The 2 totally opposite, competing, "Obama BAD" memes.

[JoePhilly]

In old DU, I would at times describe what I see as the 2 totally and oppposite "Obama Bad" memes. As we head towards the elections, I suspect I will post on this topic more.

My contention is that the media regularly, and actively, promotes two different "Obama Bad" memes, one crafted to appeal to the far right, the other crafted to appeal to the far left.

Depending on the day, and the particular news topic du jour, the opposite "Obama Bad" memes will be repeated across the media spectrum and then get repeated through out the blogosphere.

Importantly, the fact that the 2 "Obama Bad" memes are totally OPPOSITE, is ignored.

Below, I provide some examples of right wing "Obama bad" memes, and then I provide some examples of the same "Obama Bad" meme after its been flipped on its head.

Right Wing Obama Bad memes
Obama is a socialist, commie, fascist, racist, who wants to redistribute wealth from people who work and give it to minorities and illegal immigrants.

He's also a secret Muslim who hates Christians. He's really from Kenya or Indonesia.

He promotes the gay agenda.

The stimulus was too big.

He's promoting socialized medicine and entitlement programs like Social security and medicare.

He is weak on terrorism, and American security. He should not take our troops out of Iraq.

Obama didn't actually kill OBL.

He's also a dictator who hates the Constitution, and plans to take your guns, and indefinitely detain you on no charges in FEMA work camps.

Left Wing Obama Bad memes
Obama is a secret Corporatist Republican, who wants to redistribute wealth from the poor and the middle class, and give it to the super rich.

He's done nothing to help minorities or to resolve the immigration problem in a fair and comprehensive manner.

He talks about being a Christian way too much.

He hates gays.

The stimulus was too small.

He never really supported single payer or the public option, and he secretly plans to KILL programs like Social security and medicare.

He 's a war monger who started at least 7 new wars. He didn't really want to take our troops out of Iraq.

Obama shouldn't have killed OBL.

He's also a dictator who hates the Constitution, and plans to take away your free speech, and then indefinitely detain you on no charges at GITMO.

What is the goal of the 2 Obama Bad memes?

I think that the goal of the right wing Obama Bad memes, is to anger the GOP base, and INCREASE GOP turn out.

I think that the goal of the left wing Obama Bad memes, is to anger the Democratic base, and DECREASE DEMOCRATIC turn out.

Obama beat McCain in 2008 by about 6%. If the Obama Bad memes, can create a ~3% gain in GOP turn out, and a ~3% decrease in Democratic turn out .... the GOP has a shot at winning.

The media needs a close race. What will the 24 hour political news pundits do if it becomes obvious that Obama is going to win? They won't have anything to talk about.

The need a close race, one that is unpredictable, like the final episode of a season of American Idol. Who will win?

Oh ... btw .... this week's Obama bad memes appear to be ...

RW version ... Obama is weak for getting us out of Iraq.
LW version ... Obama is secretly planning to indefinitely detain anyone who disagrees with him.

Feel free to add your own examples!!

[FSogol]

1. Good call.

"Anger the GOP base, and INCREASE GOP turn out and
anger the Democratic base, and DECREASE DEMOCRATIC turn out"

[jberryhill]

2. Well done

[DevonRex]

3. Thus making it appear as if Obama

were horrible in every way, from every perspective. I've never seen this put so succinctly. Simply brilliant!

[NavyDem]

4. I saw you post on this topic in another thread

I'm glad you decided to make it an OP, as it stands well on its own.

[JoePhilly]

8. Thanks ... one of our esteemed BOG hosts, DevonRex, suggested it.

[Summer Hathaway]

5. A very astute observation -

- and analysis of same. Well done!

[JoePhilly]

20. Thank you!

[Summer Hathaway]

23. You are very werlcome -

Your points were very well expressed.

I would like to add an observation of my own, if I may do so here on your thread?

