Obama: The Most Party-Focused Candidate Ever?

The American Prospect:

An unassuming building at 430 South Capitol Street, in a forlorn corner between the Capitol and a highway overpass, is the home address of the Democratic Party. But though mail still gets delivered to the Washington, D.C., address, many of the Democratic National Committee's employees--the men and women who make up the party's central infrastructure--are no longer around to receive it. They are in Chicago, where Barack Obama moved them after he captured the Democratic Party's nomination.

It was a peculiar decision for Obama, who had built his campaign, and even his political identity, around an eloquently stated, post-partisan revulsion with the divisiveness of modern party politics. Following the strategy of "outsider" candidates before him, Obama set his headquarters outside the District in order to create distance, both physical and perceptual, between himself and the consultants, interest groups, party hacks, and congressional busybodies who populate the nation's capital.

The effort was so successful that some feared the Obama phenomenon--the millions of young people passionate about his campaign, the thousands who have lined roadsides just to wave at the Illinois senator's motorcade--had become a force unto itself, indifferent to the fortunes of the traditional Democratic Party, unbound by a commitment to progressive ideology, and wholly dependent on the character of Barack Obama. As blogger Matt Stoller writes on OpenLeft.com, "Power and money in the Democratic Party is being centralized around a key iconic figure. [Obama] is consolidating power within the party."

This was a new critique of Obama: not that he was beyond parties but that he had personalized them. That rather than building the Democratic Party, he was building an Obama Party, with all the good and bad that that centralization entailed. Though some were nervous when Obama sent the moving trucks to South Capitol Street, further tightening his hold over the party apparatus, the relocation neatly fit the broader, and rather unexpected, reality of this campaign: For all the talk of post-partisan "unity," Barack Obama has been proving himself the most party-focused presidential candidate in recent history--possibly ever. Paradoxically, although Obama's success has been more dependent on personal charisma than any recent nominee's has, he's been leveraging that charisma to build a broader Democratic infrastructure less dependent on the presidential nominee.

Read the whole story: The American Prospect

Comments

[LarBear]

B. H. O. = Barack HazNone Obama...
What is Obama's stand on anything? Has None... He speaks ABOUT stands and positions, but does NOT actually take a stand...
"This leave-them-guessing strategy slips out in the book's prologue. "I serve as a blank screen," Obama writes, "on which people of vastly different political stripes project their own views." He notifies readers that "my treatment of the issues is often partial and incomplete­." It takes some doing for a politician to write a 364-page book, his second volume, and skate past all controvers­y."
Nuclear spills... Required Reporting, changed to suggested, to died...
Abortion..­. Voted Present often... No real paper trail...
WAR... Against whatever an unjust War is??? (Who decides?) Now advocating closer to Hillary's position..­. to No stand...
Race Relation..­. Need to work together..­. No position..­.
Liberal versus Conservative = One America... Administration = pick from both...
Constituti­on... Failed Oath to Protect/ Defend... NO Paper Trail/Stand as Constitutional Scholar...
Deep thinker??? Deep concern and thought of how to talk ABOUT a Position..­. Comes out in halting speech pattern...
Supporters­... Uses them while standing tall above the fray so can not be accused of Negative Campaign..­. When asked what/where Obama stands/ Obama's Position on, supporters refer you to his books about his supposed beliefs, or Web site about his supposed Beliefs...

Barack HazNone Obama... Can't flip/flop from NO Position..­.
By NOT taking any actual Position, one CAN run "Fairy Tale" Campaign..­.

[lboucher]

Go to RCP and look at the averages in swing states:

Colorado 45.3 45.8 McCain +0.9
Virginia 45.7 46.3 McCain +0.8
Missouri 45.0 47.3 McCain +2.3
Michigan 46.0 42.8 Obama +2.2
Ohio 45.3 46.8 McCain +1.5
Florida 45.4 47.2 McCain +1.8

Obama better pick Hillary quick or he will lose in November. He is slipping fast!!

[estevancarlos]

Let's just learn to love one another and go out and get some drinks. We all agree on one thing: The past 8 years have been hell and the next several years need to be better.

[MrTessier]

Great Article. I really liked finding out more about the folks behind the Obama campaign. I don't like the title though, I thought that it wasn't representative of the article really.
In the article it mentions that Obama's goal is to get things accomplished. In reading his book, I remember a section where he really focused on that. How the vast majority of us can find some level of common ground on every single issue. But nothing ever happens because we just argue about the far-left and far-right talking points which will probably never reach a concensus. Instead we do nothing. It's why I am going to vote for him, because I'd rather tackle the things we agree on, get some policies in place, and leave the really explosive subjects for later. He used the example of abortion. How the vast majority are not for partial birth abortions. But why can't we ever get anything to restrict it? Because of the slippery slope argument and all that. Same thing for guncontrol. I can't find anyone who really thinks sub machine guns should be sold, but nobody will give an inch because they're afraid they'll take a mile.
The title should have reflected what he's really doing: Bringing together a group of people who are capable of implementing the common good on the issues.

