Obama's Appeal (The Secret Thereof)

Allow me to expand on my notion that Obama is the Mirror of Desire (Mirror of Erised to you Harry Potter fans out there) in which people see what they most want to see.

Obama's basic message is that he is a smart and reasonable guy who will reach out to people representing a wide range of views and bring them together to bring about "change".

But what people actually hear is something somewhat different, namely, "Obama is smart and reasonable and he will listen to me; since my ideas are smart and reasonable, he will ultimately embrace them as his own".

This creates a very different dynamic from the typical political campaign.  Rather than trying to convince a majority of voters (primary or general election) that his ideas are superior, Obama simply needs to convince a majority that their ideas are superior.  Should be doable!

And how has Hillary been combating this?  Not effectively.  Her basic approach has followed the traditional campaigner's plan of marshaling programs tailored to appeal to 51% of voters.  By and large, the upshot will be that folks who agree with her will figure they will get their way with either candidate; folks who disagree with her will favor Obama.  Not helpful.

Ms. Clinton has also argued, in admirably straight-faced fashion, that Obama lacks the experience to actually deliver on his ethereal "agenda" but that she, as one of the most polarizing and hated politicians in America, is poised to deliver on a sweeping range of programs.  As if.

What Hillarity needs to do, if Obama is foolish enough to oblige her, is trap Obama in a morass of specificity - "Where's the beef?" worked for Walter Mondale against Gary Hart in 1984; time has nearly run out for Ms. Clinton but it may yet work here.

To accomplish this work Ms. Clinton needs to enlist the press; she needs to emulate John McCain and talk their ears off, with the hope that the press will switch to fawning on the "New Hillary" and turn against Obama as lacking substance.

If the result is to goad Obama into delivering a briefcase (or boxcar) of details about a million programs, he may lose his central appeal as his supporters are forced to reconcile his vision with their own.  If Hillary, allied with the press, can transform Obama into just another programmatic politician with ideas that attract some and alienate others, she will at least be playing a game she has a chance of winning.

MORE:  If I were advising McCain, this tactic of Obama's wouldn't worry me much - McCain has a track record of actually doing what Obama is just talking bout.

Comments

[Other Tom]

I agree with the characterization of his appeal.

And I think it can't last. There is now stuff that McCain, if not Hillary, can use for target practice, namely his Global Poverty Act and his hard-left economic plan. Taxing Americans to provide foreign aid as directed by the UN is one hell of an election issue.

[Scrapiron]

Someone should ask B Hussein Obama in public why he has lied about his heritage his entire life up to and including fraud to get minority status for financial gain. Read this and weep. http://kennethelamb.blogspot.com/2008/02/barak-obama-questions-about-ethnic.html

[dmh]

Yes, that's the ticket. Let's start with the B. Hussein stuff and prove just how wacky we are. If that doesn't work, then people will be sure to listen to us when we try a substantive critique of his policies and positions. Grow up. Stop with the insane conspiracy stuff and fight this like adults. It is the only chance we have.

[Sara]

Obama is a man of no substance who appeals to a crowd completely consumed by rock star celebrity and equate him the same status. His tax/economic plan has been characterized as the nanny state on steroids, he has shown himself completely clueless when it comes to national security and the threat of terror around the world, his wife tells us that he is here to fix the nation's broken souls as his followers treat him as a messianic figure. But maybe the most egregious thing about the Obama campaign is that it is built on the lie that he could be the first African-American president when, in fact, he is at best an Arab-African/American.

[Other Tom]

According to the source material cited by Scrapiron, Obama's father was primarily of Arab extraction, although a "maternal grandparent" was described as African Negro in the Kenyan records.

The guy who wrote this stuff up maintains that Obama is thus only 1/16 black, while he is 1/2 Caucasian and 7/16 Arab. (Seems to me this would make Obama 1/8 black, wouldn't it?)

Not sure this is a winning issue...

[Rick Ballard]

"Not sure this is a winning issue..."

I would heartily agree. I'm not sure why anyone would advise RW on how to best BHO (my preference would be that they engage in full and ineffectual battle right up to the convention) but he really is so lacking in substance that his vapidity needs only to be allowed to blossom into full nothingness.

The other ammo will always be there in the unlikely event that the fever doesn't break.

Election 2008 - Half of America Wearing Beer Goggles.

