Obama Team had better get on Ellen, Letterman, Leno and FAST

[Laura PourMeADrink]

Rant Alert:

Hate to sound like my pants are on fire, but they are on fire.

Due in part to it's complexity, and in part to our Party's lack of public education on the ACA, we are wide open for the propaganda machine on the right to create reality.

They are lying, and no one is stopping them. They are scaring people, just average folks, who are now
thinking they
(1) will lose their insurance
(2) their premiums will skyrocket (like they aren't already)
(3) that they will lose their doctor
(4) that their taxes will go up.

I saw Sanjay Gupta interviewing people who were asking "Will I still have my insurance?" Remember the average
citizen probably knows nothing about ACA...all they are hearing are the repuke soundbites.

I saw Gallup: Seniors rating of Obama drop 3 points since the Thursday.

the Obama Team needs to get a plan on how to stop this. Think outside the box. They need to come up with 5 simple, important points and get every single surogate to repeat over and over. They need to get on every single talk show and repeat over and over - "If you have health care or are on Medicare Nothing will change. Spend some big bucks on ads. Advertise a website, a toll free info line...Something. Obama should do a night time address - not just the afternoon one he did.

before it's too late

Phew. Thanks for reading my rant.

[NYC_SKP]

1. I think you're right, Republicans are spreading all the lies, raising fears....

And Sanjay Gupta is a Shill...

[Laura PourMeADrink]

7. Believe it or not, Sanjay was pretty cool...he kept trying to explain the good side. nt

[Laura PourMeADrink]

10. These freakin Repukes Govs don't help either. If you know little or nothing and

you hear your governor acting like the law is so horrendous that he is refusing to comply
it's got to have some effect.

[Historic NY]

2. For some reason this had been poorly presented so people understand....

they have to counter the fear promoters......every day until Nov .

They should get that nerdy Austan Goolsbee (to come back) to do some video's....he can connect with people with charts.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

6. that's why we need to fight back. And IMHO, they've got to get on the 8th

grade level.....The vast majority of people may not have a pre-existing condition,
or an 18-25 year old to insure.

I am talking REAL basics.

This law is focused on people without insurance. You will hear the other side
trying to scare you. But, you have nothing to be scared about.

If you have insurance, nothing will change - it has not effect on your current plan - nor
will your taxes go up.

If you are on Medicare, you will still have your benefits.

[Gman]

3. This need to be said and fast

I think hey may have been caught flatfooted thinking it would be struck down. They've had the weekend. They need to kick it into high gear now!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

9. good point. hope it's true. And they need to kick some MSM ass to get them to challenge the lies.

[spanone]

4. agreed....

[joshcryer]

5. The Republicans and the right wing MSM control the narrative.

Almost completely.

All we can hope for is that we get the vote out.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

8. Agreed... But, Obama could get on any talk show he wants, Michelle too. mass audience

shows.

and what about PSAs? Doesn't his administration control those? PSA with super simple
info....and numbers and websites to call for the truth.

[joshcryer]

11. A PSA would be brilliant, but can they play them this close to an election?

I don't know if the election rules would allow it. If so that would be utterly brilliant.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

12. well, it's not an "election" thing.....It is a law now, so it would be non-partisan explanation

of the law. Same with voter purges....couldn't there be a PSA....go down or call your election officials
to insure you are still registered. (nah, that could end up being a fiasco) But, I am not an election attorney.

[dragonlady]

13. Just don't mention a candidate's name

A straightforward explanation of the law would be just fine.

[joshcryer]

28. But a lot of people know the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as Obamacare...

...I mean, it would just be wrong not to have Obamacare mentioned, wouldn't it?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

14. Ha...read up on PSAs

The most common topics are health and safety...So, get Sibelius to do it.

The most common topics of PSAs are health and safety. A typical PSA is part of a public awareness campaign to inform or educate the public about an issue such as obesity or compulsive gambling. The range of possible topics has expanded over time.

