On 9/10 Obama Found His Theme: Now Stay On It and Stay Angry

Yesterday, 9/10, Barack Obama found his voice again. In response to the manufactured controversy (aka, "manufactroversy", Google it for definition) over the lipstick remark, Barack Obama replaced the somewhat bewildered responses to McCain's choice of Sarah Palin with a heartfelt clarity accompanied by genuine anger.

He rightly stated the McCain campaign's continued avoidance of the key problems created by the Bush-Cheney-Rove-McCain axis--disappearing high wage jobs, insecure healthcare, dependence on foreign oil, global climate change, unaffordable college tuitions, growing poverty, decline of the middle class, a war-without-end costing $10B per month, loss of US prestige among allies, overstretched military, rising Islamic terrorism, not to mention equal pay for equal work--this time by manufacturing a controversy about his use of a phrase "lipstick on a pig" that has been used on multiple occasions by John McCain.

But, that statement alone would have been insufficient as a theme if it were not accompanied by anger. Not Barack's anger, but his anger on behalf of the American people. That works. It is good. It is genuine.

It will count for nothing, however, if he does not keep it up. Over-and-over-and-over until he gets bored hearing himself say it, and then he needs to continue. And, when the McCain campaign changes its tune, he still keeps it up.

And, the anger on behalf of the American people must remain. Barack is cool, and I look forward to having an intelligent AND cool head in the White House. Cool is good for governing, for managing people.

It is not so great for campaigning, as people do not get the feeling that he is on their side, that he will fight for them even if the going is tough.

Story continues below

advertisement

It is not just that they want to know you are a fighter, Barack could explain logically how someone with his background does not get to where he is if he were not a fighter.

The key is, that he is a fighter for them.

That is where the anger, the indignation comes in. It also links McCain even more closely to Bush--Bush is a failed Presidency that broke faith with the American people, and now McCain is trying to cover that up using Bush henchmen (Rove et al) to screw the American people again. [He could even work in McCain's revelation, in his book Worth Fighting For, that his only reason for running for President is personal ambition--a narrative I have tried to push several times but, as yet, not adopted].

But, Obama is, like you and me, angry, and he is not going to let that happen to the American people again. Obama will make healthcare a right, not a privilege--McCain offers another market-based approach that has not worked to insure everyone or control costs for 50 years. Obama will make a living wage the right of anyone who works a 40 hour week--McCain votes against the minimum wage. Obama will make college affordable--McCain has done nothing for education in 26 years in DC, except to support closing down the Department of Education. Obama will find and kill bin Laden--McCain and Bush cut and ran and did not finish the job in Afghanistan.

McCain will have the government decide whether a woman carries a pregnancy to term. Barack Obama trusts women to make that decision. Sarah Palin will use the power of government to force a woman who has been raped to carry the rapist's child to term.

Obama should use some humor and ridicule, it lightens the mood but the message still stings. For example, the McCain campaign feigned "shock, shock" that Obama is doing some opposition research on Palin. Suggested Barack response: "McCain chose her on a whim, so someone had to do his vetting for him"....

So, Barack--you've found your voice and your anger/indignation. You need both. The substance, the tone of voice, and the body language. You need all three (53% of communication is non-verbal, only 8% is the words alone!). Go across this country, into small towns and hamlets and ex-urbs and suburbs and cities, and take the side of the American people who, like you, are fed up and disgusted with the performance of the last 8 years and now the attempt by McCain/Rove to cover it up.

And, do not leave your feelings at the studio door when you debate.

Remember, Barack, Harry Truman's response when a man from the crowd yelled, "Give'm hell, Harry"? Truman said, "I don't give'm hell, I just tell the truth, and they think it's hell."

Comments

[lisad]

Every Democrat...no every American...needs to be angry about the last 8 years. We all need to speak up and say "Enough! No more!" This is not an election that can be won by one mans outrage...but by the outrage of the entire nation. Everyone who supports Obama has a responsibility to speak up and "stay on message".

[retail]

The Obama campaign needs to start utilizing the "Bush Doctrine" of preemptive attack against Rick Davis and his Karl Rove emulating propaganda machine of division & distortion.