[RichatUF]

I'm migrating this from another thread, but I've been reading BHO's economic plan. WOW as in YIKES...stuff that just jumped out at me-

*Create a Universal Mortgage Credit: "...This 10 percent credit will benefit an additional 10 million homeowners, the majority of whom earn less than $50,000 per year. Non-itemizers will be eligible for this refundable credit..."

[note-how many people have a mortgage but don't itemize their taxes? IIRC, the standard deduction today is $8750 for singles and $17,500 for couples. About the only thing that I can think of that this would capture are singles or couples living in a mobile home which is financed]

*Provide a Tax Cut for Working Families: "...Obama will create a new “Making Work Pay” tax credit of up
to $500 per person, or $1,000 per working family. This refundable income tax credit will provide direct relief..."

[this sounds like Clinton-lite with the expansion of the EIC]

*Simplify Tax Filings for Middle Class Americans: "...Barack Obama will dramatically
simplify tax filings so that millions of Americans will be able to do their taxes in less than 5 minutes. Currently, the IRS receives Americans’ financial information directly from employers and banks. Obama will ensure that the IRS uses this information to give taxpayers the option of a pre-filled tax forms to verify, sign and return to the IRS or online..."

[where are all the civil rights and privacy rights advocates?]

*Create the American Opportunity Tax Credit: "...This universal and fully refundable credit will ensure that the first $4,000 of a college education is completely free for most Americans..."

[however from my other comments, this would drive tuition higher, especially at community colleges]

*Expand the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit: "...Barack Obama will reform the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit by making it refundable and allowing low-income families to receive up to a 50 percent credit for their child care expenses..."

Not analysis, just skimming first half. The thing with the IRS sending pre-printed forms based on the information they have is a real eye-popper. Lots of refundable tax credits as well-don't see how he can claim he would simplify taxes by stuffing in a bunch of new refundable credits without some sort of itemization.

[RichatUF]

OT-

"...that Obama is thus only 1/16 black, while he is 1/2 Caucasian and 7/16 Arab..."

"...&1D11E;...Not too shabby...&1D15F;&1D15F;"

[RichatUF]

darn it, the symbols didn't work

[JM Hanes]

TM:

Loved your "back of the plane" pointer Thursday, and I think you've nailed the only way Hillary can really hope to generate the kind of positive coverage she so desperately needs. She can't really win the experience argument, but she could win on substance. I suspect she's too controlling and too paranoid to risk the kind of unscripted interactions it would take though.

[kim]

Hey, Scrappy, is the Spurwing Plover still being disemvoweled? What a schtick that bird has.
==================

[Mike Snider]

I also agree with your basic explanation of Obama-mania. But, suppose Hillary were to successfully do what you suggest and pin him into a "Where's the Beef"-corner? I think a sizeable portion of Obama supporters (one-third? half? more?) are going to see conspiracy and back-room double-dealing at work in that -- some will even see "racism". Even worse, suppose there's some HUGE "Obama-bombshell"(TM), of the type that would normally derail any mere mortal candidate. Would these hyper-supporters see anything like that as a "Swift-boating", no matter how bad, or how solid? Hmmmm.

[Rick Ballard]

Rich,

There are about 30 million American adults who don't file due to very low "earned" income (their subsidy income is another matter). They work enough to slide back and forth from social program to social program. BHO knows those folks fairly well from his time as an "organizer".

They are already quite well organized, packed into Section 8 housing and keeping themselves ready for the only "real" job they hold. One day's work every two years on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November. Serfs to the Blue Barons in the Blue Castles located in those magnificent cities that anyone with intelligence flees as soon as they actually do pay taxes.

[baldilocks]

But maybe the most egregious thing about the Obama campaign is that it is built on the lie that he could be the first African-American president when, in fact, he is at best an Arab-African/American.

As an American-born woman whose father is of the same tribe as Obama's father, I have one word for this: bullshit.

You clowns better find a way to beat this guy--a way that doesn't include alienating fellow conservative Republicans (me) with your ignorance.

[JM Hanes]

RichatUF:

Is there any standard formula for calculating the transaction cost of running "refund" dollars through the government? As you suggest, promising to simultaneously simplify red tape is even more tall tale than tall order.

[JM Hanes]

baldilocks:

I don't think you have to worry about that sort of argument gaining much purchase. It mostly demonstrates how screwed up such labels are in the first place.