As happened with many of us, I started reading/posting on political websites during the W years. It was comforting to find those who were as pissed-off as I was - along with our ability to commiserate with each other and air our complaints.

When Obama was elected, things changed. I saw a lot of people complaining about him as vehemently as they did W. Of course, I realize that some people don't like him, or his policies, and feel they have valid reasons for that.

However, I came to realize that there IS a certain type of person who frequents political discussion boards simply because they ENJOY complaining. For those folks, it really doesn't have anything to do with who is in the WH - Dem or Repub, their primary pick or someone else's - they would complain no matter who was elected. They just ENJOY the process of complaining, and the idea of doing so where others see their screeds.

I've also grown weary of people twisting themselves into Houdini-like contortions in order to find fault with Obama. They latch on to the most ridiculous trivialities, mis-state his words, attach nefarious motives to his every move, and so on, as some kind of valid basis for their dislike of the man.

I always want to say to these people: Look, you don't like the guy, you never have, and you never will. That's your opinion of him - so just say it, instead of pretending you would have approved of him if only he'd done this, or said that - or wore a different tie in his last photo.

[JoePhilly]

30. Agree ... I've seen that also.

[dennis4868]

6. thanks for the post

I love it....makes so much sense!

[Number23]

7. Really great post, Joe

The ones that really stand out to me are the ones where the right is screaming he's a socialist and the left is screaming he's a corporatist, Republican-lite. Neither of those are true in even the slightest way but it would take people with some measure of self-awareness and perspective to understand that.

Repubs accuse him of being a secret Muslim (hence his support for the Arab uprising) and some on the left accuse him of using his Christianity to suppress gays. Obama is one of many leaders, Christian and otherwise, who have supported the Arab Spring. And what, is he not supposed to show support out of fear that the lunatics on the right will read something into it that isn't there? They read something stupid into every thing he does now anyway. What difference would one more bit of idiocy make?

And for someone who is trying to "suppress gays" he has used his position to remove alot of gay discrimination and garnered an unprecedented amount of open and proud support from gay rights groups and individuals. Not mealy mouthed, holding their nose support -- LOUD support, including tons of money raised. Which isn't to say that he doesn't still have alot of work to do, but as you pointed out things are not jibing here.

I would love to see more work done to improve things for the poor, which includes a whoooole lot of black people. I would absolutely love to see some of the criminals on Wall Street put behind bars. But I cannot look at this president's overall record and say that he is some sort of rich-loving corporatist or Muslim socialist who hates America. And I don't see how others do either.

[JoePhilly]

10. I think your point about neither version of the meme being accurate, is spot on.

In so many cases, these "Obama bad"memes are little more than caricatures of reality.

And they are often presented as if the individual screaming the right wing version is totally unaware of those screaming the left wing version, and vice versa.

I find that when I watch the cable news shows, you often can see this play out right before your eyes. A GOP pundit will rattle of their "Obama bad" memes. And then the so called liberal / Democratic pundit will rattle of opposite versions of the same "Obama bad" memes, as if he or she didn't just hear the right wing versions from 10 seconds earlier.

Bottom line, the media doesn't care WHICH version of the "Obama Bad" meme YOU embrace, just so long as you embrace one of them.

[zipplewrath]

17. I'll give ya that

Especially the 24 hour media is intent upon fear and anger, and they really don't care why. In some ways it undermines ANY criticism by giving unbalanced presentations of ALL criticism.

[jaxx]

9. Well done.

And so true.

[zipplewrath]

11. I'm the odd man out here

I understand your point.

I also understand no one would be welcome disagreeing with you in this group where you posted. If you are going to represent other peoples positions, motivations, and goals, it would seem that they should be "free" to some extent to respond. But it would be a violation of the SOP for them to do so here. I don't think the SOP includes, "trashing people's points of view who can't respond".

Yes, he has critics from both "sides" (many really). There are apparent inconsistencies in those criticisms. That shouldn't really be surprising since the various people don't agree on much at all. Goldielocks thought some things were too big, others too small. Some things were "just right". No one should be surprised that some will see Obama as too far left, or right, all at the same time. Especially since he strives to find compromise and middle ground.

