Thread: President Obama has a hard time selling his accomplishments and fuel policies

While I am a big believer and supporter of President Obama....lately I have been identifying a very serious issue with him which could potentially have serious consequences. He has alot of trouble communicating with potential swing voters regarding his accomplishments. Sure, he currently leads in the majority of the swing state polls...and sure, Fox News and the majority of his conservative critics bash him on a daily basis regarding his "failed policies"...but in reality....Obama has accomplished quite a bit in his short 3 1/2 years as president. He needs to work on selling these accomplishments to the American people. While I do believe he will pick up the pace once the Republican candidate is selected...I am beginning to believe this election will come down energy policy. Obama is in a dangerous position if he continues to take the stance "The president has nothing to do with gas prices, free market determines them." While this is almost 100% true, the majority of voters are unwilling to accept this. He must make it look like he is willing to do anything to reduce fuel prices. I believe the best way to deflect the blame onto the GOP would be to approve the portion of the keystone pipline that runs through Nebraska. Nebraska legislation has voiced major concerns about environmental hazards about the pipeline. If Obama would approve the southern and midwest development of the pipline resulting in resistence from a Republican Governor and one of the most reliable RED states in the country, Obama could easily deflect all the heat onto the GOP.

He must also steer this debate back onto the economy. The GOP knows the economy is improving and they know it will be extremely difficult to challenge Obama regarding economic growth. The GOP needs a distraction such as gas prices to create fear and anger resulting is stalled economic growth. Obama MUST get creative to prevent a slip in consumer confidence resulting in less travel during the summer and less economic growth, possibly a decline.

I myself believe fuel prices are the last issue Obama must tackle before he is guaranteed re-election. While gas prices can be extremely dangerous and leave a door wide open to allow Romney to get back into this thing, I do believe the president of the united states is in a good position to sell his stance as doing everything possible to reduce gas prices while exposing Romney for his multiple stances on multiple issues as governor, along with is liberal track record. Regardless of whoever wins, this election sould be a very interesting one to watch. Money will be readily available on both sides of the debate which should lead to an exciting election.

Thoughts?

Originally Posted by SypherAL

While I am a big believer and supporter of President Obama....lately I have been identifying a very serious issue with him which could potentially have serious consequences. He has alot of trouble communicating with potential swing voters regarding his accomplishments. Sure, he currently leads in the majority of the swing state polls...and sure, Fox News and the majority of his conservative critics bash him on a daily basis regarding his "failed policies"...but in reality....Obama has accomplished quite a bit in his short 3 1/2 years as president. He needs to work on selling these accomplishments to the American people. While I do believe he will pick up the pace once the Republican candidate is selected...I am beginning to believe this election will come down energy policy. Obama is in a dangerous position if he continues to take the stance "The president has nothing to do with gas prices, free market determines them." While this is almost 100% true, the majority of voters are unwilling to accept this. He must make it look like he is willing to do anything to reduce fuel prices. I believe the best way to deflect the blame onto the GOP would be to approve the portion of the keystone pipline that runs through Nebraska. Nebraska legislation has voiced major concerns about environmental hazards about the pipeline. If Obama would approve the southern and midwest development of the pipline resulting in resistence from a Republican Governor and sate he could easily deflect all the heat onto the GOP.

Thoughts?

At this time I think Obama is just letting the GOP do damage to themselves between Romney and the Santorum/Gingrinch team going after each other.

Once the dust settles, the SuperPACS for Obama and Obama will decimate what's left of the GOP by focusing on every bad thing said about the GOP candidate that is picked.

It sucks, but that is how Obama is going to win IMO. As for the gas prices, I predict some flow will come from the U.S. Strategic Reserves to lower the gas prices to an "acceptable" level for the election.

Not to mention if the Supreme Court rules in favor of the Health Care plan, I'm sure Obama will use that to death as well. Plus it will show that he is "helping" lower gas prices with the Strategic Reserve even though that really isn't something we should be doing to manipulate gas prices.

I think gas prices will peak around July again and then the price will then start going down just in time for the election and with Romney looking like the eventual candidate for the GOP the GOP will lose the election IMO.

Just a prediction on my part.

He has never been so good at communicating his accomplishments, I agree...I think it's largely due to the fact that he wants to accomplish so much more and the obstructionists in the congress are just in the way so he just doesn't think it's enough...I also think that they really aren't in full national campaign mode yet and are saving the good stuff for after the GOP convention...I'm hoping he really comes out strong on his achievements because like you said, he really has accomplished a lot...

Originally Posted by JasonI

He has never been so good at communicating his accomplishments, I agree...

Maybe because he has no positive accomplishments to show for all the taxpayer money he has spent and the crippling new regulations he has imposed.

Originally Posted by Diogenes

Maybe because he has no positive accomplishments to show for all the taxpayer money he has spent and the crippling new regulations he has imposed.

