Will the 'hope' and 'change' memes come back to haunt Obama in 2012?

[Avant Guardian]

Will he use them again, though perhaps altered somewhat? I believe that a lot of his youth support derived from the 'hope' and 'change' memes. The youth support he had in 08 largely evaporated by last years midterms. How will he bring them back into the fold?

Your take?

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[Avant Guardian]

6. Sorry that you are offended

I take it you believe he will use them again?

[ClarkUSA]

3. Have you been ignoring current events during the two years? Obviously you have.

Read this and tell me if you think CHANGE was merely a "meme" for the past two years:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=621787&mesg_id=621787

[Autumn]

4. I don't think he can use "change" again.

A lot of people are not going to fall for hope again either. But he's better than the republicans.

[Avant Guardian]

5. True on every point

How does he bring youth back into the fold?

[WolfoftheWild]

7. He can use "continuing Progress" then. Because that's what he will do.

[ClarkUSA]

8. Why not, considering how much CHANGE he's already wrought and how much more he can do?

Here's proof: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=621787&mesg_id=621787

And considering the FUBAR actions of Republicans across the nation, who says he can't use HOPE to motivate people to vote the GOP agenda out on his coattails? After all, we should all be HOPEful of that happening.

[Autumn]

11. Proof of what? Your link goes to the poster

wondering about Obamas campaign slogans from the 2008 campaign. So I do concede that it is proof that you know how to link to a post on DU. Kudos to you.

[ClarkUSA]

13. Fixed.

:)

[craigmatic]

9. He can't run on change again at least not unless he means changing congress. As far as hope goes I

think he can make a pretty good case for that. He can say that the economy is doing better, more jobs are being created, that he saved the auto industry, and things are generally improving so we should be optimistic about the future. Plus he can use the Middle East democracy revolutions as a way of showing that hope is on the move around the world. Sort of like how Clinton did the bridge to the 21st century thing back in 96 or the morning in America reagan ads. I think it'll work.

[ClarkUSA]

10. Good ideas.

You should email them to OFA.

[Avant Guardian]

16. He has to take ownership of the message first

Of course the ongoing republican meltdown plays towards that end. The best way he can bring hope to Dems is to get rid of the Bush tax cuts for the rich. As long as supply side economics is still in place, there will be no hope for the economic future.

[ClarkUSA]

19. lol! Like BushCo's "ownership society"? No thanks. Obama personifies CHANGE.

"As long as supply side economics is still in place, there will be no hope for the economic future"

Prove your statement, which strikes me as outlandish.

[Avant Guardian]

21. No not like Bushes, 'Ownership society'

But you already know that

Conversation is over with you. Have a nice day.

[ClarkUSA]

22. You sure?? BTW, I'm still waiting for proof of your claim re: "... no hope for the economic future"

To refresh your memory, since you seem to be ignoring my request for proof, you said, "As long as supply side economics is still in place, there will be no hope for the economic future":
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=622676&mesg_id=622722

Are you going to provide any facts? Do facts interest you? If so, I'm all eyes.

[Avant Guardian]

29. See post #26

[JoePhilly]

12. The economy is improving, and will despite GOP efforts, continue to do so ...

Private sector job growth will continue to improve, just as it has for months now.

GDP will continue to be positive.

Unemployment will continue to decline. Notice on this one that the unemployment rate was ~8.7% when the stimulus passed, it rose to 10.2%, and has now turned around and is heading back down. It should drop to 8.7 or less by the summer.

Of course the change in the DOW, from 7500 to ~120000 makes some on DU scream. But the collapse of the DOW was probably the single largest visible sign of the economic collapse. The DOW will likely be above 11k by the general elections, or higher.

DADT, DOMA ...

The positive impact of HCR will be even more obvious.

In 2012, the "change" will continue to be on the march.

[Avant Guardian]

31. He can run on an altered version of the change meme

Change it from, 'Change is coming,' to 'Chance has come"

Then send his principles out to hammer away at comparing, contrasting, the before vs the after.

[JoePhilly]

40. I think so ... recall that he always said ....

"change will take time" ... he can reach back to that, and show the new trends.

