Obama To Supporters: Don't Get 'Bogged Down' On War, Taxes

[Purveyor]

By Michael O'Brien - 08/04/11 09:38 AM ET

President Obama counseled supporters Wednesday evening "not to get too bogged down" in details when explaining his record to voters during the campaign.

The president, in a video conference with supporters Wednesday night from Chicago, encouraged his backers to focus on broad themes when it comes to his policies on taxes and war, instead of the specifics of individual policies.

"I think the key is not to get too bogged down in detail," the president said last night.

"If somebody asks about taxes, nobody is really interested in hearing what precise marginal tax rate change would you like to see in the tax code," Obama said. "What they want to know is that our campaign stands for a fair, just approach to the tax code that says everybody has to chip in, and that it’s not right if a hedge fund manager is being taxed at a lower rate than his or her secretary."

MORE...

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/175433-obama-tells-supporters-to-avoid-getting-bogged-down-on-issue-specifics

[ClarkUSA]

1. I like it. He's setting the stage for the expiration of the Bush tax cuts at the end of 2012.

[Dad Infinitum]

13. Obama Is Against a Compromise on Bush Tax Cuts By JACKIE CALMES: Published: September 7, 2010

'WASHINGTON — President Obama on Wednesday will make clear that he opposes any compromise that would extend the Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy beyond this year (2010), officials said, adding a populist twist to an election-season economic package that is otherwise designed to entice support from big businesses and their Republican allies'
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/08/us/politics/08obama.html

Skip forward a few months...

'Obama Signs Bill To Extend Bush Tax Cuts'
By JACKIE CALMES
Published: September 7, 2010

In a display of compromise rarely seen during his time in office, President Obama has signed into law a $858 billion tax cut bill despite the misgivings of members of both parties.

"We are here with some good news for the American people this holiday season," Mr. Obama said. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20026069-503544.html

I wish I could believe you, but all I have to go by are Obama's past actions.

[ClarkUSA]

14. Apples and oranges. The Bush tax cuts' expiration are built into the debt deal baseline.

Read the OP, then read Reply #52: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x732693

[Dad Infinitum]

15. Your ignoring my point

Promises promises. The Bush tax cuts' expiration was built into the law that made them a reality. Obama extended them anyway.

The point is that Obama's promises cannot be trusted.

[ClarkUSA]

19. Bullshit. There won't be anymore UI extensions or middle class tax cuts to be held hostage.

Pres. Obama extended the Bush tax cuts for those reasons and a payroll tax holiday aka Stimulus Plan 2.0 last December, which was the right thing to do. That won't happen again at the end of next year.

You didn't bother to read the OP or Reply #52, did you? How can you pretend you know the future when the facts contradict your blather?

[boston bean]

39. Yeah, Less UI Extensions, Less Middle Class Tax Cuts!!! SUCCESS!!!!

At least they won't be able to be held hostage, cause there won't be any.

What a hoot!!!

[roguevalley]

29. anytime ANYONE says don't look at the details they are hiding

their shit sandwiches. DETAILS! NOW! and if you are willing to give Obama a pass on this, take out his name and put in Dumbya or Cheney.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[phleshdef]

3. The title the Hill used insinuates something different than what he said.

He is basically telling people that its more effective to sell an issue on the broader merits than to get into wonkishness with it, in the context of campaigning. And he is right.

[Enrique]

4. i bet when he's talking to business interests

he doesn't tell them, "never mind about the details".

[ProSense]

5. Well,

there's a headline that will get attention. Still, at least they didn't chop up and editorialize the quotes.

"I think the key is not to get too bogged down in detail," the president said last night.

"If somebody asks about taxes, nobody is really interested in hearing what precise marginal tax rate change would you like to see in the tax code," Obama said. "What they want to know is that our campaign stands for a fair, just approach to the tax code that says everybody has to chip in, and that it’s not right if a hedge fund manager is being taxed at a lower rate than his or her secretary."

[tridim]

6. Good strategy. Considering that most people don't have a clue..

what Obama has accomplished and plans to accomplish in the near future. They certainly don't know what the terror party is planning.

The MSM filter is basically impenetrable to truth.

Neo-DU is actually a good training ground for our Democratic campaign efforts.

[Cali_Democrat]

16. “Fear is the path to the dark side.

Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”

- Jedi Master Yoda

[phantom power]

7. But I thought the whole spin was, the "win" was in the details.

Because when you stand back and squint, it looks like epic fail.

[tridim]

8. Saving the country from GOP initiated economic collapse is not epic fail.

Even low-information voters understand that.

Obama, you might have to simplify it a bit more for some people on DU.

