Steven Benen points out here that Obama took what is, for Obama, direct aim at the Republican strategy of obstruction during his weekly address to the nation. That would be the weekly address that none but hard core political junkies ever watch.
These types of “attacks” to the extent they can be dignified with the name, will never work, because Obama prefers to talk in abstractions, without assigning any blame or obloquy to any real life person.
Obama should take a page from FDR’s book. FDR went after his enemies by name, classically in his attacks on Martin, Barton and Fish. Obama has been a target since he was inaugurated, a target made all the more useful to Republicans because the (usually) unspoken subtext of race is involved. It’s time to turn the table. You have to put a face on the enemy.
Obama has to take aim at the Republicans for obstructing progress, and he has to name names. Make Mitch McConnell and a few of the other obstructionists prime targets. I’m sure his speechwriters can come up with an alliterative phrase or two. Of course they’ll scream that he’s not being nice, or bi-partisan, but if there was ever a time for either of those qualities, that time has long since passed. You can’t rail against the system; that doesn’t work. You have to blame somebody. It’s best, by the way, if you pick someone, like McConnell, who is used to working pretty much in the shadows and won’t be comfortable if you turn the light brightly on him. Nationwide it would be great if the Democrats would run spots exposing the people the Republicans will be putting in charge of Congressional committees, should they take control. Barton is exhibit one, but he’s by no means the only crazy waiting in the wings. Democrats have the advantage, if they would only use it, of being able to “attack” by merely quoting their opponents. Republicans will call even that negative politics, but who cares?
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