How Obama can win back the media

[Commentary] The honeymoon between President Barack Obama and the media is over.

I’ve been fascinated by the erosion of fourth-estate support for the president. The upstart from Illinois enjoyed kid-gloves treatment in 2008, like few other candidates in my memory. What worked four years ago won’t cut it today. Obama’s opponents are challenging the media to be more responsible and hard hitting. Summing up the view of conservative voters, a headline on the Washington Post Right Turn blog asked: “How will we know if the media dive back in the tank for Obama?” The implication there is the media were clearly in Obama’s corner the first time around — and that they could well be again.

How can the president win back the media? Here are five ideas:

1. Have a thicker skin: When you do a Google search for “Obama thin skin,” multiple stories with the same theme appear. Whether the president has “rabbit ears,” as the blurb for a YouTube video claimed, perception can become reality.
2. Appear in public with the ever-popular Michelle: The First Lady has emerged as a strong and calming influence whether she is speaking with journalists on official White House business or yukking it up on the ABC chat show “The View.”
3. Be the anti-Mitt Romney: The media noted during the Republican convention that one of Mitt Romney’s biggest challenges is to show that he is a friend of working men and women and not just a rich capitalist. Obama was swept into office on a populist tidal wave, which reporters identified strongly with.
4. Never let ‘em see you sweat, Mr. President: Obama, has occasionally seemed on edge this year — understandably, what with the state of the economy — and reporters have noticed.
5. Lighten up: We have seen his hair go from black to gray, it’s understandable that he’s feeling stressed, but he needs to give the impression that he’s enjoying himself. He’s often at his best in lighthearted moments, when he’s giving his picks for the NCAA basketball tournament or shooting baskets with the likes of LeBron James.