Jon Meacham in Newsweek explores the question of how President-Elect Obama will govern in the light of his liberal voting record (according to the National Journal) in the U.S. Senate and campaign charges of being a tax-and-spend liberal. Certainly, some are anxious for a new era of liberalism while conservatives are waiting to pounce if he begins one. However, Meacham suggests there may be disappointed liberals and conservatives if he governs to the center as many of his centrist campaign messages said. Similar to Reagan, who is one of Obama's models, they are both seen as ideological purists, but with a tendency towards the pragmatic. If so, that may indicate that Obama would instead seek progressive goals through centrist means.
Pragmatism would serve him well and hopefully the country as well.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/167598
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
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2 comments:
Pragmatism is always good. Obama must know his limits when it comes to trying to truly CHANGE America. We are still a center-right country...
As Kenneth Blackwell so eloquently put it today "President-elect Obama’s leadership was affirmed by the American people. But while he decisively won the election, he must not overreach or misinterpret his mandate. There was no mandate to change our social culture." Blackwell said this in reference to marriage and racial preference issues.
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