The Obama political operation is quite something. Although the President himself has taken some lumps, his team is quite experienced and may have the right relationships to carry out his legislative agenda. Ezra Klein talks about this in more detail.
Those relationships are essential, but I would argue that there is another key piece to success. That is a personal relationships between the President and most law makers and stakeholders in Washington. He has made a good first step by meeting with all parties so many times throughout the first month.
Love him or hate him, the ultimate model for a relationship based legislative genius is Lyndon Johnson. As the story goes Johnson never read a book in all his years in Washington. He did read a few things: policy briefs, legislation, and summaries of legislators. As Senate Majority Leader Johnson knew the likes, dislikes, interests, hobbies, and pet projects of almost all his colleagues. I doubt the President will be able to emulate Johnson (for experience and ethical reasons), but broadly it is not a bad model to follow.
1964 and even more so in 1965, Johnson saw an avalanche of legislation go across his desk. My guess is that based on his agenda President Obama would like to see something quite similar.
To learn more about LBJ:
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