Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 40 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing Summarizing
Exclusive to OpEd News:
OpEdNews Op Eds   

Questioning Obama's Strategy Against Evil: Letting His Foes Be the Focus of Ugliness

By       (Page 1 of 1 pages)   10 comments

Andrew Schmookler
Follow Me on Twitter     Message Andrew Schmookler
Become a Fan
  (31 fans)
In this series, I've been looking at the approach Obama has taken in the battle of Good against Evil in America.  Particularly, I've been wondering about his apparent determination to avoid outright confrontation with the Bushite forces, even when such confrontation would seem to be required by the simple enforcement of the laws Obama has taken an oath to enforce.

I've argued that in so doing, he's diminished himself by forfeiting what I called the power of purity.

I've argued that in doing so, he may be reflecting his judgment that the correlation of forces in the American body politic is such that he would not so readily prevail in a contest of power and persuasion --before the American electorate-- as to be able to escape undamaged and still capable of creating all the other sorts of change that he wants for America.

Here's another way of looking at Obama's possible strategic thinking.

********************

Obama sees the victory represented by the 2008 election as very fragile.  He imagines that evil could take over the country again.

So he’s focusing on shoring up and protecting his power.  His main way of doing this is to build trust with most of the American people.  And this, in terms, he is seeking to accomplish by arranging to be seen over an extended period of time as the guy who steps forward and speaks convincingly about our problems and about the solutions he proposes to solve the problems.  

81 percent LIKE him, and liking matters a lot here.  About two-third approve of him.  And most of those opposed are part of the pack of crazies.

He's seen by most of the American people as working positively.

Obama’s strategy against the Republicans:  HE’S LETTING THEM BECOME IDENTIFIED WITH THE UGLINESS.

They keep on coming from an ugly place.  Obama keeps acting the responsible gentleman with the open hand.  

What this contrast means is this:  The American people are being given a protracted experience of looking at Obama and liking what they see, and looking at the Republicans and seeing the ugliness there.  

The repetition over time makes the lesson lasting.  The Republicans are grinding the mask of ugliness ever deeper into the flesh of their image in the American consciousness.  And Obama’s appeal is magnified by the contrast.

**************

[And we ought not forget about the factor of race, and what that would imply if Obama were to take on the posture of someone who is fighting against another part of our body politic.  Obama is seen as African-American, and the other part of the body politic that he would be confronting in battle is one which happens to be the heir to the slave power.  

The dark power that Obama is refraining from confronting is the Bushite/Texas/imperialist/exploitative coalition that gave us the criminality of the Bush regime, and it is --at its core-- a white Southern cadre.]
Must Read 1   Interesting 1   Valuable 1  
Rate It | View Ratings

Andrew Schmookler Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Andy Schmookler, an award-winning author, political commentator, radio talk-show host, and teacher, was the Democratic nominee for Congress from Virginia's 6th District. His new book -- written to have an impact on the central political battle of our time -- is (more...)
 
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Follow Me on Twitter     Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter

Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

Why Do Conservatives Like Colbert? Article Plus Critique

Mel Gibson's Rant as Profound Clue

To Anti-Obamite Lefties: It Doesn't Matter If You're Right

How Important is the Loss of Friendship?

# 8 Beliefs that Make Liberal America Weak: Barriers to the Source of Moral and Spiritual Passions

Power and Corruption: Just What Is Their Relationship?

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend