The First 100 days. Americans love the drama in their politics. The story arch is as important to CNN as it is to a Hollywood blockbuster. So here in New York we are drowned with coverage of every Presidential movement, whether it is running around with a Portuguese poodle, running around with Chavez and company or running around Europe. Once again President Obama is winning the media battle, while setting an ambitious agenda.
The precedent for the first 100 days was set by Franklin D Roosevelt when he took charge at a time of great uncertainty and crisis. He had control of both houses and used his leverage to introduce a record number of bills (all of which passed) to try and get the economy on track. Three years on the country had not seen the turn around expected, but America would have been a far different place without those first 100 days. I suspect the same thing will happen this century.
President Obama is trying to renew America with a sort of New New Deal. He has already paved the way for a new era of political thought. He is isolating the far right of America which has for far too long had an unequal say in the halls of power. He has opened up the way for science, pragmatic thinking and that good old American optimism to set the agenda. He has introduced the equal pay act, he has closed Guantanamo, he has admitted that Green House Gases are a serious threat to our planet and he has probably saved the economy from complete destruction. His legacy is likely to live on for a 100 years, without necessarily being seen as a success in the last 100 days or in the next four years.
We, as Welsh Liberal Democrats, should aspire to this idea of a lasting legacy while using the same cunning PR campaign to achieve it. The White House has been relatively shameless in its domination of the airways to communicate its agenda.
The First 100 days is not as relevant as it used to be, but its a perfect vessel for their message, so they use it. Community activist have been given top jobs in the White House (Van Jones) and now the fight against the establishment has had to be turned into the fight for the enduring relevance of the United States.
In order to become the party of “Legacies”, the Welsh Lib Dems must be seen as the party of opportunity, of new ideas, of pragmatism and of hope. We must mix our grassroots prowess with organization and PR to match and we must use Obama’s First 100 days to help explain the idea that governing a country, big or small is about giving that country more than just a leader, its about giving a country a fresh start. The Welsh Liberal Democrats must embrace that “Fierce urgency of now”. Believe me….it works.
Originally from Mid Wales, John Mundy was field organizer for the Obama campaign in Wilkes Barre, Pensylvania and is now Project Manager for the Majora Carter Group
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