[baldilocks]

But maybe the most egregious thing about the Obama campaign is that it is built on the lie that he could be the first African-American president when, in fact, he is at best an Arab-African/American.

As an American-born woman whose father is of the same tribe as Obama's father, I have one word for this: bullshit.

You clowns better find a way to beat this guy--a way that doesn't include alienating fellow conservative Republicans (me) with your ignorance.

[Ralph L]

McCain has a track record of actually doing what Obama is just talking [a]bout.
often to the extreme annoyance of much of McCain's own party, so how will it help to bring it up?

[baldilocks]

Don't know why it post twice. Sorry.

[Ralph L]

People are comparing Obama to JFK, but I think it's more accurate to compare his campaign aura to RFK's in '68, if you read how Democrats of a certain age look back at him. They forget that LBJ made more (liberal) change happen than either Kennedy even thought about, because they have pinned the entire Vietnam tail on his jackass & Nixon's.

[Ralph L]

People are comparing Obama to JFK, but I think it's more accurate to compare his campaign aura to RFK's in '68, if you read how Democrats of a certain age look back at him. They forget that LBJ made more (liberal) change happen than either Kennedy even thought about, because they have pinned the entire Vietnam tail on his jackass & Nixon's.

[JM Hanes]

I figure Typepad thinks you're right to be concerned, baldilocks.:)

[RichatUF]

Sometimes it just needs to be said twice...

A few points-review the thread-Rick, OT, and JMH all said that that "issue" isn't going to fly, its trivial. I'm more curious about the economic plan with the all the "refundable credits" and the UN foreign aid bill.

The comments were linked from another site-BHO has a bunch of problems, far too left and far too gooey. Its only a matter of time [3 weeks perhaps] that this message will get through the msm filter and the love affair will be over.

[Ralph L]

I notice that when it doubled mine, it lost my personal info.

[Other Tom]

RickB, my suggestion that this race thing might not be a winning issue was an effort at irony. It has a strong whiff of nuttiness about it.

While we're on the subject of RFK as Messiah, is it heresy to mention his illegal wiretapping of Martin Luther King, Jr.? Can we talk about his faithful service to Tailgunner Joe McCarthy?

For some people, getting shot is a great career move...

[Ralph L]

Far too left & gooey for the general, but for Democratic primary voters? They tried electability in 2004, and look who they got.

[Other Tom]

Spot on, RichardUF--the task now is to make sure he wraps up the nomination before the whole thing becomes the stuff of late-night thigh-slapping comedy. I'm starting to fear that the fatal disrobing is going to come just a moment too early, but Hillary's ascension will still be viewed as outright double-dealing white-bread theft by plenty of Obama folks. And that's a wonderful thing.

[vnjagvet]

Its only a matter of time [3 weeks perhaps] that this message will get through the msm filter and the love affair will be over.

Especially, RalphL, when encouraged by the likes of Sid Blumenthal, et al at the behest of RW and the First Liar.

[Rick Ballard]

"Its only a matter of time [3 weeks perhaps] that this message will get through the msm filter and the love affair will be over."

I think BHO Fever will break Tuesday in WI. The only hope to keep it going is crossover in TX on March 4th. RW has OH pretty much sewn up. If she can take WI Tuesday and TX on the 4th then we'll see the "tide is turning" stories that will be reinforced with another win by her in PA in April. I just don't see WI going for BHO.

[Ralph L]

Yes, it is, OT, because he visited Bed-Stuy in shirtsleeves and was photographed with poor people, but mostly because he would have miraculously ended the war.

I've been reading Brokaw's latest book (a gift). He followed RFK and got chewed out by him for delaying him for a photo-op with a crippled Indian boy. I was surprised Dull Tom mentioned the incident (and his own liberal opinions), but the scales are still up on his eyes.

[RichatUF]

JMH-

Is there any standard formula for calculating the transaction cost of running "refund" dollars through the government?

I'm sure someone has tried to come up with something. His economic plan really could just be grafted onto existing credits and making some at a certian income thresholds refundable. Most look to refundable for those making <50K a year. I'm digging through the business side of it now-a laughable "green collar" employment scheme and federal dollars for "green infrastructure and employment".