[Stew118]

I'm sorry but the bipartisanship necessary to enact real change that acts to end the regressive nature of our tax structures needs to come from the right and to the left I think any objective spectator would agree on that. Just because Obama happens to be on the right side of the vast majority of major issues facing Americans today does not make him an ideologue. Those would be the guys in office now.

[TheMastadon]

I really love how these Neo-Cons want to convenientlyi forget that its THEIR administration that has brought about most of the problems we are attempting to fix today. but none of you will admit it, you like to try and pretend that JMAC is the change candidate, the maverick, the one who will shake things up, please. Are you blind or just evil?

Why can't people wake up, if the re-pigs wanted a change candidate of their own they should have paid attention to Ron Paul, then maybe I'd be less nervous.

[Bobleblah1]

To whomever it may concern

The fact that you think I'm a troll is so funny I am actually laughing right now.
In Real Life!!!

Any person who trusts a politician to change their life for them, deserves to be taken advantage of.

If you have allowed your overnight love for Obama to overtake your sense of reason, then dont even bother
reading my posts, you wont understand them.

[DesertLight]

More like Party Marionette.

[abouttime]

Obama voted with a minority of Democrats of the neocon FISA Impunity bill - a gift deal for crimminal phone companies like ATT . Obama has yet to adequetly respond to this desertion of the basic democratic ideals but rather votes with the neocon Republicans to prevent prosecution of those who commited acts violating the rights of Americans.
The Democratic delegates hold the sway for the future of the Party at the Convention next week. They were "Elected to represent the people and to craete a platform that best represents the will of the people (Democratic voters).
Delegates, please speak for the people - don't rubber stamp a platform without debate or input. Hold the DNC to the position of orderly democratic processes and vote on resolutions that reflect YOUR views and input.
Obama can lead the party - not vice versa.

[TheMastadon]

Please correct me if I'm wrong but I thought that the FISA bill he voted on prevented civil suits and NOT crimial prosecution for the phone companies? Honestly am I mistaken?

[abouttime]

I don't get the distinction: civil suits and crimminal prosecution? As a U>S> citizen, is it not crimminal for someone to spy on me without my consent?
The FISA bill passed because enough Democrats voted with the lock-step Republicans in basically granting immunity for crimes commited against the people they represent. Without this new FISA bill, trials would have further exposed evidence of crimes by the Bush Administration's corrupt super-authority. Congress is complicit, but the Democrats in Congress make a majority within the party who support justice and did not vote for FISA. Obama is out of touch with his own party.

[MrTessier]

I think that this is a good example of his philosophy. Bankrupting our telecommunication is not going to fix the wrong, correct? They were in a no-win position. Insuring that it never happens again should be the focus, not trying to throw them in jail for doing what the government of the united states required them to do.
When you are unwilling to do the right thing for the country because of ideology, it's just as wrong if it is far-right ideology or far-left ideology. The companies arguably made a mistake in doing what they did, it makes no sense to buld on the error.

[abouttime]

Are you kidding me?
The U.S. has 2 million people who made mistakes and are in prison. They may have hurt or taken something that didn't belong to them - and many (alot) did not hurt or threaten to hurt someone else, nor did they take something that did not belong to them- they broke unjust laws, got caught, arrested, jailed, tried in court (most any way) and are doing the time -
get it?

"Justice for All" is not just an ideology - it is a requirement of civil free society.

[Puddin]

I am a proud Obama supporter! This man has brought me into the process in a way no other have before. Clinton didn't even pull me in this far, although I voted for him (twice) and I defended him like every other person who stood by his side.

This man makes me proud to be an American and a Democrat!!! I love it.




Obama 08&12

[Moka11]

I can barely stand that we have to endure this for at least two more months!!

[USAdaughter]

This article is very well written and extremely incisive. Unfortunately, many people who post here will not bother to read the whole thing. He is the best thing to happen to the Democratic Party in years and they know it. He's building an organization that will "trickle up" the benefits, that very smart--it creates a constant pool of fresh faces for the party. This is why he has had my vote, and I hope all of the "haters" here who foretold his demise will enjoy eating "crow" on November 5th!
Obama 2008!!

