# Obama out of touch and the Dems should go dark too? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 28, 2016, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135 "2016-07-28T19:13:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135/21 "2016-07-29T05:08:15Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > The problem with Democrats being “optimistic” is that it seems they turn Reagan’s main selling point on its head, “The government isn’t the problem. YOU’RE the problem, and we can fix you.” and “there’s nothing wrong with America that can’t be fixed by what’s right with America’s government.” They are not saying “you” are the problem. They might be saying the 1% is the problem, or Wall Street, or obstructionist Republicans. And speaking of Reagan, things in 1980 were much worse then they are today. Do you think Reagan should have spent his time telling us how horrible things were? No, he told us how good things could become. A good ad campaign would have clips of Trump saying America is horrible and Russia is great. Most Americans, and especially his base, are still patriots. Showing Trump running down our country is not going to play well with them. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135/22 "2016-07-29T06:10:21Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > They are not saying “you” are the problem. They might be saying the 1% is the problem, or Wall Street Of course the people who are succeeding outside politics are the problem. Of course, it’s a big lie, because if the 1% were the problem we wouldn’t elect them to high office and Democrats wouldn’t seek their advice every time they have a problem they want solved. Obviously, Democrats actually believe the 1% are the solution. At least THEIR 1 percenters are the solution. > [@](#): > > , or obstructionist Republicans. “See, the problem isn’t us, it’s you, because you keep on voting to stop us just when we get going.” Or perhaps the actual problem is the government still. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135/23 "2016-07-29T07:01:06Z")
I’m _totally_ going to trust the author of _Losing Our Religion: The Liberal Media’s Attack on Christianity_ to give the objective spin on _anything_, never mind what Democrats should or shouldn’t say. ---
**Author:** ![DonLogan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@DonLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DonLogan)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135/24 "2016-07-29T07:40:43Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I heard a guy calling into a radio show who had what I thought was an excellent point. A large majority of Americans think we’re heading in the wrong direction, so why would they elect someone (Hilary) who is so obviously going to take us _in the same direction_? This is one of the ways you know Republicans are dumb and live in a bubble. Half of that majority is made up of Democrats who think it’s Republicans fault. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135/25 "2016-07-29T08:03:20Z")
> [@DonLogan](#): > > Half of that majority is made up of Democrats who think it’s Republicans fault. It’s also an inherently pessimistic figure. The country is on the wrong track about 95% of the time if you listen to that. I think the last time it was on the right track according to polling was immediately after 9/11. I’ll take the wrong track over that, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135/26 "2016-07-29T08:15:28Z")
I don’t see how it’s a misstep. Sure, it doesn’t really target the people who really think the country is completely doomed, but they aren’t the target. Most people, if asked, will say they love this country. They may have hard times and be upset at the government they think got them there, but they are also extremely patriotic. The way to meet them is to say that America is great, but we can make it better. Your problems are big, but we can solve them. You don’t have to go “doom and gloom” to acknowledge problems. Yes, the tactic Trump is winning could work. Create the fear, then set yourself up as the guy who can fix it. Trade the good feeling of optimism with relief from fear. But this is not the only tactic. And if the Democrats want to win, they have to push a different tactic. They have to try and create the more appealing message. And hope that, when the target isn’t just registered Republicans, that optimism will actually work. I for one found the whole thing very refreshing. Without it, the darkness might lead me to ignore the race altogether, just to keep my sanity. I think that Kaine is the first truly likeable guy in this, and hope that they will push that. I also hold out hope that the GOP was not fighting as hard as it should have against Trump, and that the other tactic of going negative against him would work. I know I didn’t hear anything about Trump’s actual negatives, just about what he was saying at any given time. Hopefully the Democrats are smart enough not to do that. Optimistic campaign, plus factual slams on how horrible Trump is. It might not be possible with any other candidate, since it could come across as being mean. But Trump has so much bad stuff, I think it can be done. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135/27 "2016-07-29T08:27:50Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > No, that’s not at all what the guy is saying. He’s talking about addressing the fear and concern that many (most?) Americans feel right now rather than dismissing it as being simply trumped up (pun intended). … but it **is**. Why should he spend time addressing stuff that doesn’t really exist ? When you “feel” something is wrong that isn’t wrong, the correct course of action is not to feed your delusion. \*Someone \*needs to tell many (most?) Americans to chill the fuck out and come out from under the couch. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135/28 "2016-07-29T08:40:42Z")
