President Obama seemed to reveal the thinking behind his reported negative campaign strategy while indicating that “this country is being tested” by Republican opposition to his agenda and reelection.
“The energy of 2008 is going to have to be generated in a different way [in 2012],” Obama said to Los Angeles supporters. “It has to be a clear contrast of where we want to take the country and where the other folks want to take the country.”
After criticizing the Republicans “cramped vision” of America, Obama asked supporters “to fight for our vision,” before invoking their character as a reason to support him against the GOP. “Character is tested when things are hard. This country is being tested,” Obama said, “but I have complete faith in its character. That’s what this election is about. It’s about values. It’s about character. It’s about who we are.”
Does that mean that President Obama will lose “faith in [America’s] character” if he loses in 2012? In 2008, First Lady Michele Obama said, because of Obama’s candicacy, “for the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country.” Will that change if he loses?
