Professor Jason Johnson was quoted in The Hill article: “Obama to face hungry press corps”
Jason Johnson, a political science professor at Hiram College in Ohio, said Obama is suffering from the same problem Bush had when he said there had been no terrorist acts since his administration’s actions. Johnson pointed out that presidents usually don’t get credit for averting crises.
“I think the most important thing Obama can do right now is lay out some measurable accomplishments over the last year that he can point to, and then some measurable goals that can be accomplished over the next six to seven months,” Johnson said.
He added that Obama needs to build that contrast between Democrats and Republicans to rally his base, which has been disappointed with the administration on a range of issues. Surveys suggest independents are abandoning Democrats, while Republicans are energized.
Johnson said Obama should tell the left: “’If you thought you only got half a bag of oats this time, think of what you’ll get when the GOP holds the House.’”
“If that doesn’t work, the only thing that will is when the GOP does take over the House,” he said. Obama is likely to hear a range of other questions on Friday, including on the future of his chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, who may run for mayor of Chicago.