That is a very arrogant statement, it takes the president, congress, and the senate to run up the debt, not just Obama. The Republican party is just as responsible as Obama for our increasing debt. They are protecting the rich during a time when increased taxes on the wealthiest Americans is a must, any legitimate economist will tell you this. Entitlement reform is inevitable and Obama knows this which is why he tried working out a grand deal with Bahner a few months back....which fell through for one simple reason, the republicans unwillingness to tell the rich people they represent to start paying some taxes, every party is responsible for this debt crisis, the president cant run America on his own.

Originally Posted by SypherAL

While I am a big believer and supporter of President Obama....lately I have been identifying a very serious issue with him which could potentially have serious consequences. He has alot of trouble communicating with potential swing voters regarding his accomplishments. Sure, he currently leads in the majority of the swing state polls...and sure, Fox News and the majority of his conservative critics bash him on a daily basis regarding his "failed policies"...but in reality....Obama has accomplished quite a bit in his short 3 1/2 years as president. He needs to work on selling these accomplishments to the American people. While I do believe he will pick up the pace once the Republican candidate is selected...I am beginning to believe this election will come down energy policy. Obama is in a dangerous position if he continues to take the stance "The president has nothing to do with gas prices, free market determines them." While this is almost 100% true, the majority of voters are unwilling to accept this. He must make it look like he is willing to do anything to reduce fuel prices. I believe the best way to deflect the blame onto the GOP would be to approve the portion of the keystone pipline that runs through Nebraska. Nebraska legislation has voiced major concerns about environmental hazards about the pipeline. If Obama would approve the southern and midwest development of the pipline resulting in resistence from a Republican Governor and one of the most reliable RED states in the country, Obama could easily deflect all the heat onto the GOP.

He must also steer this debate back onto the economy. The GOP knows the economy is improving and they know it will be extremely difficult to challenge Obama regarding economic growth. The GOP needs a distraction such as gas prices to create fear and anger resulting is stalled economic growth. Obama MUST get creative to prevent a slip in consumer confidence resulting in less travel during the summer and less economic growth, possibly a decline.

I myself believe fuel prices are the last issue Obama must tackle before he is guaranteed re-election. While gas prices can be extremely dangerous and leave a door wide open to allow Romney to get back into this thing, I do believe the president of the united states is in a good position to sell his stance as doing everything possible to reduce gas prices while exposing Romney for his multiple stances on multiple issues as governor, along with is liberal track record. Regardless of whoever wins, this election sould be a very interesting one to watch. Money will be readily available on both sides of the debate which should lead to an exciting election.

Thoughts?

I am not a supporter of Obama at all, but the way I see it, gas can hit 20 bucks a gallon and he will still be elected. Why? Because all the Republicans have to offer this year is a clown show. Think of this year as Dukakis in reverse.

Originally Posted by Diogenes

Maybe because he has no positive accomplishments to show for all the taxpayer money he has spent and the crippling new regulations he has imposed.

Thank you for the Fox News talking point.

Do you have an original thought based on facts?

Originally Posted by Diogenes

Maybe because he has no positive accomplishments to show for all the taxpayer money he has spent and the crippling new regulations he has imposed.

Is that GOP talking point #4 or #5?

Do you know imposed more regulations in his first 3yrs of office, Bush or Obama?

Originally Posted by Diogenes

Maybe because he has no positive accomplishments to show for all the taxpayer money he has spent and the crippling new regulations he has imposed.

Looks like some folks see it differently. TODAY'S headlines....

More Americans this month said the economy was improving than at any time in eight years as the job market picked up.

The share of households viewing the economy as heading in the right direction rose to 34 percent in March, the most since January 2004, pushing the Bloomberg monthly expectations gauge to a one-year high of 1. The weekly Bloomberg Comfort Index (COMFCOMF) was minus 34.9 in the period ended March 18, down from a four-year high of minus 33.7 over the previous seven days.

Most Americans Since 2004 See Economy Improving as Jobs Pick Up - Bloomberg

Applications (INJCJC) for unemployment benefits dropped last week to the lowest level in four years, reinforcing signs the U.S. labor market is picking up.

Jobless Claims in U.S. Fall to Lowest Level in Four Years - Bloomberg

The index of U.S. leading indicators rose in February by the most in 11 months, signaling the world’s largest economy will strengthen.

Index of U.S. Leading Economic Indicators Climbs 0.7% - Bloomberg

Sales of previously owned U.S. houses held in February near an almost two-year high, adding to evidence the market that triggered the recession is firming.

Existing U.S. Home Sales Hold Near Two-Year High: Economy - Bloomberg

Originally Posted by SypherAL

That is a very arrogant statement, it takes the president, congress, and the senate to run up the debt, not just Obama. The Republican party is just as responsible as Obama for our increasing debt. They are protecting the rich during a time when increased taxes on the wealthiest Americans is a must, any legitimate economist will tell you this. Entitlement reform is inevitable and Obama knows this which is why he tried working out a grand deal with Bahner a few months back....which fell through for one simple reason, the republicans unwillingness to tell the rich people they represent to start paying some taxes, every party is responsible for this debt crisis, the president cant run America on his own.

I don't think the Milton Friedman would agree with you.