August 18, 2010
REALLY? (via Bryan Francoeur):
Critics say Obama's message becoming 'incoherent' (Ed Hornick, 8/17/10, CNN)
Obama has faced a torrent of criticism for what was called mixed messages on the controversial plan. On Friday, Obama said Muslims "have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country ... That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances."The next day, Obama told CNN Senior White House Correspondent Ed Henry that he was "not commenting on the wisdom" of the project, just the broader principle that the government should treat "everyone equal, regardless" of religion. Then those comments were clarified by a White House spokesman.
"There is no question they are having messaging problems at the White House," Morey said. "They've lost control of the dialogue and they've gotten pulled down by the extremes on the left and right. They've just not had a coherent set of themes."
New York Times Columnist Maureen Dowd wrote in a recent column that Obama's clarity and successful messaging during the campaign are gone. In place is a "incoherent president," who's "with the banks, he's against the banks. He's leaving Afghanistan, he's staying in Afghanistan. He strains at being a populist, but his head is in the clouds."
But Obama has the ability to sharpen his messaging skills by being less of a law professor and more of a communicator-in-chief, Morey said.
Then why has he never demonstrated that ability? Doesn't the fact that he was all things to all people during the campaign suggest a candidacy based on non-coherence? To be coherent requires having thoughts and views on the issues and there is no evidence that he believes anything.
