The âMake Me Do Itâ Myth
Politicians fear the disruptive power of a mobilized base, even when it helps them succeed. President Barack Obama reacts to a protester as he speaks at the Copernicus Community Center on November 25, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (John Gress/Getty Images)
In early 2009, as Barack Obama prepared to move into the White House, a particular historical anecdote rapidly gained in popularity, repeated in dozens of talks and articles as a parable for how supporters should respond to the new president taking office. The story related a New Dealâera encounter between Franklin Delano Roosevelt and a group of activists, usually said to have been led by A. Philip Randolph of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. In the meeting, the advocates laid out a vision of bold action for change that the president could advance with his bully pulpit and his executive power. FDR listened to their position and considered the dem
agreement? doug luzader has more on this. the president is going to sit down with congressional leaders with port parties today. they want to get something done quickly now before the end of the year. the president returned to washington from hawaii. can he lead both parties to a fiscal cliff work around. democrats have been dragging feet on this for months. they don t want to be pressured into a bad deal that doesn t come down to the nation books. any time you announce a meeting publicly in washington it s usually for political purposes. nothing good ever comes from it. one thing you have to do with politics if the president meets with a foreign leader you want to make sewer you know what is happening at the meeting. if the president calls congressional leader to the white house it s all political theater or they have a deal.