What to expect at the Obama campaign kickoff

Carolyn Kaster

(CBS News) -- The Obama campaign last night announced President Obama's first two official campaign events: A pair of rallies on May 5 at Ohio State and Virginia Commonwealth University. The campaign wouldn't say exactly what to expect from Mr. Obama at the rallies. But it's not all that hard to figure out the parameters.

For starters: The Obama campaign made clear on a conference call announcing the events that it is not willing to let the election be all about the president. "This is not going to be a one-way discussion," said senior campaign adviser David Axelrod. Obama campaign manager Jim Messina described the race as offering a "choice between two distinct records, and two different visions for the future of this country."

There's a reason for this: Mr. Obama's approval rating has been hovering at or below 50 percent, and the economy, while improving, is still struggling to emerge from recession. With numbers like that, the Obama camp fears it could lose if the spotlight is focused squarely on the president. So its implicit message is this: Even if you aren't enamored with the president, he's still better than the other guy.

You've already heard a lot from the president casting the election as a choice between his plans to go forward and a GOP that wants to move in the other direction; expect Mr. Obama to hit those notes hard on May 5. Asked if we would hear much new from the president at the rallies, Axelrod said no - and took a shot at Romney in the process. "We're not the candidate who reinvents himself from week to week," he said.

Another likely attack will come against Romney's perceived strength: His credentials from the business world. On the conference call, Axelrod said Romney's record is "not about job creation, it was about wealth creation for himself and his partners," before evoking bankrupted companies and outsourced jobs. Romney's record, Axelrod added, does not position Romney as a champion of the middle class.

In 2004, Republicans were able to damage Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry by going after his record in Vietnam, which was supposed to be one of his selling points; Democrats are hoping to recreate that dynamic, though in the other direction, this time around.

On the surface, the May 5 rallies will look much like Mr. Obama's events four years ago, with cheering crowds of adoring young people offering up rapturous support. But after four years of nasty partisan rancor, Mr. Obama can no longer offer up vague promises about a world in which progress comes simply through sheer force of will. He's got little choice but to try to create a contrast, and that means going after Romney aggressively. "It could be worse" may not have the ring of "yes we can," but for this president, it's going to have to do.

[pcheatham]

Well it is apparent the Kool-Aid is still being mixed and served. Obama has failed this country and deserves to go. His wife fantasizes about just walking out of the WH and just keep going (her words). Neither of them look at the honorable nature of being president and first lady, but more as a nuisance yet necessary step to getting out and start making some real money.

We are so screwed if he is re-elected. There will be no holds barred without an election in his future. They just need to go back to Chicago

[lg144]

Sure, blame the president because republican teabagging extremist bigoted insurgents like B itch McConnell can't accept a Black Democratic president and are being uncooperative doing everything in their power to make sure he fails.

President Obama's biggest mistake was expecting republicans to bargain in good faith when in reality they are sabotaging anything President Obama does that might help average Americans at every turn in order to defeat him. Republicans have more allegiance to Grover Norquist and his pledge never raise taxes under any circumstance than the constitution and country. Whatever happened to country first. F"ing treasonous republican hypocrites.

A new book by Robert Draper titled "Do Not Ask What Good We Do" documents how republicans conspired to block everything President Obama proposes to bring the country out of the economic mess that republicans created. Why aren't reporters asking republicans why voters should reward them with votes for their unpatriotic, despicable, treasonous acts?

[AGREEWITHSTEVENS]

Now, here we have a definition of CRAZY. One article says, "Obama has already hosted more re-election fund raisers than all President's since Nixon, COMBINED" ... and this article says he's about to START his campaign! Gee, I wonder why people get sick and tired of Washington DC's crap.

[dj_chi]

Well when you're collecting small bills and the Koch brothers are ready to whip out billion dollar checks, you have to work harder to get the small bills to equal the competition's back account.

[umustbekidding]

Yeah, maybe he can get a higher level of support by telling his supporters how he just went around congress again. Congress froze 192 million $$ in aid to Palestine because of they are completely governed by Terriers. Well, bravo! Zero just signed an executive order giving the Palestine 192 Billon. I wonder if congress will ever impeach him for his lawlessness? Not to mention we're broke.

[dj_chi]

Duh. You got your story wrong. Congress suspended the money already allocated. It's for aid, education and stuff. Obama just decided the reason for suspending it - Palestine trying for UN admission -was past. There's nothing illegal about it. If there was, the GOP is hardly too afraid to impeach Obama over it. Take the hint from the lack of impeachment hearings.

[REDBEAR57]

It must really suck to be a Republican these days, knowing that President Obama will be in office for nearly 5 more years, and it is very likely that a Democrat will be elected in 2016.

[AGREEWITHSTEVENS]

Yes, it does suck to hold those principles that are Conservative during these times ...the question is, why is all of Obama's "stuff" OK with you? I understand two-party system, us against them, etc etc...I get it. But aren't you, at least a little bit, sickened by the Obama we got vs. the Obama that campaigns?

[dj_chi]

We'd have more of the Obama who campaigned if Congress worked like past Congresses and actually compromised to get stuff done. When you block and block and block - like filibustering closing Guantanamo - you have little to show for it. Except a horribly low Congress approval rating.

[jt92202]

Not sure he stopped campaigning since 2008!

[Zann-Zel]

"We're not the candidate who reinvents himself from week to week"
-----------------
LMAO!

OBAMA 2012 : )

[AGREEWITHSTEVENS]

Oh no, read your candidates position on drone usage, or torture, or raising the debt ceiling for starters. Then think about Solyndra, Michelle's vacations, eligibility, Fast and Furious, EVERYTHING can't be Republican hounding. Why is it all OK with you?

[Agent-XXXX]

LOL

Nope Obama does it day to day. Ignorant schmuck.

[trixter1268]

We can expect more hollow promises of hope and change. Lot's of comedy skits on TV to help lower the level of respect for the position of President. We can expect denial, blame, fear mongering. We can expect more of Joe Biden lying out of his teeth. We can expect to hear nothing about accomplishments since there are none to speak of. We can expect smoke screens and slight of hand.
Really what we can expect is business as usual.

[Smokey75]

Here is what you can expect for answers by Obama:

Question:
Why has Unemployment average 9% you entire first term?

Obama:
"But But Bush; We Inherited"

Question:
Why do millions continued to be foreclosed on and House values continue to drop 3 1/2 years into your administration?

Obama;
"But But Bush; We Inherited"

Question:
Why is hte deficit still 1.2 trillion 3 1/2 years after you promised to cut in half?

Obama:
"But But Bush; We Inherited"


Obama:
Thank you for the interview and allowing me the opportunity to show you that I am really crappy president but keep in I am still better than Bush.

[1776Liberal]

Nothing new. We can expect more campaign lies, racial divisiveness, calls for more taxes, and new world order rhetoric.

What we won't hear is anything about freedom to succeed or fail, personal responsibility for ones actions, smaller and less intrusive government, the worldwide generosity of Americans for over 200 yrs, or the Greatness of America,