Interesting interview President Obama had with Busisness Week last week. This part reveals a key political strategy:
But the last point I would just make in terms of the operating economic philosophy here: My working assumption has always been, if the market could do it better, have the market do it. I have very little confidence in, as I said, some sort of command-and-control regulatory regime.
snip
But I will tell you that if you talk to ordinary Americans right now, they feel at least as cynical about business as they are about government. And part of my motivation here is to channel what is going to be, I think, a lot of populist energy in a constructive way that does not end up preventing us from continuing to be the most dynamic, innovative economy.
msnbc
More after the fold.
Let me focus narrowly on the point:
And part of my motivation here is to channel what is going to be, I think, a lot of populist energy in a constructive way that does not end up preventing us from continuing to be the most dynamic, innovative economy.
There has to be populist energy (scary left wingers) putting pressure on business for Obama to be able to compromise these desires for change with business, so Obama can settle for half a loaf and "channel [that] populist energy in a constructive way."
Unless we fight for EFCA, cap and trade (or real regulation, "COMMAND AND CONTROL" in the President's parlence) , and single payer, for REAL changes that threaten the status quo, President Obama's portrayal of himself as the bulwark between revolution and reform has little persuasive power.
If business thinks people just will follow whatever Obama says, they are not afraid.
So where's the populist energy? President Obama's entire strategy depends on people out there fighting for change far beyond what he is willing to deliver. Then he can compromise that change, channel that energy, so business and the current economic and social structure is not deeply threatened.
Without people with pitchforks truly asking for real change that threatens our system, his strategy will fail and we will not even get the tepid reforms for which he fights. So get out there and fight.
Crossposted from docudharma