Can Obama spring back? Yes, he can!
17 Oct 2012 3:30 AM IST
It has been now universally acknowledged that President Barack Obama’s performance on the first of the three televised presidential debates, held on 3 October, was pretty much a disaster. Over 70 million people watched the debate live but it was a lacklustre show as far as Obama was concerned. Unfortunately, the President of the United States of America, during the duration of the one-and-a-half-hour long sparring session with his opponent Governor Mitt Romney of the Republican Party, seemed to inhabit a parallel universe, softly speaking, often not looking at the camera, appearing withdrawn and uninterested, and producing mere data at the expense of raw emotion. This could be a result for missing one’s wife on the 20th wedding anniversary.
Alas, that is not the case.
Obama has been duly chastised by supporters and detractors alike for coming across as an aloof and standoffish man, who has perhaps lost his connection with the majority of American people. His eyes didn’t sparkle with a messianic message. He did not look like the harbinger of hope. Some commentators opined that the President had become ‘a victim of first debate blues.’ And Mitt Romney, who had hitherto been destroying his Republican chances by throwing one gaffe after another – who even managed to alienate the massive 47 per cent of Americans by labeling them as Obama loyalists ‘who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims… My job is not to worry about those people…’ – in fact, came across as a tad cleverer and more telegenic than the speculative and brooding Harvard-educated President. Was this a black swan event? In other words, was this a rare occurrence which could turn the tide of history, change the course of events and spoil Obama’s chances of a re-election despite the Democrats scoring over the Republicans on almost every issue, including economic recovery, jobs, healthcare, housing,education and foreign policy?
Or can Obama spring back? Can he reclaim his rightful position as the People’s President? Can he rekindle hope amongst the American multitude, the alienated and disenfranchised voters from all walks of life, from the low-income African American, Latinos and immigrants, to the middle-income Asian Americans and the affluent but conscientious whites? Well, I think it is an emphatic yes.
Yes, he can!
For Obama has been the media’s darling for over five years now: four years into the presidency and one year before that during the heat of the 2008 campaigns. If he did not know how to look good on camera, he wouldn’t be here in the first place. And he’s a gifted orator.
Flashback to 2008, and it all becomes very clear. ‘A More Perfect Union’–Obama’s speech at the Constitution Centre, Philadelphia, will go down in history as one of the greatest orations ever to come from the mouth of a presidential hopeful. Team Obama didn’t just manage the broadcast media better, they were also adept at handling the social media to advance their cause. In fact, half the battle in 2008 was won via Facebook!
Cut to 2012 and the situation is very different. Obama had a strong anti-incumbency factor – built up for over eight years of Bush era mishandling of the American economy, protracted wars in Iraq and Afghanistan proving a drain on the national resources, and the 2008 Wall Street crash and the economic depression – working in his favour then. Now, despite his efforts, the economy isn’t all that in track and full-scale recovery still seems years away. And although Obama has scored two huge points – one, by successfully eliminating Osama Bin Laden in a secret military operation conducted in Abottabad in Pakistan, and two, by passing the health care bill in the Congress – he still has to convey what he has done for the country and what he would do for the next four years in an accessible and clear manner.
The fact of the matter is that the TV debates are designed to capture and mercilessly scrutinise the slightest twitch in the eyes, the most offhand facial gesture, the most casual of remarks, the strategic, much-rehearsed but dressed-to-appear-spontaneous one-liners [Romney had been armed with a volley of those in the first debate], the punctuating laughter and the aggressive guffaws, the debilitating smirks disguised as intentional coughs, as well as reacting to applauds with the magnanimous hand wavings. Not only that, even the attire, starting from the brand of the suit that the debaters take off before mounting the podium, to the colour of the tie and the shine on the shoes – every little detail is not just noted, but magnified for a careful review for days and weeks to come by the army of journalists, commentators, bloggers and social media hawks. Crucial bits are replayed over and over again and any embarrassing or heroic section ‘goes viral’ with minutes, thanks to YouTube.
