dagblog - Comments for "It's the Economy AND the Message, Stupid"

Yes the message matters. I

tmccarthy0 — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 23:41:28 +0000

In reply to It's the Economy AND the Message, Stupid

Yes the message matters. I would hope the economy doesn't suck through 2012, that would be horrible for the nation. Will a republican run a clarifying campaign.. it sure will be interesting to watch, I think Fred Karger (in my mind, which isn't saying a great deal) would be the only Republican I can think of who would run a clarifying campaign. Although I still can't figure out why he is a Republican????

But I think R's are going to look for "anyone but Romney" which leaves a guy like Rick Perry in top standing in Republican primaries. Will he appeal to independents? Well that remains to be seen.

But it is a true statement that the message matters and the administration must hone their message, and at this point they seem to be passive in that area, or reactive as opposed to pro-active. I think they can change that, but I don't know if they will.

(No subject)

Richard Day — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 23:02:53 +0000

In reply to It's the Economy AND the Message, Stupid

Yeah, I don't think it's good

DF — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 22:58:38 +0000

In reply to Thanks, DF. Fantastic

Yeah, I don't think it's good for Obama. Regardless of whether or not one chooses to believe that he could have done more, he's almost certainly going to be facing a down economy. I think his best hope is that the GOP nominates someone that he can characterize as somehow fundamentally at odds with the majority of America, but again that will likely require a style of politics that he's seemed reluctant to employ.

And you're right that Bachmann is a long shot despite her decent standing in current polls. Iowa isn't the best indicator of the winner in the GOP primary.

Thanks, DF. Fantastic

Michael Wolraich — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 21:38:00 +0000

In reply to It's the Economy AND the Message, Stupid

Thanks, DF. Fantastic piece.

Unfortunately, all the successful insurgent campaigns Vavrick cited involve a challenger employing non-economic themes in a strong economy, rather than an incumbent employing them in a poor economy.

I fear that it won't work so well for an incumbent. As I mentioned in my piece, challengers can focus on the incumbents' records, but people likely expect sitting presidents to address their own records.

Fwiw, I don't think Bachmann has a chance at the nomination, though she may put up a decent (or indecent) fight.