Perception Is Reality

There’s a trend in political commentary that brands bills or events to the person in charge at the time. It’s not the “tax cuts of 2001 passed under Bush;” it’s the “Bush tax cuts.” It’s not the “welfare reform passed under Clinton;” it’s the “Clinton welfare reform.” Branding is important because in politics, perception matters. For example, welfare reform was strongly opposed by Clinton before he signed the ‘The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996’ after Dick Morris, a Clinton advisor, persuaded him that not signing the bill would cost Democrats more seats in the mid-term elections and after he vetoed two previous versions of the bill. Clinton now receives credit for the bill’s success despite his previous objections.

Consider the economic turmoil we now face. Despite incompetence on both sides of the aisle, Bush in particular and Republicans in general have been blamed for recent economic hardships in the court of public opinion. It’s been called the “Bush recession,” or the more draconian “Bush depression.” The main stream media continue to drive this home with little analysis but plenty of blame. With a recent Zogby poll showing that over 60% of Obama voters believe Republicans control Congress, it’s no wonder Democrats were hurled into the Presidency and strengthened its hold in the Legislative Branch.

I suspect the economy will continue to sputter in the near future based on Obama’s policy initiatives. Obama will receive a grace period of perhaps a year. The media’s love affair with him will buy a grace period longer than any conservative would be afforded. He will continue (wisely) to blame problems on Bush, but this can’t last forever. Democrats are better at framing the debate partially because they have the mainstream media to trumpet their message. Conservative leadership must become better branders and find effective ways to get their message out if they wish to regain power. In politics, perception is reality.