Bush, and Reagan both had similar problems, they weren't conservative enough for the arch-conservatives, and they were way too conservatives for the liberals. I find the Reagan "myth" funny since I lived through Reagan and conservatives bitched a blue streak about him at the time.

[JoePhilly]

13. I've posted the same line of thought in other threads ...

You said ... "I also understand no one would be welcome disagreeing with you in this group where you posted. If you are going to represent other peoples positions, motivations, and goals, it would seem that they should be "free" to some extent to respond."

Two quick examples from the last couple days (on edit) ... both in GD.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=23390

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=27231

So clearly, I have no fear of debating this topic in public. Crushing your "why not post where people can respond" line.

In this OP, I simply expanded on it for the BOG group.

[zipplewrath]

16. Oh, I don't intend upon assessing your "fear"

I make no attempt to assert your willingness to discuss this in a more public forum.

But one can't assume that "all comers" will read all of your posts. My point of view tends to be that each post stands basically upon its own and should be treated that way. (Not that we don't become aware of specific individuals on a larger historical sense). Such a post is VERY appropriate for many forums and groups. I was commenting specifically upon this particular group.

And yes, I was aware that you were encouraged to post this as an OP from another thread.

[JoePhilly]

18. You said ...

I also understand no one would be welcome disagreeing with you in this group where you posted. If you are going to represent other peoples positions, motivations, and goals, it would seem that they should be "free" to some extent to respond. But it would be a violation of the SOP for them to do so here. I don't think the SOP includes, "trashing people's points of view who can't respond".

If you go back and reread my OP, I described how the media is promoting two competing "Obama Bad" memes, and why I think they are doing so.

At no time did I "represent other peoples positions, motivations, and goals" in a manner in which they can't respond, unless you mean "the media" needs to be able to respond to me.

I DID say that these memes make their way into the blogosphere. Which I think is undeniable. But you should notice I did not say that the proliferation of these memes, or more importantly, the MODEL of using two competing memes, is something that those who repeat them actually endorse.

Up thread, in another response, I suggest that the media does not care WHICH version of the memes, you or I embrace ... just so long as you embrace one of them. And so those who embrace a particular "Obama bad" meme, right or left probably does agree with that specific meme. The media does not care about that.

As for this topic being a potential topic for an OP outside the BOG. I agree, it is worthy for a broader discussion.

I actually posted an OP on this topic, at least once back on old DU. The responses were interesting. Those who understood the phenomenon I was describing, talked about aspects of it that they had seen. Those who had already decided Obama was evil, claimed that my post was an attempt to tell them to STFU!!!!

Which I found funny, because if I placed this same line of argument on a predominantly right wing site ... I'd bet that they would claim the left wing versions only exist to trick independents to not think Obama is a socialist, commie ....

So having said all this ... to be honest, I rarely post an OP. The reason is that if I post an OP, I feel like I need to be able to hang around for a few hours so that I can respond to whoever replies. I rarely have the ability to do that. And so, over on GD (and the old GDP) I rarely posted an OP because I was not confident that I could respond in a reasonable amount of time.

The BOG group is different. I have a higher confidence that if I post an OP here, because of the nature of the group, I don't have to be here for 4 hours to engage the folks who reply to me ...

Hope this helps.

[zipplewrath]

43. Yup yer right

I went back and reread your original post. It was about the media. I was hoisted on my petard. I was projecting other threads onto this one. Big no no in my book.

That said, I don't think the media, as a collective, has any agenda beyond ratings and viewers. Of course there are individual actors within the collective that do, but they aren't coordinated. Overall, the collective want to create tension, anger, and fear and they don't really care how they do that.

[JoePhilly]

71. Then we agree ... I think that the media is focused on ratings first.

And their focus is the tension.