[DesertLight]

You may have a hard time selling that bill of goods to the PUMA's.

[USAdaughter]

Sorry, who?

[Fabienne]

All 250 of them? I think we can safely let them go.

[MrTessier]

I was worried about that because it was so long! I totally agree, although I hope the "haters" are helping us to fix many of the problems we face!

[kellygrrrl]

I'll say this:

0bama is the most focused candidate I have ever seen

[LarBear]

Obama: The Most Party-Focused Candidate Ever? Say what? Huh?

Barack "Party Divider" Obama, the most whaaaaat???? Obama supporters don't even consider Democrat's as needed, wanted, or part of the Party of his Holiness, "THE ONE"... Barack speaks of bringing Republican's into his Administration (or is that Kingdom's Ruling Class?)... Don't spin the reaching across the aisle line either... No Democrats worthy of a Position, or Independents? He is clearly NOT a Unifier!!! Unifier spun as a Faux Label...

And Unite Behind what... A Blank Screen as he labeled himself, who others write upon what they believe ABOUT Him??? What is his actual Position on anything? What, for example, is his position on his Oath of Office to Protect and Defend the Constitution??? What is his Position, on paper, of any statement as a Constitutional Scholar, other then don't take, or leave evidence, of any position???
He is more IMO, a flim flam, snake oil, opportunist who has positioned himself with little actual Personally accomplished deeds, other then on Paper, to back him up... Sign onto others Bills and claim it as yours, or a sponsor... Many of his positions now would seem more Hillary's, than Obama's... Is he actually going to pull the Majority of Troops out of Iraq? How soon? How many, and who is Left there? Is he simply moving the War and spending to Afghanistan instead?

[estevancarlos]

He's the vessel with which a newly mobilized citizenry will use to be heard and get things done.

He isn't a savior. Instead he's building a strong enough party now so that things can go through and people will hopefully be more engaged. That's the most important part about all of this.

[LarBear]

estevancar­los...

You MISTAKE building a Party versus seizing CONTROL of a Party....

18 Million Democrats who did not Vote for HIM and now being trashed by HIS supporters speaks much louder then you...

[TheMastadon]

Maybe you should pay attention, it's funny that all of the false criticisms that you list here are amplified 10 fold when applied to JMAC.

[MrTessier]

I'm afraid there's no point in replying, but if you actualy want to find out any of his positions, then I would suggest reading his book. From the post, I think it's clear that you are incredibly bitter, but if you are willing to check it out, it's well worth it. Or visit the website and click on any of the policy papers, accomplishments, etc.
If not, then what are you contributing to any conversation except showcasing your own willful ignorance.

[Fabienne]

Since you don't know Obama's positions on these issues, I gather you are either deaf or can't read. I am very sorry. I hope you find a cure someday.

[LarBear]

Fabienne..­..

EASY CURE... Be smart enough to agree with what Obama said of himself... He doesn't tend to take a positition­... He speaks ABOUT positions.­.. His flip flops speak to what I said "He speaks ABOUT positions!"
PERHAPS IT IS YOU WHO NEED TO WAKE UP AND READ... That statement from Obama came from his book...
This leave-them-guessing strategy slips out in the book's prologue. "I serve as a blank screen," Obama writes, "on which people of vastly different political stripes project their own views." He notifies readers that "my treatment of the issues is often partial and incomplete­." It takes some doing for a politician to write a 364-page book, his second volume, and skate past all controversy.
"Undoubtedbly, some of these views will get me in trouble, I am new enough on the national political screen that I serve as a blank screen on which people of vastly different political stripe project their own views. As such I am bound to disappoint some, if not all of them. Which perhaps indicates a second, more intimate theme to this book - namely how I or anybody else in public office, can avoid the pitfalls of fame, the hunger to please, the fear of loss, and thereby retain that kernel of truth, that singular voice within each of us that reminds us of our deepest commitment­s." excerpt from The Audacity of Hope, Barack Obama.

[RadCenter]

This is the most underreported aspect of Obama's campaign and a major reason why I'm supporting him. It's the first time in my lifetime that the party has asked me for anything except my money and my vote. Keep it up, Dean and Obama! They're not going to know what hit them!

[DesertLight]

His party focused stuttering was evident Saturday night. He couldn't share a thought of his own.

[boogygran]

You and your trollish friends continue to blather on about the same subject as though you're pointing out a flaw of epic proportions that compares - for instance - to intelligence, charisma, desire to promote the welfare and safety of our people, ability to offer reasonable economic solutions, etc, etc. Quit wasting everyone's time until you have something of importance to gripe about.

[Pammy1151]

You are sooooooo rude!!!