ABC News’ Karen Travers writes a smart piece about President Obama’s recent laments about life in the bubble, a point that I agree with. As she quotes me:
“The best way to show people that you continue to understand their concerns is by showing the president with people outside of Washington,” said Republican strategist Alex Conant. “Part of the reason any president gets elected is that people feel like they understand their concerns. It’s hard to maintain that impression when you’re living inside a bubble and rarely exposed to common people.” …
“Most photos of the president are with him and other guys in suits. It’s just an image that contrasts sharply with the campaign when the president constantly surrounded by everyday people who were not part of the Washington establishment,” Republican strategist Conant said. “Obama’s great at giving speeches but a picture is worth a thousand words. No matter how much he talks about understanding people’s troubles, unless people actually see him in that context it’s a tough sell.”
Karen also compiles some statistics from CBS News’ Mark Knoller that surprised me: Obama made 46 trips to 58 cities and towns in 30 states during his first year in office. Obama held 426 speeches, statements or remarks in his first year in office, of which 40 percent were inside the White House.
46 trips to 30 states seems like a high number – but that number would include trips like his vacation in Martha’s Vineyard and Hawaii, and his date-night on Broadway; trips that only reinforce the bubble-image enveloping his presidency.
