The third aspect of Barack Obama’s candidacy that I want to address is his political pragmatism. This is not a quality often ascribed to Barack…he is often characterized as a blue-sky visionary, or less charitably, a dreamer or a promise-maker. But in fact, I find Barack to be very politically pragmatic, which means that he does have what it takes to get important things done in this country. Why do I say this?
The very ability Barack has to listen to multiple points of view and integrate them into a better idea, as he describes doing repeatedly in The Audacity of Hope, demonstrates a meaningful level of realistic, grounded pragmatism. You cannot listen to others and make compromises without this level of pragmatism.
He understands that everyone deserves to be heard, that even lobbyists deserve a seat at the table, and that passing a decent piece of legislation is better than doing without a perfect piece of legislation.
And in his book, he freely and openly discusses the regrets and wrong turns of his life, from his occasions of drug use in his youth to the burning resentment of his lonely wife during his early political campaigns. Most politicians try to hide this stuff as if it never happened, but that is fantasyland and contrary to real pragmatism.
Barack is pragmatic enough to own his life, to take responsibility for it, and to frankly share it with others so that he may communicate effectively and perhaps, benefit both himself and the listener through the exchange.
About Me
- Judd Miller
- Judd's writing has appeared in USA Today, Association Management magazine, and numerous trade publications. He is the author of three novels, a book on decision-making, and a film short. He is currently writing a historical novel set in Nazi Germany, 1934.