Advertisements which relate to public issues predate the commercial advertising sector. During the Civil War, the government sold bonds via free newspaper ads which were so effective that they resulted in the first national paid ad campaigns for baking powder, soap and railroad travel.[1] The PSA in its current form was in many ways shaped by the Ad Council (initially called the War Advertising Council) during and after World War II.[2]

The Ad Council made its mark by implementing on a massive scale the idea of using advertising to influence American society on a range of fronts. Their first campaigns focused on the country's needs during World War II. After the War, the Ad Council expanded its focus to address issues such as forest fires, blood donations and highway safety.[3]

As the ads — particularly broadcast and HBO TV — became more influential and as various social problems grew in importance, public service advertising became a significant force in changing public attitudes on topics such as drinking and driving, crime abatement and various health/safety issues. While stations have never been mandated by the FCC to use a prescribed number of PSAs, they are required to prove they broadcast in the public interest and PSAs are one of the ways they meet that requirement as part of serving as a "public trustee."[4]

Today PSA campaigns are created by hundreds of non-profit and government agencies and the National Association of Broadcasters have indicated that annually their member stations contribute an estimated $10 billion in free time for various public causes.
[edit]Characteristics

T

[joshcryer]

18. Thank you! That's a great idea. :)

[ErikJ]

20. The GOP propaganda machine would go crazy saying Obama using govt money for his re-election.

But they need to do it anyway. The ACA ignorance out there is horrendous.

[joshcryer]

22. That's what I was thinking, but screw them, if it's legal...

...then it's good. Do it. Do it. Do it!

[demgrrrll]

36. I think McConnell is trying to tie up funds for PSA on this issue in the Senate.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

55. Very interesting. Are you saying they already have talked about using PSAs for ACA?

[demgrrrll]

67. I am not sure, heard this very quickly in passing, something about McConnell wanting to stop

funding for psa's for the ACA.

[MADem]

35. This is the law of the land--it is NOT a "Democratic" law--it is a law for all Americans.

One that has been upheld by the Supreme Court. The government can fire up a PSA to explain implementation without any problem.

After all, RMoney designed it, and Obama implemented it. Let RMoney try taking that shit to court.

It is no different than a PSA explaining expanded unemployment insurance or Social Security Benefits, or how to order a pamphlet from the US Government Printing Office.

[grasswire]

15. Ellen's on summer break n/t

[Laura PourMeADrink]

19. ok. thanks

[Go Vols]

16. I wouldn't put Ellen in the same category as Leno and Letterman

I didn't know she was still on TV.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

17. I don't care who they are -- just mass audience.

[joshcryer]

21. Ellen has taken Opera's place. Almost 3 million viewers an episode.

That's like 3 times Leno and Letterman.

[Go Vols]

71. .

TOTAL VIEWERS
11:35 p.m.-12:35 a.m. ET
NBC "Tonight," 3.7 million viewers
CBS "Late Show," 3.2 million viewers
11:35 p.m.-12 midnight ET
ABC "Nightline," 3.9 million viewers
12 midnight-1 a.m. ET
ABC "Kimmel," 1.8 million viewers
12:35-1:35 a.m. ET
NBC "Late Night," 1.8 million viewers
CBS "Late Late Show," 1.5 million viewers
1:35-2:05 a.m. ET
NBC "Last Call," 0.9 million viewers

[joshcryer]

74. I stand corrected.

I rechecked the latest ratings here: http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/06/28/late-night-tv-ratings-for-the-week-of-june-18-june-22-2012/139637/

I must've misread when I made that statement. Fail on my part.

Shame she's not doing better than that, I thought for sure she was doing well, but shit, she's not even in the top 25 syndicated.

[deaniac21]

75. Guess we'll be hearing a lot less

theatrics singing in Italian...

[JI7]

25. are you serious ? Ellen would help a lot more than going on leno or letterman

[Go Vols]

70. Just looked

shes on during the day when I seldom watch TV,or people are still at work/coming home from work and miss it.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

23. Perfect Spokesman

[img][/img]

[MADem]

39. People who like him don't need to be "sold." A NASCAR driver or sports hero would be a better bet.

A country music star would be great, too.

Or they can use talented actors, like they did in this series. They should do more like these, only shorter:

&feature=relmfu

[Spitfire of ATJ]

42. It's not the Right Wing we need to convince.

It's the half of America that usually stays home we need to convince.

The LAST thing we need is a mass rush to the polls by people who normally don't vote and don't follow politics believing Republicans are the heroes that will save them from a big tax hike.

I've actually met these types at parties.

Second Bush term. Height of the crap when WMDs were exposed as a fraud and the question I was asked? "Is George Bush a Republican or a Democrat?"

