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Michael Ignatieff

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What Liberal Parties Everywhere Must Learn From Obama's Win

Posted: 11/08/2012 11:49 am
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As the television cameras panned across the faces in the crowd waiting to hear the President speak in Chicago early Wednesday morning, the watching world took a long look at America's new governing coalition: blacks, Hispanics, Asians, younger women, college students, professionals, public sector and unionized workers.

Every other progressive, center-left political party in the democratic world will be asking itself in the months ahead: How do we put such a coalition together in our country?

At a time when politics only seems to divide, the President's achievement was a vindication of the power of politics to bring people together. People divided by race, income, class and ethnicity doesn't just coalesce. They have to be given a language of interests and values that enables them to rise above all that sets them apart. The President found that common language and his ground game team turned out the new coalition in their millions.

They are the power in the land and they have spoken. The country remains divided, but some positions in the old debates will never win an election again. The argument about abortion will continue, but candidates can no longer win in America if they deny that there are some circumstances in which a woman must have a right to choose. Resistance to gay marriage will continue in some religious communities, but the side that believes that America must deliver marriage equality to all has clearly won the argument. Now it must win the battle for legislation. Resistance to immigration will continue but the side that supports a path to citizenship for newcomers can now see the legislative road forward to humane immigration reform. The side that believes America must provide medical coverage for all has emerged victorious. The coalition that believes income inequality is bad for growth and harmful to social cohesion has prepared the ground for reform of the tax code and responsible increases in taxation of the rich. The side that believes climate change poses an imminent threat defeated the side that believes in more coal-fired power stations.

The election put an end to some arguments and it decided what the argument will be about going forward: how to use the power of government to make sure that America retains sovereignty where it counts most, creating the next generation of jobs. Economic sovereignty was once an issue just for smaller countries and weaker economies. Now it's America's challenge as well.

Americans are struggling to maintain their faith that their nation controls its own economic destiny. Their strong support for the auto bailout tells you that Americans won't vote for politicians who leave their economic fate to the market alone. They don't want to be abandoned by government when the storms--both natural and economic--beat upon their shores. The President understood Americans' longing for effective sovereignty over their economic fate, and that is why he has four more years to prove to them, once again, that they do control their destiny.

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  • Barack Obama accompanied by First Lady Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia appears on stage on election night in Chicago. JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images

  • Barack Obama

    President Barack Obama, with his daughter Malia wave toward the crowd at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. President Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

  • Barack Obama

    President Barack Obama walks out of the stage with his wife Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. President Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

  • Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Sasha Obama, Malia Obama

    President Barack Obama waves as he walks on stage with first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

  • Barack Obama

    President Barack Obama addresses the crowd at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. President Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

  • Barack Obama

    President Barack Obama speaks at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. President Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

  • Barack Obama

    President Barack Obama speaks at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. President Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

  • Barack Obama

    President Barack Obama smiles during his speech at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. President Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

  • Barack Obama

    President Barack Obama acknowledges the crowd at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. President Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

  • US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

    US President Barack Obama arriveS on stage after winning the 2012 US presidential election November 7, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by defying the dragging economic recovery and high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

  • US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

    US President Barack Obama and family arrive on stage after winning the 2012 US presidential election November 7, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by defying the dragging economic recovery and high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

  • US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

    US President Barack Obama and family arrive on stage after winning the 2012 US presidential election November 7, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by defying the dragging economic recovery and high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

  • President Barack Obama accompanied First Lady Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia waves to supporters on stage on election night in Chicago. President Barack Obama swept to re-election Tuesday, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images

  • US President Barack Obama waves to supporters as he arrives accompanied by (from L-R ) First Lady Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha on election night in Chicago. JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images

  • US President Barack Obama and family arrive on stage after winning the 2012 US presidential election. SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

  • Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney concedes defeat November 6, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts, telling supporters that he had called US President Barack Obama to congratulate him on his victory. (DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney Holds Election Night Gathering In Boston

    BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 07: Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, waves to the crowd while speaking at the podium as he concedes the presidency during Mitt Romney's campaign election night event at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center on November 7, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. After voters went to the polls in the heavily contested presidential race, networks projected incumbent U.S. President Barack Obama has won re-election against Republican candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

  • Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney Holds Election Night Gathering In Boston

    BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 07: Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney greets supporters as he concedes the presidency during his campaign election night event at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center on November 7, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. After voters went to the polls in the heavily contested presidential race, networks projected incumbent U.S. President Barack Obama has won re-election against Republican candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (Photo by Rick Wilking-Pool/Getty Images)

  • Mitt Romney, Ann Romney, Paul Ryan

    Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, left, wife Ann Romney, center, and Republican vice presidential candidate, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., stand on stage after Romney conceded the race during his election night rally, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Boston. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

  • Mitt Romney, Ann Romney, Paul Ryan, Janna Ryan

    Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and his wife Ann, left, and Republican vice presidential candidate, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and his wife Janna, right, are joined by their families on stage after Romney conceded the race during his election night rally, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Boston. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

  • Mitt Romney, Ann Romney, Paul Ryan, Janna Ryan

    Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and his wife Ann stand on the stage with Republican vice presidential candidate, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and his wife Janna after Mitt Romney conceded the race during his election night rally, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Boston. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

  • Mitt Romney, Ann Romney, Paul Ryan, Janna Ryan

    Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and his wife Ann are joined by their son Craig Romney, right, and other family members on stage after Romney conceded the race during his election night rally, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

  • Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney Holds Election Night Gathering In Boston

    BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 07: Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, speaks at the podium as he concedes the presidency during Mitt Romney's campaign election night event at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center on November 7, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. After voters went to the polls in the heavily contested presidential race, networks projected incumbent U.S. President Barack Obama has won re-election against Republican candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

  • Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney Holds Election Night Gathering In Boston

    BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 07: Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, waves to the crowd while standing at the podium before conceding the presidency during Mitt Romney's campaign election night event at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center on November 7, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. After voters went to the polls in the heavily contested presidential race, networks projected incumbent U.S. President Barack Obama has won re-election against Republican candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

  • Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney Holds Election Night Gathering In Boston

    BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 07: Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, waves to the crowd before conceding the presidency during Mitt Romney's campaign election night event at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center on November 7, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. After voters went to the polls in the heavily contested presidential race, networks projected incumbent U.S. President Barack Obama has won re-election against Republican candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

  • Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney Holds Election Night Gathering In Boston

    BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 07: Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, kisses his wife, Ann Romney, after conceding the presidency during Mitt Romney's campaign election night event at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center on November 7, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. After voters went to the polls in the heavily contested presidential race, networks projected incumbent U.S. President Barack Obama has won re-election against Republican candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (Photo by Matthew Cavanaugh/Getty Images)

  • Barack Obama, Michelle Obama

    President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama walk off Air Force One after arriving at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

  • Barack Obama

    President Barack Obama greets first lady Michelle Obama on the tarmac as she arrives at Des Moines International Airport on Air Force One, Monday, Nov. 5, 2012, in Des Moines, Iowa, en route to a campaign event. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

  • Joe Biden

    Vice President Joe Biden hugs Anne Holton, wife of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Tim Kaine on the tarmac of the Roanoke Virginia Airport in Roanoke, Va., Monday, Nov. 5, 2012. Biden made a surprise visit to Roanoke arriving via Air Force Two with Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Tim Kaine and U.S. Sen. Mark Warner. (AP Photo/The Roanoke Times, Kyle Green, Pool)

  • Mitt Romney

    Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney waves to reporters after he took questions on his campaign plane en route from Pittsburgh to Boston, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. At right is senior adviser Kevin Madden. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • Mitt Romney

    Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney arrives on his campaign plane at Boston's Logan Airport, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • Republican

    A spectator reacts to a change in the Florida early projections sen on a television during Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's election night rally, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in Boston. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

  • Cean Orrett, 45, center, and Gareth Edmondson-Jones, 46, of San Diago, both recently married in New York, react to positive predictions for President Barack Obama as crowds watch election results in Times Square, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in New York. After a year of campaigning, polls have begun to close after Americans across the United States headed to the polls to decide the winner of the tight presidential race between President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/ John Minchillo)

  • Nancy French, from Columbia, Tenn., watches vote results displayed on a television screen during Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's election night rally, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in Boston. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

  • Spencer Siady, left, and Vinay Cardwell, of Salt Lake CIty, react as disappointing numbers dis come in for Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney during election night party for the Republicans at the Hilton Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/The Salt Lake Tribune, Steve Griffin) DESERET NEWS OUT; LOCAL TV OUT; MAGS OUT

