Person of the Day: Barack Obama

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Autocratic forces are ascendant.

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Autocratic forces are ascendant in America. But truth-telling independent media is one remaining bulwark against the unrestrained exercise of power. At a time when billionaire owners of corporate media are making accommodations to political leaders, our nonprofit newsroom cannot be bought or broken. Please stand with us.

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BARACK OBAMA, who, in his pre-presidential campaign, is being flooded by requests from groups that want to support him. One is called “Sportsmen for Obama.” “I don’t agree with everything he says about guns,” Rep. Brandon Phelps said. “He would never do anything to hurt hunters, because he has bothered to get to know us and listen to us.” Chicago Tribune, 1/17

I don’t think I understand the full nature of what’s happening here, but it feels different from previously held political wisdom. Does Obama represent a new way to govern, or just a new way to win?