Legal Commentary

The Return Of The Theory Of Change Debate

By Big Tent Democrat

By Big Tent Democrat

Is this is sign of some buyer's remorse regarding Obama? Via Ezra Klein, John Judis questions the Obama unity schtick:

Obama's commitment to radical centrism could also be severely tested. Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan, who enjoyed the support of popular movements, gave priority to getting their substantive legislative agendas adopted; and they succeeded by uniting their supporters and dividing their opponents. If they had focused first on uniting Democrats and Republicans behind common objectives, they probably would not have gotten their way. And, if they had initially turned their attention, as Obama has proposed, to "the most sweeping ethics reform in history," it is unlikely they would have passed public works spending (Roosevelt) or tax cuts (Reagan). Jimmy Carter, too, provides a cautionary tale: The last Democrat to take office on a radical centrist agenda, Carter failed to tame Congress or K Street and was defeated for reelection. He had campaigned for the presidency on the presumption that reformers could overturn the status quo in Washington. In the end, he turned out to be wrong.

(Emphasis suppied.) Anyone else concerned about this Unity Theory of Change? Mark Schmitt, this is your cue.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on February 25, 2008 (boomark / email).