While Obama’s old friends confided in The New Yorker’s David Remnick that the President ‘showed no forensic bloodlust’ because he ‘would never go for the opponent’s jugular’, and that they fear that the President has the proclivity to lose out on the register of ‘sheer performance if not substance,’ the time has now come to up the ante. Obama cannot let Mitt Romney get away with a pack of half-truths and ill-conceived arguments just because the latter talks louder and looks straight into the camera or into the eyes of the opponent.
How can Obama salvage the situation? First of all, a TV debate is not the place to appear reserved and statesman-like, but like a general in a battlefield. But Obama cannot hark back to some of the 2008 antics that propped him up although he was the underdog upstart, simply because he’s now the President and not a political newbie. If Romney has scored brownie points with his over-enthusiasm, Obama can easily counter that with calculated and potent mix of wit, effective rebuttals and with his intellectual charm offensive.
Secondly, we want more of the punch lines and ‘zingers’ from Obama. There must be merciless whiplashes and harsh retorts. Critical remarks, not bordering on snide, must be unleashed. Romney’s lies must be instantly caught and patently exposed. People should be reminded of the Republican candidate’s faux pas and flip-flops as often as possible, of course in a jocular manner. Obama must show that he’s relishing the act of tearing his opponent apart because guess what, everyone, just about everyone, loves a bloodthirsty gladiatorial fight to the finish. It’s reality TV at its best.
Thirdly, Obama must woo his people again, dedicated and persistent in his efforts to sincerely court the American public. He must insert love, hope and ‘more perfect union’ at strategic places. This time he should come across as if he cares for America far more deeply than he did when he was a political neophyte, a green partyman, just a Senator from Illinois.
Finally, Obama should begin and end with declaring his love for Michelle. Americans have come to identify with the First Lady in a way which is much more intimate than their association with the President himself. Michelle cuts across the divisive party, class and race lines; she appeals to everybody. Invoking Michelle puts Obama’s caring for the American family firmly into perspective. It also makes him go back to his role of the healer, the angel who soothes and helps the wounds close.
There are two more TV debates scheduled for Obama to take Romney head on, one on 16 October and the other on 22 October. Before the big day when America goes to vote, on 6 November 2012, Americans must be reminded all over again that it is with Barack Obama, a visionary politician who has always worked with the people, and not with the millionaire chief of a profiteering shark of private equity investment firm, lies their best interests and a way forward. [IPA]
Alas, that is not the case.
Obama has been duly chastised by supporters and detractors alike for coming across as an aloof and standoffish man, who has perhaps lost his connection with the majority of American people. His eyes didn’t sparkle with a messianic message. He did not look like the harbinger of hope. Some commentators opined that the President had become ‘a victim of first debate blues.’ And Mitt Romney, who had hitherto been destroying his Republican chances by throwing one gaffe after another – who even managed to alienate the massive 47 per cent of Americans by labeling them as Obama loyalists ‘who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims… My job is not to worry about those people…’ – in fact, came across as a tad cleverer and more telegenic than the speculative and brooding Harvard-educated President. Was this a black swan event? In other words, was this a rare occurrence which could turn the tide of history, change the course of events and spoil Obama’s chances of a re-election despite the Democrats scoring over the Republicans on almost every issue, including economic recovery, jobs, healthcare, housing,education and foreign policy?
Or can Obama spring back? Can he reclaim his rightful position as the People’s President? Can he rekindle hope amongst the American multitude, the alienated and disenfranchised voters from all walks of life, from the low-income African American, Latinos and immigrants, to the middle-income Asian Americans and the affluent but conscientious whites? Well, I think it is an emphatic yes.
Yes, he can!
For Obama has been the media’s darling for over five years now: four years into the presidency and one year before that during the heat of the 2008 campaigns. If he did not know how to look good on camera, he wouldn’t be here in the first place. And he’s a gifted orator.
Flashback to 2008, and it all becomes very clear. ‘A More Perfect Union’–Obama’s speech at the Constitution Centre, Philadelphia, will go down in history as one of the greatest orations ever to come from the mouth of a presidential hopeful. Team Obama didn’t just manage the broadcast media better, they were also adept at handling the social media to advance their cause. In fact, half the battle in 2008 was won via Facebook!
