The Obama administration ruffled feathers among its own base this week by taking liberals to task.
Listing off accomplishments on health care and financial regulation, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs complained to The Hill that liberals “wouldn’t be satisfied if Dennis Kucinich was president.”
Liberal groups were quick to respond. Gibbs’ comments led to an outcry from well-known activists and lawmakers, one of whom even called for his resignation.
White House officials may be frustrated by the number of liberal groups protesting them, but they shouldn’t be surprised.
Why liberals are upset
Activists are tasked with pressuring politicians, even those they helped elect.
“It’s not our job to take power,” antiwar activist Chris Hedges said. “It is our job to make those in power afraid of us.”
In year two of his presidency, Obama has faced increasing criticism from advocates for gay rights, immigration, and climate change who are still waiting for action.
Anti-war activists are a good example of this. Last year, they skipped theannual protest rally that marks the start of the Iraq war to give the new president time to enact liberal policies.
When he increased troops in Afghanistan instead, they began to protest.
Similarly, many gay-rights activists have been upset that the president has not managed to lift the military’s ban on openly gay Americans or pass a bill banning employment discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Action on health care may have placated some of the Democratic base, but groups concerned about the environment and immigration have expressed frustration that their issues – which they believe require urgent attention – have been tabled.
Obama may face protesters
The administration should get ready for more pressure soon.
As President Obama plans to spend a week traveling around the nation, he can expect to hear rumblings of dissent from the advocacy groups that have planned to use the August recess to target lawmakers.
Immigrant rights organization, labor groups, and environmentalists are among the liberal flank of protesters expected to make noise this month.
The president may get one break.
He is expected to attend Democratic fundraisers while on the road, so the activists targeting town halls may not be able to confront him directly.
Conservatives join chorus
Tea-party groups are also expected to make an appearance at those town halls.
They share the concerns that labor activists are expected to voice over jobs and the economy, but with an opposing view on how the government should act.
And that may be where the frustration comes in for officials like Gibbs.
While liberals have demonstrated against the administration for not acting on enough issues, conservatives have complained that the health-care overhaul and financial regulation amount to a government takeover of those industries.
But that’s just how political activism works. Both sides are trying to pressure the administration their way.
As activist Paul Loeb put it, “It’s always grassroots that lead and politicians that follow.”
