Language and the Democratic Frontrunners
By bluegal Sunday Jan 06, 2008 9:05pmFascinating post by Jesse Wendel at Group News Blog regarding the kind of language the Democratic frontrunners are using to describe themselves and their campaigns:
Workers are all about competence. Why? ...Because workers sell their ability to make and keep promises. [The Worker Candidate] talks of her competence and experience, promises she will do what she's always done, and has the policy plans and papers to prove it...Clinton uses the language of a worker, the language of deep experience and competence...She tells us you can trust her judgment, knowledge and understanding, her years and years of being on the job, wisdom and training. She is no doubt genuinely baffled that anyone would choose someone who doesn't have the competency and vetting she has.
Managers aren't about declarations. Managers are about requests...[The manager candidate] requests you elect him to fix problems, lobbies for a change so he can fix the system. Edwards is an old-style Union man so even when his words are canonically declarative, if you listen carefully, what he's really doing is making a request for you to elect him because he can't deliver on his vision unless he's President.
Executives make the fundamental declarations of the enterprise: ...What business are we in? Who are we competing with? Who is our long term strategic ally? [The leader candidate] speaks in declarations, inspires, leads. ...When Obama speaks, he creates a future of an America in which all of us together will take on the troubles we know in our heart are coming and repair the damages which have occurred. Every time Obama opens his mouth, that future is more and more real. It happens AS he speaks. Obama's speaking makes it so. By declaration.
Obama is breaking out now because he speaks the language of a leader.
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Great Post Bluegal. This is on the money. We are on to something here.
My theory all along, his shtick worked, theirs didn't.
Obama is the Man .
Interesting. Sara at Orcinus had a post on this last week. The "leader versus manager" bit, that is.
"Every time Obama opens his mouth, that future is more and more real. It happens AS he speaks. Obama’s speaking makes it so. By declaration."
God help us.
I haven't heard such irritatingly blatant, psycho-babble B.S. since this guy made million conning simpletons out their life savings.
There is no there, there. We are doomed.
The reason that Edwards can't get a message out as a leader, is because the media doesn't want to project him as a leader. The MSM is after the big advertising bucks from the bigger fundraisers. I'm sending Edwards$200.00 dollars tomorrow. How about some of doing the same. If you can't send as much as I plan to, send what you can afford.
At one time Jim Jones was 'The Man'. He created the future with his words.
A one time 'community organizer' in San Francisco's poorer districts he made
his 'vision' reality.
Until it killed him.
I think you folks got this one wrong. Leaders galvanize their followers alright but they are also straight with them.
They give the opposition it's due and they don't tell people it's gonna be a cakewalk. They don't dis others who've
walked the road before them. That's demagoguery not leadership.
Obama's 'change' is Bush's 'compassion' no difference. Just, 'More of the Same...'
Thanks, no JonesTown for me.
Obama is leading because the true Democrats like Kucinich, and to a lesser extent Edwards, are being marginalized by the media. Kucinich is the candidate that truly represents our positions. Why aren't more people getting behind him?
Kucinich 08
We're fucked alright. Watch this clip of Obama explaining why it's okay for him to take corporate bribes:
http://onegoodmove.org/1gm/1gmarchive/2008/01/corporate_crook.html
That's some priceless bullshit. Real leadership stuff there . . .
Yes.
Hillary's strong suit is children's rights and as far as I am concerned her only accountable experience (former Little Rocker here). Secretary of HEW, but her ego will not allow it, being for the country and all.
As others here have nominated, John will do a fine job restoring the Constitution as Attorney General.
The analysis is incontrovertible, Obama is the leader for '08.
Obama just leaves me cold. I find his "we'll face all this together" act incredibly patronizing and irritating. The man is rich and likely to soon become the most powerful man in the world; we won't be doing anything together other than living in the United States. This position is a job, and I want to know exactly what he plans to do when/if he gets it; and if it's not what I want him to do I won't vote for him, no matter how effing "inspiring" he is. Haven't we had enough catchphrases and symbolic words--remember "compassionate conservatism"? I don't want to hear about "hope" and "change"--I want to know what he's going to do to restore the primacy of the Constitution. I want to know how he plans to make sure every American has health care--and not just "affordable" health care. & etc.