Cut to 2012 and the situation is very different. Obama had a strong anti-incumbency factor – built up for over eight years of Bush era mishandling of the American economy, protracted wars in Iraq and Afghanistan proving a drain on the national resources, and the 2008 Wall Street crash and the economic depression – working in his favour then. Now, despite his efforts, the economy isn’t all that in track and full-scale recovery still seems years away. And although Obama has scored two huge points – one, by successfully eliminating Osama Bin Laden in a secret military operation conducted in Abottabad in Pakistan, and two, by passing the health care bill in the Congress – he still has to convey what he has done for the country and what he would do for the next four years in an accessible and clear manner.
The fact of the matter is that the TV debates are designed to capture and mercilessly scrutinise the slightest twitch in the eyes, the most offhand facial gesture, the most casual of remarks, the strategic, much-rehearsed but dressed-to-appear-spontaneous one-liners [Romney had been armed with a volley of those in the first debate], the punctuating laughter and the aggressive guffaws, the debilitating smirks disguised as intentional coughs, as well as reacting to applauds with the magnanimous hand wavings. Not only that, even the attire, starting from the brand of the suit that the debaters take off before mounting the podium, to the colour of the tie and the shine on the shoes – every little detail is not just noted, but magnified for a careful review for days and weeks to come by the army of journalists, commentators, bloggers and social media hawks. Crucial bits are replayed over and over again and any embarrassing or heroic section ‘goes viral’ with minutes, thanks to YouTube.
While Obama’s old friends confided in The New Yorker’s David Remnick that the President ‘showed no forensic bloodlust’ because he ‘would never go for the opponent’s jugular’, and that they fear that the President has the proclivity to lose out on the register of ‘sheer performance if not substance,’ the time has now come to up the ante. Obama cannot let Mitt Romney get away with a pack of half-truths and ill-conceived arguments just because the latter talks louder and looks straight into the camera or into the eyes of the opponent.
How can Obama salvage the situation? First of all, a TV debate is not the place to appear reserved and statesman-like, but like a general in a battlefield. But Obama cannot hark back to some of the 2008 antics that propped him up although he was the underdog upstart, simply because he’s now the President and not a political newbie. If Romney has scored brownie points with his over-enthusiasm, Obama can easily counter that with calculated and potent mix of wit, effective rebuttals and with his intellectual charm offensive.
Secondly, we want more of the punch lines and ‘zingers’ from Obama. There must be merciless whiplashes and harsh retorts. Critical remarks, not bordering on snide, must be unleashed. Romney’s lies must be instantly caught and patently exposed. People should be reminded of the Republican candidate’s faux pas and flip-flops as often as possible, of course in a jocular manner. Obama must show that he’s relishing the act of tearing his opponent apart because guess what, everyone, just about everyone, loves a bloodthirsty gladiatorial fight to the finish. It’s reality TV at its best.
Thirdly, Obama must woo his people again, dedicated and persistent in his efforts to sincerely court the American public. He must insert love, hope and ‘more perfect union’ at strategic places. This time he should come across as if he cares for America far more deeply than he did when he was a political neophyte, a green partyman, just a Senator from Illinois.
Finally, Obama should begin and end with declaring his love for Michelle. Americans have come to identify with the First Lady in a way which is much more intimate than their association with the President himself. Michelle cuts across the divisive party, class and race lines; she appeals to everybody. Invoking Michelle puts Obama’s caring for the American family firmly into perspective. It also makes him go back to his role of the healer, the angel who soothes and helps the wounds close.
There are two more TV debates scheduled for Obama to take Romney head on, one on 16 October and the other on 22 October. Before the big day when America goes to vote, on 6 November 2012, Americans must be reminded all over again that it is with Barack Obama, a visionary politician who has always worked with the people, and not with the millionaire chief of a profiteering shark of private equity investment firm, lies their best interests and a way forward. [IPA]
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