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McCain is resorting to the Strong Man theory of history, arguing that his extreme suffering as a POW transformed him profoundly and gave him special strength. He claims that the fortitude he gained from his suffering makes him uniquely capable of implementing top-down change. The authoritarian change that McCain and his neocon allies want violates our core democratic values. He will make the Presidency more Imperial and he will make the country more imperialistic, as did Bush.
If Americans are offered a choice between two Strong Men, McCain will win with "Peace Through Strength." Obama can't win an argument about who will be the stronger authoritarian.
Obama needs to articulate a new notion of leadership. If we are offered a clear choice between a Strong Man and a Community Organizer who can help build a grassroots force that fights for its principles consistently, Obama can win. Obama should call McCain's bluff and argue that he will be a more effective change-agent because his campaign is an organizing tool. To some degree, Obama has already framed his campaign in this way (see "Obama's Post-Election Plans"). In so doing, he has inspired millions of previously disheartened activists and has built a grassroots organization that could become an agent of democratic change.
Unfortunately, however, Obama and his campaign have not highlighted the potential of a grassroots movement. In their response to the Republicans' mocking of community organizers, for example, his campaign manager did not declare that the campaign itself is an organizing tool. And the Obama campaign has failed to build simple structures that would establish the campaign as a movement for the long haul -- even though doing so could inspire countless individuals who are holding back because they realize that winning on Nov. 4 will be no panacea. For example, the campaign has not asked participants in house meetings to consider gathering at least once a month before and after the election to solidify their relationships and decide together, democratically, how to act politically as a unit.
When I posted a proposal along this line ("Proposed: Regular House Meetings") on Daily Kos, ActivistGuy responded:
Modern mainstream political parties are not in the business of spawning base communities or affinity groups such as you describe. The last thing party leadership would want is a bunch of self-organized, self-directed, self-empowered grassroots citizens groups figuring out how to leverage themselves into bases of local power. Believe me, if the party or campaign wants you to be actively involved or organizing in some way, you'll hear from your city or ward boss.
I optimistically replied, "Both/And. Home-based teams could respond to requests for action from above as well as initiate their own activity. A network of home-based teams as envisioned would not be totally independent."
Let's hope my optimism was justified and the Obama campaign will actively support the development of an ongoing, united force to deal with national policy. Obama can be a Strong Organizer who will help mobilize the American people regularly to make public policy reflect public opinion.
To "change the system" and "transform the world" as proposed by Barack Obama will require a massive, unified, grassroots movement that is joyous, democratic, and mutually supportive. The energy gathering to elect Obama President needs to stay together after the election to implement the goals of the campaign.
To contribute to this effort, on Saturday, November 8, 12-3 PM, the Strategy Workshop will convene a "Post-Election Workshop" at the Unitarian Church in San Francisco to discuss and evaluate specific possibilities for action and consider whether and how to act on them. Paul Loeb, Eric Mar for Supervisor, Network of Spiritual Progressives, Rev. Glenda Hope, Peter Gabel, Michael Wong, Mary Nicely, and Sherry Fuzesy have endorsed this event. Roma Guy and I serve on the planning committee.
If you can’t join us in San Francisco, you’re invited to convene a similar workshop in your region.
Whatever the outcome of the election, the wealthy elite will continue to exercise disproportionate influence over Congress. Our social system will continue, first of all, to protect the wealth and power of the wealthy and powerful. To change these realities fundamentally, we must be the change we seek.
A deep commitment to democracy affects one’s whole life. How we work is as important as whether we win. The process is as important as the product.
This commitment involves learning minute-by-minute how to live fuller, richer, and more compassionate lives. Becoming a better person is a never-ending work-in-progress. To be successful in these efforts, we need to be honest with ourselves and we need support from friends and family.
Our modern world is increasingly hyper-specialized, materialistic, individualistic, competitive, and dehumanized. These patterns carry over into progressive organizations. Fragmentation, burnout, disrespect, a general atmosphere of negativity, and other chronic problems weaken the progressive movement and turn away potential activists. We must learn how to overcome those powerful social forces, address our own weaknesses, and grow strong communities that sustain us over time.
