It’s Official: Obama Reelection Campaign Will Highlight his ‘Defense of the Middle Class’
- Posted on December 26, 2011 at 8:03pm by
Becket Adams
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As the GOP primaries heat up, and the 2012 election quickly approaches, the Obama reelection campaign has reportedly decided to focus all of its attention on the economy. Perhaps three years of being hammered by Republicans for poor job growth and high unemployment prompted this supposed change of focus.
“We’re seeing continuing high levels of unemployment. We see home values declining; foreclosures remain at record levels,” said former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, concluding that Obama “has failed in the job he was elected to do.” And Romney’s not the only high-profile GOP candidate to attack President Obama on the economy. All of them have.
Therefore, because the Obama administration would like to see a repeat of the 2008 election, don’t expect to see feel-good messages like “Hope and Change.” Get ready for the dawn of “Fair Shot.”
As Christi Parsons and David Lauter of McClatchy-Tribune News Service point out, the Obama administration, up until this point, has relied mostly on the “It Could Be Worse” tactic while defending its economic initiatives. However, for all the obvious reason, strategists in the Obama camp don’t think this message will go far with the average American. They decided they needed something more proactive and endearing to voters.
So, what’s the new campaign theme? Parsons and Lautner report:
…increasingly, Obama and his aides have switched to a longer view, trying to focus attention on what they portray as the president’s defense of the middle class…The theme of giving the middle class a “fair shot” potentially works against whoever survives the demolition derby among the Republican hopefuls…The “fair shot” theme also provides a more positive message than previous Obama formulations, which some analysts saw as harder-edged attacks on the wealthy [Editor's note: admittedly, “fair shot” has a nicer ring to it than “punish our enemies"].
It’s about “defending the middle class” and giving them a “fair shot.”
“This isn’t just about recovering from this recession,” said a senior adviser to Obama, “This is about saving the middle class from a decline that’s been going on for three decades.”
The president’s “Teddy Roosevelt” speech at Osawatomie, KS., earlier this year marked the beginning of his “Defenders of the Middle Class” campaign strategy. You can expect to hear a lot more of this type of rhetoric, especially during his upcoming State of the Union address.
“It’s a much stronger position than where he was before,” said Democratic pollster Stanley Greenberg. Talking about the “state of the middle class” connects with voters in a way that discussing the “state of the recovery” doesn’t, he said.
Not surprisingly, some analysts have labeled this new strategy as “class warfare” and have accused the president of continuing to “duck the nation’s problem of creating jobs.” But despite these criticisms, “Defenders of the Middle Class” is the theme the campaign has settled on and they’re going to stick to it.
“Obama set the stage for the new approach this fall as he told friends that he felt a need to deliver a speech that would look at the nation’s economic troubles from a ‘higher altitude,’” reports Parsons and Lautner.
Democratic strategists believe that there are two benefits to this new campaign theme. First, they believe there is a large audience (Occupy Wherever) that will take an instant liking to the message. Second, they believe ”Republicans have played into their argument by first backing tax cuts for the wealthy and then balking at a payroll tax cut aimed at the middle class,” writes Parsons and Lautner.
“The social Darwinism, the trickle-down economics – these are just not working for this country,” said David Axelrod. “The president’s vision was a very distinct vision from what the Republicans are offering.”
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Comments (200)
Tdevil_onethree
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 12:36amI guess we‘ll find out how stupid the american people are in ’12.
Report Post »stifroc
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 1:12amstupid is as stupid does
Report Post »AnaChris
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 7:10amI gotta be honest. While I have been telling myself that no one could ever blind themsleves so completely as to ignore the war on American values that is the Obama administration, I am beginning to have some second thoughts about the ‘clear’ sight of the average American. He fooled ‘em once….yes…I am a bit scared!!
Report Post »KeystoneState
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 7:40amThats right “Leader O”, run for reelection on the Economy! Please, its a winner for sure!
Report Post »jkjk
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 8:26amI can’t wait until this ass is tossed out of the white house.
Report Post »starman70
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 8:26amDEFENSE OF THE MIDDLE CLASS? He should really be truthful. DESTRUCTION OF THE MIDDLE CLASS IS MORE LIKE IT!
