It’s the Economy (Again) Stupid

For people who are worried about whether defaulting on their mortgage or getting laid off, it must be infuriating when the political debate is focused on whose supporter made what controversial statement or what politician is cheating on his wife.

Barack Obama needs to start playing offense again in this campaign and stop the recent cycle where he has been relegated to responding to the controversy of the day that are of endless interest to the commentariat (myself included) but not the issues that will directly address the concerns of voters.

Every day brings a new revelation about the serious nature of economic problems in the U.S. economy. Costs for health care, college tuition, and energy are rising and threaten to trigger an increase in overall inflation. At the same time, wages have been at best stagnant for many working people.

Obama might benefit from borrowing part of John Edwards’s strategy. Edwards made more money as a lawyer than most sane people could spend in a single life time. Yet his genuine personal story of growing up in poverty, how it shaped his world view and political priorities forged a connection with voters who often feel people asking for their vote only see the real world problems of people struggling economically as an abstract policy debate.

Obama’s made some money, but like Edwards, he earned it. No one handed him his own major league baseball team, which is how George W. Bush made most of his personal fortune. Hillary Clinton wasn't born with a silver spoon in her mouth, but her father was a successful businessman and her path through life was, at least to the casual observer, probably a lot easier than Obama's. Obama could get some mileage out of drawing the contrast and using it to help showcase his economic plans.

In the meantime, John McCain has the luxury of talking about real issues, although they tend to focus on national security so he’s still missing the mark on dealing with front-burner issues for voters.

The next contest is in Pennsylvania, which shares some of the same economic challenges as Ohio and Michigan.

In an NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, Obama is losing 49 to 37 percent among voters who makes less than $50,000 a year, which is most people.

It’s a long slog between now and April 22, when Pennsylvania voters go to the polls.

Hillary Clinton has started to empathize with the plight of struggling people in rust belt states, making the case that she would be able to deliver meaningful change that would help improve the financial outlook for people who aren’t rich. Obama needs to offer a convincing case why he can do the same.

It’s Not Plagiarism, It’s an Homage, Part 2: Hillary Rips off Bill Clinton & John Edwards

“Hello Kettle? It’s Pot. You’re black.”

In the Texas debate, minutes after she condemned Barack Obama for copying part of a speech made originally by his friend and supporter, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Hillary Clinton borrowed lines from her husband and former rival candidate John Edwards to make her closing statement.

"If your candidacy is going to be about words, then they should be your own words,” she said.

But her campaign is about solutions, not words, so apparently it’s cool if she appropriates good words from other people.


Hillary Clinton, February 21, 2008: “The hits I’ve taken in life are nothing compared to what goes on every single day in the lives of people across our country.”

Bill Clinton, 1992: “The hits that I took in this election are nothing compared to the hits the people of this state and this country have been taking for a long time.”

Hillary Clinton, February 21, 2008: “Whatever happens, we’re going to be fine. You know, we have strong support from our families and our friends. I just hope that we’ll be able to say the same thing about the American people, and that’s what this election should be about.”

John Edwards, October 30, 2007, Democratic candidates’ debate: "As a matter of fact, it's not about any of us. The truth is, when this election is over, I'm going to be fine. Senator Clinton is going to be fine. Senator Obama's going to be fine. Will America be fine? "-

Maybe Obama can Xerox a quip to call attention to that renewable resource that seems inexorably intertwined with politics—hypocrisy.

You can just imagine John Edwards, if he can stand to watch one of these debates at this point, saying, “Great! First she rips off my health care reform plan, now she’s giving my stump speech.”

Perhaps all the good rhetoric has already been written so we’re condemned to listening to the same speeches and talking points for the rest of eternity. Maybe when a primary aspect of your daily routine is to blather endlessly and associate with others who do likewise, you just absorb speech patterns by osmosis.

She was standing right next to John Edwards when he delivered the lines she later commandeered. She was probably nearby when Bill Clinton said the words that were the other part of her moment of eloquence the other night.

If it were a spontaneous statement, then it might be more forgivable, but it was quite clearly a prepared monologue. Odd that what has now been revealed to be plagiarized was seemingly her most genuine moment. Part of Hillary’s problem has been that she usually can’t manage to fake sincerity as effortlessly as more natural politicians like her husband. She finally manages to pull it off and she gets caught cheating.

If you’re going to steal, why not go for grand theft. Why steal purses when you can embezzle millions? Forget Bill Clinton and John Edwards. How about a rehash of one of FDR’s Fireside chats? What the hell, why not recite the Gettysburg address?

Obama called the scandlette of borrowed words “silly.” Indeed. As Alice in Wonderland might have said, “Sillier and sillier.”

Incidentally, I stole my lead sentence from an episode of “Friends.” If people who want to be President of the United States can’t be bothered to write original material, why the hell should I?