Progressives Discover That Obama's no Messiah

Posted by David Sirota, Huffington Post at 5:00 AM on July 15, 2008.

Obama is a transformative politician, but he's still a politician.

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The New York Times write two days ago on Barack Obama's recent policy shifts. The headline (not surprisingly) distorts the frame of debate, calling the Illinois senator's critics the "far left." I'll be writing on why that is such a distortion in my upcoming newspaper column this week. But beyond that distortion, let's consider the substance of what's going on. Here's my take, as quoted in the article:

"I'm not saying we're there yet, but that's the danger," said David Sirota, a liberal political analyst and author. "I don't think there's disillusion. I think there's an education process that takes place, and that's a good thing. He is a transformative politician, but he is still a politician."

This follows a lot of the underlying message of my book, THE UPRISING: namely, that politicians -- whether Obama or others -- are not messiahs, but mere vehicles for the change we do -- or do not -- force them to embrace. If Obama's moves force more people to learn that truism, then I think that's a positive silver lining to his disappointing shifts.

Jeralyn Merritt over at TalkLeft says I'm wrong -- that Obama isn't a transformative politician. What do you think? Do you think what I told the Times was right, and that Obama is transformative, but that his moves potentially undermine his brand? Or do you think I'm wrong, that Obama isn't really transformative, and that his moves prove that?

Tagged as: obama, new york times, framing

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An Improvement [Report this comment] Posted by: dayenta on Jul 15, 2008 7:25 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] First of all, Obama has not set HIMSELF up as a new "messiah," so if you are disappointed it is your own misconceptions that got you there. Secondly, he is a VAST improvement over the amoral slugs running things now. If we also work to get better reps in Congress, as well as a better president, we will be on our way to digging ourselves out of this hole (I know it will take generations). So, Barak the vote, and work to get some real leadership in Congress as well. Quit the kvetching! [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] Get to work! [Report this comment] Posted by: jebpgh on Jul 15, 2008 8:53 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] The tasks in front of us are huge. We need progressives of all types in the Congress, we need a solid leader in the White House and most of all, we need an energized and active electorate with courage and a willingness to take on the issues. There is no messiah here, Sirota is absolutely correct. Barack is a leader, of that I am convinced, and someone who can work effectively across a spectrum of constituents. I don't need him to be me - I need him to lead the coalition forward. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

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