Gee, I thought the fact that he was the middle of the road consiliator - Republican and lobbing lover?
The choice of the rich and powerful everywhere???
Hey I saw he was ahead on the TV - It must be true, no??
Interesting...and worth more study after I finish "Cracking the Code: How to Win Hearts, Change Minds, and Restore America's Original Vision" (no link 'cause you should have to find it yourself!)
...what I really want to know, and cannot yet tell, is what Obama will do when he discovers that those on the right will not compormise.
You will all come to realize that Obama isn't going to be the leader to talk about. He voted for the bankruptcy bill, and the patriot act. When all is said and done, the type of compromise he talks about will be very much the same as what the democates have shown even in their majority status. Obama has not gone back to cast a vote on any controversial legislation that would be used against him. He is a paper tiger! John Edwards is the only fighter the democrats have in their corner. He's been in the trenches as a trial lawyer. Calling him angry is just diversionary, I think most americans aren't jus angry, we're mad as hell! I feel sad for all you Obama lovers, you're being taken in.
"You can't say, 'Please don't be mean to me. Please let me win sometimes.' Give me a break here," Bill Clinton said. "If you don't want to fight for the future and you can't figure out how to beat these people then find something else to do."
He already acts like a freakin' KING for christ sake.
I am sure he is a great guy and very smart - But he would make a better republican candidate.
I am afraid we need a little more fight...
Sorry, I just don't buy it. I'm sticking by my guy -- John Edwards.
14All @ 11:
Absolutely. We've had eight long years of a guy who is long on rhetoric and short on details.
I want a "manager" in there now....We need a "manager" in there now.
And exactly what experience has Hillary Clinton with being a "worker"? This analysis is an inch deep.
Umm . . . so who wrote this, Ayn Rand?
Ramrod @ 10:
Really? This analysis is the only thing we need to declare Obama the undeniable leader of the country? Maybe we should let speech professors call each election from now on.
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...of a leader preparing to do business with other corporate leaders.
CORPRATISM = FASCISM
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My goodness, what a slanted article.
Competence and experience at a task is _bad_? Experience managing is a flaw? Have you seen a single organization that succeeds without competent workers and managers?
The writer says that Hillary's '...no doubt baffled...' - I have a feeling she understands completely how the American people is more interested in Britney's sister's baby's daddy than the critical issues confronting our nation... And Edwards not being able to get anything done unless he's president? Umm, how is that _any_ different that ANY of the other candidates? The writer's asinine 'observation' average is batting 1.000 so far.
Finally as far as 'executive' leaders go... I know of a recent leader that fits the same description the writer attributes to Obama - someone who's gotten us into a war we didn't need (leaving it for the next president btw, haven't heard much on specifics from Obama on what's going to happen next), who's neglected the country's infrastructure, widened the gap between the rich and the rest of us, destroyed the fundamentals of our government, sold the country to the corporations at taxpayer expense and politicized the nation to the point it might not recover... GW Bush 'spoke in declarations', 'inspires' and 'leads'... and where did it get us? We want another president like that?
Sorry, Obama talks a good game, but his voting record is spotty (seems to disappear when the chips are down), his 'bipartisanism' is just another code word for 'more of the same' and the fact that Lieberman is/was one of his mentors shows me that his 'executive leadership style' is way too similar to the current president's...
Hillary WINS! Hillary is the next President of the United States! Clinton is our best hope for freedom and change.
Hillary Clinton knows how to work hard and gets hard work done.
that other guy smokes.
"I condemn the use of violence as a political tool and appeal to both sides to engage in peaceful dialogue aimed at finding a lasting political solution," Bush said in a statement - welcoming Kufuor's visit to Nairobi and urging both sides to enter the talks in good faith to regain the trust of the Kenyan people.