  • A supporter reacts to voting results displayed on a television screen during Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's election night rally, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in Boston. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

  • Mitt Romney supporters watch presidential returns during a GOP watch party, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

  • The Democratic party faithful gathered at the Minnesota DFL Party headquarters at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown St. Paul, Minn. to hear election results Tuesday night, Nov. 6, 2012. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak went crowd surfing, with his mother Loraine, after it was announced that Pres. Barack Obama had won re-election. (AP Photo/David Joles/ Star Tribune)

  • Arizona Democrats celebrate as President Barack Obama is declared the winner of the presidential race at Democratic Party gathering, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

  • Supporters of President Barack Obama Shauna Harry, left, and Alana Hearn celebrate by leaping in the air at New York State Democratic Headquarters following Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

  • President Obama Holds Election Night Event In Chicago

    CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 06: Supporters of U.S. President Barack Obama attend the Obama Election Night watch party at McCormick Place November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama is going for reelection against Republican candidate, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

  • American Expats Gather To Watch Coverage Of The U.S. Presidential Elections

    LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 06: Supporters of U.S. President Barack Obama cheer while watching coverage of the U.S. Presidential Elections on on November 6, 2012 in London, England. U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney are in a virtual tie in the national polls. (Photo by Bethany Clarke/Getty Images)

  • President Obama Holds Election Night Event In Chicago

    CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 06: A supporter of U.S. President Barack Obama attends the Obama Election Night watch party at McCormick Place November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama is going for reelection against Republican candidate, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

  • US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

    Supporters of US President Barack Obama watch voting results on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

  • President Obama Holds Election Night Event In Chicago

    CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 06: Supporters of U.S. President Barack Obama cheer after networks project Obama as reelected during the Obama Election Night watch party at McCormick Place November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Networks project Obama has won reelection against Republican candidate, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

  • President Obama Holds Election Night Event In Chicago

    CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 06: Supporters of U.S. President Barack Obama cheer after networks project Obama as reelected during the Obama Election Night watch party at McCormick Place November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Networks project Obama has won reelection against Republican candidate, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

  • Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney Holds Election Night Gathering In Boston

    BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 06: Spectators react to President Obama's projected re-election displayed on large televisions during Mitt Romney's campaign election night event at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center on November 6, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. Voters went to polls in the heavily contested presidential race between incumbent U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

  • US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

    Supporters of US President Barack Obama celebrate as CNN projects victory for Obama on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

  • US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

    Supporters of US President Barack Obama celebrate as CNN projects victory for Obama on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

  • US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-ROMNEY

    Supporters of US Presidential candidate Mitt Romney watch as Fox News projects US President Barack Obama is re-elected on election night November 6, 2012 in Boston Massachusetts. AFP PHOTO/ TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

  • US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

    US President Barack Obama supporters celebrate as CNN projected The President re-elected on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

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  • Indonesian school children erupt into cheers on hearing the announcement that U.S. President Barack Obama had won the U.S. presidential election at SDN 01 Menteng elementary school to which Obama once attended in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. Obama attended the school when he was a child while living in Indonesia. (AP Photo)

  • Cyclists ride on a beach passing by a sand sculpture congratulating U.S. president Barack Obama for a second term in office in Puri, India, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. Obama captured a second White House term, blunting a mighty challenge by Republican Mitt Romney as Americans voted for a leader they knew over a wealthy businessman they did not. (AP Photo/Biswaranjan Rout)

  • Sarah Obama

    Sarah Obama, step-grandmother of President Barack Obama, waves her walking cane towards supporters in celebration before speaking to the media about her reaction to Obama's re-election in the U.S. presidential election in the garden of her house in the village of Kogelo, western Kenya, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

  • Students hold a poster of U.S. President Barack Obama as they watch the US election vote counting at SDN 01 Menteng elementary school where Obama studied in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. Obama attended the school when he was a child while living in the Southeast Asian nation. (AP Photo)

  • An American supporter of President Barack Obama holds a flag and sports a T-shirt which has a portrait of Obama and a phrase that reads 'Bangalore has hope' during a screening of U.S. elections coverage organized at a restaurant over breakfast in Bangalore, India, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. Obama captured a second White House term, blunting a mighty challenge by Republican Mitt Romney as Americans voted for a leader they knew over a wealthy businessman they did not. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