They can not allow Obama to win big. That screws up ratings. Why watch the contest if its no contest?

The political media is more or less immune from what happens in the broad economy. They don't care who wins. They just need it to be a 15 round heavy weight fight.

[zipplewrath]

73. That much I do agree

They don't (collectively) care who wins. They care about the ratings the winner will generate.

They like a divided congress, they like the WH in the hands of the congressional "opposition".

They don't like success, except as described as someone elses "defeat". We can't all win, there has to be a "down side".

It feeds the distorted view that criticism often receives. The media will go seeking ANY telegenic criticism, regardless of support, validation, or consistency. They'll have a Nobel winning economist discussing fed policy with criticism from some local radio talk show host.

[Tarheel_Dem]

25. There are 9000 other forums for your crap. Forums where I don't ever have to read...

your crap ever again. Why here? What is the fascination for you guys with this particular group?

[zipplewrath]

27. You guys?

Which group are you placing me in?

[Tarheel_Dem]

39. Same group you were in on DU2. I don't think I need say more.

Same crap. Different day.

[zipplewrath]

44. I wasn't in any group

I don't actually bother formally subscribing to any groups. I haven't quite figured out the advantage to doing so.

[Tarheel_Dem]

45. So are you stopping by all the "groups" to see what mischief you can cause?

Or, are we special?

[zipplewrath]

55. I'm not following

But I suspect I'm not suppose to. You have some axe to grind and I don't believe it has anything to do with DU3.

[Tarheel_Dem]

57. You're correct, my "axe" has nothing to do with DU3, because I haven't forgotten DU2.

I'm still wondering why, of all the groups on this board, you chose to stop by this one? Did you read the purpose statement for this group?

[zipplewrath]

61. Yes

I've visited many groups and read alot of SOP. I Haven't particularly "singled out" just one.

[Tarheel_Dem]

62. Whatever.

[Cha]

50. Second that Tarheel Dem!

I see the zipplewrath and wonder what the heck he's doing in the PBOG area? And, I haven't posted around these parts in quite awhile. Did he have major sea change and decided not to post crap on the President Obama threads?

Got my question answered.

Thanks for not taking it, Tarheel Dem!

[Tarheel_Dem]

58. Several Obama haters immediately found their way to this group, and were shown the door.

We've got an excellent host here who won't allow this group to be hijacked by the crap we became accustomed to in GDP. This is a haven from that crap.

[Cha]

63. And, we had to put up with their stupid

crap in BOG2. So, if that's the way it is here..and, I'm thinking it really is..then I am mightly Impressed!

[Number23]

28. How very interesting

Joe makes the same posts in GD several times which you apparently don't see.

It's only when he posts them in the relative safety (sanity) of the BOG that suddenly you notice his comments. Odd that.

Regardless, he is free to post his beliefs wherever he sees fit and that includes the terrifying, apparently almighty BOG.

Such a post is VERY appropriate for many forums and groups.

Which is probably why he's made his comments in other groups as well. It's not anyone's fault that you are apparently monitoring the BOG more than GD.

[Tarheel_Dem]

42. We certainly are an intriguing little group, aren't we?

They can't seem to help themselves. Apparently they feel every inch of DU must be littered with anti-Obama crap.

[Cha]

51. lol

Somethings never change.

[Bolo Boffin]

12. Stop Him!/Abandon Him!

That's about the size of it.

Sounds like a better Democratic message would be Send Him A Better Congress.

[JoePhilly]

14. That's the truth!!

[treestar]

15. Very good

I just got a right winger relative email about how Obama is against Catholics and pro-abortion. This was after being on DU for a long time discussing his failure to protect women's rights because minors can't get Plan B OTC.

[JoePhilly]

19. Exactly ... and don't be surprised to see media pundits sitting across from each

other ... BOTH claiming how bad Obama is on that topic.

[Wait Wut]

21. They're like the "Push Me-Pull You"...

...from Dr. Doolittle.

