If observing a political campaign is basically the equivalent of a Rorschach test, then Paul Krugman may have just become the test-taker who sees the same image in each inkblot: "Obama bad!" "Obama bad!" "Obama bad!" But today, I think he's on to something.
Read on ...
What did Obama do this time? He criticized rival John Edwards for allowing union-backed 527-organizations to run ads on his behalf. One 527 is run by a friend of his. The unions like his approach to healthcare. Obama says 527s represent the sort of "special interests that have too much influence in Washington".
Tactically, Obama's probably fine here. In fact, in America's twisted political system, it is practically de rigeuer for a candidate to criticize his opponents for "allowing" 527s to run ads that help them, and then distancing himself from the 527s that operate on his own behalf. This is how the Swift Boat campaign was conducted: Then-candidate Bush decried special interests "on both sides", and the ads went ahead and did their damage.
But to a progressive observer, this is the sort of campaigning that gives the lie to Obama's politics of change rhetoric - it may not be revolutionary to allow 527s to operate on your behalf, but it's certainly not revolutionary to attack labor unions that support your adversaries. Which is to say that 527 is just a number - a vessel open to any interest, good or bad, that seeks to influence politics. And at what many believe is a unique historical moment for liberal politicians to usher progressive thought into the public sphere, it would be refreshing to hear Obama, or any candidate for that matter, concede that healthcare 527s run by unions are not the same as tax-cut 527s run by industry. And then to welcome the former organizations into his camp.