Bottom line ... the last thing we should do is switch Presidents in the middle of the recovery. The GOP has nothing to counter it.

[Bake]

58. OH yeah ... the "jobless recovery."

Like, who gives a shit about GDP when gazillions are still out of work?

But but but jobs are coming back, you say?

You mean the burger-flipping service sector jobs? The ones that haven't come anywhere CLOSE to making a dent in the number of jobs LOST in the recession? THOSE JOBS?

I thought so.

Bake

[polichick]

14. If he wanted to be very Democratic, he'd run on "Gov't of, by and for THE PEOPLE"...

...as opposed to gov't of, by and for corporations - but somehow I don't see that happening.

[ClarkUSA]

17. Well, his Wall Street reform bill is proof of his Democratic values and leadership.

Just ask Elizabeth Warren, if you don't believe me. She's the one meeting with bankers this week to explain the new derivatives regulations, among other things: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=622349&mesg_id=622620

[Proud Liberal Dem]

15. There is hope and change afoot IMHO

Surely, you don't mean to suggest that things are every bit as bad as they were under Bush? A lot of things still suck and things still need to be done no doubt about it but, looking at the larger picture, I personally feel more hopeful and optimistic than I did when Bush, et. al were running things for the eight years prior.

If all you decide to dwell on are the negatives or the things he hasn't done yet, then, yeah, that's all you're going to see (and feel).

[Avant Guardian]

25. Obama has to wrest back control of the messsage

Then compare/contrast what he has done with what Bush did and what the GOP congress is doing. At that point the change becomes apparent (to the general public). Right now the GOP is controlling the message. Obama has to muscle it back from them by sending out his principles (cabinet members) to the talkshows every week and hammer away at his message in unison.

Of course you and I can see what the difference is, but we are political junkies.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

27. I agree

There's things he could be doing better and messaging is definitely one of them. I wish that the Dems could get more media air time. It seems like whenever I tune in (practically anywhere), they're talking to another GOP politician/operative and I hardly ever see Democrats. I don't know if it's them not sending anybody out or nobody's calling them to come on. If I had to guess, I'd guess that it would be latter, in which case, what can we do? Another thing that I think is in play is that Obama is reluctant to do is spending lots of time on "politics" and "optics" and he and his cabinet members are more invested in, you know, doing their jobs. The Dems REALLY need a steady cadre of operatives that they can deploy at any given time to be on every show possible countering the pubs and their right-wing spin IMHO. The Republicans, being out of power and all, seem to always have plenty of time to snipe at President Obama over what he is doing (or not doing) or not doing right instead of grabbing a mop and getting busy themselves. Even though they're now in charge of the House, they're still just wasting their time with a bunch of "red meat" for their base but doing nothing substantive for most average people (not that we expected them to anyway).

[Avant Guardian]

28. That is why using his principles (cabinet members) is so critical

As opposed to some Joe Schmoe 'Democratic strategist' pundit, who the networks can easily discount. It is a lot easier to get airtime with a cabinet member, even FAUX would jump at that chance.

Also, with his principles it is easy for them all to stay in lockstep on the message, because they work for and speak for the administration.

[phleshdef]

18. No one can factually deny that domestic, diplomatic and economic policies have changed dramatically.

Its true that some of whats been done has fell short of living up to the all mighty progressive standard. But he didn't have to get an A+ on the scale of liberalism in order to claim that there have been vast changes.

The health insurance industry is in fact subject to a significant amount of new, consumer favoring regulations. This is true with or without a public option.

The financial industry is in fact subject to a significant amount of new regulation and oversight. This is true with or without nationalizing the banks, banning derivatives or reinstating Glass Steagal.

Our economy has had an enormous amount of domestic stimulus poured into it by this administration. Yes, its half of what Paul Krugman says it should have been, but it doesn't have to be Krugman's number to still be enormous. This kind of spending was basically ignored for 8 years.

