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Franklin Delano Roosevelt: A Man of the Century
an address by William J. vanden Heuvel to the Monthly Meeting of The Century Association
Thursday, April 4, 2002
…FDR was, of course, a consummate political leader. In one situation, a group came to him urging specific actions in support of a cause in which they deeply believed. He replied: I agree with you, I want to do it, now make me do it…
[emphasis added]
Our previous “Overton Window” coverage:
Senator Claire McCaskill: helping keep the “Overton Window” to the right
Senator Claire McCaskill (D) defends her “moderate” bonafides on her blog:
I worked hard to help elect President Obama. I believe he will be a terrific President because he understands that change means listening and compromise, not political posturing. The way forward is almost always up the middle. I look forward to helping the President find that way forward on health care, energy, and our struggling economy. The left and the right shouting at each other hasn’t gotten much done. Red vs Blue hasn’t been very successful either.
I always try to be an independent voice for Missouri. I evaluate every issue, not as a party vote, but as a policy vote. There is nothing about the group of moderate Democrats that undermines President Obama. Just the opposite, I believe we can help bring people together around good policy and get away from some of the nasty partisan food fights that have blocked real progress for so long.
[emphasis added]
It all depends on how one defines “middle”, eh? Let’s just not keep tugging it right.
…at MyDD:
[emphasis added]
The way forward is almost always up the middle.
The greatest changes wrought in this country didn’t come “up the middle”. Lincoln? FDR? LBJ? They powered their agenda through despite almost total outrage by the other party. On most issues FDR didn’t get a SINGLE Republican vote.
McCaskill does not know her history. She’s making up history to justify her own positions.
And this:
I always try to be an independent voice for Missouri. I evaluate every issue, not as a party vote, but as a policy vote.
I did not work my ass off and donate money to an independent candidate. I thought I was getting a Democrat. She has now confirmed to me what I’ve been saying since her first FISA vote – I was deceived. She is not a Democrat.
I will join any group putting up an authentic Democrat against her in a future primary.She has been a huge disappointment.
I am curious about your choice of FDR story…I keep wondering if she is working in league with Obama to pull the compromises right.
I go back and forth all the time on my ability to believe in him. His economic team and what they have done so far make me very skeptical.
On the other hand his budget is good and if it is sincere I am all for it. I just feel manipulated somehow.
hand he has been dealt to the best of his ability — and that includes dealing with a right-leaning political, media and corporate establishment that is still very powerful after decades of setting the agenda and firming up a strong political narrative. McCaskill, on the other hand, has a very different hand to play, and has allied herself with the forces that try to force Obama to the right of center.