really thoughtful & nuanced piece from Larry on Obama’s campaign in June, and the difference between governing and campaigning. worth reading twice.
lessig on obama’s campaign in june
really thoughtful & nuanced piece from Larry on Obama’s campaign in June, and the difference between governing and campaigning. worth reading twice.
John's Blog 
Executive vs. Legislative promises…As I mentioned in a previous post, I’d like progressive voters to evaluate the promises of the various candidates with a critical eye. Presidential policies can be implemented directly by their administration using Executive powers; or they……
Prof. Lessig argues that Barack Obama should avoid the desire to “govern” and should instead continue to campaign to convince us what an Obama presidency would be like. I think this is the same advice given to justices who would serve on the Supreme Court – avoid a “Bork” trail and answer challenges and questions in generalities, no matter how different your answers may be from your eventual behaviour once placed in office.By examining the decisions that Senator Obama makes now while on the campaign trail, and by remembering the choices he’s made in the past (supporting John Barrow (D-GA) over a progressive primary opponent, or by supporting Lieberman over Lamont), I think we voters can make a very informed decision about where a President Obama might take his “new” and “changed” administration. Some of us are still disgusted with Bill Clinton and having voted for him (the second time) simply because Bob Dole would have been such a disaster. It’s discouraging and frankly tiring to have to make that decision again in 2008.Prof. Lessig asks the Obama campaign to avoid “flips” by not making any more “governing” decisions or pronouncements until after the election. I think many of us are instead asking the Obama campaign to avoid “flips” by actually holding to his professed core principles and proving he’s on /our/ side, not a Republican-lite.
Prof. Lessig argues that Barack Obama should avoid the desire to “govern” and should instead continue to campaign to convince us what an Obama presidency would be like. I think this is the same advice given to justices who would serve on the Supreme Court – avoid a “Bork” trail and answer challenges and questions in generalities, no matter how different your answers may be from your eventual behaviour once placed in office.
By examining the decisions that Senator Obama makes now while on the campaign trail, and by remembering the choices he’s made in the past (supporting John Barrow (D-GA) over a progressive primary opponent, or by supporting Lieberman over Lamont), I think we voters can make a very informed decision about where a President Obama might take his “new” and “changed” administration. Some of us are still disgusted with Bill Clinton and having voted for him (the second time) simply because Bob Dole would have been such a disaster. It’s discouraging and frankly tiring to have to make that decision again in 2008.
Prof. Lessig asks the Obama campaign to avoid “flips” by not making any more “governing” decisions or pronouncements until after the election. I think many of us are instead asking the Obama campaign to avoid “flips” by actually holding to his professed core principles and proving he’s on /our/ side, not a Republican-lite.