President Obama’s Motorcade Approaches, Seattle, Washington (image on Flickr)
President Obama visited Seattle, Washington on September 25, 2011, making a number of campaign stops, covered by here by PBS, here by The Daily Beast as “The New Obama” and here by the Seattle Times.
As our President passed by in his motorcade, I wondered at length and extravagance of campaigning, of the time spent by all parties, the Democrat President and his opponents in the Republican party. On the one hand, campaigning is a test of endurance and wills where the contender must consistently outperform opponents to prove him or herself. On the other hand, campaigning carries a heavy cost. A cost measured in campaign contributions and the expenses of campaigning. An opportunity cost as time spent campaigning is time not spent elsewhere. A cost measured in obstruction, as the party not in office sees no benefit in compromise.
President Obama Waving, Seattle, Washington, September 25, 2011 (Image on Photoshelter)
President Obama waved as he passed by, leaving Seattle, and on his way to more campaign stops in California. Campaigning, speaking the message, bringing in campaign contributions, a little over a year out from the election.
One could hardly fault President Obama for his new campaign tone. It has become increasingly clear that a group of Tea Party conservatives has frightened the broader Republican Party to the point that our American system of compromise has broken down. The resulting stasis has meant a government lurching from crisis to crisis. Obstructionism is no way to move a nation forward.
Surely there must be a better way.
Reform the campaign system.
The political process is getting in the way of governance.
There is a balance of risks involved.
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