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The Audacity of Hope - Ch#4 Politics
Summary:
In this chapter, Obama continues his discussion of the ways in which the political process itself makes it difficult for politicians to remain true to their values. He recounts his awkward early encounters with potential donors, as well as the pitfalls associated with seeking out the endorsements of special interest groups. Both of these groups often regard their support as a guarantee that the candidate will unfailingly endorse their pet issues. However, in order to increase the efficacy of the political process, Obama asserts that political candidates should not vow their loyalty to any special interest group. While he regards it as acceptable and perhaps even inevitable that some general promises of support and ideological compatibility are necessary to attain the funding and endorsement necessary to mount a successful campaign, Obama contends that politicians must instead pledge to carefully consider each issue and proposed bill as it arises, on an individual, case-by-case basis. He also exhorts his colleagues to loosen their grip on the trappings of power in order to foster the kind of dynamic, discursive government that best serves the needs of the constituency. (Source: Wikipedia: The Audacity of Hope)
Quotes or Topics from Chapter that are Compeling:
"Genuine bipartisanship, though, assumes an honest process of give-and-take, an that quality of the compromise is measured by how well it serves some agreed-upon goal ... This in turn asumes that the majority will be constrained--by an exacting press corps and ultimately an informed electorate--to negotiate in good faith." (p 131)
Questions to Think About:
1. Can politics of nonpartisanship work in our current times? (Question Discussion)
2. question text? (Question Discussion)
3. question text? (Question Discussion)
4. quuestion text (Question Discussion)
Call to Action Idea for Obama, Minnesota, Yourself
1. Continue my involvement in "Media Matters' organization to keep the press corp to their role as the 4th Estate of our political system. (Carl)
References:
External Links:
In this chapter, Obama continues his discussion of the ways in which the political process itself makes it difficult for politicians to remain true to their values. He recounts his awkward early encounters with potential donors, as well as the pitfalls associated with seeking out the endorsements of special interest groups. Both of these groups often regard their support as a guarantee that the candidate will unfailingly endorse their pet issues. However, in order to increase the efficacy of the political process, Obama asserts that political candidates should not vow their loyalty to any special interest group. While he regards it as acceptable and perhaps even inevitable that some general promises of support and ideological compatibility are necessary to attain the funding and endorsement necessary to mount a successful campaign, Obama contends that politicians must instead pledge to carefully consider each issue and proposed bill as it arises, on an individual, case-by-case basis. He also exhorts his colleagues to loosen their grip on the trappings of power in order to foster the kind of dynamic, discursive government that best serves the needs of the constituency. (Source: Wikipedia: The Audacity of Hope)
Quotes or Topics from Chapter that are Compeling:
"Genuine bipartisanship, though, assumes an honest process of give-and-take, an that quality of the compromise is measured by how well it serves some agreed-upon goal ... This in turn asumes that the majority will be constrained--by an exacting press corps and ultimately an informed electorate--to negotiate in good faith." (p 131)
Questions to Think About:
1. Can politics of nonpartisanship work in our current times? (Question Discussion)
2. question text? (Question Discussion)
3. question text? (Question Discussion)
4. quuestion text (Question Discussion)
Call to Action Idea for Obama, Minnesota, Yourself
1. Continue my involvement in "Media Matters' organization to keep the press corp to their role as the 4th Estate of our political system. (Carl)
References:
External Links:
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