CQ Makes it Official: Labor Leaders, Abortion groups are "Special Interests" At Odds with America

[Leopolds Ghost]

Special Interest Groups Remind Obama of his IOUs

Many interest groups, from labor unions to pro-choice groups campaigned hard and spent a lot of money to elect Barack Obama. Now they are gently reminding him of what he owes them, in hopes of getting favorable treatment of their issues. Unions, for example, want a stimulus package that would be focused on rebuilding America's crumbling infrastructure, which would create millions of new jobs.

With Election Over, Interest Groups Calling In the IOUs

By Emily Cadei, CQ Staff

Barack Obama has been president-elect for only a few days, but already the special interest groups who helped him get elected are issuing reminders of the IOUs they plan to call in.

Labor unions, abortion rights groups and coalitions of progressive voters have all rushed to claim credit for the Democratic victories this year, pointing to the financial and electoral support their constituencies mustered for the party’s ticket. And they are not shy about laying out what they expect the new president and his acolytes in Congress to do for them.

The clamor for political spoils underscores the challenges the Obama administration and increased Democratic majority in the 11th Congress will face as they seek to live up to the demands of their most ardent supporters while trying not to alienate a more moderate public.

Asked at a press conference this week if the Change to Win coalition would consider moderating its agenda for the first 100 days of the new administration — which includes a controversial bill to change the way unions organize workers — because of the economic crisis, Burger said, “No.”

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002984390&cpage=1

[Leopolds Ghost]

1. Of course, this is the opinion of leading Democrats on Capitol Hill

And their stenographers at CQ.

[Trajan]

2. Obama needs to push forth early with a progressive agenda ....

There is much stress in the economy, and it would make sense to promote the liberal portions of his agenda while the mandate for change is strongest ....

Obama can worry about the moderates later on, perhaps half way into 2010 ...

Mind you: This doesnt mean he can ramrod a highly antagonistic program through a vicious congressional gauntlet, but to use his substantial powers of persuasion to gain acceptance of his ideas ....

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

3. Hopefully Obama Ignores Every Single One Of Them, And Instead Does What Feels Is Best On Each Issue.

I trust that he will prioritize things on his own effectively and foster change in the right way, while addressing the most important things first. I hope he doesn't feel the need to cater to any groups that give him pressure.