Date: April 2, 2010
Title: Eight Ways Obama Can Sell His Economic Policies
Author: Eleanor Clift
Summary: Clift opens the article by acknowledging the significance of Obama signing the health-care bill, however, quickly shifts the attention to the Economy. She points out that for Obama to keep his popularity the number one issue that needs to be addressed is the Economic Policy. With the unemployment rate rising closer to 10%, Clift notes that it is the most difficult thing to deal with in political communications and if not dealt with correctly voter support drops. Clift mentions how George Bush Sr. and Bill Clinton both proved unsuccessful dealing with the public even know the economic situation got better. She also states that the economic numbers are showing Obama losing voter support mainly among initial Obama supporters, unmarried women, and people under 30 years old. Clift then briefly gives eight pieces of advice for Obama to promote his economic policy: inform voters of the new tax cuts, publicize the tax credits for small businesses, bipartisan commision in dealing with the national deficit, convince voters that he has a plan to deal with the economy, deal with the tea-party politicians seriously, keep the Republicans down with numbers, don't make too many promises, and express confidence in the economy. Clift then ends the article by restating how economic policy is the issue that voters focus most on. She also states that if Obama is to remain popular and in office, supporters of his policies must take action.
Analysis: Clift seems to support Obama in a number of ways. One, she acknowledges Obama's health-care bill as monumental and puts him in the "Pantheon of Presidents." Secondly, she gives eight pieces of advice that could help him publicize positively. Clift focuses mainly on the national deficit and the unemployment rate as her examples of the dwindling economy. She also points out historically how past presidents, such as Bill Clinton and George Bush Sr., had failed in their attempts to gain voter support due to their loss of strength in the economy. Clift's advice for Obama is centralized around self-confidence in his policies. As for fiscal and monetary policy itself Clift offers no advice. It seems as though Clift is more of a democrat herself as she gives advice to Obama specifically on how to keep the Republican party down. Clift ends the article by restating the importance of voter support is, and that for Obama to succeed he needs to focus primarily on how to promote his Economic policies.
My Take: Eleanor Clift appears to be an Obama supporter. She not only recognizes the health-care bill signing as monumental, but also as a positive influence on the nation. She also gives Obama advice on how to retain his popularity. I agree with her statements on how to promote the policy better, however, I think more needs to be done with the actual economy rather than just promising a better outlook.
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