And despite the fact that we are still in Afghanistan, Iraq actually has came to a close. Yes, we still have people stationed there, but its nowhere near the kind of thing it was when it could still be called a real war. Its not a real war anymore and its been wound down significantly. On top of that, this administration has actually reached out to the middle eastern world in ways that are direct opposite of the way the last administration approached its relations over there. That doesn't mean we don't still have some bad policies because of energy concerns, that doesn't mean we aren't still doing a lot of bad shit we shouldn't be doing over there. But the sabre isn't rattling nearly as much as it was when the cowboy was in charge.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell was ended. The federal government is no longer supporting or defending the anti-gay parts of DOMA. Hate crimes against GLBT folk are more strongly prosecuted. Women now have more room to defend themselves against pay discrimination. And people from all walks of life, races, religions, sexual orientations and various ethnic backgrounds have been given high positions in the federal government as this is one of the most diverse administrations in American history. 2 brilliant women have been appointed to the Supreme Court, 1 being the first latino.

When you put the entire policy picture together and compare it to what was going on from 2000-2008, there is no way you can say there haven't been significant changes. There have been problems. There have been letdowns. There have been compromises, some necessary, some not so necessary. Barack Obama has been, as he said he would be, an imperfect President. Yet, he has been a vastly different kind of President than George Bush and he has overseen the push through of the most progressive leaning legislations since LBJ. For those of us in our 30s or younger, that means he has been the most progressive President in our lifetime.

[jefferson_dem]

20. Of course, an incumbent president would never run on "change".

Instead...it will be "MORNING AGAIN IN AMERICA". Watch...and learn.

[Avant Guardian]

23. Unless he controls the message

With which he could contrast what he has done, with what he inherited/existed before. AKA change.

Just a thought...

[ClarkUSA]

24. Didn't you already agree w/Autumn that he couldn't run on change or hope?

Link: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=622676&mesg_id=622693

Why are you backtracking now?

[Avant Guardian]

26. See post #21

EOM

[ClarkUSA]

30. LOL! In other words, you don't want to explain why you're backtracking now.

Why are you asking questions about other people's opinions when you don't want to be questioned on your own?

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

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[Avant Guardian]

48. See post #31

Have a nice day

[Autumn]

45. A recycled Ronnie Reagan slogan,

of course . :rofl: Some of us learned exactly what Reagan meant with "mourning" in America.

[ClarkUSA]

33. “This gives me so much hope,’’said 17-year-old Zakiya Willies.“It inspires me to always do my best."

This youth said this today.

“What you guys are doing here is sending a message across the country that you can do anything you set out to accomplish,’’ the president told the screaming high schoolers.

The president picked Central as a model for failing schools to look up to, and flew down to Miami on a typically sunny March afternoon to deliver his message on how schools nationwide should be improved: Just follow the Central model.

Among the students who were selected to greet the president: teens who had made the honor roll, those with perfect attendance, and the school’s state championship winning football team.

“This gives me so much hope,’’ said 17-year-old Zakiya Willies. “It inspires me to always do my best.’’

Guests also included Miami-Dade School Board members, state Education Commissioner Eric Smith, state Board of Education member Roberto Martinez and U.S. Representatives Frederica Wilson and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz."

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/04/2097794/obama-due-to-arrive-for-field.html#ixzz1FfVzo1Bo

I'm sure Ms. Willies will be voting for President Obama's brand of HOPE in 2012, as will most youth relative to other presidents. Mark my words.

[blogslut]

34. What do you mean "come back"?

People throw out snide references to Obama's '08 campaign slogans on a daily basis. Saying/Writing: "That's not change I can believe in" or "So much for hope." is so tired a meme it's in a coma.

[Avant Guardian]

35. I mean to be used against him politically In the 2012 race

[ReggieVeggie]

36. Obama's 2012 slogan "Hope for Change"

[bigwillq]

37. That slogan was doomed from the start.

Which is why I never bought into the hype.
I wish politicians wouldn't use slogans like those. Or sound bites like, "no new taxes". More times than not, one can't back up the talk with action or results.

[RBInMaine]

38. It should be "ACTION AND PROGRESS" because that is just exactly what we have gotten.

MORE damn well progressive legislation in two years than we've had since LBJ.

