So the Times is reporting an agreement between Obama and GOP on extending the Bush tax cuts - all of them - and aid to lower income Americans including further tax breaks. I think it is a fine compromise and a sign that maybe our government will not completely shut down during the next two years.
However, Obama has been too silent for too long. I completely agree with Frank Rich that Obama needs to articulate his positions, and do it frequently, even if the public is likely to disagree with him. Instead, we have no idea where he stands - or only a vague idea. I envision for him a moment similar to the end of The American President, when President Shepard finally takes a principled stand.
But in reality, Obama should be in front of cameras all the time - so much that we get sick of him. For someone in an office with significant control over the agenda, he seems to cede it to the Republicans. I see myself returning to this theme frequently over the next two years.
But coming back to this issue, Obama and Democrats need some message discipline and they need to repeat over and over again that Republicans went into this negotiation looking to protect the richest Americans and Democrats went in looking to protect middle and lower class Americans and Americans that are out of work. They need to hammer that home the way Republicans managed to hammer every one of their messages home over the last year.
If I weren't so tired, I would be screaming this message. Instead, you'll have to trust me when I say how frustrated I am that this isn't happening.
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You might already know this and perhaps it doesn't offer what you're looking for - I can't say I watch them - but Obama does a weekly 5 minute broadcast on Youtube. Not much, but it's better than nothing. http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/weekly-address
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