Democrats may regret emphasizing the "creepy" memes about Obama

[Armstead]

It's one thing to disagree with or dislike Obama.

However, if he gets the nomination, Democrats could regret the endless repetition of words and images that portray him and his supporters as creepy. All of the talk about him being Messianic and his supporters as Cultlike and the implications that his campaign has some quasi-mystical dimension to it.

It is giving the GOP a pre-fab basis for their own campaign if Obama wins.

Obama is basically a very successful politician. No more no less. He is doing exactly what any politician would love to accomplish -- run a campaign that generates strong support among a wide range of people. And, yes, one that is inspiring people.

In fact, he is basically doing what Bill Clinton did in 1992.

His public image is still in the process of being formed. So far, according to the polls, people generally have a very good impression of him.

But if Democrats keep trying to portray him as a weird, empty, exotic cult leader, we will be handing the GOP the gun that could shoot us in the foot.

I'm not suggesting that no one should criticize him.

However, I would just suggest that Democrats tone down the efforts to turn his positive qualities into a liability and create an image of him as a creepy weirdo leading a cult of creepy weirdos. It could create unwanted consequences in the General Election.

[Tarc]

1. Will the Obamaniacs regret their allegations of racism against the Clintons

if she wins? Along with the numerous other slurs and putdowns?

[Armstead]

4. Probably

I realize there's a slight double standard in my OP. However, the difference is that Hillary is already a familiar figure, while Obama's ultimate image is still being created.

In reality, the Republicans are not likely to create a new image of Hillary based of the objections of Democrats to her candidacy. Especially objections from "the left."

[griffi94]

2. don't be silly

it's not like we'll actually take back the white house.....in the end we'll find some way to blow it.....that's one of the reasons im a democrat.....there's a real sense of crusading in trying to do the right thing and never being able to pull it off.lol......in an election year when everything favors us....from the war to the economy to the national mood......at the last possible second we'll snatch defeat from the jaws of victory....like in 2000.....not trying to be a killjoy.....just pointing out the obvious.....

[AndyTiedye]

36. Defeat Has Already Been Snatched from the Jaws of Victory

We are running the weakest candidates in living memory. They are running McCain, whom the media totally adores.
McCain already ties us or beats us, and the Mighty Slime Machine hasn't even started to swiftboat our candidate yet.

I hope we win somehow, but I don't see how it can happen now.

[griffi94]

40. well for whatever it's worth

after we lose again we can all rally around the thought that 2012 will be our year.....then in 2011 we can fragment again and start the whole thing all over....i take some comfort in the thought that we'll add to our congressional majority....
we're already dead as far as the white house goes....i knew as soon as the repubs nominated mccain.....any other candidate from them would have been crushed by either of our remaining candidates.....alas it was not to be....

[AndyTiedye]

48. McCain Could Have Coat-Tails

I would not take our "majority" in Congress for granted either.
Lieberman will probably defect to the Repigs officially,
now that he is openly endorsing their candidate.
We are unlikely to pick up seats in the face of a resounding defeat at the top of the ticket.

[lurky]

3. They are trying to destroy him.

All of these attacks are intended to wreck his credibility and make him unelectable. This is scorched-earth campaigning. Thankfully, people are not buying it.

[CyberPieHole]

5. "The cult of Obama" is applicable.

[Armstead]

9. Please explain why it is more "cultlike" than any otehr campaign?

[high density]

16. It's not

Many of these "cult" whiners are annoyed to see people gravitating toward Obama because they can't understand why. I believe their reasoning is that Clinton is so great, how could somebody not choose her?

[The_Casual_Observer]

6. Obama is just another Axlerod "hope & change" franchise holder.

[Armstead]

7. That may be true

But Axlerod is not some mysterious overlord from the depths of Hades.

He's a political stretegist.

[The_Casual_Observer]

13. So much for "transformative". The whole thing is a cheap campaign strategy.

[Armstead]

18. No it's a successful campaign strategy

And isn't having a successful campaign strategy sort of important in politics?

Yes, governing is the real point. But to govern you have to get there first. And I'm not sure that trying to knock the legs out from under successful campaign strategies is the way for Democrats to take back power.

[The_Casual_Observer]

24. It's the worst kind of "I'll give you a pony" campaign strategy.

The legs are going to get knocked off of it, but it won't be the Dems fault.

[Armstead]

39. How is he giving any more of a pony than Hillary?

He's not making any promises that Hillary isn't. He's just been better at it.

Should both candidates run on a platform of "Elect me but it won't make any difference because the system will defeat you anyway?"

[The_Casual_Observer]

41. Obama "vote for me, I've employed the better pony salesman".

[Armstead]

44. I guess you are saying you're against success?

IMO the Democratic Party needs an injection of good salesmanship.

[The_Casual_Observer]

45. I reject the use of the message of "hope" to sell a defective product.

[high density]

22. You'd be praising it if your candidate had chosen to campaign this way

It's like we're supposed to fault a candidate for being successful and getting votes... Come on.

[The_Casual_Observer]

26. Bullshit. You have no idea what I would do, and it sure as shit wouldn't

be to buy into a lousy stupid synthetic message like that. You've as much as admitted that the whole thing is a crock, yet, it's okay, because he can win on it.

[high density]

35. It's a successful marketing campaign and you are kneecapping him for it

Marketing is a part of how political races are won these days. If it helps somebody with his platform win over some red state folks, I'm all for it. It sure as hell beats Hillary Clinton's scorched earth strategy that inflames other Democrats and brings zero people in from the opposing side.

[The_Casual_Observer]

38. It didn't take long for "transformation/brighter day" to be reduced to

a marketing ploy that I ought to shut up about.

[high density]

47. Give me a break.

You know that's not what I meant. What a nasty fucking response. I give up trying to reason with you.

