Cross-posted from AmericaBlog.
Since President Barack Obama officially launched his reelection campaign this week, niggling thoughts have filled my mind: How do I feel about this? Excited? Ready for the fight? Eager to help? Determined to donate? Convinced of the cause?
Last time around, I felt no doubt. For me, Mr. Obama's first campaign was energized by the sense that his victory was a moral imperative. I gave time and money, talked it up, helped turn out the vote. For the first time in my life, I was voting FOR a presidential candidate, not just AGAINST his opponent. Candidate Obama talked about "change you can believe in," and I believed.
And now? This time, I find myself having to make intellectual contortions to make the case. I think: What could the slogan be this time?
"Change you can believe in: As long as you don't expect ME to get out front and make a forceful argument for it."
"Change you can believe in: As long as the GOP and the Chamber of Commerce approve."
"Change you can believe in: As long as it doesn't really challenge the power of Wall Street or inconvenience the wealthy."
Yeah, I know just writing this is going to earn me the flames of all you Democratic pragmatists out there. You'll argue that Mr. Obama did what he could given the difficult circumstances. Silly me for thinking there is real value and power in idealism, or that failing to consistently and forcefully challenge the ideological framing set by one's opponents is what making real change requires.
This time around, I'm falling back to my old way: "Can't let Orange Johnny Boehner and Pickled Mitch McConnell have a partner in the White House. Guess I'll vote for Obama." It's a valid way of assessing the situation and it provides some motivation, certainly, but it hardly fuels a fire in my belly.
How the Obama reelection campaign energizes its base is a question already on the table. The President said yesterday in a conference call with supporters, "I'm fired up. I don't know about everyone else."
This post is my answer. But it's also an invitation to you: How are you feeling? Fired up?