"Obama has governed as a conservative. So, the question for progressives is, “What do we do now?”

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238. the point is, it's not public opinion that needs swaying

public opinion overall is pretty clearly well to the left of washington power.

it's not the public he needs to convince.

it's the real powers that be, who are motivated largely by more power, more money, more control.

great oratory is not as useful as it once was, no that the powers that be know they have enough power and control to (usually) ignore the public will with impunity.

if we are to wrest control back, we need powerful rival INSTITUTION on the left. strong unions, strong consumer groups, etc.

walkouts any boycotts are the sort of things they fear. if they understand that they can ignore the public will and we will still work and buy their crap and they can still get enough right-wingers in congress, then what difference does a brilliant speech make to them?

if obama has a failing, THAT's it. it's not a matter of where or how he's pitching policy, it's that he's a gifted community organizer, and his talents would be better put to use building those institutions (or giving speeches inspiring a nation of community organizers to do this) to work, building up the power of the left to fight future battles against the right.