4 Easy Steps

The Obama campaign reaction to the bailout plan proposed by the Bush Administration and being considered by Congress has become increasingly focused over the past few days. Yesterday The New York Times reported on Obama’s Four Conditions:

1. A payback plan for taxpayers should the bailout succeed
2. A bipartisan group to provide oversight
3. Limits on the compensation of executives
4. Aid to struggling homeowners

The Times stated that "Mr. Obama was clearly seeking to come across as the leader of the opposition party at a time of national crisis" (Obama Says Bailout Should Include 4 Conditions). The Obama campaign is clearly taking advantage of its position as outsiders and using challenger communicative strategies in the process. It is distancing itself from the current administration and blaming it for the current fiscal debacle. The Obama campaign, in proposing a very detailed plan, has taken the offensive position on this issue. Moreover, the article reports Obama’s criticism of not the Bush administration but President Bush himself, calling out his "stubborn inflexibility" on the original proposal. Obama is clearly posturing for change for this coming election and creating a strong response for the moment when this issue will, undoubtedly, come up in this week’s debate.