Seriously. That person never voted before and still hasn't.

Then you have the ones who hate both sides but can't be specific why and don't want to talk about it.

They don't know SQUAT about ANYTHING but they know Alan Alda and know he played a doctor on a show they liked so they won't flip the channel right away. And YES. If possible, put him in character as Hawkeye Pierce home from war in private practice in Crabapple Cove, Maine and have other surviving members from MASH appear too. Wouldn't it be great to hear him call in his wife and it turns out to be Hotlips? Grab their attention and hold it. Maybe SOMETHING will sink in and calm their fears.

If this sounds silly, consider that Ron Howard did a video playing Oppie Taylor with Andy Griffith as his dad by the fishing hole and then played Richie Cunningham with Henry Winkler as The Fonz to let America know Obama wasn't Satan like the Republicans were claiming.

[MADem]

44. Most of the people who remember MASH are almost eligible for Medicare.

The demographic that needs to be assuaged is the fifty five and under crowd, I think.

Ron Howard was going after middle-aged whites with a vestigal racist streak. He reached his target with those ads. Maybe he and the Fonz could roll it out again, but they'd be talking to the upper reaches of the target audience. Young kids in their twenties have only a vague idea of who "The Fonz" is, if they even know him at all.

I don't think MASH cuts it. It wouldn't hurt, but I don't think it would help as much as someone who appeals to the age thirty through sixty demo.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

46. MASH is still popular in reruns

I haven't watched TV in a decade so I don't know what's considered to be a current doctor show.

And no,...Dr. Who is from England and he's not really a doctor.

Soaps won't do it either and forget someone who works the morgue.

[MADem]

47. It's mostly older eyes on those TV LAND reruns, though.

Younger people who recognize Alda are the science - tech types who like his PBS shows.
http://www.pbs.org/saf/alan.htm

He hasn't really retained his Hawkeye looks, either (can't blame him, it's been awhile, and time marches on--good thing he didn't resort to the knife and the botox and the plugs and so forth)--it's the voice that people recognize if they even remember the show.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Alda

I don't watch TV hospital dramas either. There's one that takes place in Seattle--is it Gray's Anatomy?-- that is popular, with Sandra Oh...and there's Showtime's Nurse Jackie (but that is a dramady, and not suitable for this effort) and probably a few others, but I am just unmotivated to check them out. I was in a small minority of people who could bear to miss "ER"--another show that never appealed to me...

I don't presume to know his politics though I'd guess he's more left than right. Don't know if he'd want to do the messaging, or even need to do it. I think quality PSAs with good actors will do the trick. Something a bit upbeat, clean and quick, that can stand repetition without annoying people overmuch.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

49. Tom Hanks would do it

So would Kevin Spacey.

Hell,....they're getting old now too....

[MADem]

51. They still are Box Office Draws, though--they've been on the big screen often in the last ten years.

Alda is doing PBS now--it's not the same dynamic.

It is less a function of age (though Alda at 76 is older than Hanks at 55 or Spacey at a youthful 52--though he sometimes looks older) and more a function of being "out there" in major productions--if you're looking for a big name to be the "tout" for this program, at all.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

52. How about Al Franken?

[MADem]

60. I'm sure he's touting this every day as a member of the Senate.

I dunno if I'd put him in a PSA, unless it was one that talked specifically about benefits for people of his state.

[bigbrother05]

77. Get the Big Bang folks

Can stay on parents policy until 26. Use the hook that it's really so simple that Penny can explain it to Sheldon.

[MADem]

79. Ha! AND get the geek vote, too! nt

[MADem]

24. All they need to do is let the Government Do What The Government Does.

Fire up PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS that describe the implementation of the law, with avuncular presenters or actors spouting the details, and air them in heavy rotation.

We Dems don't even need to pay for that stuff. It's not for US to explain the law, it's for the US government to do it.

That's what MA did--commercials that answer questions and direct people to resources for more info. People dithered for a bit, and got over it. Now most people LIKE our insurance system and prefer it to the old days.

[elleng]

27. Good idea but NOT enough,

considering 'the other.'

[MADem]

34. Let RMoney waste his dough. It is summertime, and the living is easy.

People are out more, vacationing, soaking up the good weather, socializing, etc. Now is not the time to do big ad buys. SEP-OCT is when we get the most bang for our buck.

