The Burden of Leadership

This New York Times article presents an intersting case study in political leadership and policy making by examining Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut. Senator Dodd will become the Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee when the new Congress convenes in January. He is also considering a run for President in 2008.

This will be an interesting case study because, put simply, his efforts to be an effective Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee may work against his efforts to build a group of campaign donors in a bid for the Presidency.

“Does he become a populist champion on issues that broadly affect the middle class” asked Travis B. Plunkett, the legislative director of the Consumer Federation of America, “or does he shrink from controversial issues that offend huge donors?”

It is a question facing not only Mr. Dodd, but the Democratic Party more generally as it assumes control of Congress.

Politicians know that the easiest time to be ideologically pure and noble is when they have little real power. For most of the Bush Administration, the Democrats have been the minority party in the US Senate. But with their sweep of the midterm elections, comes the responsibilty to lead the Congress.

We shall keep an eye on Senator Dodd as he leads the Senate Banking Committee and as he prepares his campaign to lead the nation as the next President. Will he be successful in balancing the needs of middle class consumers and the financial industries? Time will tell.