General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums'Cool' Means He's Communicating
Last edited Wed May 2, 2012, 04:59 PM - Edit history (3)
A number of conservatives have gone public with their heightened (if not contrived) anxiety over President Obama's perceived or actual 'coolness.' They suggest that it's just another slick facade which masks the president's supposedly objectionable or vacuous agenda. Still, they're so concerned with that perception of theirs that they've completely validated the notion by expressing their own comfortableness in looking less 'cool' than our Democratic rock star.
Let me say from the outset that, in comparison to most politicians of any stripe or position, Barack Obama is a very dynamic and compelling figure.
Fact is, his persona, character, and interests reflect more of America than any president in my lifetime. Much is made about Bill Clinton playing sax on Arsenio as candidate, but this president has displayed contemporary cool in office with his embrace of electronic and social media; his public embrace of contemporary music and musicians; as well as his interest in sports from the major leagues to his frequent games of one-on-one b-ball.
More importantly, though, President Obama has embraced many of the progressive issues of our time and presented their resolution or disposition as imperatives for the immediate future. That's a marked difference from the traditional caution of our political establishment. To be certain, many politicians are now challenged to come forth with positions and action on issues they thought they could slow-walk through the political process until they were dead or forgotten.
Even in the midst of our present financial disaster/recovery-- maybe even because of it all -- this president is pressing for action and accomplishment to counter the typical, deliberate cynicism many in our national legislature have worked to engender in our expectations of the government we've made them responsible for.
'Cool' for this president isn't just an attitude; it's a persona derived from his sincerity and commitment to those things which Americans feel characterize the best of what we are and what we aspire to become. Folks recognize that commitment to our national, social, and political advancement and want to identify with that sentiment and effort. Barack Obama inspires Americans on a real level; on a plane where Americans actually live and exist.
That brings us to conservatives' objections. It certainly may be that republicans want to be seen as 'cool,' as well. Curious though, that they would be arguing that Obama's cool doesn't cut it.
Conservative columnist, Kathleen Parker at the Washington Post, argues that republican candidate Romney's best chance of defeating the president is 'being proudly nerdy.'
The GOP is obviously mindful of the coolness gap and has issued a video ad in response to Obamas late-night foray titled A Tale of Two Leaders. The ad juxtaposes Obamas slow jam with Romneys general election kickoff speech that is both earnest and heartfelt. It does not hurt that Romneys voice at times could be mistaken for Ronald Reagans. Implicit in the message (and the voice): Take your pick. Grown-up or cool dude?
The answer should be obvious except for the fact that many consider the president grown up enough. His play-alongs are just for fun, after all, though overplaying ones cool hand is risky as the very adult business of economic survival looms ever-more ominously.
All of that ridicule of President Obama's messaging suggests that conservatives like Parker believe it's having some success in promoting his agenda. Even Parker admits that 'slow-jamming' his college loan agenda on Jimmy Fallon's show wasn't necessarily an ineffective strategy. After all, effectively communicating that agenda is the president's primary challenge and responsibility.
What conservatives seem to actually be lamenting is that the relative lameness of their appeal to the American public has gone stale; perhaps from the inherent flaws in its acceptability. What they seem to long for is a return to the distance they've enjoyed between their legislative offices and the people they purport to represent. They're 'up here' and their constituents are 'down there' and couldn't possibly understand their supreme rationale in blocking initiatives and actions which are intended to sustain us with their petty and opportunistic obstructions.
What conservatives are anxious to do (since the beginning of this democratic presidency) is to define this president as outside the American mainstream. What they've actually succeeded in doing, so far, however, is to highlight their own institutional and aspirational uncool.
Conservatism is uncool. That's a message I'm certain they'll proudly carry into the election and beyond.
madokie
(51,076 posts)You have a good grasp on what is happening and I'm happy you're sharing that with us.
President Obama is raising the bar higher than any of the pukes of today can even hope to reach. And their pissed about it. I say gObama and keep up the good job you're doing shining light on these cockroaches of life
lillypaddle
(9,580 posts)He's got a smile that can light up the night. It's always so natural and heart-felt, nothing fake about it.
Yeah, he's not perfect, but I adore this man.
a kennedy
(29,462 posts)"I'm so in love with you"..... to die for. ditto to
wendylaroux
(2,925 posts)I could watch that every day. hoo boy. I am getting the vapors here.
whathehell
(28,969 posts)Recently, I received an email telling me I'd be entered into
a contest to win dinner with the president AND George Clooney!
Be still my beating heart!!!...Vapors indeed!
wendylaroux
(2,925 posts)I am pretty sure that I could not do PBO and George at the same time. I would go from the vapors straight to comatose! Good luck with the drawing!!
whathehell
(28,969 posts)OMG...I'm imagining it right now!
and I'd feel the SAME!...But what could one do?
Bring a friend for support?...The entire DU membership?
A fainting couch?
Jeebus! I'll keep you posted!
whathehell
(28,969 posts)I read you can get him singing that song as a ringtone for a smartphonwe!
ThoughtCriminal
(14,010 posts)I think he is what us nerds would call "Severely Dorky".
BlueMTexpat
(15,349 posts)Your characterization is spot on.
whathehell
(28,969 posts)They're a sad joke
young but wise
(869 posts)bigtree
(85,917 posts)spellcheck took advantage of my poor eyesight, darn it!
pacalo
(24,721 posts)This would make a great signature line:
Rozlee
(2,529 posts)He doesn't have the mental depth to be classified as a nerd. You need to have a keenly analytical intelligence, or what the right-wing calls being an elite, to even have the ground work for nerdism. And nerds ARE cool. Can Romney even speak Huttese?
treestar
(82,383 posts)Yesterday in the gym I was watching the TV monitor for Faux/ it had a split screen showing Romney on one side and Obama on the other. Unintended by Faux, the visuals illustrated the difference. Obama walking across the lawn or coming down the stairs from AF1 vs. Rmoney looking dorky in various situations.
DaveJ
(5,023 posts)When someone knows they are right, they feel comfortable, they don't need to behaved in a contrived manner, and they express little inward anxiety. I'm not saying that some nervous anxiety is always bad. Sometimes it's the result of discomfort with a situation. But in the case of Romney, he has no message, nothing he feels passionate about.
unclouded
(12 posts)For a party of liars and cheats, it must really suck to see President Obama make everything- from connecting with regular Americans to singing Al Green to winning the presidency on his first try- look effortless.
rury
(1,021 posts)his own kinda cool.....just cool.
Oh, for the cool in him...I fell for the cool in him!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!!!!!
Scurrilous
(38,687 posts)saras
(6,670 posts)He never loses it and lets out his "true" insanity - I imagine they're waiting for him to put his foot in his mouth and then shoot it, the way they like to.