Fine to send out proxies to tout the case, but there's no need for frantic hyper-concern, and better still to let USG do much of the heavy lifting--it's the government's program, after all--it is not stamped "Property of the Democratic Party."

Congress passed it, the Supreme Court upheld it. It's the law of the land, and it is a law based on a concept that RMoney, as MA governor (in concert with a completely Democratic, damn near, legislature, who tweaked the thing) signed into law, praised, took full credit for, and boasted about--over and over and over again. Repeat that goodness early and often, along with his ever-shifting stance on abortion rights! Watch heads explode!

[elleng]

37. Yes but . . .

I don't like to see a void, like Kerrey failing to confront swiftboaters.

If Sebelius were to do an education program, beginning it now, could help. Along with VPOTUS kicking butt as he does so well.

[MADem]

40. I don't think there is a void. This is 4th of July week. Only the wonks are glued to their TVs.

Every GOP argument I've seen on TV (and I have not been glued to my TV either) has been well refuted. When anyone says "Well, this is RMONEY's plan..." the arguer shuts up, pretty much.

Parties are going on, people are enjoying their summer. Only the hyper-interested are focusing on this right now.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

56. That's what Mass did? During Mitten's tenure?

[MADem]

61. RMoney HIMSELF touted the program INCESSANTLY. In fact, he built a special "bully pulpit" and no, I

am not joking--he made a special dais that placed him so high it looked like he was standing on the table at the signing ceremony that commemorated the start of the Commonwealth's new health plan.

Here he is on his "pedestal" patting himself on the back:

Here he is making a fuss over the first person to sign up:

Here's a couple of radio ads:

&feature=plcp


Here's a blurb about how the oversight works:

Tons of people went out and got on all the local talk shows (Urban Update, Emily Rooney etc.) and community access TV was saturated as well. There were TV ad buys, but none of those, near as I can tell, have ended up on YT--yet, anyway.

[elleng]

26. Yes. You're right.

[Beartracks]

29. Rec'd and tweeted. Dems MUST control msg - It's THEIR msg!! n/t

[MADem]

45. Nancy Pelosi and Howard Dean kicked ass on Press The Meat this morning. nt

[Laura PourMeADrink]

57. Dean yes....not so sure with Nancy- she is so softspoken and not exactly the

most persuasive, in my opinion

[MADem]

59. If she bellowed or yelled, they'd drag out the "shrill woman" accusations...only they wouldn't use

the "woman" word. She can't win with people who aren't interested in hearing what she says.

I thought she hit every point right back at DG, and even though he tried to trip her up, she wasn't having it.

[donheld]

30. Johnny Stewart too

I do not understand why the Obama administration has not done this many times before.

[okieinpain]

31. my two sons said that they

are moving to the hills when they (gov) starts implanting the rf-id chips. I know the rf-id chips,.but its going around in their group on Facebook.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

43. Just tell them, "Fine, get lost."

Last edited Mon Jul 2, 2012, 04:28 AM - Edit history (1)

That's what they want,...to not be found....

[okieinpain]

69. now you know I would never tell my own children that. n/t.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

72. I guess I'm gonna have to explain the joke after all....

They don't want the government to find them, right? That's the whole point of their paranoia over the whole tracking chip conspiracy theory. They literally want to run into the hills and be "unable to be found" or "lost" like a set of car keys.

So "get lost" is a play on words.

I'm not saying you should write them off, just inform them of what they are effectively intending to do in a way that may makes them realize how silly it is.

[okieinpain]

80. ok, thanks. i love my children I'll just use the old frying pan and gently

nudge them back in line.

[coalition_unwilling]

48. How did your sons fall under the influence of the kooks? That's really sad to

hear.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

50. I have a theory

[img][/img]

Attribute it to Oklahomaphobia.

[okieinpain]

68. it is sad, but it's the up hill battle that dems face. n/t.

[AdHocSolver]

32. Get the facts about ACA out early and often.

The lies about ACA must be refuted.

K and R.

[MADem]

38. They need to do regional buys in targeted cable markets

Run these (there are a couple of them) on basic cable at the fifteen minute mark of half hour shows:

They also should gin up a few thirty second PSAs that are a bit more peppy and fun.