> [@XT](#): > > I was reading [this](http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/28/opinions/democratic-convention-reaction-cupp/index.html) article on CNN, and in the opinion of the author, Obama is showing he’s out of touch with the American people and missed and opportunity in his speech because he didn’t go Trump and address the perception of negativity that, apparently a lot of ‘real folks’ feel about the US today. \ > I just don’t see it…but maybe some of you think this would have been a better course, and Obama is putting Clinton’s chance at a presidency at risk by being upbeat? Talking Points memo has collected a bunch of conservatives tweeting about how the DNC is the giving the sort of speeches that the GOP out to have used. > **[The Reviews Are In: Conservatives Say The DNC Was ‘Disaster’ For The GOP](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/conservatives-agree-dnc-was-disaster-for-gop)** > > Something strange happened on the last night of the Democratic National Convention. After the GOP nominee lambasted the Democrats on Twitter for displaying what he viewed as too few American flags… Here, for example, is John Podhoretz, former Ronald Reagan speech writer: > > [@A Former Reagan Speechwriter](#): > > Take about five paragraphs out of that Obama speech and it could have been a Reagan speech. Trust me. I know. I think you need to entertain the possibility that it’s not the DNC who are out of touch here. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135/29 "2016-07-29T10:31:08Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > “See, the problem isn’t us, it’s you, because you keep on voting to stop us just when we get going.” That is some serious spin you’ve got going there. By that argument, everything wrong with the Obama administration is the fault of the voters too. Meahwhile, [let’s have a look at those Congressional approval ratings](http://www.gallup.com/poll/1600/congress-public.aspx). Not sure the problem is Obama there. > [@](#): > > Or perhaps the actual problem is the government still. Or perhaps not. Or perhaps it’s part of the government. Or perhaps it’s Martians. Who knows? Is it all Neil Cavuto’s fault? We can post unsubstantiated speculation all day! ---
**Author:** ![DonLogan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@DonLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DonLogan)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135/30 "2016-07-29T10:38:33Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > … but it **is**. Why should he spend time addressing stuff that doesn’t really exist ? When you “feel” something is wrong that isn’t wrong, the correct course of action is not to feed your delusion. \*Someone \*needs to tell many (most?) Americans to chill the fuck out and come out from under the couch. Exactly right. There’s no way anywhere near a majority of people feel like we’re on the rollercoaster of doom. To deal with the smallish number who do, you toss out a rhetorical bone, the real purpose of which is showing your own supporters you’re trying to be empathetic. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135/31 "2016-07-29T12:36:20Z")
> [@RickG](#): > > Assuming you are referring to the author of the linked article, note that SE Cupp is a woman. And a hot one at that. Miss her on The Cycle. Republicans foolishly ceded patriotism and optimism to the Democrats. While Republicans were singing the old Hee Haw song “Gloom, Despair, and Agony On Me” Democrats got to celebrate the good things about America. Hillary’s line “America is great because America is good” is a sharp contrast to Trump’s “Oh my fucking God we’re fucking doomed but I alone can save us”. The Democratic convention was about loving America, the Republican convention was about loving Trump. ---
**Author:** ![RickG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rickg/32/5174_2.png) [@RickG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickG)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135/32 "2016-07-29T15:24:48Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Well, there goes my whole argument right there! Nah, just your pronouns. ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135/33 "2016-07-29T16:13:26Z")
Yeah, the Republicans really do inspire the response that “you’re entitled to your own opinion, but you’re not entitled to your own facts.” John Oliver had a great [riff last episode regarding the RNC’s “feelings” talking point obsession.](https://youtu.be/zNdkrtfZP8I?t=3m13s) ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135/34 "2016-07-29T18:01:42Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > For instance, the failure of the U.S. Senate to do its job and hold nomination hearings and votes for the Supreme Court vacancy. The Senate is under no obligation to hold hearings. You can continue to repeat your claim, but it is simply not true. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135/35 "2016-07-29T18:08:53Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > The Senate is under no obligation to hold hearings. You can continue to repeat your claim, but it is simply not true. Right. Because it was the Framers’ intent that hundreds of judicial posts from the lowest level to the highest should go unfilled for years. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135/36 "2016-07-29T18:16:01Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > Right. Because it was the Framers’ intent that hundreds of judicial posts from the lowest level to the highest should go unfilled for years. Article I, Section V, Clause ii says otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135/37 "2016-07-29T18:25:19Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Article I, Section V, Clause ii says otherwise. No, actually, it doesn’t. But go ahead, you’re on a roll. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135/38 "2016-07-29T18:36:43Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > No, actually, it doesn’t. But go ahead, you’re on a roll. It clearly states that the Senate sets their own rules. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135/39 "2016-07-29T18:41:00Z")
I admire the Democrats’ sincerity: - Tolerate Muslims - Tolerate gays - Background checks to purchase guns - Workers’ rights - Tax the rich - Help in the fight against ISIS - Health care - Help for university students - Promote clean energy, etc. - Help the environment - Et cetera All ideas that intelligent informed Americans can get behind. _ **But the votes of intelligent informed Americans were never in doubt.** _ The election will be decided by hateful Americans, and there was nothing in the speeches to appeal to them. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135/40 "2016-07-29T18:57:56Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > It clearly states that the Senate sets their own rules. Yes, but there was an understanding of norms. There is a clear understanding that the Senate will provide advice and consent (with consent obviously being able to be withheld). It would be simple enough for the Senate to vote ‘no’, and that would remove 80%+ of the complaints. Why don’t they do that? They don’t even need to hold hearings. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135.md?page=3)