James Carville’s Advice for the President: “Fire. Indict. Fight.”
Posted: September 15, 2011 Filed under: U.S. Economy, A My Pet Goat Moment, Democratic Politics, U.S. Politics, Barack Obama, Corporate Crime, 2012 presidential campaign | Tags: Barack Obama, economic advisers, failed presidency, Hillary and Bill Clinton, James Carville, Justice Department, panic 20 Comments
Earth to Obama: Time to Panic!
Commenter Janicen linked to this article by James Carville on the morning thread, but I thought it deserved a post. Carville’s advice sounds a lot like what I’d expect Hillary or Bill Clinton to say to Obama if they had the opportunity.
In his piece at CNN.com, Carville says things are not going well, it’s time for Obama to panic! It’s time for the President to completely change course! Carville:
Today I was mulling over election results from New York and Nevada while thinking about that very question. What should the White House do now? One word came to mind: Panic.
We are far past sending out talking points. Do not attempt to dumb it down. We cannot stand any more explanations. Have you talked to any Democratic senators lately? I have. It’s pretty damn clear they are not happy campers.
Carville thinks Obama should fire some of his advisers immediately–in fact he recommends firing a lot of people.
Mr. President, your hinge of fate must turn. Bill Clinton fired many people in 1994 and took a lot of heat for it. Reagan fired most of his campaign staff in 1980. Republicans historically fired their own speaker, Newt Gingrich. Bush fired Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. For God’s sake, why are we still looking at the same political and economic advisers that got us into this mess? It’s not working.
I would add that maybe Obama should find some economic advisers who actually know something about economics, and then try listening to them.
Carville further suggests that Obama’s Justice Department should get busy indicting the corporate malefactors who caused the economic crisis that is hurting the middle- and working-class voters who will decide the next presidential election.
Good luck with that. I doubt if Obama will turn on his corporate masters, even if it means losing in 2012.
Next Carville says Obama should start “mak[ing] a case like a Democrat.” Good luck with that one too. I don’t think Obama is capable of acting like a Democrat. But I’d love to be proven wrong.
Finally, Carville says that Obama needs to
Stick to your rationale for what has happened and what is going to happen under your leadership. You must carry this through until the election (never say that things are improving because evidently they are not).
And to sum it all up, Carville sounds the alarm about what we’ll be facing if Obama doesn’t wake up and smell the failed presidency:
As I watch the Republican debates, I realize that we are on the brink of a crazy person running our nation. I sit in front of the television and shudder at the thought of one of these creationism-loving, global-warming-denying, immigration-bashing, Social-Security-cutting, clean-air-hating, mortality-fascinated, Wall-Street-protecting Republicans running my country.
The course we are on is not working. The hour is late, and the need is great. Fire. Indict. Fight.
If only Obama would listen … but I’m not holding my breath.
peej
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Sky Dancing 
Nah, Obama isn’t going to listen, he will just submit this CNN article to AttackWatch.com himself.
LOL!
funny!
HONK!!!
Hillary 2012
Good one!
Glad you reposted this. The interesting question is, would Obama be able to determine he is in trouble. I suspect that his campaign manager tells him what he knows. The campaign keeps him in the center of screaming Obots. He has no visibility to the world except the Republican party. All he knows with them is he needs to cave at the right time to maintain small progress. At this point the campaign staff does not care if he wins or loses. Their take is fixed unless he fires them. Then the question would be – who would he hire?
Then the calculation is – how bad will the Republican be. People I know would consider Romney or Huntsman.
Any person taking over the campaign would have to make that calculation.
I think the relevant statement is – this campaign is for the Republicans to loose.
Remember Bush dad won the Gulf War and yet lost to Clinton. Bushes problem is his base stayed home.
Obama has the same problem. Especially the collegiate ranks. Most of them have graduated since the last election and jobs are sparce.
Remember Bush dad won the Gulf War and yet lost to Clinton. Bushes problem is his base stayed home
Indeed…but he was also sunk by an economy like this one…so bad even the employed fear for their jobs and billonairs are openly given far better treatment . Perhaps I should start called Obama , ” Poppy” Bush instead of Bush 3 ?
