America's need for Audacious Leadership

Two stories, one from Politico and one from CNN, on what Obama needs to do in order for Democrats to hold on to their majorities in the House and Senate.  The message is pretty clear from both stories: 

1.  Tell us where we are going and how we get there as a nation. 
2.  Use the Bully Pulpit of the Oval Office.  
3.  Lead, Lead, Lead. 

If Obama does these things, Democrats will fair far better than people expect. 

As Don Baer, former Communications Director for the Clinton Administrations, tells Politico: 

"You have to provide the country with a narrative of where we have been and where we need to go and how to get there.  That requires a theory of the case on the role of government — and the role of the president." 

Obama has fallen into the same wonky, inarticulate policy muck that most Democrats get trapped by and spend too much time explaining.  Rather than doing what Republicans do (forcing you to explain the details as the crowd goes to sleep or gets folks banging their head on a table and yanking clumps of hair from wherever they can), Democrats hunker down in the bunker and wait for them to stop swinging.

Contrary to the CNN article, Obama needs to forget channeling Reagan and get and infusion of some "Teddy" Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman.  That ain't "No Drama" Obama's style, but its what people respond to.  So far, Americans are responding and reacting to ultra-Conservative demagoguery that is tearing this nation apart. 

President Obama, time for some Progressive "Pragmatic Righteousness" to confront and counter the Demagoguery and Righteous Bigotry.  Give us the Audacity of Leadership. 

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