  • U.S citizens celebrate U.S. presidential election results in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. President Barack Obama captured a second White House term, blunting a mighty challenge by Republican Mitt Romney as Americans voted for a leader they knew over a wealthy businessman they did not. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

  • A Kenyan supporter of U.S. President Barack Obama cheers as he watches a broadcast showing that Obama has won the U.S. presidential election for a second term, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. Obama won re-election Tuesday night despite a fierce challenge from Republican Mitt Romney, prevailing in the face of a weak economy and high unemployment that encumbered his first term and crimped the middle class dreams of millions. (AP Photo/Sayyuid Azim)

  • A U.S. citizen reacts as he watches the live telecast of U.S. presidential election results in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Nov 7, 2012. Barack Obama captured a second White House term, blunting a mighty challenge by Republican Mitt Romney as Americans voted for a leader they knew over a wealthy businessman they did not. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

  • An empty champagne bottle and glasses are left after President Barack Obama's victory was announced Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Shanghai, China. Obama won re-election Tuesday night despite a fierce challenge from Republican Mitt Romney, prevailing in the face of a weak economy and high unemployment that encumbered his first term and crimped the middle class dreams of millions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

  • Villagers ride motorcycles and wave branches to celebrate Obama's re-election, in the village of Kogelo, home to Sarah Obama the step-grandmother of President Barack Obama, in western Kenya Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

  • U.S. embassy staff, Iraqi guests, and ambassadors listen to the speech of U.S. re-elected President Barack Obama at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed, Pool)

  • Barack Obama

    A man reads a Spanish newspaper with the smiling portrait of U.S. President Barack Obama on his front page, in Pamplona northern Spain, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. It is announced early Wednesday that Obama has been re-elected to be U.S. President for next four years. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

  • Indian Muslim students pose for photographs near cutouts of U.S. President Barack Obama, background right, and Republican candidate Mitt Romney during an event organized by the U.S. Embassy in Chennai, India, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. Obama captured a second White House term, blunting a mighty challenge by Romney as Americans voted for a leader they knew over a wealthy businessman they did not. (AP Photo/Arun Sankar K.)

  • Indian students react to results on television networks during an event organized by the U.S. embassy at the landmark Imperial Hotel in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. Obama captured a second White House term, blunting a mighty challenge by Republican Mitt Romney as Americans voted for a leader they knew over a wealthy businessman they did not. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)

  • President Obama supporters gesture and celebrate upon hearing the presidential election results on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Singapore. Obama won re-election Tuesday night despite a fierce challenge from Republican Mitt Romney, prevailing in the face of a weak economy and high unemployment that encumbered his first term and crimped the middle class dreams of millions. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

  • U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos, center, and Japanese high-school students celebrate reports that President Barack Obama won the presidential election at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)

  • Indian students react in front of photographers next to a cardboard cutout in the likeness of U.S. President Barack Obama after he was projected as the winner during an event organized by the U.S embassy at the landmark Imperial Hotel in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. Obama defeated Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney for a second term. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)

  • U.S. citizens Jaspal Singh, right, and Jane Ludin break into a dance as President Barack Obama's win becomes certain, during a live telecast of U.S. presidential election results organized by the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. Obama captured a second White House term, blunting a mighty challenge by Republican Mitt Romney as Americans voted for a leader they knew over a wealthy businessman they did not. (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)

  • Indian students have their picture taken next to a cardboard cutout of President Barack Obama after he was projected as the winner of the U.S. presidential election during an event organized by the U.S. Embassy at the landmark Imperial Hotel in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. Obama captured a second White House term, blunting a mighty challenge by Republican Mitt Romney as Americans voted for a leader they knew over a wealthy businessman they did not. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)

  • A young woman poses for a photo with a cutout of President Barack Obama, right, beside a cutout of Republican candidate Mitt Romney, left, during an election night event organized by the U.S. embassy in Skopje, Macedonia, early Wednesday, Nov.7, 2012. President Barack Obama won re-election Tuesday night despite a fierce challenge from Republican Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

  • A shop assistant watches US President Barack Obama speaking on TV screen in Moscow TV shop, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Mikhail Metzel)

  • A U.S citizen reacts as she poses for the media after watching the live telecast of U.S presidential election results in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. President Barack Obama captured a second White House term, blunting a mighty challenge by Republican Mitt Romney as Americans voted for a leader they knew over a wealthy businessman they did not. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

