Where is LBJ?

Given Sen. Schumer's gift for gab and outsized persona, I had pegged him as someone who could be an LBJ-like leader in the Senate, getting wary colleagues to come along through a combination of threats, compliments, back-scratching, and profanity.  For various, that hasn't happened, and as such, articles such as this one accurately detailing the uncanny ability Senate Democrats have shown in derailing presidents from their own party appear.  You might think that Democratic Senators would hitch their fortunes to the most popular politician in the country at this point--particularly when he's a Democrat, too!--but The New Republic piece gives some of the backstory explaining the curious case of Senatorial egos/motives.  

"Racism's still alive, they just be concealing it"

-Kanye West

This article by Michael Grunwald at Time hits the nail on the head.  The next time you hear a friend or acquaintance ranting and raving about how "Obama needs to get angrier" or "Obama needs to show some fire," point them in the direction of this article (if only because my thesis is a bit long for a quick read...) so they understand the perils of "getting angry."  I'll expand upon this at some point, but for now, circulate this article.

Then, encourage them to channel their frustration into positive action.  Barack is going to win this election yet, but it's going to require all of us to get involved.  Phonebank.  Donate.  Canvass. Send an email to your friends working on the campaign.  Write a letter to the editor.  Register friends and family to vote.  Nothing that I just described is difficult to do, but yet each of them is essential to getting the Obamas to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.