Mark E. Halperin: What Obama Can Learn from Reagan
[Mark E. Halperin is an American political analyst for Time magazine.]
Back in January 2008, while meeting with the editorial board of the Reno Gazette-Journal right before the Democratic Nevada caucuses, Barack Obama offered some approving commentary on the legacy and influence of the 40th President. Ronald Reagan, he said, "changed the trajectory of America in a way that, you know, Richard Nixon did not and in a way that Bill Clinton did not." Not surprisingly, Obama's remark riled up both Hillary Clinton and her husband, who viewed it as demeaning to the achievements of the Clinton Administration, as well as a cheap tactic to win favor with some of the Silver State's more conservative Democrats.
In reality, Obama (and, for that matter, the Clintons) has a long history of paying public homage to the leadership and political skills of President Reagan, even while disagreeing with his policies.
Now, just as Reagan struggled to find his footing at the start of his own first term, Obama is straining to revive his political mojo. And so, as the President prepares for his second State of the Union address, here are the elements of the Gipper's arsenal that his latest successor would be smart to follow:
1. Stand for a few big things
Obama rode to his party's nomination as the anti-Clinton and won the general election as the anti-Bush without ever having to define his political persona. Reagan's policies didn't always live up to his mantra (lower taxes, stronger defense, family values), but he was able to fit most of his major initiatives and high-profile events under that simple tripartite rubric.
2. Be bigger than life
Obama is in many ways an ordinary guy (not unlike brush-clearing Bush and shorts-wearing Clinton). Scenes of him rhapsodizing about ESPN or headed out for burgers serve to humanize Obama and are certainly an appealing window into his real-life self. But through stagecraft and style, Reagan was able to be both an accessible and a towering figure. The Democrat in the White House now needs to be more imposing and less familiar, in order to wow his friends and strike fear into the hearts of his enemies. Plainspoken speeches, richly symbolic events and well-timed humor are Reagan tools that Obama could employ.
3. Create more Obama Republicans
Candidate Obama had broad appeal for Republicans and conservative-leaning independents. Now, his image and agenda have left him without any calling card to widen his support (essential for winning policy fights and elections). The Gipper wooed so-called Reagan Democrats by finding common cause with them on key issues such as national security and lower taxes while still keeping his political base solidly on board. Education, spending cuts, and maybe even health care are all ripe areas where Obama can make another effort to reach out — to voters, if not to intransigent Republicans in Washington...
Read entire article at TIME
Back in January 2008, while meeting with the editorial board of the Reno Gazette-Journal right before the Democratic Nevada caucuses, Barack Obama offered some approving commentary on the legacy and influence of the 40th President. Ronald Reagan, he said, "changed the trajectory of America in a way that, you know, Richard Nixon did not and in a way that Bill Clinton did not." Not surprisingly, Obama's remark riled up both Hillary Clinton and her husband, who viewed it as demeaning to the achievements of the Clinton Administration, as well as a cheap tactic to win favor with some of the Silver State's more conservative Democrats.
In reality, Obama (and, for that matter, the Clintons) has a long history of paying public homage to the leadership and political skills of President Reagan, even while disagreeing with his policies.
Now, just as Reagan struggled to find his footing at the start of his own first term, Obama is straining to revive his political mojo. And so, as the President prepares for his second State of the Union address, here are the elements of the Gipper's arsenal that his latest successor would be smart to follow:
1. Stand for a few big things
Obama rode to his party's nomination as the anti-Clinton and won the general election as the anti-Bush without ever having to define his political persona. Reagan's policies didn't always live up to his mantra (lower taxes, stronger defense, family values), but he was able to fit most of his major initiatives and high-profile events under that simple tripartite rubric.
2. Be bigger than life
Obama is in many ways an ordinary guy (not unlike brush-clearing Bush and shorts-wearing Clinton). Scenes of him rhapsodizing about ESPN or headed out for burgers serve to humanize Obama and are certainly an appealing window into his real-life self. But through stagecraft and style, Reagan was able to be both an accessible and a towering figure. The Democrat in the White House now needs to be more imposing and less familiar, in order to wow his friends and strike fear into the hearts of his enemies. Plainspoken speeches, richly symbolic events and well-timed humor are Reagan tools that Obama could employ.
3. Create more Obama Republicans
Candidate Obama had broad appeal for Republicans and conservative-leaning independents. Now, his image and agenda have left him without any calling card to widen his support (essential for winning policy fights and elections). The Gipper wooed so-called Reagan Democrats by finding common cause with them on key issues such as national security and lower taxes while still keeping his political base solidly on board. Education, spending cuts, and maybe even health care are all ripe areas where Obama can make another effort to reach out — to voters, if not to intransigent Republicans in Washington...