  • Guests watch live television coverage showing the victory of U.S. President Barack Obama, Wednesday Nov. 7, 2012, in Shanghai, China. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

  • Palestinians at a barber shop watch a televised speech by U.S. President Barack Obama after his vicotry, in the West Bank town of Jenin, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012.(AP Photo/Mohammed Ballas)

  • A Muslim woman poses for a photo with a cutout of President Barack Obama during a victory celebration for Obama in the U.S. presidential election in an event hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

 

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As the television cameras panned across the faces in the crowd waiting to hear the President speak in Chicago early Wednesday morning, the watching world took a long look at America's new governing co...
As the television cameras panned across the faces in the crowd waiting to hear the President speak in Chicago early Wednesday morning, the watching world took a long look at America's new governing co...
 
 
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A Tired Canadian
40 Fans
02:46 AM on 11/10/2012
What Liberal Parties everywhere must learn from Obamas win? the answer is very simple they should pray very hard for an opposition like Romney!
Likewise, Conservatives should should hope for an opposition like Michael Ignatieff.
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ScottinOttawa
27 Fans
08:35 PM on 11/08/2012
Michael Ignatieff you did a miserable job of leading the Liberals and attempting to win the confidence of the Canadian people. Because of you, we now have a minority reform government with a majority in our house of commons who now go on to dismantle and dissect the institutions of this once great nation. Those who can't, teach...maybe the same principal should exist for blogging. Please stick with teaching, disappear from the media and leave leadership to those who can lead. Your opinions on what Liberals should do to gain power have expired. Good night.
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cande-1
0 Fans
07:45 AM on 11/09/2012
Everyone has a right to his/her opinion! It's a free World we live in. Last I heard.
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ScottinOttawa
27 Fans
01:42 PM on 11/09/2012
Sure but when your opinions has failed in the public eye, keep them to yourself Mr. Ignatieff.
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Liz Wilson 2
“a small group can change the world
330 Fans
05:10 PM on 11/09/2012
This is a very credible man whose only fault is that he failed to understand that with Harper and the Tories government has devolved into a blood sport.
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ScottinOttawa
27 Fans
06:35 PM on 11/09/2012
Sorry Liz, MI never belonged at the helm of the Liberal party. He was not anointed by the grass roots but rather by the Liberal party's system of cronyism. Perhaps a better role was as adviser or maybe even cabinet minister? He might be a great intellect and a great person but he is not a natural leader that can build consensus and engage the masses. Now that he is a failure on a national stage, I do not think he should be publicizing opinion towards the arena in which he was soundly defeated.
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markinthedark
81 Fans
08:21 PM on 11/08/2012
This article ceases to make sense when you realise that Obama's own economic policies resemble more those of the CPC than of Ignatieff's own Liberal Party platform in the 2011 election. As a professor of history, how can he honestly characterize the positions of his Liberal Party as centre-left. They might be socially progressive, but they are quite right-wing economically. Same thing for Obama, socially progressive, fiscally right wing. That's actually what "liberalism" originally meant, and still means outside of North America.

In any case, the election of a right-wing president instead of an extreme right-wing president is not really a cause for celebration for left-wing parties around the world. François Hollande's election in France is far more relevant for the future of left-wing parties in the West, as will be his success or failure.
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Achilles Wrath
83 Fans
07:57 AM on 11/09/2012
Well-spoken, sir. I get a laugh when I hear Justin Trudeau, the LPC and/or Obama classified as "the left". Even Canada's NDP is a Centrist party. The CCF (the NDP's predecessor) had academic criticism of capitalism as part of their party platform. Nowhere in the NDP's literature is this critique present today.
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MLGoodell
25 Fans
11:30 AM on 11/09/2012
Obama is fiscally right wing? Really? And you're a professor of history? You must believe "right wing," by which I assume you mean Conservative, economic policies are though designed to destroy a nation's economy. What is there conservative about Trillion dollar deficits as far as the eye can see? Since you claim to be a history professor, I suggest you go back to post-WWI Germany and look at how their economic policies destroyed their economy, thereby ushering in Hitler, and you may recall how that turned out. You may call Obama's fiscal policies irresponsible, insane, childish, designed to fail, designed to usher in the ummah. One thing you cannot call them is conservative.
http://www.mlgoodell.webs.com
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markinthedark
81 Fans
02:51 PM on 11/09/2012
I was referring to Ignatieff being a professor of history, not me. By right wing economically I mean more concerned with inflation control rather than growth, supply-side instead of demand-side (which is Keynesian), inadequate social spending, privatization of profit and socialisation of losses (the bailout), etc. There are some more lefty things that he wanted to do (re-instate Bush's tax cuts) but that Congress didn't let him. His flagship programme, 'Obamacare' is still essentially a privatized profit-seeking health care system with some public subsidy, but such a model would be scandalous for any Canadian party to even suggest (I'm sure Harper would love to, but he also wants to get re-elected, s he won't). His economic council is full of neoliberals and fiscal conservatives. So yeah, all in all, it's a pretty right wing platform on economic and fiscal issues.

