In the post-Palin milieu I have been disappointed and frightened by the fact that Barack Obama is having so much trouble dealing with the theatrics and propaganda of the RRRR (Republican Radical Religious Right) and its McCain off-shoot. Obama seems to be a bit speechless in the face of the surging nonsense–unable to organize responses that inspire the media and his audiences. He is too honest and thoughtful to do this job naturally. The shadow of 2004 looms.

While out walking the dog today, it occurred to me that the solution might be for him to use a formal structure for all his public appearances–an outline that he would follow absolutely. In every public appearance, even if sometimes he said, “Today I’m going to skip ………”

To start, he reveals to an audience a structure that allows him to take the professorial role for part of it; the scornful combative politician role for another part; the inspirational oratory role for another part and so on. The playbook always has the same parts, which I propose below in the form of a five act play, so that the listeners will know when to laugh or listen carefully or cheer or moan. He repeats this introduction until just about every audience knows it and all he has to do is mention which act he is moving into.

I believe that the following scenario, or rewrite of it by Michelle and Barack & Co, would greatly relieve the anxiety of his listeners–they would know when to laugh and cheer and pay attention (or fall asleep) and they would come to realize that it is his very mastery of a wide range of material that makes it hard for him to deal with the garbage.

Until everybody knows what to expect, he begins every appearance by naming and explaining the parts of the presentation he is about to make:

OBAMA’S ONE-MAN PLAY IN FIVE ACTS

ACT I Serious review of issues with proposals and plans
ACT II The McCain-Palin traveling sideshow and circus. He is where he uses humor and deserved ridicule of things they have said and done (or failed to say and do) in the past week or two. A frequent feature of this act might be a recital of the most obvious, substantive and complete reversals of McCain’s positions.
Act III Talking. Expanded and refined definitions and critique of the terms of art in discussing politics and governing: liberal, radical, conservative, neocon, income equity, trickle-down. What is an issue? What is propaganda? When does an exaggeration or an omission become a lie? Why is every important thing that a President accomplishes is achieved by talking–to persuade or instruct–sometimes by writing–but never with a hammer or shovel or gun.
Act IV Featured lecture. The one main point he wishes to make today or this week or this month. His most vital current position laid out in detail.
Act V Oration. Leave them completely elevated or crying or furious or doubled up with laughteras only he can do it.

In the post-Palin milieu I have been disappointed and frightened by the fact that Barack Obama is having so much trouble dealing with the theatrics and propaganda of the RRRR (Republican Radical Religious Right) and its McCain off-shoot. Obama seems to be a bit speechless in the face of the surging nonsense–unable to organize responses that inspire the media and his audiences. He is too honest and thoughtful to do this job naturally. The shadow of 2004 looms.

While out walking the dog today, it occurred to me that the solution might be for him to use a formal structure for all his public appearances–an outline that he would follow absolutely. In every public appearance, even if sometimes he said, “Today I’m going to skip ………”

To start, he reveals to an audience a structure that allows him to take the professorial role for part of it; the scornful combative politician role for another part; the inspirational oratory role for another part and so on. The playbook always has the same parts, which I propose below in the form of a five act play, so that the listeners will know when to laugh or listen carefully or cheer or moan. He repeats this introduction until just about every audience knows it and all he has to do is mention which act he is moving into.

I believe that the following scenario, or rewrite of it by Michelle and Barack & Co, would greatly relieve the anxiety of his listeners–they would know when to laugh and cheer and pay attention (or fall asleep) and they would come to realize that it is his very mastery of a wide range of material that makes it hard for him to deal with the garbage.

Until everybody knows what to expect, he begins every appearance by naming and explaining the parts of the presentation he is about to make:

OBAMA’S ONE-MAN PLAY IN FIVE ACTS

ACT I Serious review of issues with proposals and plans
ACT II The McCain-Palin traveling sideshow and circus. He is where he uses humor and deserved ridicule of things they have said and done (or failed to say and do) in the past week or two. A frequent feature of this act might be a recital of the most obvious, substantive and complete reversals of McCain’s positions.
Act III Talking. Expanded and refined definitions and critique of the terms of art in discussing politics and governing: liberal, radical, conservative, neocon, income equity, trickle-down. What is an issue? What is propaganda? When does an exaggeration or an omission become a lie? Why is every important thing that a President accomplishes is achieved by talking–to persuade or instruct–sometimes by writing–but never with a hammer or shovel or gun.
Act VI Featured lecture. The one main point he wishes to make today or this week or this month. His most vital current position laid out in detail.
Act V Oration. Leave them completely elevated or crying or furious or doubled up with laughteras only he can do it.