There seems to be little disagreement on just how successful the Obama campaign was. It was, many would argue, the most outstanding marketing campaign in electoral history. Brand Obama raised over 600 million dollars from more than 3 million donors. And they haven’t stopped. What does it mean for American politics?

Matt Taibbi, chief political reporter for Rolling Stone and the author of The Great Derangement, Bill Fletcher, Jr. Executive Editor of The Black Commentator and the author of Solidarity Divided, and Bennett Zier CEO of Air America Radio discuss why Obama won and whether it truly was a grassroots campaign.

Fletcher says that the campaign launched an impressive field operation but that it remained largely top down. And given the amount of money spent, well, it’s hard not to be cynical. Fletcher, an Obama supporter, says that the unprecedented amount of money raised eliminates the possibility of people who are connected to the grassroots and working class ever getting a shot. Unless they are able to hold him accountable. The question now is, who will Obama be beholden to? Will grassroots organizations have a seat at the table?

Comments Off   Spotlight