As for the Weimar Republic, they crashed along with the US stock market in 1929, so I don't know what parallel you're trying to draw. Otherwise, they were doing quite well after the reparations-caused inflation had stabilised by 1925 and were on the road to recovery when suddenly there was no more money anywhere in 1929 through no fault of their own.
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headstrong
173 Fans
06:24 PM on 11/08/2012
Look out Harper, the true Canadians are coming for you, and we're not taking prisoners!
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KETOSTIX
3 Fans
05:36 PM on 11/12/2012
Your talking about bush fanboy ignatieff?
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conductor274
124 Fans
04:48 PM on 11/08/2012
This idea of a coalition keeps surfacing. Back in 2009 when Harper prorogued parliament he did that because he recognized that a coalition between the Liberals and the NDP would definitely defeat the conservative party. Harper demonized the coalition idea and continues to do so to this day because he knows he only has support of 36% of the Canadian population. That 36% is largely made up of the extremists on the far right of the political spectrum so if the rest of voters get together and reject Harper's extreme ideology he'll be soundly defeated just as Romney was defeated in the US. Obama proved that a coalition is not a dirty word or a bad idea. A coalition would represent the majority of Canadians.
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robertmiller252
113 Fans
12:04 PM on 11/09/2012
As I wrote at the time, a coalition was impossible under Canadian election laws. What was needed was each party had to fully sign on to the agreement. The Bloc would not do that. Each party had to have a leader who had been in place for at least six months and was committed to be leader for a period of two years. The Liberals were in the act of picking a new leader so they didn't meet the requirements. So, legally, it just couldn't happen. But keep revising history.
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Scrappysmith
123 Fans
07:16 PM on 11/10/2012
You should remind us of your "Legal Opinion On Federal Election Laws" Rob!

Theres nothing I know of against a Coalition!
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FeistyCanuck
29 Fans
03:40 PM on 11/08/2012
Canadian small "L" liberals need to start by fixing the fact that they are currently divided into two separate parties. Unite the left and then there can be forward movement.

Until then, good luck finding the next Messiah to lead the middle party in a 3 party system to power purely based on personal popularity.

Hint, the Messiah's name is not Trudeau...
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Tony frm Banff
Search for truth,not spin
204 Fans
05:05 PM on 11/08/2012
I would say you are wrong to bring this joining the left nonsense. First of all most of us true Liberals are not left. We are a progressive centred people, atleast this one.
harper stole the Liberals centre during his run to a majority in 2011. Only because the Liberals had to pay for the ad-scam malarkey. They have paid the dues and its time to move forward and take the centre back, which is going to be easy as harper and his minions have veered a little to far to the right for the majority of Canadians a year and a half after getting the said majority.

The messiah you talk about is just a Canadian that sees that the middleclass and working poor are being left out of harpers Canada. Hint: Its Trudeau, Garneau, or just about anybody else for that matter.
I see you would love an NDP majority? I feel the Ndp may get just that chance or a Liberal minority come 2015.
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markinthedark
81 Fans
09:08 PM on 11/08/2012
The federal Liberal party is not "left" by any means. Maybe relative to Harper, but relative to history they are like Mulroney's Tories. If you consider yourself "left", stop letting yourself be duped into voting for the Liberals just because they defend progressive social causes like abortion, gay marriage, and equal pay. On economics, they are centre-right. That's what true 'liberalism' is. The Pearson-Trudeau period was a historical anomaly where liberal came to be synonymous with social democratic. That time is over but people haven't really realized it.
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ScottinOttawa
27 Fans
10:07 PM on 11/08/2012
Yes, well done Mark! We as liberals need to stand up and redefine our position as we've gotten lost to the left of reformers by sitting quietly in our moderation and convenient lifestyles. Canadians are in fact moderates, we pride our selves on it, and rightfully, this is how most of the world traditionally views us. It is good economics to promote socially progression but Canadians need to understand that we are indeed centre-right and for this reason Bob Rae has been a blite on the rejuvenation of the Liberal movement.
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Liz Wilson 2
“a small group can change the world
330 Fans
03:38 PM on 11/08/2012
Sandy was the catalyst that rallied American people to help each other in a time of intense need. It was as if God wanted to remind everyone that no disaster is insurmountable if people work together. The morning after the storm the images and reports of people working together to help friends, neighbours, and total strangers filled every news outlet. I got the feeling that people felt the joy that comes from responding to something so much bigger than individual desires. People willingly gave time, materials, and money. It is this sense of rising together that will see American through the coming years. Hopefully, Obama can start to rebuild a risen American from this memory and experience of unity.

