The 2 totally opposite, competing, "Obama BAD" memes. [View all]
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!!
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