The Power Game

The power game in DC seems more fragmented than in Smith's book. Not only is there a push and pull between Congress and the Presidency, but there is also a push and pull within Congress, within the administration, and among private interests involved with government. Michelle Bachmann's rebuttal to the SOU is clear evidence of this fact. The Republican party was unable to stop her from making the speech and she represents a significant power base in American politics. And Obama, whether on his terms or the Tea Party's, focused a great deal of his speech on budget taming. Influence seems to be cutting many more ways than Smith describes.