My former boss, Morton Blackwell, has a saying (actually, he has a number of sayings, but one in particular is relevant for this post): “Governing is campaigning by different means.” If you want an example of what he’s talking about, check out the Obama tranisition team’s website at http://www.change.gov/.
This is an early indicator that the Obama presidency will be much like Obama’s campaign – the transition site even looks like the campaign site, and even includes a platform. As the transition continues, we’ll probably see the administration communicate its proposals directly to the people in an attempt to rally support and frame issues early.
And once January 21 rolls around, this will give the administration a powerful platform if and when Congress pushes back on any of those policy proposals. Imagine a tax plan backed up by hundreds of video testimonials and messages to each Member of Congress from their constituents. Essentially, we may see the executive branch indirectly lobbying the legislative branch by encouraging constituent contact.
It may seem like a dangerous precedent, but I don’t think so. First, the President has every right to make the case for his proposals to the American people, whether on television, YouTube, or door-to-door. Second – and more important – this concept is based on citizen action anyway. It only works if individual citizens take the time to perform some kind of action on their own.
Much like a campaign.
Jim Eltringham 