Funny story, I was cleaning out my parents storage shed a couple weeks back, and came across a dilapidated box. Inside were a bunch of Road&Track's from the early 1970's! The cover of one-"Hydrogen: New & Clean Fuel for the Future"-it was part of a large section "Energy, Environment, and the Automobile". I've got a whole traunch of them I want to dig through now that I think about it. Also found a National Geographic about the moon landing with the insert vinyl record [the first sounds from the moon recording about the size of an old 45] and map still attached.

[bgates]

RalphL, that should read "mostly because he would have miraculously ended the war."

If RFK hadn't been shot, his presidency would have been so perfect it's impossible to imagine a Republican ever being elected again. Since the Republican party is the sole cause of war, keeping them permanently out of power would mean eternal peace. QED.

[Sue]

baldilocks,

Yes, that last line isn't very Christian. I'm sure everyone will get over it.

I not only 'got over it' I laughed out loud. Good job.

[RichatUF]

OT-

I'm starting to fear that the fatal disrobing is going to come just a moment too early, but Hillary's ascension will still be viewed as outright double-dealing white-bread theft by plenty of Obama folks. And that's a wonderful thing.

There's got to be some way to make this all work with an ugly floor fight in Denver at the end [and I'm so hoping that it will be snowing during the convention]. If Rick's predictions hold then FL and MI also become important for Obama-taking his current lead, the proportional delegates he would get in upcoming states, and the various uncommitteds that like BHO's more cosmopolitian, progressive "message"-he might need MI's uncommitteds for a convention fight.

Don't really see the 2 of them on the same ticket either.

I get misty eyed thinking about fighting FL and MI delegations and a flurry of lawsuits.

[JM Hanes]

Rich:

"I get misty eyed..."

Have I told you how much I enjoy your posts? And not just because of the substance you bring to the table!

You too, OT. I fell out over your query on crucifixion in the sexist thread.

[Jim Glass]

"Obama is the Mirror of Desire ... in which people see what they most want to see."

Marketing 101: sell the dream, not the product.

It's working against Hillary because she can't attack him and remain politically correct with the Dems ... and let's face it, anybody's a dream compared to her.

But if he wins and the Repubs start working him over for real, it'll be interesting to see how long the gloss lasts. His brand is totally untested in a real competitive market.

[maryrose]

Rick:
I am pinning all my hopes on Obama winning Wisconsin and then at least bringing Hil to a draw in Ohio. Texas is starting to look iffy for Hil. Pennsylvania is another dem state anyway... it might just follow the momentum factor or this may resolve before then. Dr Dean wants this thing resolved pronto so we shall see.. I wonder who gets to tell Bill..

[kim]

It won't snow at the Denver convention unless they pick Gore.
===================================

[baldilocks]

Sue,

Thanks.

People are afraid of Obama. I am as well, but for his political heritage, not his DNA.

All I know is that a recipe of bigotry mixed with misinformation topped off with outright stupidity will not beat the guy.

[Ann]

I welcome Baldilocks comments here at JOM.
If you look at her website she is a JOMer at heart:

6." People say I like to argue. That’s true but it’s only a surface observation. If I argue with you it’s because something you’re saying (or trying to get me to do) doesn’t have clear reasoning behind it (at least to me). Also, if I take the time to argue with you, I’m giving you a compliment: I respect you as intelligent, capable and honest. However, if your arguments are not in good faith, are stupid or I think that you’re stupid, I’ll ignore you and find something better to do with my time. (I might say something cutting to you to get you out of my face if you don’t take the hint.)"

Baldilocks, I would love to know how you think we are going to beat Obama's appeal to "Disney World" vs. McCain's "Real World"

[GMax]

but for Democratic primary voters? They tried electability in 2004, and look who they got.

Actually I think they got awaken by a SCREAM and staggered still hung over to what looked to them like something that they had heard and read about in their government class called "Electability".

Only 2nd Lt JG "reported for duty" and ended up with the dooty all over himself, as he reminded everyone of his role in the shameful events of the Vietnam War protests and was ablely assisted in the recollection by his fellow officers and enlisted on the Swift Boats.

[Eric Chen]

Attacking Obama's ethnic identity is a loser. Think of the enormous cross-spectrum popularity of Tiger Woods - Obama has the same kind of sophisticated black-and-multiethnic appeal.

[Ann]

Eric, the person attacking Obama's ethic identity is BILL CLINTON. !

[Ann]

***ethnic***

[scoopa]

If Obama was a Republican and strong on the war - I would absolutely adore him. But alas, he's not. I still want him to take out the beast, and then lose in Nov.