[phantom power]

10. I reject the premise. He hasn't saved us from anything.

Low information voters know what the unemployment rate is, and they'll know it's still bad a year from now.

[tridim]

11. So you have forgotten what happened in 2007-2008?

Obama, you may have to remind people what happened 3 years ago.

Honestly I think you remember, you're just pretending you don't so your FUD campaign doesn't crash and burn.

[daa]

26. No I am seing the rerun now in real time nt

[Dad Infinitum]

17. "Even low-information voters understand that."

The 'crisis' never had to happen in the first place. Obama should have declared, 'America does not, and will never, bow down to extortion,' and refused to talk with them on the matter.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

'America does not, and will never, bow down to extortion' 'America does not, and will never, bow down to extortion' 'America does not, and will never, bow down to extortion' 'America does not, and will never, bow down to extortion' 'America does not, and will never, bow down to extortion' 'America does not, and will never, bow down to extortion' 'America does not, and will never, bow down to extortion' 'America does not, and will never, bow down to extortion' 'America does not, and will never, bow down to extortion' 'America does not, and will never, bow down to extortion' 'America does not, and will never, bow down to extortion' 'America does not, and will never, bow down to extortion' 'America does not, and will never, bow down to extortion' 'America does not, and will never, bow down to extortion'

Lather, rinse, repeat.

That would have put the self made, fake GOP crisis firmly in their laps. Problem solved.

[ClarkUSA]

22. Yeah, I'm sure the Teabagger House would have crumpled at those magic words! If only YOU were POTUS!

You make it all seem so easy. What a gift.

:sarcasm:

[Dad Infinitum]

37. It isn't just easy

It is pretty obvious too.

[tridim]

28. Psst, the debt ceiling was raised, regardless of the terror party's efforts.

Obama and the Democrats overcame the extortion and terror. The teafuckers lost, badly.

Yes, it came with a bucketload of RW crap attached to it, but SS and Medicare were saved and defense will finally be cut.

[Control-Z]

32. My gawd.

You can't be that naive.

[Dad Infinitum]

38. Its the extortion

[Akoto]

9. Heyo, misleading title.

The title implies that he's suggesting people should not discuss those subjects much, when that is not the case. He's advising that, when campaigning for him, we should keep it to the information the average person will give a shit about and readily understand. The tax code example is a good one.

[liskddksil]

12. translation: we don't have a lot to go on...here's some more inspiration themes

for you to try to sell. To be fair they also told their supporters not to talk to about policy details in the 2008 primary, while Edwards supporters, such as I, were dropping off and reading off of detailed policy booklets.

[Cali_Democrat]

18. Because if you actually read the details

Obama has been a complete failure on those issues.

[ClarkUSA]

20. What "details"? Your bilious one-liner is fact-free rhetoric.

[Cali_Democrat]

23. Welcome back to ignore

:hi:

[ClarkUSA]

24. So you put people on ignore who ask you for facts to back up your ridiculous claims?

Gee, I wonder why? :rofl:

[Hawkowl]

33. No, he has succeeded

It is turning out just like he wanted. A nice DLC/Neocon package. That is why he wants the details blurred. He thinks we aren't paying attention.

[ClarkUSA]

21. Pres. Obama said this to his "Supporters" and not to those who spend all their time denigrating him.

Barack is a smart man.

After all, he must know that the latter category of so-called Democrats have already committed to doing absolutely nothing on his behalf, so they've made themselves totally irrelevant to this discussion and to his campaign efforts.

[COLGATE4]

25. Yeah, "I'M in the In Group and You're NOT". So there!

[Dawgs]

27. Amazing, right!

:hi:

[Armstead]

34. And they will really be irrelevant when the Election gets down to hair-thin margins

Politicians tell their logical base to " fuck off" at their peril.

Especially when they don't have anything to sell to "swing voters."

[blueclown]

30. Don't get too bogged down in details

Sounds like Obama's 2008 campaign slogan. Hopefully it is not his 2012 re-election campaign slogan.

[Control-Z]

31. The president is right.

We could learn from the treasonous republicans on this. Never mind that they lie and promote dangerous policy. They never get bogged down in detail. We write 1,000 page proposals. They write 10 pages including index, pictures and cover page. Their talking points are so simple even Sarah Palin can memorize them. And they make great sound bites.

[boston bean]

35. sounds like a familiar tactic. use broad sweeping generalizations and then do the opposite of what

people thought you meant.

Worked once, will it work again.... don't know.

[GeorgeGist]

36. The vapid response team never rests ...

'cause empty suits are hard to fill.

[blkmusclmachine]

40. Talk to the hand, Pres.

n/t