Analyzing the Argument: What Must Change Mean?
In The Argument: Billionaires, Bloggers, and the Battle to Remake Democratic Politics, Matt Bai details his close up view of various groups and activities hoping to mark out new strategies and tactics towards national Democratic electoral victory. With insider access and experience as a political reporter, Bai follows three distinct groups committing serious time, efforts, and in some cases millions of dollars to answer two central, yet intertwined questions. Who and what will replace Industrial Era liberals? Because it was written before the 2008 presidential election, it is easy to want to say, “Obamaism won.” However, having worked on dozens of elections and having learned to always, always underestimate voters I am aware that political communications is often simple. Find a dominant theme that works and reducing it to the lowest common denominator. Change, as it turns out, tapped into anxious feelings among Americans. But what is “that thing?” While President Obama may have raised
