What Obama is Doing Wrong, and What He Needs to Do Right

Psychologist Drew Westen, author of The Political Brain recently spoke with NOW on PBS host and senior editor David Brancaccio about how Barack Obama may be blowing his best chances of winning the Presidency. Westen says Obama was at his tactical best during his Denver convention speech, but at his recent worst, Obama comes off more like Michael Dukakis.

Westen counsels that, to win the hearts and minds of American voters, Obama needs to start appealing to their hearts first, and not lead with extensive policy proposals. Voters respond primarily to their own emotional gut-level feelings about candidates, parties, and principles, he says.

A given example:

EFFECTIVE:

"I believe in a family doctor for every family."

NOT EFFECTIVE:

"I believe in universal health care."

In the interview, Westen says the Obama campaign missed the boat on a golden opportunity to argue the qualifications of Sarah Palin before the Republican Convention, and gives advice on how Senator Biden can appropriately come out swinging during the October 2nd Vice Presidential debate.

"You can take any position," Westen says, "as long as it's not the fetal position."

Watch the interview here, and also check out an online interactive debate over Sarah Palin's candidacy.

Comments

[MDCambridge]

Great points! I hope he takes this to heart and not just to his head.

I think most people are looking for a conscious reason to corroborate their gut feeling. (Unfortunately, some people, like W, govern with their "gut.") The problem is that when a lot of people finally choose, they shut down their critical thinking, and defend even ludicrous claims.

I believe that you also have to "unmask," which Obama has done well: telling people what McCain is doing and going to do. This has some inoculation effect, but only over a short period of time: note that the Republicans say things over and over, knowing that people will believe a lie if repeated enough. Obama needs to stay on top of repeated lies. Kerry did defend swift-boating once, and dismissed it. One touch-down does not make the game.

[All in All]

They say that Home is where the Heart is, and since the White House is All Americans Political Home Sen.Obama better start opening the Hearts of some more People soon.

[grendl]

Brilliant points.

That's what the GOP does better than the Democrats, they speak to individual Americans, whereas Barack Obama talks in sweeping generalities.

Bring it to a personal level. Like Drew's point about health care, and providing every home with a doctor. Americans are concerned first and foremost with themselves and their families. Talking about universal anything is such an abstract concept, its a pointless endeavor, and smacks too much of socialism.

I never get the sense that Barack's talking to me. He seems to be addressing the stars ( the ones in the sky and maybe Oprah ). But Sarah Palin, the egg salad Evita was sure as hell addressing me, shoving her god down my throat.

Personalize the campaign Barack. Stop buying into the Messiah bullshit.

[All in All]

Smile.

The best thing for Sen.Obama to do is both!