Has the Obama campaign articulated an effective response to the “Are you better off” question?
Democrats (156 VOTES)
Yes 33%
No 67%
Yes
“Tune in to [Bill] Clinton on Wednesday and Obama on Thursday.”
“This is easy: We were on a roller coaster heading straight downhill four years ago.”
“There is strong evidence, but the narrative needs to be written and the story told.”
“Joe Biden has kicked it off: ‘Bin Laden is dead. GM is alive!’ ”
“After the misfires on the Sunday talk shows, it sounds as if they have their act together to remind the American people which party created this mess.”
No
“The president has to run on what he prevented, which is a little like touting
the weight you didn’t gain—you don’t look any better in the mirror.”
“It’s the most obvious question to have ready an answer.”
“And don’t expect one between now and Nov. 6.”
“Not yet. They need to do it this week by talking about their accomplishments.”
“They are too fact-check focused, and need to worry more about their own narrative.”
“They need to shift the question. Ask yourself four years from now who will you better off under.”
“All Obama has to run on so far is ‘Are you more scared of them than you are of me?’ ”
“He’s trying with his ‘forward’ theme, but it’s tough in this economy.”
“There is a good story to tell, but like so many other issues, it’s been one messaging fumble after another since they took office.”
“Surprising they didn’t have a solid answer in the can. This was a lay-up and they missed the basket.”
“They need to be honest and explain how they intend to stay focused on the economy.”
Republicans (168 VOTES)
Yes 2%
No 98%
No
“Not even close; surprisingly inadequate for such an obvious question.”
“They can’t, because people aren’t, and that’s a big problem for them.”
For a list of the Insiders, please visit nationaljournal.com/2012-conventions-insiders.
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