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The KEY Obama message
There is a key idea in the heart of Obama’s response to using the term "bitter" that is
being ignored but it should not be as it is the heart of what the Democratic
message needs to be but has failed to be for years.
Nobody is thinking about you. And so people end up- they don’t vote on economic issues because they don’t expect anybody’s going to help them. So people end up, you know, voting on issues like guns, and are they going to have the right to bear arms. They vote on issues like gay marriage.
For years many working class Americans have voted against their economic interests because Republicans were able to distract them and focus their anger and frustration—and yes bitterness—on social issues like guns, abortion, and gay marriage. They convinced them that “government is the problem” and therefore it is unable to rectify their economic woes. They also made sure government did not help its citizens when they were in power under Reagan and both Bushes.
Free market economic theory has dominated our government policy for decades now—even under Clinton. If workers well-being suffers as the market “balances” itself that is just the way the system works as far as they have been concerned. In other words the well-being of workers has not been a priority, the well-being of the market has.
Many Americans have felt helpless in the face of an system that worked against them.
Obama wants to return to a more Keynesian view of economic policy that stresses a certain level of government regulation is essential for keeping the market more fair and balanced. To him workers’ well-being IS part of the equation. If he can convince Americans that government can work for them that he will promote THEIR interests and then as president reforms the government to do so, Obama will indeed improve the outlook for many American.
Those hearing him speak gave him a standing ovation for his “bitter” remarks because they see someone who is willing to acknowledge their pain and frustration and is offering to do something about it.
Comments (3)
I was there and the Populist message of his 'bitter' remarks did draw a standing ovation. His response was effective because it's true and because he sincerely believes it to be true.
April 12, 2008 2:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Clinton and McCain pretty much have to attack Obama on this, because the message is: Washington doesn't listen to you, has no idea what you're going through, and doesn't even want to talk about it. Now, that would be that Washington that Clinton and McCain have been a part of for a long time. If they acknowledge the truth in this message, they are admitting their own failures. This is why nobody in Washington wants to admit that the people in this nations are truly bitter. It's what makes them open to the divisive issues such as guns, God and gays.
Obama has an opportunity here for another historic speech, if he chooses to take it. He can once again address an issue that nobody else in Washington wants to talk about. I sincerely hope he takes that opportunity.
April 12, 2008 3:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Those hearing him speak gave him a standing ovation for his “bitter” remarks because they see someone who is willing to acknowledge their pain and frustration and is offering to do something about it."
Excellent comment, I couldn't agree with you more.
April 12, 2008 3:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
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