You say that we will see how stupid the Anerican voters are. You not only see that, you will see how voters are intimidated, coerced, threatened and cajoled all without any action from Holder’s DOJ.
After the re-election, you will be a witness to the total destruction of the American economy and the relegation of America to a third world country. The total trashing of the Bill of Rights, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. You will see America becoming subservient to the U.N. and it’s Communist agenda.
You will be a witness to history – - – just the wrong kind.
Report Post »Jackers
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 8:27amYou want to “defend” the middle class? How about securing our wide-open southern border, reducing legal immigration to reasonable levels, and eliminating all illegal immigration… This would be good for starters…
Report Post »Bum thrower
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 8:55am“No shot” and maybe you‘ll get a ’cheap shot’ is more like it. We are broke. that is the $15 trilion ‘elephant in the room’ and it atin’t Romney!!
Report Post »IMPEACHBHO
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 9:10amZero Class talking…
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 9:28amafter everyone fell off their chairs laughing………..
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 9:29amThis should be a very short story.
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:02amYo Anachris:
Report Post »Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!
starman70
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:03amHey folks, there is a very funny gift you can give to your favorite liberal relative or friend.
It is a clock which not only tells the current time and date but also has a countdown feature and it’s called:
COUNTDOWN
TO OBAMA’S
LAST DAY
. 1. 20 . 2013
IT IS AVAILABLE FROM: http://www.bigmouthtoys.com
Order one annd have fun!
Report Post »RBlankert
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:17amTalking about stupid, did you hear why Obama supporters are like old Christmas lights? Well they all hang together and only about half of them work. The ones who do work are not too bright.
Report Post »What the message was in Kansas is that the capitalist system has never worked. If folks believe this, then it is time to give up and move to places that use the other kind of system like Russia, Cuba, and other communist countries. Obama says the free market system has NEVER WORKED. This comes from a man who has never held a job or had to do anything for his money. If you are poor in Cuba, you will remain poor there until your death. There is no hope of you ever making it. If Obama has his way, he will destroy the wealthy and the middle class and have a permanent slave class as in Russia. Now there is a system that works. Right?????
AvengerK
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:37amAnd nothing says “fair shot” like not opening a pipeline that can start up 20,000 jobs becauseyou’re beholden to “green” extremists. Nothing says “fair shot” like record underemployment. Nothing says “fair shot” like Solyndra. Nothing says “fair shot” like Fast and Furious. Nothing says “fair shot” like record low housing prices..and sinking lower. Go ahead Barry…take your “fair shot”. We’re waiting…
Report Post »ThemDemsLie2much
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 11:53amlooks like the middle class now includes any and all on Government assistance. How many morons will fall for that one? Dems lack the common sense gene that people on the right possese. If it looks like a pile of crap and smells like a pile of crap, it must be pudding! That is how the Left thinks!
Report Post »Zpro
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 12:18pmI don’t think Obama has anything to run on. Watch my opinion here http://goanimate.com/movie/0K9HkIHjocOg?utm_source=linkshare&uid=0GVVTfOjymE4
Report Post »zenjak
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 12:21pmDefense of the middle class? Sounds like The Obama has His offence and defence mixed up.
Report Post »glenbeckisagit
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 2:01pmWe find that out every time a Republicretin votes.
Report Post »NOTYERHUCKLEBERRY
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 4:23pmFool me once, shame on you! Fool me twice, shame on me!
Report Post »Big M 2011
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 7:40pmObama has done everything he can to destroy middle class jobs. It is only fitting to see if the middle class is stupid enough to buy into his lies.
Report Post »Grey Eagle
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 8:28pmAgree with you. Defense of the middle class? More like rip off the middle class.
Report Post »Lucy Larue
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:34pmTDEVIL ONETHREE,
So succinct, so true, fingers crossed…,AMEN!
“We have met the enemy and HE is US” POGO
Report Post »Gary S
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 12:35amI’mgoing to make a ton on the bumper sticker “Hey BHO; ES&D!
Report Post »cantbelieveallthisgarbagecouldhappenwhodoislap
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 4:12amI will buy some!
Report Post »Slowman101
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 11:52amLOL! Love it!
