"We cannot return to the past. We cannot simply be about defeating Donald Trump," Beto O'Rourke

[emmaverybo]

67. Obama did not initiate big,bold,and visionary ideas. Yet he remains one of the most

popular and able leaders in history. The ACA was based on an already existing plan. The deal with
Iran had been, in its essence if not details, on and off the table for four decades.

The Recovery Act was an economic plan worked on with economic advisors, which some would say was not bold at all, certainly not bold enough. But it rescued us from the Great Recession.

Obama developed a comprehensive immigration act and a jobs act. Both were thorough, well thought out, but not greatly original, hardly visionary, and did not pass. Our country would be in much better shape had we passed immigration reform and the jobs plan was something we should revisit.

Obama chaired the UN Security Council meeting, first US president to do so, where he led the passing of a resolution other world powers signed on to in an effort to stem the flow of home-grown jihadists. I’d call that detailed resolution prescient as it was passed only months before
home grown jihadists attacked at Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish deli.

He later put together a summit on terrorism bringing together counter terrorist experts, law enforcement, gang prevention and community leaders to brainstorm ideas. This effort, though mocked as ineffectual, exemplified his manner of leading—to coordinate, to negotiate, to put the best people together to find solutions, to spearhead efforts—which due to the force of his personalty and intellect, and based on the respect he engendered here and abroad—were often successful where others had failed before.

I do not recall when he ran that he proposed detailed policies. But he sure inspired, set a tone in the country, lay out the areas to be addressed, stressed his belief in government as an agent to improve and change lives. How’s that hope and change thingy workin for ya?

Worked well in part because Obama worked well with others, listened to his experts, studied a plan presented to him, and once committed to it, did not hesitate, never gave up.

I don’t know when the job description of president changed so that we must have a combination of Steve Jobs and Buckminster Fuller armed with power points and proto types to get out the gate.

Much of the next president’s work will be bringing departments back to mission, undoing the tax giveaway, re-enacting Obama era regulations, restoring the dignity of the office, rebuilding our alliances, reinstating the Iran deal, rejoining Paris Climate Accord—lots of “re,” that dreaded prefix that means again, going back, or as many protest, the past.

This work of restoration does not preclude progress. But building back up our government and promoting a sane foreign policy our allies can sign on to is the functional bedrock on which progress must rest.

Electability is essential, but it’s a quality we can only predict.

Personal integrity, a willingness to protect and represent all Americans, a firm grasp of the constitution, a desire to keep working towards a more perfect nation, and an ability to unify as many ordinary Americans as possible in the fight for this nation’s soul—I see these qualifications as not negotiable. They assume a commitment to social justice for which it is necessary to have healthcare for all, equal pay, racial justice, LGBT rights, and the preservation and expansion of the social safety net.

Bold, new ideas can solve problems and give fresh opportunities. They are best cultivated in collaboration—true of science and the arts. So who can muster the brightest and the best? Who can get the most Americans behind these new ideas?

We will hear our candidates address the nation, the world through the debates. Listen more to
how effectively they connect with that audience, rather than paying attention merely to who appears to “win” against the other.