Macsmind blog hears that Shrillary has personally picked the target of her venim....Michelle Obama!! Do they even MAKE enough popcorn for all of this fun????

[GMax]

Who wanted more of Liberals pile on the most liberal? You asked for it, you got it. Courtesy of TalkLeft:

I cast my first vote for George McGovern in 1972. I remember the thrill, the excitement of his campaign. Of course I knew little about what was really going on but he was the anti-war candidate and that was good enough for me.

Fast forward 36 years later. I'm not a new mom but a grandmother of five. I've watched this ENDLESS campaign from the beginning. I started out admiring Obama and ended up supporting and voting for Hillary. I've always voted for the Democratic ticket regardless of the hapless candidates on the ticket.

Last week I changed my voter registration to Independent. No longer will the Democratic Party be able to count on my dollars, time or vote. Howard Dean has messed up the whole primary season and quite frankly the Democrats, who are notorious for shooting themselves in the foot, deserve to get their collective butts kicked in November.

I will either write in HRC or vote for McCain in the G.E. if Obama is the Dem nominee. There is a lot that people do not know about him. Since I practice law in Illinois, I have some idea of what goes on in Springfield and Chicago. No one gets anywhere in Illinois politics without being dirty. It doesn't matter if you are a Dem or a Republican. They all go to jail regardless of party affiliation.

Obama has played dirty in the past (ever wonder why Jack Ryan's divorce papers were unsealed?)and he will continue to do it.

My take is that Rove and Co. will slice and dice him and throw him in the Chicago river. But what do I know? I don't like his snarky, arrogant "I'm better than you" attitude. And the Rezko connections, donations, deals can and will be fuel for the fire. But then I say burn, baby burn.

[RichatUF]

JMH-

Thanks;)

[Elliott]

McCain has a track record of actually doing what Obama is just talking [a]bout.

I agree and I'd also say that Obama is trying to replicate McCain's 2000 campaign with his effort to make the fight against special interest influence one of the major themes of his campaign.

Here are the first (of two) paragraphs on Obama's time in the Washington from his campaign website's meet the candidate page:

In the U.S. Senate, he has focused on tackling the challenges of a globalized, 21st century world with fresh thinking and a politics that no longer settles for the lowest common denominator. His first law was passed with Republican Tom Coburn, a measure to rebuild trust in government by allowing every American to go online and see how and where every dime of their tax dollars is spent. He has also been the lead voice in championing ethics reform that would root out Jack Abramoff-style corruption in Congress.

You can find more on that first law here. The bill was sponsored was Coburn. It appears that there were three initial cosponsors: Sens. Carper, McCain, and Obama.

There is, as bgates reminded us recently, a history of bitterness between McCain and Obama on lobbying reform as evidenced by their exchange of letters. During his Jefferson-Jackson dinner speech in Virginia, Obama suggested that lobbying reform would be a topic of debate in the general election. He'd better be able to get a lot of mileage out of McCain's snarky letter because I otherwise I will have a hard time differentiating them on those issues where Obama has changed Washington.

[baldilocks]

Baldilocks, I would love to know how you think we are going to beat Obama's appeal to "Disney World" vs. McCain's "Real World"

Posted by: Ann

I doubt if we are. Had it been Romney, we would have had a chance.

See, people aren't like bloggers (wording intentional); most people don't care about long-term issues, most don't think strategically (many bloggers don't think this way either). Most just want a president who makes them feel good about themselves and Obama does that.

Bush was Real World and someone else (McCain) who has that same quality will not win against the pie-in-the-sky Obama--the embodiment of the first black president fairy tale. (Yes, I said it because I can.)

And because no one can find an effective strategy to beat him, they turn to the old stand-bys (bigotry) and the new ones (fear of Islamist terror and of Arabs)--those which will only damage the conservative Republican cause further. So I guess my answer is "I don't know," but I refuse to let fear *of anything* reign. (Sort of related: fear is what any and all terrorists are selling.)

Batten down the hatches.

[MayBee]

If Obama was a Republican and strong on the war - I would absolutely adore him.

I really like him. I find him admirable and tremendously likable. I'm happy he seems to want to take some of the venom out of the political debate. Tip and Ronnie were never so venomous.
It just so happens that Obama's policies are nothing like I want to see. I certainly won't vote for him.