"He had hoped the American public would have been better education about what the bill contains"...

[BlooInBloo]

Hardball guy talking about Obama.

I'm all for optimism, President Obama, but if what that guy said is true, learn from this. Never, EVER trust in the intelligence of Americans.

Unless you're betting *against* it, of course.

[rockymountaindem]

1. How was the public supposed to have a better education when they were only hearing from opponents?

This is why our side needed to be more assertive and way louder over the past few months, what with lies getting around the world before the truth even gets out of bed and all.

[Captain Hilts]

2. YES. Especially when we're the Good Guys who want to give the US what it wants. nt

[tridim]

4. I think the Dems let the Reps blow their wad in August on purpose

And what a wad it was!

Now for some good old fashioned reality, and sanity from the Democrats. Just watch.

[alstephenson]

3. With the MSM controlling the message to the American public...

we're screwed.

[virgogal]

5. You never trust in the intelligence of Americans? Now that's sad.

[BlooInBloo]

8. Only if I'm betting against it.

[Juche]

6. Its a typical liberal fallacy

George Lakoff writes about it. We assume, as liberals, that if you just explain rationally why your program is a good idea or how it'll work then people will support it. Problem is most people pay almost no attention to politics, the average American has the reading comprehension skills of a 14 year old (which makes it hard to understand complex legislation) and emotions can easily overwhelm the rational parts of the brain.

You have to explain your programs using morals, frames and emotions. It sucks, but there you go.

Frame the debate as Americans vs. insurance giants. Talk about people who get hit by a bus and then their insurance company tries to rescind their plan on a technicality the next day. Frame the issue as an attempt to protect the American people from these people.

[Chemisse]

7. Exactly. And Obama needs to realize this immediately

And change his approach to issues accordingly.

Even if you want to believe people are not so dumb, most just don't care about politics all that much, so learn about the issues from the headlines.

[Gin]

9. there was no bill...just ideas..and shouting.....this was an administration

error.....there were no leaders...just the lunatic fringe calling all the shots...I still don't understand all of it...so I guess I am one of the uneducated masses.