Obama's Very Good Week - Democratic Underground

Enrique

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Fri Dec-10-10 12:56 PM
Original message

Obama's Very Good Week

sez David Brooks...

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/10/opinion/10brooks.html?_r=2&ref=opinion

Over the past week we’ve seen the big differences between cluster liberals and network liberals. Cluster liberals (like cluster conservatives) view politics as a battle between implacable opponents. As a result, they believe victory is achieved through maximum unity. Psychologically, they tend to value loyalty and solidarity. They tend to angle toward situations in which philosophical lines are clearly drawn and partisan might can be bluntly applied.

Network liberals share the same goals and emerge from the same movement. But they tend to believe — the nation being as diverse as it is and the Constitution saying what it does — that politics is a complex jockeying of ideas and interests. They believe progress is achieved by leaders savvy enough to build coalitions. Psychologically, network liberals are comfortable with weak ties; they are comfortable building relationships with people they disagree with.

This contrast is not between lefties and moderates. It’s a contrast between different theories of how politics is done. Ted Kennedy was a network liberal, willing to stray from his preferences in negotiation with George W. Bush or John McCain. Most House Democrats, by contrast, are cluster liberals. They come from safe seats, have a poor feel for the wider electorate and work in an institution where politics is a war of all against all.

Barack Obama ran for president as a network liberal, and entranced a Facebook nation. But in office, Obama, like George W. Bush before him, narrowed his networks. To get things done quickly, he governed like a cluster liberal, relying on partisan leaders.

(...)

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earthside

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Fri Dec-10-10 01:02 PM
Response to Original message

1. The list of right-wingers ...

... giving Obama some love continues to grow.

I guess they are 'networking' to help him out ... ya think?

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Hamlette

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Fri Dec-10-10 01:07 PM
Response to Reply #1

2. doesn't sound like love to me, he's saying Obama is not pragmatic

and as usual, Brooks is full of shit.

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Occam Bandage

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Fri Dec-10-10 01:08 PM
Response to Reply #1

4. The piece is mostly bashing him for not reaching out to Republicans enough. nt

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avaistheone1

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Fri Dec-10-10 01:25 PM
Response to Reply #1

9. When David Brooks is supporting a Democrat

you know it can't be good. I mean seriously, come on.

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displacedvermoter

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Fri Dec-10-10 01:08 PM
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3. "entranced a Facebook nation"

Fucking gag me!!!

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John Q. Citizen

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Fri Dec-10-10 01:10 PM
Response to Reply #3

7. Here in Montana most of the volunteers were seniors with a lot more students and

and family volunteers than normal.

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John Q. Citizen

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Fri Dec-10-10 01:09 PM
Response to Original message

5. translation: Dave Brooks had a very good week.

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BeyondGeography

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Fri Dec-10-10 01:10 PM
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6. Brooks stands for nothing

I'm sure you can find better endorsements.

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DemocratSinceBirth

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Fri Dec-10-10 01:18 PM
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8. Nice Tactic To Chill Debate

It stands the appeal to authority argument on its head. Instead of saying an idea is good because a respected authority says it good people here argue an idea is bad because a disrepected authority says it's good...

It goes something like this... "FOX News agrees with your position. Let's see you defend it now."

What would be the result if there was a discussion of Israel and the person opposing an Israeli action was told "David Duke and Stormfront agree with your position. Let's see you defend it now."

It's a big world with lots of opinions...

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JVS

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Fri Dec-10-10 01:26 PM
Response to Original message

10. If you're pleasing a pantload like David Brooks, you're not doing well.

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