Hi clo,
Indeed.
Although I'm really reflecting more on the political version of the conversation.
The Republicans are running their campaign under the following talking points: on being president - Obama has no leadership skills, which is why nothing passes Congress; on being patriotic - he is not like the rest of us because he doesn't believe in American exceptionalism; on managing the economy - he is an economic incompetent who has never had a proper job and who created the deficit; on keeping the country secure - his weakness is demonstrated because he fled Iraq, which the Republicans had invaded for the virtuous reason of getting rid of Saddam; on his character - he looks down on normal people because of his elitist education, which is why he doesn't understand the American people. etc.
These are all false when you think about them for more than two seconds, but fortunately for the Republicans, their people easily surrender to what they are told on Fox and on Limbaugh. This is, after all, the party which loves its labels. The LIBERALS are UNAMERICAN. They want to introduce SOCIALISM and oppose THE AMERICAN DREAM. They are UNPATRIOTIC and they don't believe in GOD.
So they keep pounding away on message, and will continue to do so all the way to the election. Until it gets into people's heads, Korean-style. And half of the American people will say "he doesn't believe in American exceptionalism, you know. He's not like the rest of us. He's an elitist. Can you believe he left Iraq after we liberated it from Saddam? And he wants to make sure no one achieves the American Dream so they will vote liberal and force us all into socialism. And by the way [whispers confidentially], he really was born in Kenya, you know - his aunt said so."
It's just so much rubbish. But it's what a cynical party with no ideas does, apparently. The party of Karl Rove.
Just thought I would get an answer in to one of their talking points early!
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