What I Would Do If I Were President Obama

[Better Believe It]

What I Would Do If I Were Obama
by Ted Rall
August 9, 2011

If I were in Obama's shoes, and I had any brains, if I wanted to turn those lousy poll numbers around, I'd hold press conferences to talk about jobs every day. I'd talk about jobs until the media was sick of it. Then I'd do it some more.

Most importantly, I'd set up next year's television attack ads. I wouldn't let a single week go by without proposing some piece of legislation related to creating jobs, alleviating the problems of the jobless, and increasing wages.

I'd send Congress huge publics-works bills. I'd ask them to hire millions of unemployed people to work for federal agencies. I'd push for higher unemployment benefits, payments that don't expire until you find a job. Tax breaks for companies that hire. Tax deductions for those that give raises. Penalties for outsourcing jobs. Keep the Bush tax cuts, but only for the poor and middle class.

Let the Republicans kill my ideas. All the better for my 2012 ad buy! "Republicans voted against new jobs for Americans 22 times. Against helping homeowners keep their houses 15 times. Republicans: They just don't care about you." You get the idea.

Read the full artcle at:

http://firedoglake.com/2011/08/09/obamas-tipping-point/

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. "I'd hold press conferences to talk about jobs every day" I've been saying that. He has the podium

He can call press conferences any time he wishes. These are press conferences and they're broadcast. He doesn't do it.

[phantom power]

2. no link

[Better Believe It]

3. Thank you. I've corrected that.

[phantom power]

4. wrong link?

(I'm such a complainer)

[Karmadillo]

8. Link to Rall. Excellent article, by the way. Thanks for posting it, BBI.

http://www.rall.com/rallblog/2011/08/09/syndicated-column-down-and-out-at-1600-pennsylvania-avenue

[deaniac21]

5. Problem is that he only speaks in general terms, never any

specific plan.

[Bonhomme Richard]

6. When he talks now I feel like listening to a Dad talking to his kids

about the death of their hamster.

[AndyTiedye]

7. Some Stations Didn't Even Break Away from "Days of Our Lives" for O's Latest Speech

We only have a "bully pulpit" to the extent that the Repiglickin' media allows us one.

[Recursion]

9. TV won't cover it

They have to practically break arms to get prime time addresses as it is.

Plus that leads to the problem of "he's been yakking about jobs for 2 years; where are they?"