Is there some reason in the world that Obama doesn't have a good spokesperson?

[LisaM]

Seriously.

[JVS]

1. When has he ever shown himself good at choosing staff?

[harun]

5. Only Biden.

[tblue]

2. Well, if you're winging it.....

just sayin'.

I get the feeling the WH is flying by the seat of its pants. It gives me no pleasure to say that. But that's my thinking.

[stellanoir]

3. He probably is his own best spokesperson given his

phenomenal oratory skills.

The few pundits who are his supporters of more of a traditional ilk often wish that he'd better use the "bully pulpit" of the Presidency more effectively.

However each and every time he speaks, far more than 80% of the punditry will distort what he has said and they'll mostly interview the Representatives for rebuttal who comprise the 50% of the legislature who wish only for his failure and have no regard for being even remotely factual. The really off the wall 20% of the Tea Parties are given a strikingly disproportionate amount of air time than they are due. None of this is fair and balanced.

Remember when he got OBL and the media called in all the * cronies to minimize his achievement.

You'll see his approval ratings get a brief bump every time he makes a major speech until the massive choir of his cackling detractors misrepresent his wise elocutions.

Given the mess he walked into as a backdrop, he's doing remarkably well.

I think he does have many thoughtful spokespeople but they are resoundingly dwarfed by the sensationalism of those who are determined to see him fail.

[nenagh]

4. Not trying to be contrary...but Pres Obama needs alternate spokespeople in DC..

that are savvy and media astute..

He can't do it all himself.. Sometimes in the past he has looked exhausted while speaking..

I'm hoping that Pres Obama enjoys his jobs speeches outside the Beltway and reconnects with his base.

[stellanoir]

6. Yeah I've sadly noticed his fatigue on more than one occasion.

I don't begrudge him that given the overwhelming numbers of those who wish only to thwart any and all of his intrepid efforts.

Of the spokespeople he has who are "savvy and media astute" they get maybe 5% of the exposure that his numerous detractors receive.

One has to really pay attention to even notice them and all too many are stuck on economic woes and do not feel that have the time.

Couldn't agree with you more about reconnecting with his base though.

I hope it nourishes him as much as it seems from his most recent appearances.

[procon]

7. Is it just Obama, or whole Democratic Party... or the media?

I turn on the TV -- any station -- and all I see is Republicans repeating the identical talking points of the day. Not just the leadership, but every third tier back-bencher is getting uninterrupted, free air time to promote dismantling our society and take potshots at Democrats.

Where are the Dems? Do they not have the same media access, are they being shut out, or can't they make the effort to find a camera crew?

It really is about the messaging. The Rs are really very effective -- yeah, I hate the cheap slogans, but they work -- at putting out a cohesive and sustained theme. Obama -- gawd love 'em -- gives complex university lectures to a public with a 7th grade attention span, and the Dems seem to think they have no obligation to inform the public, or even come out with a half-hearted rebuttal in opposition.

I despair.