Legal Commentary

Pressure On FDR From The Left Moved FDR To The Left

By Big Tent Democrat

I'm not sure what this dkos diarist was aiming at with his diary, but I think the important upshot of Left Flank pressure on FDR was that FDR moved to the Left as a result of the pressure. The apocryphal "make me do it" moments. In any event, if President Obama would react to Left Flank pressure the way FDR did, I would be content. Can we expect Obama to give this speech at the 2012 nominating convention?

For nearly four years you have had an Administration which instead of twirling its thumbs has rolled up its sleeves. We will keep our sleeves rolled up. We had to struggle with the old enemies of peace—business and financial monopoly, speculation, reckless banking, class antagonism, sectionalism, war profiteering.

They had begun to consider the Government of the United States as a mere appendage to their own affairs. We know now that Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob. Never before in all our history have these forces been so united against one candidate as they stand today. They are unanimous in their hate for me—and I welcome their hatred.

Speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on August 11, 2010 (boomark / email).