[Sheepshank]

39. Out of curiosity...

just how many incumbent Presidents run on the self same slogan?

I simply don't like your 'gotcha' type OP. Either he runs and re-uses the slogan and as you have implied it's a losing proposition. Or he doesn't use it and you feel vindicated that it was a losing proposition.

It's and all round fail on the OP.

Hope and change were delivered. Maybe not in the direction or the volume or the manner you personally wanted, but in no way do I feel short changed.

[vaberella]

41. He can definitely run on HOPE and CHANGE. However I see hi m pushing D vs. R.

Drive (Democrats) vs. Reverse (Republicans).

He did a lot for the American people in his 2+ years so far. You may not agree but there is no doubt that great things happened. Great things happened for Native Americans, Women's groups, LGBT, foreign and domestic policy, Afro Americans, Latino Americans and so on and so forth. The mere fact that people harp on a few things and marginalize the massive good he's done says that there's more wrong with society. Meaning, society focuses a lot on what a person is not able to do than what they are able to do and says they haven't done shit. He's done a great deal of good and I appreciate it all. There are things that have disappointed me, but nothing that would stop me or even have me hesitate to vote for him again for another 4 years and nothing that has made me regret my initial vote.

[OhioBlue]

42. no, they won't come back to haunt him.

The message will be different for 2012. He will have a professional re-election staff that will be in charge of branding and messaging. A second term President isn't likely to run on change. Reagan and Clinton ran on similar brands/messages for their first term, but not their second.

[rug]

43. These have a familiar ring.

"Yes, America Can"

"Heart and Soul"

"Moving America Forward"

"A Safer World and More Hopeful America"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_W._Bush_presidential_campaign,_2004#Slogan

[WolfoftheWild]

49. this post has a familiar ring.

[EndElectoral]

44. Republicans will be hammering those catch phrases.

[whatchamacallit]

46. He can reuse them with a new truthful slant

"HOPE you don't mind as I CHANGE this country into a conservative utopia"

[mochajava666]

47. They have already haunted him in the midterms

He has destroyed hope and made a mockery of the word change.

For his presidency so far, he has defined hope as realpolitik, and change as total capitulation to the other side.

Maybe progressives will work hard for him in 2012 if he throws them a few bones, in hopes that he will mean what he says next time around. Most likely victory lies with the fear of Palin, Newt, or Huckabee. He will be in trouble with Romney, since so far Mitt doesn't instill enough revulsion to have people vote for Obama.

George Orwell would have loved Obama as the best example of his dystopian society.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[Avant Guardian]

54. The youth didn't show up

Less than half the youth that voted in the 2008 election showed up for the last primary election. The loss of those votes alone is enough to account for the drubbing Democrats received during the last primaries. I think a lot of the youth movement that was excited about Obama in 08, became disillusioned with Obama over the last couple of years. People like you and I are political junkies and always show up to vote, but most people are not political junkies.

[Kitsune]

56. Speaking as a young political junkie..

I voted for Democrats in 2010 with great reluctance. My congressman is a centrist toad and my senators don't even try to pretend they don't work directly for the local industry (such as it is), and the last three years have taught me just how useless it is to vote. No matter who you're voting for, they've been carefully vetted and made to drop any policy ideas that might threaten the status quo. Nobody with any actual plans to change anything is ever going to achieve power in this country.

But I voted anyway, because I consider it the first duty of a citizen in any system that's even marginally democratic. I'm honestly not sure if this makes me insightful for recognizing what a worthless act it is, or naive for doing it anyway.

[rusty fender]

55. The Paucity of Hope

That's how I would describe his re-election. There is no hope for Obama to propose any policy that will revive our manufacturing base, or end the war in Afghanistan.:cry:

[Arkana]

50. Only among those who didn't understand that change doesn't happen easily

or instantaneously.

[otohara]

53. Hopey Changey

will be back in vogue.

So yes!

[opihimoimoi]

57. Obama has done a latta POSITIVE things in 24 months....he will kill um nx year.