Andrea
This week, in an unprecedented move, President Obama turned over his weekly address to the nation over to Francine Wheeler, the mother of one of the children killed in Newtown, CT, last December. In her address, Wheeler urges the public to encourage their senators to pass commonsense gun responsibility reforms. The Senate scheduled to vote on amendments to a new gun control bill during this coming week; the dedication of the President’s address to this topic illustrates the Administration’s advocacy on the issue of gun control reform.
The Administration’s decision to turn over the address to someone other than Obama or VP Biden for the first time during the presidency is indicative of the fact that it includes itself as part of the broad advocacy coalition calling for gun control reform. Applying via the theoretical framework laid out by Olson in The Logic of Collective Action (1971), the Administration gave a fellow member of its coalition the spotlight in the interest of “advancing the common interests of the group” (7).
In this situation, Wheeler who shares the Obama administration’s views on the need for gun laws reform has been identified as a more appropriate advocate to advance the group’s interests and political agenda. In a Huffington Post article, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney explained the choice to have Wheeler give the address: "’Nobody has a more important or powerful perspective" in the gun debate than the families of victims.”
Olson argues that smaller groups are more coherent and effective in reaching their organizational objectives, but in the case of gun control advocacy, it can perhaps be argued that the broadness and diversity of the coalition adds to its appeal. Critics and opponents may be weary of the Obama administration’s larger political agenda, but respond much more positively to a plea for change from a mother whose son was a victim of gun violence. Olson argues that a lack of group cohesion can negatively impact its functionality and efficiency (59), but on an issue as multifaceted as gun control, a lack of cohesion might actually be beneficial in terms of broadening the support of the issue. As The Huffington Post reports, “the president decided Wheeler would make a better spokesperson on the issue.”
The Administration’s decision to turn over the address to someone other than Obama or VP Biden for the first time during the presidency is indicative of the fact that it includes itself as part of the broad advocacy coalition calling for gun control reform. Applying via the theoretical framework laid out by Olson in The Logic of Collective Action (1971), the Administration gave a fellow member of its coalition the spotlight in the interest of “advancing the common interests of the group” (7).
In this situation, Wheeler who shares the Obama administration’s views on the need for gun laws reform has been identified as a more appropriate advocate to advance the group’s interests and political agenda. In a Huffington Post article, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney explained the choice to have Wheeler give the address: "’Nobody has a more important or powerful perspective" in the gun debate than the families of victims.”
Olson argues that smaller groups are more coherent and effective in reaching their organizational objectives, but in the case of gun control advocacy, it can perhaps be argued that the broadness and diversity of the coalition adds to its appeal. Critics and opponents may be weary of the Obama administration’s larger political agenda, but respond much more positively to a plea for change from a mother whose son was a victim of gun violence. Olson argues that a lack of group cohesion can negatively impact its functionality and efficiency (59), but on an issue as multifaceted as gun control, a lack of cohesion might actually be beneficial in terms of broadening the support of the issue. As The Huffington Post reports, “the president decided Wheeler would make a better spokesperson on the issue.”
This strategic decision-making mirrors the political tactics employed by transnational advocacy coalitions, which use “symbolic politics” as part of their persuasion process used to increase awareness about a specific issue (96). In this case, Wheeler’s experience and perspective as the mother of a gun violence victim is being employed to reframe the issue and potentially reach a new constituency.
Choosing Wheeler to deliver the weekly presidential address is also an example of “information politics” strategy, wherein the advocacy network provides “testimonies” told by people whose lives have been affected (95). The hope of this strategy is that it will draw new support for the issue, furthering the reach of its advocacy networks by increasing the legitimacy of the cause and attracting media attention. Advocacy networks employ these strategies in order to generate new attention and help set and refine their issue agendas (98).
Choosing Wheeler to deliver the weekly presidential address is also an example of “information politics” strategy, wherein the advocacy network provides “testimonies” told by people whose lives have been affected (95). The hope of this strategy is that it will draw new support for the issue, furthering the reach of its advocacy networks by increasing the legitimacy of the cause and attracting media attention. Advocacy networks employ these strategies in order to generate new attention and help set and refine their issue agendas (98).
In examining the policymaking process, it is interesting to reflect on how the policy environment is affected by a political administration becoming part of an advocacy coalition. In this situation, the Obama administration is certainly using its power to leverage power and “mobilize solidarity” (96). This is not unusual practice for advocacy coalitions, but because the President has unmatched power to access communications platforms, can it be argued that this is unethical or unfair?
Resources
Bendery, Jennifer. “Obama Weekly Address To Be Given By Francine Wheeler, Mom Of Son Killed In Newtown Shootings.” The Huffington Post. April 12, 2013.
Resources
Bendery, Jennifer. “Obama Weekly Address To Be Given By Francine Wheeler, Mom Of Son Killed In Newtown Shootings.” The Huffington Post. April 12, 2013.
Keck, Margaret E. and Kathryn Sikkink, “Transnational Advocacy Networks in International and Regional Politics,” International Social Science Journal, 51(159), 1999.
Olson, Mancur, The Logic of Collective Action: Goods and the Theory of Groups, Harvard University Press, 1971.
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