[JoePhilly]

22. Nice!!

[Tarheel_Dem]

24. Joe, I think you've summed up the situation quite nicely.

[JoePhilly]

26. Thanks ... good to see another BOG member from NC

I grew up in Philly, but my wife is from NC, and she went to UNC ... and we've been in Wake County for the last 20 years!

[Tarheel_Dem]

40. I never knew. Howdy neighbor!

My eldest sister still lives in Philly/Center City. I have a huge extended family there. My father was a pastor, and I spent a good deal of my youth in the western part of the state in Pittsburgh. I returned to Pgh in the 80's for about 4 years, but NC is where I was born, and where I call home.

I always enjoy your postings. NC, we did it in '08. Let's do it again!

[JoePhilly]

48. Most of my extended Family is still in the Philly and Western New Jersey areas ...

Mom retired to a community in the Poconos.

Most of them never go more than about 100 miles from Philly. I grew up in the same row home that my father grew up in ... and then after he died, my mother, sister, and I moved into the same row home that my mother had grown up in, which was about 10 city blocks away. My sister and I went to the same elementary school where my parents met.

I went to Saint Joe as an undergraduate. I left Philly in 1985 for graduate school, and have never moved back. I've been in NC now for about 20 years. My wife grew up in Jamestown NC. She went to UNC around the same time Michael Jordon was there. Thinking about it, I'm pretty sure that we're going to see the Heels play Texas this week.

She and met in DC, and then we moved to the Raleigh area after we married.

But for me, Philly is still home. My kids root for the eagles!!

And I also enjoy your posts ... and I think that not only will we do what we did in 2008, it'll be bigger this time!!!

[Tarheel_Dem]

59. It really is a small world. I'm sure your wife is very familiar with High Point.

When I was house hunting, I checked out a couple of properties in Jamestown. It's just a hop & a skip from where I am now. I'm also very familiar with the Wake/Durham area as I did my undergrad work in Durham, like a thousand years ago.

Welcome to NC. Transplants like you are the reason this state is no longer realiably red. We need a lot more like you.

[JoePhilly]

75. Oh yea ... we know high point very, very well!!

We were actually married at First United Methodist Church in High Point. That was her church growing up.

Our reception was at what was the High Point Radison, down the block.

And early on, we would go to the Atrium to look for, and at times buy, furniture.

Thanks for the welcome ... we've been here for more than 20 years, and I am continually trying to get my liberal family members to move here too ...

[dionysus]

32. i'll answer that karate chop with a power fist!!

[Tarheel_Dem]

41. Dion, you scamp!

[sufrommich]

29. The extremes of the left and right have

much in common.They always have. Both will always dislike those who won't embrace their very narrow views.

[dionysus]

31. you forgot: obama is scheming to invade iran.

[DevonRex]

33. But he's simultaneously hoping Iran invades us!

Cuz he's a moozlum.

[dionysus]

34. check your PM

[JoePhilly]

35. Another good addition!!

[Cha]

52. Yeah, cause they're freakin'

mind readers ..OR sucking up the latest the bagger brigrade is pushing on their impressionable little minds.

And, on the rw..On P Obama's Watch Iran is going to BOMB the USA!

And, then there's President Obama right in the middle with his brilliance(multi-dementional chess skills) & common sense along with the reality based community. The ROCK SOLID BASE.

[dionysus]

54. +1

[Tarheel_Dem]

60. +2

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

36. Thank you, JoePhilly for this BRILLIANT analysis. There's another corollary, and it goes something

like this:

Voter A: The Republican party is corrupt.
Voter B: Well, the Democratic party is corrupt, too!
Voter A: Yes, that's true. BOTH parties are corrupt!
Voter B: Government is itself corrupt because there is corruption on BOTH sides!
Voter A: Yeah, you're right. I hate government. There's no use in me voting because they're all the same.

Voter B (under his breath): Yay! I convinced another one not to vote. That's one more vote for my Republican party!