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 12:33amWhat middle class, it has been obliterated by Obama. I was grossing 47,000 a year with/bonus in 2009. From 31 March 2010 to now, I have been unemployed full-time and working only part time. I am lucky if I will clear 8,000 this year, as the part time work is dependent on college semesters – 15 weeks. I am seeking another job, even if it pays minimum wage just to stay afloat and not use all my savings. It is slim pickings even for this possibility.
So tell me again what is he going to defend?
Report Post »Tagudinian
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 8:00amThis is exactly what Obama is saying – he does not care nor give a whit that folks such as yourself know the truth. His spin machine will spend close to a billion dollars to distort, skew, lie, propagandize the public with TV ads and media coverage. And believe me, the media will be willing accomplices with this shameless charlatan from Chicago.
Report Post »RBlankert
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:29amI am older and have lost most of what ever I had saved. I have good job now but that could end anytime. At 64 I am selling my furniture, cars, and giving away most of my possessions and moving to Central America. I hope to retire there and not come back. I feel sorry for my sons and their friends. In 2013 there will be a requirement for everyone to get injected with a microchip that has your medical record and your bank records etc. This is part of Obamacare. Good luck with that one. If that sounds whacky, I guess there is no hope for this country and only the communist change that Obama wants for America.
Report Post »TelepromoterNChief
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 12:26amWasnt BroBama targeting women last week? The week before was the Jews. This week is the middle class. Next week will be Trekies.
Report Post »SHASTADIANE1
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:30pmI’m “middle class” or at least I think I still qualify…it changes daily, but if you make over 55 K a year, they consider you middle class..I paid over $20,000 in fed taxes last year and will pay that again this year, based on what I foresee, and I do taxes…an we are NOT rich..we get by..oh and by the way, we are preparing for what is coming from this administration if they get in another term. We can all bend over and kiss our butts goodbye. I see the future looming ahead..just like in European countries in the 30′s and 40s…same game, same plan, only they hope for different results. Go ahead you trolls out there, vote for more of the same, and you can thank yourselves when you are being hauled away for saying something ill of the government when you realize that you have been scre–d.. It’s coming. If they have their way…so these elitists can proclaim themselves Dictators and we can all be their servants..go ahead..put him back in..is this what you truly want??? You’ll be the first ones they will lock up, cause you are out there OWS…hummmm??? Think about it..your face has been all over the place..they’ll come for disedents first off..
Report Post »MrMagoo
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:46pm“they’ll come for dissidents first off.”..
Report Post »And they’ll have hell to pay for it.
Delta D-5-3
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 12:16amDamn SHASTADIANE1, I could have wrote that. Well done sir! But I have to tell you. I DO see BHO getting re-elected in 2012. I never thought id say that. But really, all they have to do is split the vote between the GOP and oh lets say Ron Paul, and VALA…….Obama wins and America as we know it will cease to exsist. God I hope i’m wrong…..but I don’t think I am.
Report Post »Anamah
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 12:32amSickening people. Remarkable how can they be so malignant by design.
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 12:36amAnd they think blacks were slaves, wait and see what happens if Obama wins again.
Report Post »brother_ed
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:26pmTypical Progressive tactic – change the meanings of words: homosexual = gay, marriage = anything except 1 man & 1 woman, abortion = birth control, wealthy = business owner, anti-illegal immigrant = anti-immigrant, union = middle class, and on and on and on… They honestly scare me, because so many people will believe a catchy phrase.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:22pmThe middle class is doing all it can to be defended from you, seriously, i feel like we are never gonna wake up from this marxist nightmare !!!!!
Report Post »1casawizard
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:37pmYou’re right DP, We’re doing all U.S. can in surviving this train wreck for the last three years under obummer. WE can ALL get out and VOTE for our person in 2012. As long as they are red white and blue and true to me and to you is all that counts.
Report Post »1casawizard
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:09pmWell it’s about time after three years of destroying the middle class trying to reconnect with U.S. thank you barry. It’s friends like you that we like to see leave. P.S. dont let the door hit you in the ass as you’re leaving.
Report Post »hillbillyinny
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:09pmWho’s this fools campaign manager, Van Jones? All of VJ’s tweets defend this type of statement!!!