The Post-Election Workshop is based on the following mission statement:
to help transform our global social system by:
1. establishing a new purpose for our society – that is, to promote our common good, nurture our personal development, empower our communities, and protect our environment -- and;
2. reforming our institutions, our culture, and ourselves to serve that purpose.
One possible action to be considered at the Nov. 8 workshop is "Democratic Party Action Teams." This option proposes persuading the Democratic Party on all levels to: 1) recommend to its members each month that they take some specific action to influence public policy on a top-priority, timely issue; 2) encourage its members to engage regularly in community service to help meet unmet needs, and; 3) encourage its members to meet at least once a month in one of their homes as an Action Team to share a meal, develop supportive friendships, and consider whether and how to support the Party's recommended political action.
Another option for action envisions close friends and family members making a clear commitment to self-development and mutual support, as well as political action and community service. At least once a month, participants would meet to discuss these efforts and make joint decisions. These groups could affiliate with one another to form "A Community of Home-Based Teams."
Another option, "A Million Member Monthly Mobilization," proposes a coalition of national organizations to communicate monthly with Congresspersons in support of a specific proposal for action. This coalition could include the Democratic Party and the Community of Home-Based Teams.
Another option, "Community Dialogues with Elected Officials," presents a simple format for monthly public forums to enable incumbents and constituents to learn from one another. Both Democratic Party Action Teams and the Community of Home-Based Teams could participate in these forums as a way to fulfill their commitment to political action.
Another option, "Post-Election Debriefings," proposes that Obama activists conduct house meetings after the election to debrief, evaluate their efforts, and consider continuing as a team to pursue the campaign's goals. Those individuals who decide to work together could form a Democratic Party Acton Team and/or affiliate with the Community of Home-Based Teams.
Between now and November 8, the Post-Election Workshop planning committee may modify or add to this list of action options. We want all who are interested to offer suggestions and new ideas
Please let us know if you want to get involved by replying to this email. For more info, you can go to the Strategy Workshop group on Facebook.com, where under Events, you can RSVP for the Post-Election Workshop, post a comment, or click on "create related event" to announce your own Nov. 8 workshop.
Together we can make lasting change.
Barack initially responds by attacking McCain and then falls into the typical Democratic Party trap of talking policy, policy, policy. He talks about what he will do as President, and what an Obama Administration will accomplish. He says nothing about what we, the American people, could accomplish during an Obama Administration AND THEREAFTER. He says nothing about a grassroots movement.
With this intellectual approach, he fails to connect on a key, semi-conscious, emotional dimension: Who Can I Trust? As with his acceptance speech, "the poetry is out." It's all about Me. There's no We. And as I said in my post, if the campaign is about who is the strongest individual, McCain will win. McCain can sell his maverick image and he can out-macho Barack.
At the end of the video that was distributed for the Unite for Change house meetings, Barack stated, "Whatever organizing that we do outlasts the particular political campaign. It means that you now have a set of relationships and networks that have been built and hopefully those people will feel empowered then to work on other campaigns and other efforts to improve the lives of the community."
That theme, after it is amplified and strengthened, needs to be the central focus for the home stretch. As I argue in "Bottom-up Change," Barack needs to emphasize how he can help organize the American people to transform the world.
The Republicans have made this a campaign about Race and nothing else.
Nobody for one second is buying McCain as a Maverick. No one for one second is buying Palin as a reformer.
It's about Barack being Black and can he be trusted.
Two weeks ago they were anti big crowds - now they are all about them.
Barack can give a message that America wants - he's the wrong color for most.
He will still win - but don't think for a second its about any issues.
I know that I am not and I know that a lot of Americans are not either.
Then, they are going to ask: Am I going to trust a man who has voted 90% of the time with Bush (the one responsible for this mess) and an obscure religious right-wing candidate from Alaska who has not even at this late date been asked any real questions such as: 1. do you believe is separation of church and state? 2. Why did you say that you were against earmarks and special interests when in fact you HIRED a lobbyist to go after earmarks for your town?
and more--for example: How exactly are you going to create jobs? Cutting taxes is not going to hack it.
I don't know that Obama will be any different, but at least he has a voting record that says he will be.