Joe Biden (AP)
(Reuters)
WASHINGTON — It’s the storytelling, stupid.
In the midst of a bitter election campaign and struggling to right the economy, President Obama yesterday claimed that his biggest mistake as president has been neglecting to “tell a story to the American people.”
“The mistake of my first term — couple of years — was thinking that this job was just about getting the policy right. And that’s important,” Obama told CBS News.
“But the nature of this office is also to tell a story to the American people that gives them a sense of unity and purpose and optimism, especially during tough times.”
Obama said it was “funny” that after being lauded as a great orator and criticized for lack of executive experience, he got the policy right but didn’t talk it up enough in speeches.
“So getting out of this town, spending more time with the American people, listening to them and also being in a conversation with them about where do we go together as a country — I need to do a better job of that.”
“CBS This Morning” news anchor Charlie Rose pressed him: “A better job of explaining?”
“Well,” said Obama, “explaining but also inspiring.”
“Because hope is still there,” added First Lady Michelle Obama, who joined her husband for the taped interview, which will air this weekend on “CBS Sunday Morning.”
Presumptive GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney responded:
“President Obama believes that millions of Americans have lost their homes, their jobs and their livelihood because he failed to tell a good story. Being president is not about telling stories.
“Being president is about leading, and President Obama has failed to lead. No wonder Americans are losing faith in his presidency.”
The Obamas gave the interview at the White House instead of attending the NAACP convention in Houston, where Vice President Joe Biden gave a speech on Obama’s behalf.
Instead of seeing the president on stage, the convention got a pre-recorded video message from Obama, who last attended the conclave in 2009.
Obama has overwhelming support from black voters, but some say he has taken the black vote for granted.Sending Biden didn’t help on that front.
Still, Biden was a hit compared to Romney, who got booed loudly by the convention Wednesday when he vowed to eliminate ObamaCare.
“I believe this election will come down to character, conviction and vision,” Biden said yesterday. “And, it will not surprise you, I don’t think it’s even a close call.”
Biden boasted that the Obama administration has boosted education, clean energy, women’s rights, scientific research and affordable health care that will help 8 million African-Americans get coverage.
He credited Obama with saving the world from a global depression with the stimulus and auto-industry bailout. “It was not popular but it was critical and he was right,” Biden said.