Dickweed Speak
god damn you kucinichites....the man is unelectable....why is it that you cant see that
he is marginalized by the media because he allowed himself to be marginalized
he had the opportunity to appear on los angeles radio for months...and then finally sent his wife, and while i love listening to her....she aint running, he is
you think obama is more of the same??? what fucking world do you guys live in
edwards populist message is not reverberating with the media or the voters, cuz he has come to populism late in the game....people now fear the convert...we have lived 8 years with a faux convert
now had edwards been doing what gore was doing for the past 4 years, maybe his message would be clearer....but he wasnt
and the post may be psychobabble....but it is true, and its what got reagan elected
my ticket....obama/webb.....landslide victory
14All @ 11:
Thanks for summing up my bewilderment with my pro-Obama friends. His spiritual words so lack content, yet people seem to be soothed by them. He's like a preacher without a religion.
Obama sounds more like some used car salemen.Its HAPPY HERB OBAMA,HERE AT HAPPY HERBS USED CAR LOT.
Great post.
That Clinton ad sucked. No wonder she's losing.
based on those 3 adds, Obama wins.
Edwards is preaching to his base and not tapping outside his base.
Hillary's set her away from the everyday people with that superiority video.
Obama's add wins
uncle joe mccarthy @ 27:
Edwards was speaking loud and clear. The media refused to cover him and it's still refusing to cover him.
uncle joe mccarthy @ 27:
OMG. That was lame.
"...its what got reagan elected." ?? You're sticking with that image??
Do you actually read your posts before you post or are you just so filled with "hope" that they'll give us "something to believe in"?
"When Obama speaks, he creates a future of an America in which all of us together will take on the troubles we know in our heart are coming and repair the damages which have occurred."
Does Obama think that the rethugs just can't wait to work with him on all those "troubles" and "repairing the damages which have occurred"? If he really believes that, he's naive and hasn't been paying attention. The rethugs are the folks that caused the mess in this country, and they can't wait to rip Senator Obama, or any Dem candidate, to shreds.
I don't want a candidate that throws around words like "bipartisan" and "unite". I want a fighter like Edwards.
Politics is about rousing the masses. Obama has that ability. It's too bad the others don't, but he has it and is better at it than they are. Look. Bush has the same ability. So do a lot of bad people. But we can't beat them with a Gore or a Kerry who fail to inspire the masses. Obama unlike Bush though will have staying power I believe because he will back up his words with action. Actions that benefit the masses, not just scare them.
Passion works. Fear rouses the masses in the short term and then fades. Hope has staying power.
Orangutan. @ 35:
And I can depend on him to take action based on what? All those NVs on his voting record?
Bush is Ossama @ 17:
Zlad! @ 14:
I think you guys are making a really good point. Too much bipartisanship with this particular GOP is like getting passed-out drunk at a frat party.
Off Subject :
JON STEWART IS ON YAHOOOOOO
Perhaps, if we also get enough Dems in the House and Senate we will override any republican opposition.
#5 you are totally correct. Progressives are doomed. Eight years of Geoge Bush has turned a lot of Progressives into a bunch a nuts! I can't believe what I have been hearing for the last few days on the radio(Air America) MSM, everytwhere. You would think this man is GOD. Our next MLK. I want to hear from you all when the MSM does a complete 180 on OBama and starts attacking him. I can hear it now: There are rumors Obama has fathered two black babies, Obamas family has ties to Muslim terroritst organizations, Obama has smoked dope in the past and is a crack head. They will drum into the general electorate: Do you trust our national security to a man that has only 4 years of expereince as a junior senator from Illinois? You all are not thinking logically right now because the MSM has brainwahed you into giving him a total pass on EVERYTHING! Because progressives have been so marginalized by the MSM until now,the minute they give one of ours a great deal of attention, you all take the bait. Wait till you all wake up from your OBAMA dream and reality hits you square in the face, and you realize this man is a dreamer with full of flowery ideas. What matters is putting his flowery ideas into action. Obama talks a big game. You haven't convinced me that he can deliver! He's taken a lot of money from special interests to run his campaign. When its payback time, don't start crying progressives "cause you all fell for the bait and switch game the MSM is playing on all of you right now!
