Obama: Playing "Gandhian hardball."

[wyldwolf]

"Fifty years ago, the civil-rights movement understood that nonviolence can be an effective weapon even if -- or especially if -- the other side refuses to follow suit. Obama has a similarly tough-minded understanding of the political uses of bipartisanship, which, even if it fails as a tactic for compromise, can succeed as a tonal strategy: once the other side makes itself appear intransigently, destructively partisan, the game is half won. Obama is learning to throw the ball harder. But it's not Rovian hardball he's playing. More like Gandhian hardball."

Hendrik Hertzberg

http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2009/02/23/090223taco_talk_hertzberg

[babylonsister]

1. Love it! Rec'd. nt

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. And Ghandi sure played a mean handball.

[MoJoWorkin]

3. Gandhian hardball, indeed.

[blogslut]

4. Yep

Gandhi's famous quote: "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."

President Obama is taking the high road to win town.

[Odin2005]

5. LOL, thank you Wyld That term is gonna be stuck in my brain now!

"Gandhian hardball"!!!

[dalaigh lllama]

6. Ooohh, he did a nice twist with one of Palin's snarks

In noting that Republican governors were supporting Obama's stimulus package:

"A Republican governor, you might say, is sort of like a Republican congressman—except with actual responsibilities."
:rofl:

[H2O Man]

7. Very good.

It's worth noting that Gandhi's opposition found that he did, indeed, play "hardball." He was gentle, but tough as nails.

[gblady]

8. love, love....

love the phrase Gandhian Hardball...
so true...and a joy to watch!

[Paladin]

9. "Tonal Strategy" Nice Turn Of Phrase

I just hope the Harvard Biz School types don't latch on to that one and run it into the ground as a corporate cliche ("Our tonal strategy is to maximize our footprint, adding value in a robust fashion.").

[wyldwolf]

13. It does have gravitas, doesn't it? I mean, within the total paradigm

[WinkyDink]

20. It's thinking outside the box, working smarter, not harder.

[pberq]

10. Yes - let's keep the ideals of Gandhi alive - nt

[yurbud]

11. I hope it's true

[yurbud]

12. Is that his idea picking corporate insiders for cabinet too? So people will see them fall on their

faces like Geithner?

[Phx_Dem]

14. Exactly! As long as Obama keeps trying, he wins. n/t

[damonm]

15. Me like.

And agree 100%, despite the fact that those who decry the President's bipartisanship as "wasted" will not get it. They've been so brainwashed by the Bush years, they see conflict as the only way to fix a problem.

[Cha]

16. "Ghandian Hardball" I love it! Rec'd~

I'm going to borrow this..it's perfect for what I've and many others have observed over the last couple a years.

Thanks Wyld~

[Hawkowl]

17. Very insightful

This may be the most concise, insightful quote into President Obama's style that I have ever read! A truly brilliant politician.

[Hellataz]

18. Perfect analogy!

[liberalla]

19. Finally we have a wise man leading us.

Wise is good.

[uponit7771]

21. Makes sense, KKKons look like assholes Obama looks like he's tryin and now he has the excuse to...

...smack them in the mouth when he wants to.