Painting by Mason FetzerOn Meet the Press this morning, conservative columnist David Brooks says Obama is walking the talk, that he really wants to bring all sides together.
When Obama met recently with a bunch of conservative journalists, including Brooks, at George Will's house, Obama listened. Brooks said they were a bunch of Americans sitting around a table having a discussion. Obama really gets both sides, or at least, he wants to hear both sides, calling himself a Pragmatic Progressive. Brooks said Obama is in contrast to Bush, who always insisted that his ideology was morally superior.
Obama wants to abolish ideology and frankly, I think that's what most Americans want. Most of us aren't on the left or the right. We just want people in Washington to get something accomplished. Obama is in tune with the American people. I think ultimately, his decisions will benefit the people who need the benefit most.
Another thing, it doesn't have to be all or nothing -- one side wins and the other loses. It can be one side mostly wins and the other gets some concessions.
Video below.
The Swamp has a good story on Obama's pragmatic progressive approach, saying that, ultimately, he'll have to choose a side. Yes, but at least he can choose a side, or make the best decision, after including everyone in on the conversation, not dismissing one view to the corner at the start.
When Obama met recently with a bunch of conservative journalists, including Brooks, at George Will's house, Obama listened. Brooks said they were a bunch of Americans sitting around a table having a discussion. Obama really gets both sides, or at least, he wants to hear both sides, calling himself a Pragmatic Progressive. Brooks said Obama is in contrast to Bush, who always insisted that his ideology was morally superior.
Obama wants to abolish ideology and frankly, I think that's what most Americans want. Most of us aren't on the left or the right. We just want people in Washington to get something accomplished. Obama is in tune with the American people. I think ultimately, his decisions will benefit the people who need the benefit most.
Another thing, it doesn't have to be all or nothing -- one side wins and the other loses. It can be one side mostly wins and the other gets some concessions.
Video below.
The Swamp has a good story on Obama's pragmatic progressive approach, saying that, ultimately, he'll have to choose a side. Yes, but at least he can choose a side, or make the best decision, after including everyone in on the conversation, not dismissing one view to the corner at the start.
Some liberals might think that R. Bruce Josten has no business visiting President-elect Barack Obama's transition office once, let alone 16 times. That's because Josten is the top lobbyist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, chief antagonist to one of the leading interest groups--big labor--that helped Obama win the presidency.
Yet, after talking to the transition staff, Josten has pronounced himself satisfied that the incoming administration will consider the needs of corporate America.
At the same time, labor union officials feel confident about their relationship with Obama. They hope they can persuade the incoming president to press for their No. 1 goal, a new law that would make it easier for workers to form unions. The proposed law is so disliked by business that blocking it has become a top priority of the Chamber of Commerce.
Eventually, Obama is going to have to make up his mind on whether to lobby for the law, and one of these groups is going to be unhappy. But on the eve of his inauguration, it's not clear which one. read more.
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