[jillan]

8. And if Hillary wins, the same holds true.

[Armstead]

11. Please see my Post 4 for a response.

P.S. Love that little running dog.

[MH1]

10. If Clinton doesn't win the nomination

Will they even really care if Obama is defeated?

It seems to me that the election only "counts" for them if Clinton is the nominee.

[yardwork]

20. Who is "they?"

[MH1]

32. Clinton. Both of them. Who will be co-presidents, if elected. (at least Bill thinks so)

Sorry, I guess that was too nuanced. (or just stupid on my part. :P)

[Levgreee]

12. People haven't been pushing the racism issue

I don't think anyone (or hardly anyone) is trying to paint Hillary as racist. At the worst, that she made insensitive comments, but that does not make a racist.

[kentuck]

14. Indeed...

The Repubs are letting the Democrats create the narrative for the general election. And we are obliging them.

[yardwork]

19. I agree.

[yardwork]

15. I agree, and I think that Obama supporters should drop the crap about Hillary, too.

There's a thread up now suggesting that "we" purge the Democratic Party of the Clintons and anyone else perceived as less than perfect. This is the kind of crap that hands Republicans victories.

[apnu]

30. more to that point... its what the GOP does internally.

the Big Tent of the Democratic Party is getting smaller by the day with this kind of stuff.

That said, you're point (and the OP) are valid, good and true. We need a return to civility in this primary, and a return of civility to the GE as well.

That has to start right here, at the root of the party.

[yardwork]

37. I agree 100%.

[AX10]

17. When will Obama's surrogates...

apologize for their playing the race card against the Clinton's?
Will Michelle do the same since she deliberately took Bill Clinton's fairytale comment out of context?

[Armstead]

21. I didn't think that was approriate either.

At least not until Bill Clinton's idiotic and racist Jesse Jackson remark after Obama won.

[AX10]

23. One could say that he was fighting back against them.

Especially Michelle.

[ShortnFiery]

28. Yes, by playing that good ole Lee Atwater perfected "Southern Strategy"

All Bubba needed in addition to two thuggish guys leaning on his Limo, was mirrored sunglasses to make "the scene complete." <cue "The Dukes of Hazzard Theme Song.">

[ShortnFiery]

25. Yes, it's sort of disingenuous of people to spin that into "See! Michelle's not patriotic" B.S.

Gee, her husband has VASTLY exceeded all expectations ... don't you think that we could cut her a little slack on the use of hyperbole?

Does anyone TRULY believe that Michelle Obama does NOT love Our Country? Now, really - Does anyone truly believe such *bunk?*

[Neshanic]

27. It's a marketing tool of his invention. NOW you want to pull it back?

Those bad, evil boomers, that hope thing with no explaination, the crowds of "yes we can" chanting the yes of what? The exclusivity of his generational war games.

Don't blame us. Your guy and his pals though this one up by themselves.

[AX10]

29. True. Obama began this crap.

He has only himself to blame when it backfires.

[ShortnFiery]

33. The Clintons and their beloved DLC have perfected the art of "divide and conquer" politics.

You know that, don't you? ... but Uncle KKKarl says to "hit them in their strong spot (integrity)."

Bravo, Good old boy, Mark Penn is proving himself up to the task of FILTHY campaign managing. :thumbsdown:

[Armstead]

42. Many boomers get his point.

I'm one of those bad evil boomers myself. (And I was originally an Edwards supporter, and still would be if only....)

I don't see it as generational war. Rather it's the fact that politics has been stuck in one destructive position since....well, at least the late 1970's.

We need a fresh perspective. I'm not advocating -- nor is Obama -- that everyone over 50 be tossed in the wastebasket. But we do need some new input, that offers at least the possibility of the gridlock and the steamroller of right-wing corporate conservatism that we've been trapped by for several decades.

And how is "Yes We Can" any more empty that Hillary's chants at rallies?

[meow mix]

31. clintons supporters are about to become targets of thier own filthy attacks

some karmic justice in there..

[ShortnFiery]

34. And may I be the first to say, with a few very notable exceptions ...

it couldn't happen to a NICER clutch of people. :nuke:

[rinsd]

43. So its ok for Democrats to reinforce the RW memes about Clinton?

This post is a perfect example of the meme you seek to debunk.

[Armstead]

46. Depends on the memes...or more accurately the criticisms

Ppersonal attacks on Hillary based on the crap that Rush spews out shouldn't be reinforced by Democrats either.

But differences on issues are not just memes.And they aren't right-wing.

I'm not saying Obama should be immune from criticism on his positions -- and yes he does have positions and proposals. Nor should Clinton be immune to that.

My point is that there is too much creepy imagery that is wrongly being used against Obama by Democrats that could have blowback come the General Election.

[Time for change]

49. I agree -- That kind of talk is over the top and not helping our cause at all

I have criticized Obama a number of times myself. But our criticisms should stick to tangible issues of policy and actions, not emotionally laden stuff that Republicans can make use of in the GE.

[cbayer]

50. Great article in NYT on Sunday on some of this.

It talked alot about charisma, while sometimes using the phrase "cult of personality". I think charisma applies in this case and I agree that we should find a less loaded word than cult.

[Armstead]

52. yes. Charisma is a good thing. So is enthusiasm of his supporters.

[nsd]

51. Thanks for posting this message.

I'm mostly a lurker on DU, but I've been struck -- and bewildered -- by the tone of the debate here. I voted for Obama in California, but I'd be perfectly happy to vote for Clinton in November if she wins. I don't understand what the source of all the bitterness I've read here is. We have two good choices. There's no reason to demonize either of them. And there is a very good reason to refrain from personal attacks or scorched earth tactics: one of these two has to face McCain in the general election.