[lbo-talk] Enthusiasm

[Carrol Cox]

It was before radio or TV. I presume TR's idea was that people listened to
the president -- hence he could speak to the whole nation as a minister
preaches to the Congretgation. It's possible masses of people would have
listened to Obama in early 2009 -- but the only message he ever wanted to
give the people was "Screw you," there's a world out there to control for
business, and we need money for a military to suppress all threats to a
friendly climate for business. That isn't a message which would have
impressed many.

Carrol

CB: I think you should elaborate your "bully pulpit" theory of the
residency. It is a quaint expression, but I'm not sure the President,
articularly Obama, has any such ability to bully rightwing Democrats nto
deserting their ruling class constituents. Clinton didn't.

         Lest there be any confusion: The expression, "bully pulpit", coined
by Theodore Roosevelt, means "excellent pulpit", not a pulpit from which to
bully people.

         

         Jim