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Despite the ranging debates and diatribes between radicals, progressives and liberals about the meaning and potential impact of the reelection of President Barack Obama, there seems be one broad learning and agreement emerging amongst these forces. Which is that this time around, the Obama administration must be pushed to be accountable, and to end its promotion of regressive neo-liberal policies and the implementation of the imperialist agenda driven by US corporate interests.

Reading the post-election action statements from organizations like the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, the Ruckus Society, Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, Rebuild the Dream, Project South, the Southern Movement Assembly, and more, there appears to be a growing consensus that these forces must organize and mobilize mass movements that are prepared to actually disrupt the functioning of government and the economy in order to not only be heard, but to accomplish their aims and implement their visions and programs.

But, there are challenges to this type of organizing and mobilizing in this current context and environment. As recent commentary from Terence Courtney, an Atlanta based organizer with the Atlanta Public Sector Alliance noted:

As Mr. Courtney aptly points out, it is often hard to ask folks who admire someone to criticize that person and take constructive action against the decisions and actions they make. Moving progressive forces to take constructive action against President Obama no doubt will be a challenge over the course of the coming days, weeks, months, and years, particularly given that so few have any practice doing it.

If ways can be found, particularly amongst liberals and progressives, to actually mobilize their bases of support to stand up and resist the compromises President Obama is already proposing (on the fiscal cliff, health care, public education, etc.), then there is a chance that there can be substantive change in the United States, change that finally breaks the neo-liberal consensus promoted by Democrats and Republicans alike since the late 1970’s.

Tests of this awakening and emerging consensus amongst Leftists, progressives, and Liberals can and will be immediate. There are 3 critical tests on the horizon before President Obama is re-inaugurated:

If we have indeed learned some lessons from the wide demobilization experienced over the last four years, we will be stern in our opposition to the aforementioned issues and mobilize our bases to take action –be it lobbying, mass demonstrations, or direct action – and move the Obama administration to stop its ongoing drift to the right and actually compel it to move concretely towards the left. Undoubtedly, we will see if there is real substance to our rhetoric soon and see what fruits our efforts bare very shortly as we attempt to move our words into deeds.