Podesta Sketches Out Vision For Assertive Presidency

[Coexist]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/12/podesta-sketches-out-visi_n_143281.html

In excerpts of a book being released in January, "Change for America: A Progressive Blueprint For The 44th President," Podesta describes the need for a chief executive that scores quick and decisive victories while exhibiting respect for Congress and some independence from the early demands of political interest groups.

Writing in sometimes ominous terms about a future Democratic government, he emphasizes that the president-elect must move aggressively on his agenda "regardless of the environment," or face a revolt from voters.

"f the president and his administration do not take the time upfront to develop a clear and coherent blueprint for action -- and find ways to move this agenda regardless of the environment -- then they will quickly find the windows of opportunity shutting before their eyes and will face increased public frustration and disappointment," he writes in the book's introduction.

In another portion of the book, Podesta and co-author Sarah Rosen Wartell detail how Obama can -- and should -- hit the ground running.

"Sustaining political capital and momentum for the agenda requires early victories on key issues on which the president campaigned. To achieve early victories, the president needs to take advantage of the power of the executive branch to make change happen on its own. Executive orders, regulatory waivers, reallocation of appropriated program resources, and changes to program policies are routes available in many circumstances to show that change can happen quickly," write Podesta and Wartell.