I think Poppy Bush also raised taxes which is a no no for the big guys
lol! That’s right . Mr. ” Read my ( lying ) lips . No new Taxes” .
Stick to your rationale for what has happened and what is going to happen under your leadership. You must carry this through until the election (never say that things are improving because evidently they are not).
His rationale? Look James, I don’t think Obama even knows what is coming out of his mouth during a speech or why. He reads it, so he says it…In the public Obama, you are addressing a hologram
the guy on the golf links and in the back rooms yucking it up with Repugs …that’s Obama.
Great post BB – great comment PD. James still is a Dem! OMFL…will BO listen, comprehend….not a chance.
Yeah, I thought that was a little weak too. What rationale? So far its been a bunch of excuses about how Republicans control everything.
Ha ha ha ha ha. Good one, James.
James Carville is saying exactly what the rest of us here have been muttering for months but with the exception that he has the forum to do so.
A savvy consultant with a huge resume to back him up, Carville needs to be heeded. And his advice comes free of charge.
I too shudder at the very thought of any of those GOP contenders, or any one of them waiting in the wings, to actually win the race.
Disaster awaits if this happens no matter how smoothly they soak up an unhappy electorate willing to give then another chance to shaft this nation.
Time for Obama to actually join the Democratic Party and act like a leader. Because if not, the chances are he will live to regret it.
Well said, Pat. Obama needs to start kicking some corporate ass, indict a few banksters, defend some unions, and start acting like a damned Democrat. I never thought I’d hear myself say this, but if he came out swinging like he meant it, I’d actually vote for him.
I think I can safely say that, because it’s never gonna happen.
I’d give anything if he turned on a dime and started acting like Harry Truman. Unfortunately the chances of that are slim and none.
Just getting ready to leave for the game, and CNN had a story on about this:
New CNN Poll: GOP divided over tea party movement – CNN Political Ticker – CNN.com Blogs
The reporter was highlighting some of the questions…one of which was asking the about evolution. Those GOP Tea Party members, 11% say it is true and 38% said it aint’ true.
The regular GOP folks had their numbers at 12% and 23%.
The comment the reporter made was something like, it is obvious the Tea Party is pushing the GOP to become more conservative. My thought was…no it is pushing the GOP to become more batshit crazy!
I do think the Tea Party is divided…the local head here resigned yesterday to endorse Newt of all people, said that he was the only candidate that held his values. Bachmann does sleepovers at the governor’s mansion whenever she’s in town, so I kind of had the feeling that the local tea people were heading in that direction. Guess they are divided (and Crazy).
I give Carville points for speaking the truth and telling the “O” man flatout: you’re looking at a failed presidency and a one-term act if you don’t get off your butt and start acting and sounding like a Democrat. And the alternative we’re being subjected to through these GOP debates is truly hair-raising.
Will the man listen? I’d probably faint over dead if he did. The thing is why is it ‘only’ James Carville screaming to the wind? If you recall, it was James Carville screaming about incompetence during the BP disaster. He was livid. NOLA residents were livid. Americans were appalled. Unfortunately, all we got were foggy answers, skewed scientific data and reports, Obama’s irritation [plug the damn hole] moments and photo-ops.
I read an article at Politico yesterday saying how major Democratic stratgists and donors were angry, disgusted, bewildered, etc., etc. with Obama’s performance. So why aren’t they speaking in loud Carville voices? We need a chorus of condemnation, Democrats pushing back, people with the money and clout so Obama and his fan base can no longer shrug the complaints off as the unrealistic ramblings of those crazy progs and liberals.
The man is making it wa-a-y too easy for the GOP to nominate and elect a truly crazy candidate. I shudder along with Carville after listening to the best and brightest of the Republican party, who are Johnnie-one-notes on economics and various levels of crazed and downright evil on social issues.
I agree with Carville on this, too: the time for panic is now!
Damn, James broke out in a real sweat dance. Luv it when he dances in his own way, so intense, so hot.