Norwood News

Barack Obama, now the 44th president of the United States, is a global phenomenon.

But keep in mind that he was a state legislator in Illinois a little more than four years ago.

That’s something Bronx lawmakers can relate to, which is good, because there are lessons in the Obama brand of politics that we hope our elected officials will emulate.

Obama is not thin-skinned, not resentful, not paranoid, not vengeful. He has an ego but it is powered by confident self-assurance, not paranoid self-doubt.

He surrounds himself with super-smart, highly competent staff and advisers. This is made possible by the personality traits listed above.

To Obama, political competition is not war, but competition, like basketball. He plays hard, breaks a sweat, and afterward treats everyone with respect regardless of what side they were on.  Just ask Hillary Clinton about that.

Here in the Bronx, we can learn from Barack Obama, the campaign he waged and the person he is. It’s good timing, too, considering Bronx politics is also brimming with change.

The new chairman of the Bronx Democratic Party, Carl Heastie, is already emulating Obama in a key area.

“No door is closed,” he said in a recent interview, referring to his willingness to work with any Bronx leader, regardless of what side they were on in the bruising battle over the party’s leadership last fall. “I have no emotion. I’m not holding any grudges.”

If he wanted to, Heastie could exercise his power and take revenge on opponents by anointing his good friend Assemblyman Ruben Diaz, Jr.  as the heir apparent to Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, who appears to be heading for a job working for Obama in D.C. 

Instead, he’s seeking input from Bronx elected officials and district leaders. It’s smart politics not just because inclusiveness will lead to a stronger party, but also because Diaz won’t benefit from sailing to victory.

Learning to make his case to borough politicians, many of whom may be inclined to support Joel Rivera, son of deposed Democratic chief Jose Rivera, will make him a better candidate and a better borough president if he wins.

Politicians who don’t face serious opposition tend to lack accountability once they assume office.

(If Obama had won New Hampshire, and wrapped up the nomination last January, he may have not beaten John McCain. He gained strength, skill and support with every contested primary.)

Another way Heastie and Bronx Democrats can learn from the new president is by emulating the Obama campaign’s embrace of the Internet and grassroots organizing, creating a party organization that communicates both ways, rather than just from the top down.

They’ll do that if they want to bring more people into borough politics.

Politicians who trust their constituents and see them as partners in campaigning and governing will succeed. Just ask Barack Obama about that.