Frontline on Obama: A Consensus-Builder Even at Harvard

[Pangloss]

I was just watching Frontline's "Dreams of Obama" and I was struck by one of the segments which talked about his tenure at Harvard Law Review. He was apparently elected because of conservatives "crossing over" to vote for him, and he apparently got ten times as much criticism from the left as from the right during his time as President of the journal.

 

I realize that doesn't prove anything with regard to his presidency, but it certainly suggests that he'll be the moderate consensus builder that he's been promising, doesn't it? I know I kinda gloat about the anger and frustration I'm predicting that the far left is going to see during this administration, but it sure seems more likely every day.

 

What do you all think about the idea of Obama as consensus-builder? Can he do it?

 

The episode of Frontline can be watched online here:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/dreamsofobama/view/

[ecoli]

the thing about compromise is that you don't wind up pleasing anybody.

[Sisyphus]

I think it's pretty obvious based on his rhetoric and the decisions he's made so far that consensus-building is a fundamental aspect not just of his administrative style, but of his ideology as well. In other words, "it works the best, and it's the right thing to do." So, no, that doesn't surprise me at all.

 

How well he will be able to keep it up is of course another question entirely, but I think (and hope) he'll do pretty well. I disagree with ecoli that "not pleasing anyone" is necessarily the case, though obviously there are examples of that, as well. Not that it's at all the same thing as being President, but he was very popular at the Harvard Law Review among all the various factions, right? Maybe you can never keep everybody happy, but come on, now.

[Pangloss]

the thing about compromise is that you don't wind up pleasing anybody.

 

And yet in spite of pursuing that approach in public service for 20 over years, the man was just elected President of the United States of America with the largest vote tally in history.

 

Sounds like he's pleasing quite a lot of people.

[iNow]

The episode of Frontline can be watched online here:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/dreamsofobama/view/

 

That was really quite amazing. Thank you so much for sharing the link, Pangloss. I really really enjoyed that.

 

You asked about him being a consensus builder, and what we thought of that. I think he's proven his abilities in this regard numerous times. However, it's more than that to me. He listens. He cares. He digests information, and he leads. I'm reminded about how deeply scared I and those I love are right now about the state of the world, and I'm also reminded about how important it is for us as a people to have an example to follow.

 

Anyway, I really quite enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing it with us here. I wouldn't have seen it had you not pointed it out, and I appreciate it greatly.

[Pangloss]

Any time. That was a great piece, wasn't it?

 

BTW, did you happen to catch the NBC News piece today with the open letter from Jenna and Barbara Bush to the two Obama girls? It was so touching that an enterprising NBC reporter called the Bush daughters on the phone and got them to narrate the letter, which they then set it to a lovely video. They have it online here:

 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28759027/

 

(It's about 3 minutes long.)

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You asked about him being a consensus builder, and what we thought of that. I think he's proven his abilities in this regard numerous times. However, it's more than that to me. He listens. He cares. He digests information, and he leads. I'm reminded about how deeply scared I and those I love are right now about the state of the world, and I'm also reminded about how important it is for us as a people to have an example to follow.

 

Yes, I think that's the secret -- listening. Which I'm sure means emotional control as well. I wish I could do it a tenth as well.

 

Well put.

[padren]

That's a great Frontline piece, I am glad I took the time to watch it. I really like he's not afraid to upset people on "his side of an issue" and can focus on a solution, instead of just a "win" for one side. It appears once "his allies" get over the shock that they won't get to railroad the opposition, they begin to appreciate his stance better which is a testament to his skills in itself.

 

One key difference between here and Harvard is it'll be a lot harder for Republicans to appear to work with him, if their constituents feel their values are being betrayed. Overall I think he has the best chance of building bridges, and the political climate is as welcoming as it can be.

 

That was also a great letter - thanks for sharing both of these.

[DJBruce]

I do think that President Obama will try and be a consensus builder but I am not sure that house and senatorial democrats will be so compromising.

[Pangloss]

No, in fact I think President Obama (I enjoyed typing that) got his first taste of that today, though he appeared to emerge from the minor fight unscathed and successful. He pushed hard on the stimulus bill, meeting with Republicans at the White House, but at first they griped about not being included. Then later in the afternoon some compromises were suggested related to tax cuts for small business, and progress appeared to be made towards an agreement.

 

Minority Leader McConnell made an interesting statement (not in the article below) along the lines of "we'd rather compromise on bipartisanship than fail on partisanship", or words to that effect. Interesting.

 

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-economy24-2009jan24,0,1583282.story