James Kirchick likes to crow about how the Netroots don’t matter. There are a few former (Republican and Democrat) office holders that might beg to differ. But, Kirchick is right about one thing. If Obama listened to the Netroots’ advice all the time he wouldn’t be president-elect. However, the FISA bill is not one of those examples. The FISA vote was excessive and unnecessary caution and it was Obama’s biggest mistake. Having said that, he generally ignored the Netroots’ advice and, for the most part, he was wise to do so. He ran a far smarter and more disciplined campaign than I could have ever dreamed up.
On Obama and the Netroots
