Doing What He Said He Would Do

2010 July 14
by david

I went to an event organized by OFA (Organizing for America) last night and David Plouffe, former Obama campaign manager, was the featured speaker. It was refreshing to hear someone so articulate and well informed talk about the complex issues that face our country. It was also a pleasant reminder of the tremendous optimism and belief in change that many of us shared in 2008. During the campaign, my wife ran phone banks for the Obama campaign on the westside of LA and the sense of purpose and solidarity in those cramped quarters where hundreds of people came together to donate their time was awe-inspiring.

Plouffe’s main message was that the Obama administration is doing what he said it would do: aim to improve the standard of living for the middle class and reform health care, the financial industry, our energy policy and educational system. While it’s easy to succumb to the doom and gloom of living in a serious recession, Plouffe’s reminder that the administration has already achieved several of Obama’s goals was refreshing. Imagine how hard it must be for a president to stay the course, to do what you said you were going to do. So many competing priorities, so many unexpected crises. And we live in a world where believing you should be as good as your word seems hopelessly naive. You say whatever it takes to get that job, get out of court, become famous, make money.

What also inspired me was Plouffe’s description of Obama’s political philosophy, which I thought stands out in a world in which we’re whipsawed hourly by the latest trends, scandals and “Breaking News.” Plouffe said Obama is basically oblivious to polls and the hot stories being discussed on Fox or MSNBC on any given day. It’s not that he’s unaware of them, as his predecessor was. He chooses not to be influenced by the noise. What he cares about is how people will judge him years from now when all the bluster about “health reform is flawed” or “too many compromises with the Party of No” has died down. Ok, this is not unique among presidents—even W made such statements when he sensed his popularity was waning. But, frustrating as it can be when we perceive Obama as not fully engaged in an issue or not battling his opponents, this is what we need in a leader. He refuses to stoop to the level of the playground bullies. Again, imagine how hard this is to do. He has a thousand issues coming at him every day. He’s got party members who are afraid they won’t be re-elected. His advisors are probably no help because their ambitions aren’t necessarily so long term in nature.

Obviously the lofty ideals we have for a president aren’t always practical for business managers who have to consider their competition, the needs of their customers and rapidly changing environment as they try to make a profit. But Obama’s admirable qualities are a great example for all of us.

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