Can Obama Pull a Reagan?

When I saw Barack Obama address the DNC in 2004, I knew immediately that he was the future of American politics. He delivered that day, and many since, a message of clarity and vision rivaled only by the greats: Reagan, Jefferson, Lincoln and Kennedy. His message was timeless and universal and spoke of deep American values. His early opposition to the Iraq War suggested that his judgment was sound and could be moved only by reason, principle or evidence--even when opinion polls were stacked against him by as much as 9 to 1. Although I hadn't yet realized that John Kerry would lose, I saw immediately that Barack Obama would be the next leader of the Democratic Party and the next President of the United States.

From a policy perspective, Barack Obama has not disappointed me one bit. Sure, I would have liked to see a stronger stimulus and a bolder fight in the Senate on the full scope of House legislation, but the Obama agenda is historic and impressive, especially in the context of consistent GOP (and often Blue Dog) obstruction. As a legislative realist, I blame the process and the obstructionists, not the president.  And his willingness to compromise is what truly non-partisan Americans have repeatedly said they want from their government.

I am, however, quite concerned about the message and communications operation inside the White House. I expected Reagan, but we're getting Carter. Carter's a nice guy. And incisive. But Reagan literally changed the way America thinks about government for (at least) 30 years. The great hope that Obama offers is not merely 8 years of policy, but the opportunity to once again change the way America thinks about government for a generation.

The good news is that it is not too late. In the days since the election, the media has asked: Can Obama pull a Clinton? But that will simply not be good enough. A long view strategist would instead ask: can Obama pull a Reagan?

If he spends more time on the bully-pulpit--as "2004/2008 Obama"--using authentic American language, President Obama can indeed replicate the transformative effect of The Great Communicator from 1982 to 1984. But he has to start now.