Repopulate American cities and towns with a multitude of local entrepreneurial initiatives for food and energy security would provide jobs, lessen the reliance on oil for basic necessities and create stable communities. This should be the all important counter force to the large multinational companies that have intentionally hollowed out American middleclass jobs. However, much worse than shipping jobs overseas is the intentional crafting of the American as the fiercely independent self-made person. Creating a nation of people who shun working cooperatively allows companies to get away with the unthinkable.

People have rejected that image of themselves and understand that a united United States can face the turmoil ahead with less chance of devolving into one hundred million angry people with guns.
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Jim Cohoon
161 Fans
02:40 PM on 11/08/2012
"Americans are struggling to maintain their faith that their nation controls its own economic destiny." Maybe eating a little 'humble pie' would be a good thing for a culturally egocentric America. It may catalyze a maturing process towards a cultural ethos based in adult responsibility -- in its truest and broadest sense, leading to wisdom. This is what Carl Jung meant by mature 'individuation', as distinct from immature 'individualism'. An ethically mature America could still be a very positive force in the world.
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Rachel Decoste
Motivational speaker + | Conférencière ++
214 Fans
 
02:33 PM on 11/08/2012
A day late and a penny short! This from an LPC leader whose platform had zero items addressing the issues faced by minorities.
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Tony frm Banff
Search for truth,not spin
204 Fans
05:09 PM on 11/08/2012
????, did harper? I dont get what your trying to convey!
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Scrappysmith
123 Fans
07:23 PM on 11/10/2012
Harpers Conservaticves did reach out for the "Minority Vote" very successfully!
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Baruch Achem
1 Fans
12:08 AM on 11/09/2012
And what better example of Iggy's insipid mediocrity than his appearance on the all-white, all French Canadian flagship Radio-Canada television talk show, Tout le monde en parle. Have a look, the hosts, the on-set crew, the audience of about 50 - not a single person of colour or of Asian origin on the screen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5ZGjjmlIF8
Coming to you from a city, Montreal, whose population is 30% visible minorities. Enter the Maison Radio-Canada tower in east-end Montreal and you've entered apartheid heaven. Brought to you by an institution funded by Canadians, 20% of whom are visible minorities. More than $1.1 billion annually to this Unequal Opportunity Dinosaur that claims 6.5% of its permanent workers are visible minorities, but gives no breakdown for its managerial staff or the overwhelmingly all French Canadian Radio-Canada. Whines about cuts to its budget but has more than 730 employees earning more than $100K a year (guess how many of them are visible minorities) and a chauffeur-driven boss, Hubert T. Lacroix, with a penchant for $247 breakfasts. Take the subway to work Hubie, you might discover how real Canadians live. Ignatief is old news and good riddance to him. Next to go: Hubert T. Lacoix, and after him, our Minister of White Heritage, James Moore. Only then might we stand a chance to see ourselves as we really are on our publicly funded national media.
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YankeeCanuck
dog
1038 Fans
01:57 PM on 11/08/2012
THe country is as divided as ever.Voter turnout was lower than 2008. Liberal parties need to listen up--they ignored the voices of their base and of OWS, moving farther to the right to compete with an increasingly extreme right party.
The GOP listened to the extreme right wing Tea Party, contributing to their own defeat.
Next time, the youth vote will not be so forgiving.
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Djimcintosh
44 Fans
01:23 PM on 11/08/2012
There's a reason these positions are called "progressive".
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