In response to the latest right wing distraction (concerning an inocuous statement by Barack Obama), singer-songwriter Retail has posted his song "Lipstick on a Pig" on his myspace page:
www.myspace.com/retail

The song is also available for download at www.soundclick.com/retail where
it is available on his album "Retail Politics".

Retail's cd "OPEN 4 BUSINESS" is now available at
www.cafepress.com/r3tail

[kwame24]

We make our kids own up to their mistakes and then we apply the appropriate discipline. The Republicans administration needs to own up to their mistakes and the voters of America need to apply the appropriate discipline; VOTE THE BUMS OUT!!!!!! The American people need to be constantly reminded which party was in power the last EIGHT horrendous years. The American people need to be constantly reminded of the last EIGHT horrendous years and what they did to get us here. The opposition party with no small help of the media has succeeded in distracting the American public from the central core of this message. Sustain the Anger, Sustain the Message and let's take back the White House.

[one4REALchange]

I don"t think he necessarily needs to get angry. Who gets angry with a mosquito? Just brush it off and move on. Focus.

Obama is at his best when he speaks to what he is passionate about. Let Biden deal with the mosquitos.

I just wish the media would wake up. Unfortunately what works for them is conflict. We don"t need anymore conflict. We"ve had enough of "Fear" and "War on everything" with the last administration.

Ignore the mosquitos. Focus on Obama"s inspiration.

OBAMA'08¨
OBAMA'12

[Adrienne Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

Here's a really great link: Donna Brazile

http://www.caglepost.com/column.aspx?c=7772&pg=1

[Sportkrzr]

Here's another really great link...from someone who's not a pundit or blogger:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4fe9GlWS8

[Cinnamonape]

Obama needs to get VERY ANGRY about people who are being evicted because of foreclosures being stripped of their right to VOTE! The Republicans are spending millions to place "challengers" in the polls to confront people on Foreclosure lists of their rights.

Hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions are going to go to the polls unaware that this could happen to them. A major effort needs to happen in those communities with heavy foreclosures...perhaps everywhere there is a foreclosure...to locate these individuals and get them re-registered. Their should be canvassing in their old neighborhoods -asking where these folks have moved so they can be re-registered. Those pending foreclosure need to be made aware of what the GOP is about to do. And special committees to challenge the challenges be established to prevent the illegal disenfranchisement of voters.

Communities need to know that the Republicans are stealing the votes of their neighbors in the biggest disenfranchisement since the KKK did it with black voters in the South!

[LinnyLooWho]

I saw this yesterday in someone's comment and nearly cried, i was so appalled. So much for helping people who have been hurt by the economy; How 'bout just make sure they can't vote for the person committed to rectifying it.

Here is the link to the story in Michigan:
http://www.michiganmessenger.com/4076/lose-your-house-lose-your-vote

We DO need to spread the word so these people can be prepared for this heinous form of attack on their right to vote.

[CitizenInformed]

Obama found his theme when he said...

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

8 YEARS IS ENOUGH!

[martiangoblin]

T.V. ad idea:

-----
Announcer: John McCain says that he puts America first.

But his campaign has adopted a strategy of deceiving and distracting the American people.

(Images of Mccan and press clippings, independent sources describing the deceptive tactics being used by the McCain campaign)

Is this the kind of politics we want? Is this the kind of president we want?

(Images of Obama talking to voters)

Barack Obama respects the American people and our democracy enough to run a campaign on the issues that matter to us. Barack will restore dignity, honesty and common sense to the White House. He'll fight for what matters to us.

Barack Obama - The Change We Need.

[amcg50]

So; when are they going to start calling him an angry b lack man?

[luckyinnc]

Wheres Joe Biden? Where did daddy Joe go? Why is BarryO keeping him in hiding? Where is "stand up chuck" Joe? anybody seen him? where did "hillary should be vp not me" joe go?

Obama is hiding his biggest decision he has made, a terrible decision. Is this the kind of decision making skills he thinks qualifies him for president?

[grata2ude]

he's been campaigning as opposed to his counterpart who is hiding up in Alaska getting tutored by Leiberman about Foreign policy. Now that's scary.

