Why can't Obama just say what he means?

[JDPriestly]

Has he never heard of George Lakoff?

http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2003/10/27_lakoff.shtml

For example, here's what Senator Obama said about President Clinton's recent attacks on him:

"The former president, who we all have a lot of regard for, has taken his advocacy on behalf of his wife to a level that is pretty troubling," Obama charged Monday on ABC's Good Morning America. "He continues to make statements that aren't supported by the facts."

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Obama_Bill_Clinton_campaign_behavior_troubling_0121.html

Why couldn't Senator Obama just say: I like President Clinton. Everybody likes President Clinton. But, he's not running for president. Hillary is. And whoever is running Hillary's campaign needs to tell President Clinton to check his facts before he speaks. The truth is . . . . "

Senator Obama talks like a law professor. That works for the college educated fanatics supporting his campaign. But if he wants to win in a debate against a Republican who has been coached by Frank Luntz and Karl Rove, he had better talk straight, simple and to the point. Senator Obama, you are not at Harvard any more. Talk to the jury, not your esteemed colleagues on the bench.

DUers, I'm talking to you now. It's going to take Obama years to learn to talk like an ordinary guy. Edwards has already mastered the craft. Shut your eyes. Forget race and age. Listen to Edwards without bias. He is the best candidate we have. He can win. Obama will not win. Please. Wake up America. We are missing our one last chance.

[papau]

1. I agree- besides "aren't supported by the facts" blows up when folks point out Bill's facts are true

[Barack_America]

14. Except they weren't...n/t

[calmblueocean]

2. Good lord, Obama was fine. He doesn't need to say "Urgh Man Clinton Lie About ME!" to make his point

People aren't always bright, but "He continues to make statements that aren't supported by the facts," is perfectly straightforward.

[Yael]

3. Is it the Hope of Change campaign. Or the Change of Hope campaign

Or something like that.

Appealing to the "Obama Republicans" or "Obamacans" as Barack called them yesterday.

Disappointing.

[KennedyGuy]

5. I'm waiting for his compassionate conservatism speech..

He can dive that one with Donnie...

[Yael]

6. I have noticed that Republicans don't really care if there is there

as long as the actor behind the podium can give a rousing speech.

Dems seem to want more substance from their candidates.

I hope this isn't a change in campaign strategy, but it is starting to look like one.

Obama vs McCain and the battle for the moderate Republicans and Independents. Coming to a voting booth near you this fall...

[polichick]

8. "Obama vs McCain and the battle for the moderate Republicans and Independents"

Yep ~ once again, Democrats be damned.

Obama talks like a lawyer and a preacher at the same time ~ according to my dad, a lifelong Dem, "He uses an awful lot of words to say nothing."

[Yael]

9. 90% of this site will "hold their nose" regardless, and you can expect the same with the (R) base

They have no incentive to waste time or money to appeal to their respective bases.

The real battle is the middle, and as the base of the democrats -- we (collective) are failing at framing the debate.

The independents and moderate Republicans ARE in the middle class, yet the progressive message isn't being given air time to talk to them about voting within their interests as opposed to voting against them. Air time and media coverage favors platitudes, so there you go. Platitudes it is.

People in general won't take the initiative to ferret out this stuff on their own.

John Edwards is doing his level best to get this information out there and frame this debate, but all we get in return is the media showing clips of Hillary and Obama watering down his message into soundbytes.

[polichick]

10. True, I just wish Edwards would tweak his language...

...so that more people could take in the message. I just explained this in my thread about the debate, so I won't repeat.

[Yael]

11. Will go look now. I missed that one.

[Yael]

4. "Talk to the jury, not your esteemed colleagues on the bench"

SHould have pointed this our first. This was a brilliant assessment.

[OzarkDem]

7. He's a "Shapeshifter"

He changes his opinions and beliefs constantly depending on who he's talking to. He goes from being a DLC Dem to a Reagan lover to a civil rights activist from one hour to the next.

It gets confusing when you're constantly re-inventing yourself, you have to keep the talking points vague and simple so you don't slip up.

[JDPriestly]

12. You have described Obama to a tea. keep the talking points vague.

[redqueen]

16. I work with an repub-leaning independent and he said that very thing... (nt)

[THUNDER HANDS]

13. in other words, stop speaking like an educated person

speak dumb, like Bush.

[Barack_America]

15. "He's out of line and he's lying"...I received the message loud and clear...

It's a little troubling that so many others couldn't...