-----

Voter C: Obama has been an abysmal failure, don't you think?
Voter D: Yes, he's worse than Bush! Awful!
Voter C: I think I'll sit this one out.
Voter D: No, just vote Republican. Democrats have been in control for 4 years and they've done nothing.
Voter C: But, weren't Republicans in for much longer?
Voter D: Yeah, but Obama promised change and he didn't bring it, so it's Republicans' turn.
Voter C: Yeah, oh yeah you're right! He had three years to do something and he's done nothing.

[JoePhilly]

37. Agree!!!

I think if you work backwards from the "goals" I described ... which are:

(1) Increase GOP turn out, and (2) Decrease Dem turnout ...

What you have describe is another TACTIC that is being used towards that STRATEGIC goal set.

[MADem]

38. GOP GOTV + D Voter Suppression = Mittsy the Shittsy?

Or a player to be named later?

[greatauntoftriplets]

46. I think that the Left Wing Obama Bad is meant to suppress the vote.

It certainly went that way in 2010.

[JoePhilly]

47. Agree completely!

[great white snark]

49. Exactly, and maybe throw in a little 3rd party recruiting.

It all takes away votes from the Dems.

[zipplewrath]

56. Evidence?

Is there any evidence that the 2010 result was due to anything other than low turnout in general? I hadn't seen anyone one making the case that low left wing turn out was the problem. For 2012 my understanding is that the concern is over the independents. The "disgruntled left" isn't suppose to be a significant issue as compared to the fickle "center/independent" crowd.

Of course, as we learned in 2000, when it is close, ANYTHING can make a difference including the layout of the ballot.

[JoePhilly]

67. When I say "left" turn out ... I mean ANYONE who leans Dem.

Getting ANY Dem leaning voter to stay home is a victory for the media in this regard.

[Tarheel_Dem]

64. +1000. And it doesn't hurt to have folks like Jane Hamsher who willingly take money....

from Republicans and teach them how to defeat Democrats, and yet she still has some devotees on the left who obviously don't have a problem with that. I call them devotees here, but there are other names I keep to myself.

[Cha]

53. Thanks for bringing this to light, JoePhilly!

I've noticed this forever and needs to be a constant reminder to people who see through both sides of the bullshite. That's why corporatemdia never tires of those of the profiteering "left" who whine with sneering inuendoes and lies about President Obama. Lookin' at you, Michael Moore.

[JoePhilly]

69. My sense is that each week, the media shifts to a new "critical issue' ...

And then pushed two competing "Obama Bad" memes above all others.

[Cha]

72. And, their goal? To get their Lying, Insulting, Robotic Candidate,

"Corporations Are People" the mittmopper, as the big boss of this country with no workers' rights and no one has the money for their stupid cable bill or can breathe fresh air, while choking on tainted food with no regulations.


Theyre so greedy it renders them stupid. The corporatemedia got us 8 years of boooosh and look what that did the country. WTF do they care..traitorous assholes.

Thanks for observing, JoePhilly, so many of us don't have to.

OCCUPY THE MEDIA.

[deacon]

65. Great post. ALL of it is repeated like a broken record too. K + R

[bigtree]

66. you nailed it

I want to give examples, but I just can't write them as if I believe they really believe any of it. So much uninformed, misinformed bullshit.

[JoePhilly]

70. Try this .. wait a week or two, and then see if you can spot this happening, and then ...

call it out in the BOG.

[shellgame26]

68. K&R

[SunsetDreams]

74. Excellent post and insight, thank you!

[JoePhilly]

76. The existance of the BOG makes this discussion possible.

I've posted this exact line of thought in the old DU, and the ardent Obama critics would drown it in a bath tub.

[HappyMe]

77. Dude, you totally nailed it.

Well said.

[JoePhilly]

78. Thanks!

[msanthrope]

79. "He's not going to make a recess appt./He only made a recess appt. because we

held his feet to the fire." Ad infinitum.....