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Obama Needs to Work on 'Big Idea'

To relate to voters, clearer message imperative

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 24, 2008 3:59 PM CDT

(Newser) – Despite Barack Obama’s remarkable policy consistency, he "remains a puzzle to many voters," writes Dorothy Wickenden in the New Yorker. It's time to articulate a governing philosophy, she argues: “He has proved his steadiness of purpose without clearly defining his priorities.What, above all, does he intend to accomplish if he is elected President?"

He’s at his best in his books, coming across as “something of a square: someone who doesn’t have to strain to talk about ‘values,’ God, and family.” He should amp up telling Americans the hardest, most fundamental truths, Wickenden concludes: “A little more audacity will yield a lot more hope.”

Barack Obama. (Getty Images (by Event))

Obama Holds Roundtable Discussion. (Getty Images (by Event) Individuals)

Barack Obama Begins Campaigning For General Election (Getty Images (by Event) Individuals)

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Obama Needs to Work on 'Big Idea'

To relate to voters, clearer message imperative

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Barack Obama • John McCain • Ronald Reagan • values

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More Newser Stories

Mock Her at Your Peril: Palin Speaks Real American

Accent 'dissed' by elites is same tune favored by humble, common-sense majority

Who Are You Calling a Socialist?

McCain: Obama's tax cut plan is 'welfare'; Dem: Mac 'out of touch'

Debates Help Obama Raise Our Comfort Level

Dem, like Reagan, used forums as a public vetting of an unfamiliar candidate

Hard-Core Supply-Sider: I'm Voting for the Democrat

Former Chamber of Commerce honcho has had enough foreign policy disaster

Like the Gipper, Obama Need Only Look Decent to Win

Pat Buchanan mocks tack to center, but says Dem is on the right track to victory

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Obama Needs to Work on 'Big Idea'

To relate to voters, clearer message imperative

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • John McCain • Ronald Reagan • values

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Mock Her at Your Peril: Palin Speaks Real American

Accent 'dissed' by elites is same tune favored by humble, common-sense majority

Who Are You Calling a Socialist?

McCain: Obama's tax cut plan is 'welfare'; Dem: Mac 'out of touch'

Debates Help Obama Raise Our Comfort Level

Dem, like Reagan, used forums as a public vetting of an unfamiliar candidate

Hard-Core Supply-Sider: I'm Voting for the Democrat

Former Chamber of Commerce honcho has had enough foreign policy disaster

Like the Gipper, Obama Need Only Look Decent to Win

Pat Buchanan mocks tack to center, but says Dem is on the right track to victory

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?