Report Post »65Mustang
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:55pmHe’s kidding right….Obama’s economic policies and his bungling of everything he has been responsible for is the reason the middle class is in such a decline and he proposes to use “his defense of the middle class” as he campaign propaganda. That freak of nature is delusional.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:07pmI got the same reaction when I first heard this, thought they were saying the POTUS was “defending his right to pass gas…”
Remember that with Obama, they are out to rewrite history as it happens and he is a liar, thief, con artist, and chief narcissist with a god complex. What else out of him and Reid could be expected.
Obama lives in fantasy land of the terminally delusional.
Report Post »1casawizard
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:52pmHowbout Cain, Bachmann,Santorum in the mix for 2012. barry has suceeded to destroy the middle class and divide the country in the past four years.
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:49pmOk, Barry buddy…Go ahead and try to fly that lie. You, Mr. Poser; are a tick sucking the blood from America.
Report Post »ICANHANDLETHETRUTH
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:44pmErkell [ obama ] lol could give a rats azz about the middle class. If he really cared about the people he would approve that gas line that I have heard soooo much about. This clown has done JACK SHI+ for the people, and I won’t even start on his crooked admin. [ eric holder ] and the boys in Chicago, I think more and more people are waking up and seeing him for what he really is !!!!!
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 7:00amNot just the pipeline, he has blocked frilling in the gulf and in Alaska. He says he has authorized off shore drilling but the paper work and red tape take forever. His administration is the most unfriendly to oil production we have ever had. Look at the jobs this would create, but he is more interested in pandering to the tree huggers than to the economy.
OMG
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:36pmyou said a mouthful there Vinny
Report Post »MrMagoo
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:32pmObama could care less about the middle class.He’s pretty much dis-owned the non-union of us who pay for his B.S.I wouldn’t wanna be associated with his evil Communist agenda anyway.
Report Post »The middle class will be around long after this fool is history.Poorer,beaten down,but more determined than ever.
1casawizard
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:56pmDitto, mm.
Report Post »tzion
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:30pmI think the Middle Class wishes it could be defended from this man’s destructive policies. It certainly doesn’t want him defending them. His supporters will come from the lower class that wants him to fight the Middle and Upper classes for them, and from those who don’t know any better (or those who share his ideas).
Report Post »Mantzernation
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:29pmObama the only way the middle class is going to have a “fair shot” is for you to stand aside and allow a new president, who values individual liberties and responsibility, and the Constitution to take over.
Report Post »Swen Swenson
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:28pmWith fiends like him who needs enemas?
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:17pmOh, wow, I’m just stunned, horrified and amazed he would do that! Not. Like we didn’t see that coming from miles away. Stupid, ignorant people will believe what they want, but for all our sakes, we need stats to back up what we say to foolish people. We really need a published fact sheet seriously, to give the uniformed who were so stupid to believe hope and change and now are being led to class warfare. God help us all, every time he opens his mouth he is lying and I am so sick of it
Report Post »1casawizard
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:23pmHe certainly is a poser. Lawd have mercy JENNY LIND. He’s kinda predictable aint he?
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:09pmIf Obama came to my neighborhood, he would need defense FROM the middle class!!!
Report Post »shagstar
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:07pmi don’t want nobama even close too my middle class ass!
Report Post »vtxphantom
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:05pmobama; Liar, communist, specifically a Fabian socialist. This man does not believe in the constitution. He does not understand the american people. If he gains another four years in the WH, this country will be destroyed and he will reshape it into a third world country, and he, a second rate dictator, will win.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:04pmUm sorry bro, me and all the people i know, have not been in finacial decline for three decades, we’ve been in financial decline for three years, you big eared bufoon.. Do you really think some new slogan is gonna get you back on air force one for four more years ? I really dont even think your crack smokin, welfare grubbin supporters are gonna buy your crap this time around bro!!! I cant even stand to hear your stupid voice anymore, cuz its clear that even you dont believe you… Now umm uhhh pass this bill. Umm uhh let me be clear uhhhh ummm we aint buyin what your sellin….
Report Post »whatthecrazy
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 9:58pmWhy yes David i think a good majority of us know about this mans vision is and its not at all good for this country so slither on buddy dont you have something else you could be destroying for your master?
Report Post »hersey10
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 9:55pmIt’s official : he’s to late .
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 9:59pmDEFEND the MIDDLE CLASS?
LMAO
Obummer WIPED it OUT.
90 rounds of golf….as of 12/26/11
Report Post »And he defends OWS???