The Obama campaign to sing more loudly about the economy

DENVER -- What was suggested by the new Barack Obama ad featuring a Sam Cooke soundtrack , Obama's campaign manager made official today -- the economy, and the fears so many folks have about where it's headed, is about to become a louder theme song for the almost-official Democratic presidential nominee.

David Plouffe, who oversaw Obama's path to the nomination, told reporters today just a few hours before the Democratic National Convention began that based on his reading of poll data, "There's a real sense of [John McCain] being out of touch" with the economic problems plaguing the nation.

Plouffe kept stressing that McCain keeps stressing that America's economic fundamentals are sound.

The Obama campaign begs to differ and sees an opening. Said Plouffe: "We are going to drive a truck through that this week and during the rest of the campaign."

That will be music to the ears of Democrats who have complained that Obama has not spotlighted the economy consistently or passionately enough.

Still, Plouffe was asked why, if the issue is headed for an even brighter spotlight, Bill Clinton reportedly is complaining that he's being assigned a different topic when he takes to the convention podium Wednesday night. The ex-president, after all, is the past master of pressing the Democratic economic.

Plouffe, demonstrating that maybe he should consider running for office himself, skirted the question.

Obama, on the campaign trail today in the Midwest, didn't. He said that when he chatted with Clinton by phone on Thursday. “I said, 'Mr. President, you can say whatever you like.' "

Obama added: “Bill Clinton is a unique figure in our politics ... It wouldn’t make sense to me to try and edit his remarks.”

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[dave]

one of the candidates is known to enjoy singing so much that he has even been called a 'songbird,' and likes at times to perform terrific little chants that create tremendous impact, and leave his audience utterly baffled and awed. but he has repeatedly stated that he does not know anything about economics.
another one, despite his gigantic team of expert advisers hasn't shown a lot more judgment.
RON PAUL, the legitimate constitutional republican candidate for president, has sound fiscal and economic knowledge and judgment,
and has developed workable plans to prevent the major crisis and complete unraveling.

[Ted M]

Here is a good campaign issue. Vitol is the Swiss company that manipulated 11% of the OIL futures market. This story could spell doom for traders that try to manipulate the market in the future. There are many questions left unanswered about Vitol transactions.
They drove up the price of oil and gas and caused millions to suffer financial misery. I predict this story will open up a hornets nest.

See the article on the Washington Post site.
Titled "A Few Speculators Dominate Vast Market for Oil Trading"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/20/AR2008082003898_2.html?hpid=topnews

PS: OIL prices are going to take a big hit because of this news

[GARY]

It is about time BO descussed "his" vision of our economy perhaps he can elucidate on why his support for private sector involvement for low income housing fell into the hands of Rezko and company? Gifted thinking, eh?

Better yet, ask Senator Biden why he is at odds with BO on bailouts for those caught in the mortgage industry, he voted against BO on every issue.

[Jeff in Orlando]

Ok, Obama is going to talk about the economy. What is he going to tell us? We already know he thinks McCain is out of touch because he owns 7 houses. What is Obama going to propose other than spending money we don't have on big government programs. I'm listening but I haven't heard much from Obama yet.

[Darlene]

Gee. Obama talking about the economy, while he forgets two things:

Charity begins at home, and the premise of my brother's keeper. In Obama's case, NOT.

[thebob.bob]

John McCain spent 5 years not being able to sing about the economy when he was a POW. Now all he wants to do is tell us how good it is.

[Peter]

I am glad that Obama is finally going to make his Energy plan a little more transparent and understandable. I would like to get the nuts and bolts of it. I have not been impressed by either Obama or McCains energy plans, so far. I liked the http://www.boonepicken.com I have not been able to find very useful info on the actual details of the Obama Plan for Energy. I did find some on his site http://www.theobamaplan.com Detalis are good.

[scootmandubious]

Jeff wrote:
Ok, Obama is going to talk about the economy. What is he going to tell us? We already know he thinks McCain is out of touch because he owns 7 houses. What is Obama going to propose other than spending money we don't have on big government programs. I'm listening but I haven't heard much from Obama yet.
---------------------------------------------
Jeff, if you really want to know about Obama's plan for the economy, why don't you just take a little time out and read his plan.

You can find very detailed answers right here:
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/economy/

I am assuming, of course, that you really do want to know what his specific positions are on the economy and you aren't just coming on here to trash him.

However, your comments about the 'big spending on government programs' sound exactly like a right-wing talking point.

I would be interested to hear what your perceptions are after you actually take the time to read about his positions on your own.

Am I correct in thinking that you are probably of the opinion that the billions that we have been giving to no-bid contractors in Iraq (with hardly any oversight on how that money is being spent) is a much wiser use of taxpayer money?

[Jean]

This is why Obama is connecting with voters all across the country.

http://acropolisreview.com/2008/04/top-reasons-to-give-barack-obama-your.html