Gotta Walk the Talk

Dear President Obama,

The speech you gave in Kansas was a symphony to this listener. Fox News is tone deaf. You could say, "I love my mom and apple pie," and they would say you forgot to mention God, the second amendment, and the sanctity of marriage. You can't win with them.

But you can still win with your base. You can animate us like you did in 2008. But it will take a little more this time. Because you talked tough the last time, too.

I think I understand why you sought to compromise so often, since your election. The leaders in Congress were people with whom you worked before. You knew them. Perhaps you thought they would remain reasonable colleagues. But times had already changed dramatically, Prez. I'm guessing that you realized this when the Republican candidates indicated at a debate that they would not accept any compromise that included increased revenue for the government.

Regardless, you do appear to be rejoining your base now in calling for the Fair Society, one in which we all get a fair shot and we all contribute our fair share. I'm with you on that. But this time, between now and the election, your words won't be taken for granted. You gotta walk the talk, Prez. You have to stand up to your former colleagues, and tell them to their faces, that what they are demanding is not fair to the country as a whole or its future. If you do this, and do it repeatedly, I believe you will see again the fervor you saw in 2008.