National Journal Magazine - Curb Your Enthusiasm, Democrats
Rated • 1 review • politics, democrats, obama, mandate • nationaljournal.com
"Not since 1860 will there be a transition as difficult," said former Sen. Bob Kerrey of Nebraska. "He's not going to have the luxury of time." Among Barack Obama's strengths are his calm demeanor, his candor, and his ability to inspire -- all of which are likely to be crucial. For jittery Americans worried about their jobs, their houses, and their retirements; for restless members of his own party who would rather worry about Iraq, climate change, and health care, the new president will need to call upon all of his powers of measured reassurance. Call him the soother-in-chief.
He'll have to be a soother in a hurry, though. The Democrats who run Congress are eager to start erasing the frustrations of the past eight years. Unity of purpose will last for a while -- but not a long while.
Democrats are already arguing. Should they take advantage of their victory and push for as much as possible as quickly as possible before the chance is lost? Or should they follow an "all deliberate speed" strategy, with the emphasis on deliberate -- not overreaching, keeping the party together, even forging alliances with Republicans where possible? Obama's temperament would suggest the latter approach. The impatience of his anti-war supporters, and his recruiting of the hard-edged Rahm Emanuel for his chief of staff, suggest otherwise.
Patrick Griffin, who was President Clinton's legislative aide, argues for two prongs: Even while dealing with the financial mess, he says, the administration should push hard for one, or perhaps two, big projects and resign itself to pursuing an incremental slog on the other issues it faces.
He'll have to be a soother in a hurry, though. The Democrats who run Congress are eager to start erasing the frustrations of the past eight years. Unity of purpose will last for a while -- but not a long while.
Democrats are already arguing. Should they take advantage of their victory and push for as much as possible as quickly as possible before the chance is lost? Or should they follow an "all deliberate speed" strategy, with the emphasis on deliberate -- not overreaching, keeping the party together, even forging alliances with Republicans where possible? Obama's temperament would suggest the latter approach. The impatience of his anti-war supporters, and his recruiting of the hard-edged Rahm Emanuel for his chief of staff, suggest otherwise.
Patrick Griffin, who was President Clinton's legislative aide, argues for two prongs: Even while dealing with the financial mess, he says, the administration should push hard for one, or perhaps two, big projects and resign itself to pursuing an incremental slog on the other issues it faces.
