he is in danger of losing control of the national narrative again,

[pscot]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/20/AR2011022002480.html

The media are full of commentary on President Obama's "failure of leadership." There is some truth to the critique but not in the way the charge is typically made.

Obama is not at fault for his budget proposals. But any fair examination of the news suggests that he is in danger of losing control of the national narrative again, just as he did during the stimulus and health-care battles.

In his State of the Union address, Obama made a good case that budget cutting is too small an agenda and that this is also a time for more government - yes, more government - in areas that would expand opportunities and strengthen the economy. That argument has been entirely drowned out. If politics is reduced to a crabbed and crabby accountants' war, Obama loses. The country will, too.

[e-mail]

[Uzybone]

1. more doom and gloom

how many times will the President lose the narrative and be Waterlooed?

[Kdillard]

2. About the billionith time as if they really care.

[rury]

3. The Obama communications team needs to be far more aggressive

about the administration's accomplishments and the stark differences between his proposals and those of the Rethuglikkkans.
He really needs to hire me!!!!

[Avant Guardian]

19. He needs to stop incorporating RW ideas into everything first

Incorporating 'republican ideas' into everything erases whatever difference there once was.

[polichick]

22. So true - even if he means to diffuse a situation, adopting their position...

...weakens Democratic positions and destroys the messenging.

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Autumn]

5. I agree with that. Just like the

shootings in Arizona, something needs to be done with gun control. But that is barley a blip on the news now and I still haven't heard anything about that talk on guns. That is another opportunity gone by the wayside.

[peace13]

6. The media are full of commentary on President Obama's "failure of leadership

The media will tell you what they want you to believe. We first have to understand that the media will never tell you that Obama is on the mark. They will lead you down the path of darkness until the issue at hand is resolved and when they can no longer tell you any differently they will move the message to a different topic. Go figure. Note to self...unbunch panties and stop listening to what the media wants you to hear.

[ClarkUSA]

7. The corporate-owned MSM will never attack the Teabagger House Republicans' "failure of leadership".

Just President Obama's. Could it be because his FEC is pro-net neutrality and pro-regulation? The Koch Brothers hate President Obama's agenda and so do the corporate masters who own the media.

It explains why the MSM, even during the height of Katrina's tragic aftermath, never ever attacked Bush II's "failure of leadership". In fact, they never ever used this meme against Bush II during the aftermath of the September 2008 financial meltdown that heralded the Great Depression II.

Yet so many people continue to fall for the media narrative every time, which just goes to prove P.T. Barnum was right, after all.

[pscot]

15. Did you read Dionne's column?

It's a direct attack on the tea baggers and the mainstream media. His question is, why are they being allowed to get away with it? Where's the countervailing narrative? Why doesn't the President offer some pushback?

[ClarkUSA]

18. Yes, I did, but what has that got to do with what I said?

<< Where's the countervailing narrative? Why doesn't the President offer some pushback? >>

Why isn't he providing a countervailing narrative? Why doesn't he cover the President's back? Why doesn't he push his editorial board to shine a light on Republicans' lack of leadership" instead? Until he does, he's part of the problem.

The President is polling at 50% and is doing quite well at staying above the fray. Why should he listen to Dionne, who as I recall, is always full of handwringing advice that turns out to be unnecessary for the success of Pres. Obama's policies?

[treestar]

13. Exactly.

Media types salivate at the idea they can control opinion. We never have to accept their version.

[WolfoftheWild]

8. the only people who buy this shit already want Obama to fail

[jenmito]

9. Well, he's at 50% approval/42% disapproval in today's Gallup Poll:

http://www.gallup.com/Home.aspx

[Jennicut]

10. Losing the "narrative" my ass. Repubs are all over the country making fools of themselves

without any help from us. The current narrative is all about what idiots Walker, Kasich and the rest have been.

[ProSense]

Yes, and

Boehner is golfing.

Cantor is clueless.

Freshman GOPers are as dumb as door knobs.

Republicans are desperately trying to spin shutting down the government as the Democrats' fault.

[jenmito]

11. Exactly...

and the fact he's up to 50% today shows the detractors' attempt to bring him down isn't working.

[treestar]

12. what is the "national narrative?"

Why is it necessary for any President to "control" it?

wouldn't that involve lack of a free press?

[Keith Bee]

24. We have a free press?

Where?

[Joe Bacon]

25. In Canada and the UK.

Which is why I read the UK Guardian and The Economist. Talk to my friends who fled the Soviet Union and they will tell you that there is no difference between the American media and TASS.

[Arkana]

14. Gee, that's funny--sounds like the same meme some on the left are pushing.

Wonder why it gets so much fucking traction?

[Safetykitten]

16. Did he ever have it really? He reacts. He does not lead.

[WolfoftheWild]

21. are you kidding? Obama acts. You and those like you are the reactionaries.

What have you actually done to bring about change?

Do you think you have affected even a tenth of a percent of what Obama has achieved?

Take a look in the mirror before you cast your aspersions.

[AtomicKitten]

17. Really? I recall a lot of hand-wringing during the campaign.

It spawned this ...

He did have it. I understand people are worried (or pretending to be), but there is no reason to believe he doesn't have it now.

[Avant Guardian]

20. At which point did he own it?

The republicans are controlling the national agenda because Obama refuses to stand up to them

[SkyDaddy7]

23. Obama is just not the "LOOK AT ME" POTUS the MSM wants!

[boomerbust]

26. Here in Wisconsin

Sitting on the fencepost in the back forty while the fascists are at your doorstep is not the most favorable position to be in. Of course we would not want Obama to have a few blood stains on those comfortable shoes, because they must be kept clean for bigger fights to come, like getting re-elected.

[Safetykitten]

27. Re-election? Not happening.