The question remains as to whether Obama can sustain this momentum.Personally I think he may have peaked to early.As for Edwards,I think he's telling the truth.He can't do it with you.None of them can.
Orangutan. @ 35:
Politics may be about "rousing the masses" but governance is a lot harder.
"...I believe because he will back up his words with action." What action? What are his policies? You don't klnow, do you?
To you (and Obama) its all about "believe", "inspire", "hope".
Hope is not a plan.
In order to take back our country we must have a leader who can take on the corporate fat cats. John Edwards has a proven record for doing that and winning!
Clinton is a Republican.
Obama would make a good candidate for Unity '08.
Edwards is for the working stiff, the little guy. He may be rich, but he got that way fighting the forces that threaten to destroy the middle class.
Food for thought:
Obamarama
The Politics of the Smooth Mood
By RALPH NADER
http://www.counterpunch.com/nader01072008.html
While Obama makes great speeches that's not enough for me want to hire him. I've listened to plenty of rousing speeches in my lifetime. Basically all they are is entertaining unless goals and plans are developed to actually deliver.
Max-1 @ 23:
Exactly.
Obama is a product of the Elites. He supports the war...he supports expanding the war if necessary (and you know it will become necessary after the election - just like the rise in fuel prices) Obama is the media darling - and we all should know the media is just state propaganda (Fox just being the most obvious)
Wake up. The only unbought and non-corporate fascist choices are Paul and Kucinich. Thats why they are marginalized and ridiculed by the media.
Please note I included two polar opposites, a Republican and a Democrat. There are much bigger fish to fry than worrying about a fetus in a uterus and health care. The prime concern is treating the cancer of the Military Industrial Complex.
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Yup, Smells like 100% certified Bullshit to me.
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#44 Joe,
If taking back you country depends upon reliance of whom the media decides is viable, then gullible MUST be your middle name.
Take back your country by demanding free exchange of information on the air waves, then you'll start to see some truth.
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Max-1 @ 49:
Oh yeah, Jo. Just "demand" it and it'll come true.
Unbelievable.
If Obama speaks like an executive, that's all the more reason to be weary of him . Have we learned nothing from the corporate executive bullshit spoken by the likes of CEO's at Enron and WorldCom ? If you're middle class and want "change" , maybe you should look at the guy the corporate media doesn't want you to look at : John Edwards .
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#50 Johnny,
It's a start, isn't it?
Got a better idea?
Do you disagree with my POV?
IF SO HOW?
Or is everything just peachy-king for you?
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#49 Max
The name is Jo.
And I'm not relying on the media deciding for me. I am relying on 66 years of experience.
Managers aren’t about declarations. Managers are about requests…[The manager candidate] requests you elect him to fix problems, lobbies for a change so he can fix the system.
Hmmm .... 'Declarations' such as, 'Attempts to find a bipartisan middle with neocons is an act of surrender because it rewards the right for their extremism', 'declares' a fairly radical course. If it manages anything, it wants to manages to invoke an insurgency
I thought a statement like, 'The system is rigged in favour of money and power' was not only declarative, but more the kind of a statement a revolutionary would make rather than a manager.
It seems to me that sometimes the the 'results' one gets from employing a measure are more reflective of the instrument of measure, than they are of the thing they are measuring.
Snerd
Jo @ 53:
Good enough for me.I think you are right on the money.
;)
Ron @ 6:
Good on you, mate. Edwards spoke as a leader and from the heart. [deleted--keep it civil] Obama just talks in generalities and sounds watered down. I am not convinced about Obama and even more hesitant when he takes money from the medical industry for his campagn. I spent a life reading people and Edwards is his own man. Sounds like OBama is starting to emulate him.
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#53 JO
66 years experience of plugging your nose while pulling the lever?
Choosing the lesser of two evils is still choosing evil.
