President Obama should fire his advisors - They are "optics" illiterate

[onpatrol98]

President Obama’s Oval Office Remodel
During his Massachusetts vacation, staffers revamped the iconic room.

http://www.newsweek.com/blogs/the-gaggle/2010/08/31/president-obama-s-oval-office-remodel.html

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Who would suggest this in the current economy? Is it their idea of a stimulus? I can just see the next headlines that detail for us...the cost of the rugs OR the entire remodeling job. Goodness Forbid.

I don't care if you think President Obama is the hardest working president in the last 30 years...it makes no difference if he's taken less vacations than Bush. Many unemployed Americans would simply love to have a job and many with jobs can't afford to take any vacations. Some are working two jobs and haven't had a vacation in years. I don't begrudge the President vacations...but I think if I'd been an adviser I would have suggested THE MOST BORING OPTICALLY possibly. Golf with the buddies. What I say was pictures of the President golfing with other big wigs? Poor optics.

Do they really want pictures of vacations as unemployment numbers and foreclosure numbers increase. WHO ARE HIS ADVISERS?

They seem to attack his friends and suggest things that put a target on his re-election chances.

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I could be off base. Feel free to unrec...this isn't a story that belongs on the front page. But, it's unnerving that they seem so out of touch. Almost like when Daddy Bush was in a grocery store and was amazed at the checkout routine. He was toast after that.

I'm speaking simply optics. Are these the suggestions that we would make if we were advising our President?

Or, maybe it only looks bad to me. It just seems...clueless.

I notice they did redid the Oval office WHILE he was on vacation. Perhaps so that he wouldn't be inconvenienced, but it makes me wonder...did they really have his okay to do it. Or, was it some grand surprise?

I know its silly to even consider these things. But, optics matter. I still say, he needs new advisers.

[Pirate Smile]

1. No tax payer $$$ was used.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

2. does it matter?

not as a public image. He concentrates on outfitting his office, while 12% of America is out of work?

Bad image, indeed.

[Pirate Smile]

7. Yeah. It does. He didn't do it for 20 months. Gawd, how long did he have to keep Bush's crap?

He waited 20 f#$king months and no tax payer money was used. Case closed. The people who will bitch will bitch no matter what he does. They always do.

[Ozymanithrax]

3. Well, at least he did not remove the "W" from all keyboards forcing a replacment...

So, first people complain about him going on vacation, and now about doing over the oval office.

Silly season is here.

[onpatrol98]

5. Optics matter

I'm sorry. Optics do matter. The question I'm asking is not do you begrudge our President the break. But, if you were advising him, would you consider timing and venue as important at a time like this.

It's not about a silly season. But, one of things Bush took a hit for (besides being stupid) was that at a time of war... he told people to go shopping. It didn't go over well.

I'm thinking these are the last images and headlines you want out, right now. They're ripe for election ads.

While I'm at it. I guarantee you have DUers sensitive enough that although they see no problem (honestly) with the President's vacations and remodeled office, who would not have felt comfortable taking the same courtesy (taxpayer money or not). Not because of the optics. But, rather because of a recognition that the country is hurting really badly right now.

[Ozymanithrax]

10. Optics didn't matter when Bush put a sock in his flight suit and

flaunted his false woody for a packed crowd of men. In fact, the news received that "Optic" as good and manly.

Obama could have moved into a monk's cell and flogged his back with barb wired between trips to Congress. It wouldn't matter.

He could don Gandhi's dhoti. Now there is an optic.

He could get someone to dress up like Madeline Kahn and announce, It's twuu, It's twuu.

What ever he does the right will paint it as Muslim, or Socialist, or out of touch, or some crazy assed shit. Optics will be manipulated and spun to tell the story anyone wants to tell. This story doesn't matter.

[grantcart]

4. Everything is dontated in either inkind or personal contributions.

and yes it is silly to consider these things

[hedgehog]

6. You've got to consider that they did try for a year and a half

to get the smell out of the old carpet first!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. This Obama guy just isn't photogenic. He can't take a good picture.

:crazy:

[nashville_brook]

9. will contributors to the WH Historical Assoc and the inaugural comm get to display their logos?

i guess they'll just have the satisfaction of knowing their $$ paid for it when they come to lobby.

[sharp_stick]

13. You don't know much about those groups do you? n/t

[countingbluecars]

11. There were some who thought

he shouldn't have an inaugural celebration either. Nonsense. He is the president and he deserves the privileges that other presidents have enjoyed.

[TheKentuckian]

12. He can openly use hundred dollar bills for TP if he dumps the hacks and stops placating the morons

[scheming daemons]

14. Those same advisors managed the "optics" for the 2008 campaign....

Stupid OP.

[onpatrol98]

15. You should know...calling the OP stupid, was stupid

I agree with you that these advisers brought him to the WH. Is it unreasonable of me to suggest, they may be making a few missteps while they're in the White House?

I am not Obama bashing. You can let go of the trigger finger. I don't think they're making his job easier. I still say...Fire the advisers.

Point #1: They should be encouraging supporters not denigrating them.

Point #2: Even well deserved vacations and more dignified digs...can look self serving in the next round of political ads WHEN AMERICANS ARE OUT OF WORK AND LOSING THEIR HOMES.

Point #3: I have no doubt "W" regrets "Mission Accomplished"

Optics do matter...whether you want them too or not. Maybe not with you...because he can do no wrong. But, it takes more than you to keep a man in the White House.

It's not stupid of me to consider these things. I think its simply the start of a legitimate conversation. Should he consider removing some of his advisers.