If HCR passes, the narrative on Obama shifts DRAMATICALLY

[liberalpragmatist]

Ever since the Massachusetts special election, the media-driven narrative has been about "Dems in disarry," "Obama's wasted year," "Disaster." And although Obama's approval ratings are actually holding up pretty well considering the economic and political context, there can be no doubt that the media narrative really does affect poll ratings at least in the short-to-medium term.

For all the talk of Obama's weakness and of Democratic disarray, there is something important to keep in mind: if this passes, the narrative goes from "disarray" and "failure," to "triumph." Suddenly Obama goes from "hapless" to "tenacious." Health care reform goes from having been a "foolish" endeavor to a "defining moment."

Tomorrow night, Obama is going to look very, very strong. Poll numbers will always sink in the middle of a battle. But if he comes out and WINS, he looks like the top dog.

We're already seeing this. After weeks of headlines like this - and this, and this - we're now getting pieces like this and this and this and this and this.

[Oregone]

1. Pass the piece of bastard horse fuck! We need a win!

"triumph" is, in the context of this bill, extreme hyperbolic.

It could be called a pyrrhic victory

[Gman2]

4. What other kind is ther, or has there ever been?

[liberalpragmatist]

8. Well, I do think the bill should pass on its merits

... though I understand you disagree. And look, I'm not saying the political optics of "victory" are what should count - what should count is the substance. I'm merely pointing out that just looking at the politics of this, the "Dems in disarray" storyline is going to be squelched by this if it passes tomorrow.

[Sebastian Doyle]

18. Problem is that it has so goddamn few merits.

And what few there are should have been done on smaller bills, without the 50 ton boat anchor of a corporate mandate attached to them.

[avaistheone1]

25. +100

[CTyankee]

27. merits aside, the political "optics" count in the sense that without the

victory of this bill, there is renewal of people's faith in this administration. I believe that it is important for Obama to succeed because I think his agenda in so many areas where I DO agree with him need continued public support. That won't happen if this bill fails...

[denimgirly]

11. Agreed

[johnaries]

13. What "we", Mr. Canadian? You ran.

This is a good bill for those of us who still live in America. You never argue the merits of the bill itself, all you ever do is just throw epithets. Even though this bill does not affect you in any way, you still post incessantly denigrating the bill and anyone who supports it. Why?

[Oregone]

14. I spent last summer arguing about the content of the bill

It sucked then and it sucks now. It hasn't shifted to the left (but rather to the right, ie. Senate Bill). The only thing progressing here is the circle jerk in the echo chamber

I don't have to live in the idiocracy to know that.

Ran? I was smart enough to leave.

[Stand and Fight]

20. I live in here -- in America -- and I have employer-based health insurance.

And the truth of the matter is that this bill is a stinking pile of horse poop. I'll now be forced to buy from a private company or suffer the consequences. My wife has a pre-existing condition, so if I lose my job, there are no provisions to curb or cap costs, so they'll be able to charge me outrageous amounts for crappy service. Hell, even my employer connected insurance sucks. We had our second kid -- a daughter -- back in November and BCBS of Virginia, a.k.a, CareFirst (!) is refusing to pay for the epidural my wife received because it was not medically necessary! Ha! So, now we have a $5,000 bill for one shot.

[liberalpragmatist]

28. Your wife's pre-existing condition would have no bearing on the cost

Because of the ban denying coverage or charging more for having pre-existing conditions.

[treestar]

30. You can keep the employer's health insurance

What of the benefit to others who are not you?

[HughMoran]

15. Doink

[Rosa Luxemburg]

2. The Teabags will finally run out of tea.

Dems HAVE to pass health reform.

[DFW]

22. They'll never run out of tea

But it will get very cold and bitter, and few will be left to drink it, once their raison d'être dries up.

[Ikonoklast]

3. Tacticians often are seen backing a losing strategy by those that

cannot envision the entire field.


The opening salvo seldom wins the battle; many times it only gives away your position.

[Stand and Fight]

21. -delete-

[tishaLA]

5. That's really why this win is important

It makes not only the President look like a winner, it makes the whole party look like winners, whether people agree or disagree with the legislation. People like to side with winners. This will be good for us in November.

[FrenchieCat]

6. good reading, those 5 last ones.

Thanks! :hi:

[Schema Thing]

7. And the narrative on Obama determines whether 2010 is a mild dust-up

for the Dems, or a debacle.

[Jennicut]

9. Obama showed some strength and perseverance when it looked like HCR was dead after the Mass election...

People here were declaring it dead and buried. Not so fast. Obama decided to go for it again, despite advice not to from some in the WH. I most also say he has a great ally in Nancy Pelosi. She did a ton of hard work too.

[ericinne]

10. I think that's great, but...

I think the polling on Obama will shift better too, but I honestly think, if they get this voted on and turned into law, the main focus should then be put on house and senate members for elections this year. Keeping the Democrat agenda strong long before we are deciding executive branch leaders should be priority 1 over glorifying the President any day. He's just but one man who sits behind the desk and sign's it into law. I'd rather showcase the talent of people like Wiener, and Grayson and Franken who showed true leadership and outward vocal expression that inspired not only their fellow house and senate members, but other people as well.

Or, they could just fuck it all up.. in which case... let em all fall down... Who wants to cheer for a team that isn't working together? I'd only idolize the Republican party for one reason, their ability to run lock step... even if it means lying and spreading proaganda they whole way though..

[damonm]

19. While you are technically correct,

you gotta consider that, as the leader of the Democratic Party, any glory the President gets will be reflected onto fellow Democrats in the Congressional delegation, ESPECIALLY when he campaigns for them.

[high density]

12. What does the GOP and the media switch to next?

For a year they've been able to talk about Obama killing grandma and socialism with no sort of check on the narrative they've been blasting. It's been corrosive as we all know. Just today I was behind a guy in a checkout line talking loudly on his cellphone about how the Democrats want single payer and we're all going to be dying while we soak in our own excrement. That's basically what we've got already from my perspective.

[Marsala]

16. "Repeal!"

"Save America from the crazy socialists!" They're already rejoicing that they can use their plan to run against the plan. It will be very fun to watch them panic once their lies stop sticking and the health care plan becomes more popular as people finally learn the truth about it.

[tanyev]

24. Furious growling and snarling, with foam coming out of their mouths.

[depakid]

17. The narrative won't change for long if the pattern is repeated with Wall Street regulation

They've got another chance to salvage their majorities if they play their cards right.

[Kltpzyxm]

23. Yay!

Poor people have to pay for crummy non-insurance or face fines and/or jail but the "narrative" is going to change.

Victory!!

:eyes:

[salguine]

26. And once the reality of what has passed sets in, the narrative shifts right back. DRAMATICALLY.

[Teaser]

29. Because all caps makes it true!

.