Obama 2012 Bumper Sticker: *Yawn*
I’ve just received an email from Jeremy Bird, National Field Director for Obama for America. The title of the email is: Introducing the Obama 2012 bumper sticker.
I don’t know if it’s that introductory word “introducing”— that in the real world is usually accompanied by a drum roll and followed by a person or thing that we are really dying to see—that got me to expect a really cool, progressive bumper sticker. But when I opened the email this is what I got:
and I was tempted to write back this reply:
Jeremy, Jeremy, Jeremy,
my dear Jeremy, when are you guys going to get it together when it comes to political communication? Do you actually think that this bumper sticker is exciting? That’s it? Red, White and Blue? Yes, I know that you have to show patriotism so that the President doesn’t get accused of being an un-American socialist, but don’t you know that you’re still going to get some slack for not choosing the right shade of blue (the one on the flag)? Also, did you have to put red on top? Have you ever heard of subliminal messages? Look, you’re not really doing the flag so why follow the “red, white and blue” formula?
What about a slogan? You know a catchy one like: Building The Future Today or one tied to the inspirational 2008 election: Yes We Still Can, Yes We Will, or Change IS Coming! No? Ok, then, what about a simple: Re-Elect?
I’ve often thought that Republicans steal our message and distort it, but I’ve just realized that the real problem is that we have no message. Remember healthcare? No wonder it’s been so easy for them to control the narrative. I shouldn’t be so disappointed. In fact, I should be used to it by now. After all, what can I expect from a party that has an ass for its mascot?
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I don’ t agree. I think that the administration needed to show seriousness in these difficult times, not catchy slogans like the first one that has not shown any real change at all…not the way many of us expected it anyway,like for example changing the way Washington operated…he’s still got the same cronies…
Yes, you’re right. The point, though, is that if they had a clear strategy, then they could have a good slogan. “Yes, We Can” was a great slogan because it meant that all of us together, could make a difference. This was shown in the amazing grassroot organizations that the Obama team put together for the 2008 election and the millions of small donations that added up to a huge election fund. The other point of this post is that the Republicans are very good at coming up with short messages that they repeat over to get their point across. Whey can’t the Democrats do the same? Not an empty slogan but one based on a sound strategy? And one last thing, the suggested slogans in this post are tongue-in-cheek, except perhaps for “Building The Future Today.” Thanks for your comment! Dialogue is the beginning of change, and We Definitely Do (need it).
Could not agree with you more on the blah message…..However, with the repulican lack of charismatic and qualified candidates to run against the Democratic ticket in November, this bumper sticker is brilliant!
LOL. Romney could be qualified if he didn’t qualify (read change) his positions so much…
i completely agree. the failure of democrats to create effective slogans to combat the word games that republicans play so well has driven me crazy for years. Yes we can! was the most effective in my memory, but i agree we can’t touch it now–too many people feel like No we didn’t!–whether that’s true or not.
i agree we’re in serious times, but i don’t know if Americans ever respond to seriousness – do they? look at what a hard time al gore had for his seriousness. people get behind ignorant things like “drill baby drill!” despite it’s utter disregard for serious issues like climate change, resource management and alternative energy. Democrats offer serious complicated analogies that people ignore and Republicans come up with something ignorant and catchy that people remember and respond to. the problem is, democrats don’t like ignorant and catchy, and i don’t blame them! i guess that’s how we end up with the straight laced red/white/blue. what to do.
deb recently posted..in search of personhood: my new job as a vaginal probe technician
did i do something to make my recent post show up at the bottom of my comment? i’ve never seen that before. ahh, i see it at the bottom. am unchecking that little box just to see what happens. sorry!
No need to apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong, this commentluv shows the latest post on your blog so that those readers who like your comment can visit your site and read your post. This is a way to encourage comments and support the blogging community. All the best.
Dear Deb,
Thank you for your very thorough comment. I totally agree with what you say. Remember Bush’s “No Child Left Behind”? “Mission Accomplished”? How about McCain’s “Country First” (then he goes and chooses Palin). Every time the Reps come up with a slogan, you can bet they either stand for, or the results will be, the exact opposite. I don’t want the Dems to come up with empty slogans, but I do want them to simplify their message and be more effective in their political communication. As I’ve said before if the Dems could spin half as well as the Reps, this country would be progressive. Until next time,
TheOpinionista.