[DonCoquixote]

33. List of fronts

First: mainstream, the Lenos, the Kimmels, the Fallons, etc. Granted, these clowns will be idiots, but it will get jane and john sixpack.

Second: cable The best person to help Obama explain things is Rachel Maddow. As much as I love Cenk, he would focus way too much on arguments, and provide the GOP with way too much ammo. Tweety is too loud. As far as Current, I would say Spitzer.

Third: Stewart AND Colbert. I say both because Colbert can act like the right wing jackass, which will allow Obama to tear down the rightwing lies with ease.

Fourth, and far from least : The internet. It is high time for a youtube equivalent to a fireside chat, where he speaks plain. This can be the hardest, as not only does Obama have to deal with the loonies on the right, but of course, we have Huffpo and FDL doing their best to make Obama look bad at every turn.

[KT2000]

41. absolutely right!

For some reason they seem to think that people do their research and actually read the documents to know what is in the Act. They do need to get out there and "tell their story" and not the facts and figures.
You have some good ideas and I hope they read DU.

[pnwmom]

53. Please don't worry about a 3 point "drop" in a Gallup subgroup.

A 3 point difference in that sample size isn't statistically significant.

[MADem]

62. Gallup never loved a Dem, anyhow. nt

[ProgressiveEconomist]

54. 'come up with 5 simple, important points' (1) ACA is a huge middle-class tax CUT

for the middle class, not a tax increase. Individual penalties for not buying health insurance are estimated to raise $45 billion over 10 years, while individual tax CREDITS and other health insurance exchange costs are estimated at $681 billion over 10 years, FIFTEEN TIMES AS MUCH.

See http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002890826 for a link to a crucial March 2012 table of Congressional Budget Office details about its budget estimates for the Affordable Care Act.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

63. Very important points - seldom spoken. Hope we have some good debate hosts where you can use

this data to counter the tax increase BS.

Although I think all the benefits are vitally important, I see a need also for a super simple "How it will
affect you, personally."

[Doctor_J]

58. how would one appearance on Ellen overcome 1200 lying radio stations?

You're correct in theory but your premise is absurd. There is no way to out shout Hate Radio, period.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

64. Thanks for saying my premise is absurd. But it is not. The general public middle of the roaders

are not listening to Rush. But, they are watching Leno, Letterman, Ellen, and the Daily Show.

[BumRushDaShow]

65. Exactly.

Unless liberals and progressives buy media outlets and create programming for them, the agenda can be shouted from the hills but will never be aired or printed. I keep seeing thread after thread pummeling Obama for not "saying anything" or "getting out there", etc etc etc. He IS out there. But it's purposely blocked by the RW media owners for the purpose of turning progressives/liberals against their own and continuing the RW lunatic fringe narrative.

It's bad enough that Air America was allowed to wither on the vine. You had repuke thugs like the Rev. Moon willing to take a loss on the Washington Times for so long to get their crap out there, yet where are the big liberal/progressive syndicators? I know I have to pay to hear the old Air America lineup or other liberal/progessive programming on SiriusXM because there are no progressive stations in my area outside of a low-powered black-owned radio station.

[lumberjack_jeff]

66. No. They can't "create reality" because it IS reality.

It's the law, and it's going to be implemented. People will understand it in the way they understand Social Security; first hand.

It may be sensible to explain it, but I think you can safely extinguish your pants.

[Vietnameravet]

76. Remember this

The radical right knows this: People hear what they want to hear and disregard the rest.

They have spent decades creating fear and hate and people will believe them no matter how false their charges because they have been led to believe their freedoms and way of life are under attack by the liberals and progressives. Facts dont mean a damn thing to fearful people..and the strategy is clear..create fear and then hold yourself up as the answer..

Until we get our own media outlets and start hammering them we will always be playing defense.

The President needs to start talking much tougher and creating his own fear as to what will happen if these people win....he needs to be more like Roosevelt and Truman and hit them hard. and ask the public to "send me some democrats"

They should be openly denounced as fear mongers and liars, never mind this "working together" crap...Guarantee they will squeal... but pigs always squeal when you step on their feet..

[LynneSin]

78. I highly doubt any Republicans watch Ellen or Letterman

Ellen because she's a lesbian and Letterman because of what he said about Bristol Palin.