

18. The US economy pales in comparison to wold events and issues

[MellowDem]

22. It's only because he is overseas right now

When he comes back, he'll focus on the economy again.

[CatBO]

24. This is but one week (give or take a day or two)

His strength was the Economy.

He just took his perceived weakness and has been turning it into another strength this week.

He'll be home soon, and I'll bet local issues will be top on his agenda.

[DevonRex]

25. He's attacking McCain's strong point and is showing that not only

is Obama good at foreign policy, he's actually better. McCain has already said that he doesn't know much about the economy and his economy guru had to resign in disgrace - even though he's still around.

In other words, Obama is negating the ONLY thing that the republicans have won with the last 2 elections: National Security. Since that was the ONLY reason to vote for McCain, and since that reason is now GONE, there IS no good reason to vote for McCain. Get it?

And over the next few months we will see Obama talking about the economy plenty. He will also continue to talk about foreign policy. Because he can walk and chew gum at the same time.

[AtomicKitten]

26. He's hitting McBush on his perceived strength.

He'll be home soon to spank him on the economy.

[rucky]

29. Patience, grasshopper. n/t

[Mass]

31. Because the Americans already do not trust McCain on the economy.

Which is why McCain is trying to frighten them on international security. He is on the right track speaking about foreign affairs.

He needs to speak about foreign policy.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

32. i heard his strategy is -- get some bona fides on foreign policy -- check

and he will be back on the economy as soon as he gets back

no worries

[book_worm]

33. Prior to this trip he was and after this trip he will again.