[LizM]

grata2ude is right...Biden has not only been campaigning but campaigning with attitude and wowing the crowds at every stop. However, he is getting no coverage from the MSM or blogosphere - except, of course, when they think he says something wrong. How would they even have a clue!!!?

[frustratedhonestyfreak]

Biden is NOT hiding...the press is too busy with lipstick to cover him!

[dmspeech]

Watching service forum. Now, that's a president. He' s running circles around McCain

[JavaCityGal]

Yes yes yes!!

Americans are angry with Bush and his minions for what he's done to this beautiful country. Obama needs to tap into that anger, and speak up for all of us. Be the spokesperson for the angst that everyday people feel with the war in Iraq, gas prices, lack of healthcare, economy etc. And then link McSame to Bush every single chance you get. Bush=misery=McSame.

Obama should be the fighter for us real people, while McSame can give tax cuts to the most wealthy from one of his eight homes.

[Leenz]

Next time someone asks Barack Obama to admit the surge is working... he should say "I will admit the surge is working if John Mccain admits we shouldn't have invaded Iraq."

[vulvina]

see Peteraeus interview in tonight's HP. he would not use the word victory, says the sit. is fragile and not irreversible.

so why is McCain claiming victory? he is grasping at straws. again and again, he is putting Country Second or Third to his political ambitions. and it seems he can only reach them by lying.

[vernbvb]

Exactly. Each and every time. These are the type of strong soundbites that stay with you. Send him that message. Ask him to incorporate into his strategies. Excellent comeback!

[frustratedhonestyfreak]

We hear on the blogs about campaigns to prevent Obama supporters from voting by challenging voters who may be on a foreclosure list, by requiring voters to present a photo ID, and by challenging voters who have not changed their addresses on the voting lists with a list generated by "returned mail". Voters need to be prepared for this Rovian tactic that was used last time in Ohio. Which states are requiring voter photo ID's now and how are the voters being notified? There is a lot that can be done among Democrats to make sure their voters are up to date. Remember that perhaps as many of 156,000 challenged ballots were never counted in Ohio in the last election. In that election, the rolls were changed to electronic and they hadn't finished at election time so some people were automatically challenged because they weren't on the new rolls. We have to be prepared. There will be dirty tricks from the party that believes winning is the only thing that matters. Instead of a solemn right and privilege, voting is now a crapshoot. Long lines, organized challenges, whatever it takes. No dirty trick matters so long as it works. We may as well still have literacy tests. It won't matter how angry and righteous Obama gets if he is undermined at the polls.

[Star2000dancer]

WHY ON EARTH DO WE NOT GET A RECEIPT FOR WHO WE VOTE FOR??? A PIECE OF PAPRER WE CAN ALL SHOW TO PROVE WE VOTED, LIKE AN ATM OR GROCERY STORE?

Do you realize how much time, energy, arguing, lying, tricks, cons, scams, & money that would save America & the American voters? And how simple it would be?

[grata2ude]

get your cell phone camera's ready. take pictures and videos even take a picture of you voting ballot. . Record the number on the ballot on the phone. Use the technology we have.

[fn1234]

Is there a link somewhere to this speech?

[Star2000dancer]

He really needs to get more simple. most people do'nt understand words like ear marks or even who Obama & McCain are, the difference between parties, I even hearn someone when asked who was running say"I do'nt know, Jack somebody? I'm voting for him cuz he;s cutting taxes". They do'nt kinow it means for the wealthy or middle class. Words have to be crystal clear. You have to speak like you're teaching a 6th grader for the majority of Americans. And that's if you can even get them to listen,


Take your friends ballots, help them fill them out, & deliver them for them. Get copies made, let's not let them get over on us by even one vote if we can. This is the most important election since George Washington.

[devadasi]

What have we become as a people Star2000dancer? If we have to resort to dumbing down our presidential candidates. This tells me we're witnessing in part the decline and fall of america. That'' s why Obama is so hell bent on improving education and has proposed a good list of programs to be implemented. It is us the people that need to get off our butts and participate in the democratic system as concerned citizen. You know the Greeks had a word for it.

Our children are turning out to be morons.