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Thank God C and L readers have what the MSM counts on many of us to have sacrificed at the altar of American Idol and Entertainment Tonight. When I read the article I was enraged that C and L would post, much less seem to favor, such a blatantly slanted article. Give me a small break, please. Does anyone remember "The Great Communicator"? Any woman who has ever been seduced by a sweet talking con man, any man over the age of 50 who has succembed to the Corvette salesman's pitch- can recognize in Obama certain undisputable gifts. I grant you, the fellow is an inspired and inspirational orator. I think he means well, and I think that in another country (one that, unlike ours, does not horde such a well-fed population of backward, recidivist anti-intellectuals, and one that, unlike ours, is not teetering on the brink of A) anarchy B) obsolescence) he would be the candidate to get behind. Unfortunately, the reality is that Obama's stirring words will not get done the hard work that needs doing. I respect his talents. I just happen to believe that in order to accomplish all the WORK that must be done to right the wrongs perpetrated by the most crooked administration in our nation's history, we need a WORKER (and if the goddamn media would AIR him all would have the opportunity to swoon under the power of his words, too) like John Edwards in the White House.
I call "bullshit," C and L.
Ok, before we go on, "Max"...Try the "quote this comment" button. Its very useful. Less irritating and more precise than your method. Oh, and the use of dashes to create a huge space for your very important ideas is annoying too.
Ok. I feel better now.
Oops. "Succumb." Shoulda proofed before posting. Dammit, I hate that.
#57 Max-1
Evil? Let's not get biblical here.
John Edwards is not evil and he certainly isn't lesser.
So, who are you supporting?
Howard Beale is My Muse @ 60:
Relax Howard-ya done good.
jackp @ 56:
Let me be clear on behalf of the entire site.
This is NOT an endorsement of Barack Obama or in any way a discussion on how effective he would be if elected President.
This was an analysis by Jesse at Group News Blog (not Blue Gal, so you need to ratchet back on slamming her) on the language choices by the Democratic frontrunner and why Obama's speech patterns appear to be resonating with potential voters at this time, despite the media's forecasting that the nomination was all but Hillary's.
Again, I repeat for everyone's benefit, THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF BARACK OBAMA nor is this article suggesting that his speeches are indicative of his effectiveness in office.
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Yea, bug off Johnny.
Maybe I can't use the quotes... Think about that one.
Maybe I like the spaces... think about that one.
I'm not here complaining about how you express yourself, please grant me that same privledge, unless you feel resrticting expression a right, which in that case, shall we start with you?
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#61 Jo
It doesn't matter who I support, does it? Unless you seek to throw some adhominyms my way.
This thread is about the corporate elites who wish to retain a hold on our Government. Why can't we address that?
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Johnny@43
You are correct in saying governance is tough, and hope is not an action plan, however hope and optimism represent the foundation of hope, not the end product.
And if you want specifics on what Obama will do, go to his website or use Google.
While there is nothing wrong with healthy skepticism, cynicism is the death of hope. Personally, I'm tired of professional skeptics and critics poisoning our debate. People like that will never be remembered for anything redemptive.
To Jo's point, since it seems you don't like Obama and have plenty of time to offer your criticism, what would you suggest as an alternative? Feel free to be a problem solver instead of the problem by offering something positive to this discussion.
More like a couple mils. Whoever wrote that nonsense ought to be ashamed of themselves as should any who buy into it!
I like the way Obama makes me feel... until I wonder how he will create the managerial and political machinery to gear his dreams into reality. Then I'm not so sure.
I like Richardson on paper, but he's such a schlub in real life.
John Edwards is an earnest nice guy who knows he has a nice smile, but not much edge or presence.
Sorry to say I think Hillary is the smartest of the bunch and the one I would trust to know what to do on Day 1.
Max-1 @ 52:
I still have no idea what your "pov" is. And frankly, I couldn't care less.
# 59 Johnny2Bad
Maybe the "quote this comment" button is showing up. It's not working for me, either.
