Posted on 02/24/2009 10:12:45 AM PST by pissant
President Barack Obama won’t speak until prime-time, but his aides fanned out to the morning shows Tuesday morning to talk up his first speech before a joint session of Congress. And the word they used to preview it: “Reaganesque.”
“The president believes very clearly that we have to be honest with the American people about where we are,” White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
“He will,” Gibbs said, “tell the country that we’ve faced … greater challenges than the ones we face now, but we as Americans always meet those challenges. But in the Reaganesque words, there are always better days ahead.”
It was a full-on rollout, befitting a State-of-the-Union-style speech to Congress, at a moment of economic peril for the nation.
Gibbs appeared on all six morning shows. Senior adviser David Axelrod is scheduled to do more interviews later today. And a slew of other administration officials are scheduled to make the cable rounds as the speech nears: Duncan again, Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, Council of Economic Advisers Chair Christina Romer, and Vice President Biden’s chief economic adviser, Jared Bernstein.
Their goal? To quell suggestions that Obama is taking on too much just a month into his presidency, and to insist that he’s not down on hope.
“He still believes deeply in the ultimate success of this country,” White House senior adviser David Axelrod said on MSNBC’s Morning Joe. “But it’s important that people know where we are today and how we get out of the situation we’re in so it is a balance that he has to strike.”
Axelrod strode just a few yards from his West Wing office for the appearance on Morning Joe, which was taping on the North Lawn of the White House Tuesday. Gibbs made the trek before him to sit in 11-degree wind chill for a segment. Education Secretary Arne Duncan went out to tout education.
Obama’s speech comes as a trio of polls show he’s still enjoying the very favorable opinion of Americans.
His job approval ratings range from 63 percent to 68 percent, according to surveys by CNN, Washington Post/ABC and a New York Times/CBS. The Washington Post/ABC poll found that nearly seven in 10 Americans believe Obama is making good on his promise to bring change to Washington.
Having Morning Joe air from the White House was akin to another public relations boon. The hosts praised the administration’s willingness to engage in debate. For his second segment on the three-hour show, Gibbs got to highlight a White House that offers casual, everyman hospitality.
He gave hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski a tour of his West Wing office.
“This is where it all gets done,” Gibbs said, entering the “lower press” area where aides were at their desks. “I’ve never seen them all on the phone at the same time,” he noted.
In his office, Gibbs had a collection of his now-signature festive ties on his desk and even opened up his closet to show a selection of extra shirts - “in case I spill my lunch on myself” – and the press secretary hand-me-down flak jacket.
He chatted about not seeing his family as often as he’d like and getting to the office by 6 a.m. When talk turned to Obama, Gibbs said, “I have a great relationship with him. I talk to him often.”
I keep getting reminded of Woody Allen's movie "Zelig". The guy doesn't have any core -- he just becomes other people for awhile if he thinks it will be useful. Scary.
the hubris is mindboggling.
Almost as mind boggling as the utter incompetence.
Mister Soetoro. I knew Ronald Reagan. You sir, are no Ronald Reagan.
Glad I have to work while that stutter fest is on tonight.
My thoughts exactly
Wait a minute - I thought he was Lincolnesque!!??
Well, I guess the whole "Obama ss Lincoln" schtick didn't work, so they're looking for another successful Presidency to glom on to. Funny how they don't seem to be comparing That One to LBJ, Jimmah, or x42, only Republican presidents.
When is this speech, anyway, so I'll know to avoid it?
Reagan, Lincoln, Caesar, Jesus, the Messiah; just stop thinking so much, and bask in the glory of the omnipotence that gushes from his teleprompter.
Looks like he’s running the gamut of former presidents. I can’t wait to see his Martin Van Buren.
holy crap....what a bunch of ice-holes.
Ronald Reagan was Ronald Reagan all the time.
Obama being Reaganesque means what ? mentioning hope & change ?
Gibbs needs to head back to Krispy Kreme.
The media routinely described President Reagan as an out of touch , lazy dunce who had to take naps every day.
I can see that comparison to Barry.
Interesting that Barry always tries to assume the identity of Republican presidents.
He’s a political grave robber.
Well, he's got to attach himself to someone's greatness. Heaven knows, 0bamaesque doesn't mean cr@p.
Political grave robber...good one!
I’m waiting for his Grant moment..
I thought Clinton was the liberals' great speech-maker?
Why aren't they saying his speech will be "Clintonesque"?
Oh, yeah. "Clintonesque" has taken on somewhat of a different meaning...something to do with White House sinks...
The big-eared, banana-begging, bungling bozo comparing himself to Reagan has got to be the malignant narcissistic event of the millenium! He doesn’t amount to a freckle on The Gipper’s... (well, you know).
It’s so simple. Just keep using the old worlds and change the meaning. Reaganesque now means fascist socialism.
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