TIME FOR A FIRESIDE CHAT

When I read this, from Think Progress, I start thinking that President Obama already has to play catch-up:

... ThinkProgress has found that the five cable news networks -- CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, Fox Business and CNBC -- have hosted more Republican lawmakers to discuss the plan than Democrats by a 2 to 1 ratio this week....

In total, from 6 AM on Monday to 4 PM on Wednesday, the networks have hosted Republican lawmakers 51 times and Democratic lawmakers only 24 times....

That means that the overwhelming majority of TV characterizations of this plan portray it as pure pork and socialism and non-stimulative and boodle for Democratic -- whoops, Democrat -- interest groups. And, of course, sure to be utterly ineffective, unlike all the GOP's wonderful magic bullets, which would turn the economy around in no time.

This is why I think the president should deliver a TV address as soon as possible. Sure, his inaugural speech was a mere nine days ago -- but FDR gave his first fireside chat just eight days after his inauguration.

Republicans are beginning to have a monopoly on the ways we talk about the provisions of this plan. Obama needs to end their control of the debate -- now.

****

UPDATE: And no, these efforts, however useful, aren't going to be sufficient:

... Pushing back against the unanimous House Republican vote against President Obama's stimulus plan, the White House plans to release state-by-state job figures "so we can put a number on what folks voted for an against," an administration aide said.

"It's clear the Republicans who voted against the stimulus represent constituents who will be stunned to learn their member of Congress voted against [saving or] creating 4 million jobs," the aide said....

And later today, MoveOn, Americans United for Change, AFSCME and SEIU will be announcing a new ad campaign targeting moderate Republican senators who might support the stimulus....

The ad, which will run in the Washington market and in those states, consists of clips of the president talking about the stimulus, followed by the male voiceover, "Tell Congress to support the Obama plan for jobs, not the failed policies of the past." ....

It's not enough for the White House (or liberal interest groups) to say, "We have a plan, they voted no, therefore they're against helping people." Republicans say their plans are better, and they've been given ample opportunity to put forth their (specious) arguments. The White House has to rebut those arguments. Obama shouldn't assume a limitless honeymoon with the voters.