Tom Coburn has placed 90 holds on legislation. The Unity08ist speeches are playing into the hands of the Broderites
Thanks, Nicole. It must have been something in the way the article was introduced. I really don't think so many of us would have become unnecessarily agitated if there weren't some room for (mis)interpretation there. I can't fathom a bunch of progressives getting worked up over a little thang, can you?
I appreciate your stepping in to quell some of the clamor.
Crooks and Liars is still my alpha fix. Whew! Huge sigh of relief at John's house tonight, eh?
I will not be voting for Obama, not in the primary or in the general election, should he get the nomination. The Dems made a huge calculating mistake. They should nominate Edwards.
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#69 Johnny
POV = (in the vernacular) Point of View.
But since you really don't care then your first retort was just baseless, no?
No sense in not owning up to a carless and sensless remark from the get go, "Just beacuse you can".
A character tell.
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Jo @ 70:
I had that problem a couple of weeks ago. Switching servers fixed it.
jo@70
You are correct that the quote this comment and refresh are not working. Appreciate it if someone could fix it.
Hey, it's only the eve of the first primary. Don't bury John yet! Check out Glenn Greenwald at Salon--John's numbers have SURGED in the last week. He will not lie down and quit.
On that note: PLEASE donate to John's campaign. I have donated thrice since his 2nd place finish in Iowa and twice prior to. His entire campaign represents a Platonic template for "grass roots." The MSM isn't going to give us access, so we have to TAKE it.
Give til it hurts--or the next guy's gonna put an even bigger hurt on all of us.
Bill Clinton was really good on the stump, but he had plans to back up his rhetoric (though ultimately very little results). Based on the criteria most Obama
disciplessupporters are espousing they really ought to be forming a "Draft Oprah" effort; she could put his warm fuzzies to shame---and make a lousy president as well.Biggus Diggus @ 68:
I don't like her but certainly wouldn't be so foolish as to count her out of the race.
Max and Johnny--
Can you take your separate corners, please? It was old before it even started. I kind of hate to conjure the spirit of Rodney King, but honestly; aren't we all on the same side here?
(of course now that I say that it occurs to me that some of the sour comments that have been flying have a trollish pungency to them).
hope @ 75:
Sorry--meant switching browsers fixed it. Duh.
I must agree with Edwards, "good intentions won't change a thing"
I watch a lot of C-Span, and when I hear Obama talk about bringing Republicans and Democrats together, I picture the total failure of the Senate under Harry Reid, who is downright combative in comparison to Obama's message for "hope".
The only "hope" I have is to have a President with the clear intent to fight.
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#76 BMW,
No, It's my fault and Johnny knows it.
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bmw 528 @ 66:
I don't need to see his website, I know his record...Its his supporters who seem blissfully unaware of them:
Voted with the Republicans on "Tort Reform".
Supports expanding nuclear power
Thinks Iran "Threatens us all"
Conveniently missed (among others) the vote on Kyl-Lieberman.
Oh yeah, I know this guy's politics...I just don't like em. At all.
Max-1 @ 83:
Hmmm. Workin fine for me. "Hope" it into working, Max. That'll do the trick.
Biggus Diggus @ 68:
Isn't day one the big inaugural party where the big donors get some heavy face time with the candidate they just bought?
Be careful who you vote for. (Bush the prototype).
Obama speaks a good line, ethereal thoughts, no substance. It is definitely noteworthy that he voted "present" over a thousand times while in the state senate. Obama may be a good man but we need a statesman, someone with substantial ideas and the directedness to go with them. You know, something of substance that can be achieved. Let's hear proposals.
Also, I was very upset to hear him say, after the Iowa victory, ..."first we change America ...then we change the world". Hands off 'the world" man. There are civilizations centuries older than our own. We don't need to tell people how to live or that our 'democracy' is the only way. Respect the world's citizens.
Excellent points, gussmith.
Johnny@84
Agree with you on nuclear power, frankly any power generation method whose byproducts last 300,000 years and caused Chernobyl is very dangerous and an IOU to many future generations. Contrary to your statement I'm well aware of Obama's policies and what you posted is just a sna