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Get Ready for Earful From Obama Aides

President needs trash-talking surrogates ahead of election 2012: Michael Scherer

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 22, 2011 2:59 PM CDT

(Newser) – Amid press conferences and big speeches, President Obama spent his first two years in office as “his own messenger.” But expect that to change in the run-up to the next election, writes Michael Scherer in Time. In those first two years, Obama lacked a solid team of spokespeople; aides like Larry Summers and Rahm Emanuel weren’t up to the job. Now, “as the Obama team enters the most trying 14 months of a remarkably trying five-year blitz, they are getting their ducks in a row.”

“With the economy still stuck in neutral, no Democrat sees a path to victory in 2012 that is not negative,” Scherer notes. “The message: You may not be happy, but I am better than than that one, and here is why.” But even as he goes on the attack, Obama hopes to stay “slightly above the fray.” It’ll be up to advisers like David Axelrod and Robert Gibbs to “throw mud”; where Obama “taps,” they must “punch.” Those attacks began on this Sunday’s talk shows, and there will be plenty more to come.

Obama needs his top aides talking tough, writes Michael Scherer. (AP Photo/Brian Kersey)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 29 comments

Veritas

Aug 24, 2011 10:39 AM CDT

We need a President that can show that the GOP has been trying to dismantle the midde class and all they have via the Koch Brothers and the Prosperity for America group..cases in point..WI.NJ..Ohio..IN..and he need to get rid of the two idiots left over from the Wall St derivative mess-summers and rubin..And get Damn and on TV

carpenocturne

Aug 22, 2011 7:06 PM CDT

Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeal mature.

WallyEFunk

Aug 22, 2011 6:36 PM CDT

About time it's the only thing Republicans listen too, the bigger the B.S. the better. No harm dropping yourself down to there level some times, facts aren't good enough for them from reading the trolling , off topic comments and great lack of backing anything they say.

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Get Ready for Earful From Obama Aides

President needs trash-talking surrogates ahead of election 2012: Michael Scherer

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

aide • campaign adviser • David Axelrod • Obama administration • Bill Burton • Election 2012 • Robert Gibbs • President Obama • Obama 2012

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