functions as a brand in the same way that people of color or hiv-positive models were used by calvin klein to associate their product with the risk a lifestyle and progressive politics but as with a function of all brands we confused a brand with an experience. obama won advertising -- marketer of the year. because the professionals knew what he had done. he beat nike and apple and that is what he was. to quote cornell west became essentially black mascot for wall street. >> host: one of the themes and a lot of your books is criticism of liberals. why? >> guest: the liberal class was never meant to function as the political left. it was meant to function as a political center. i spent a lot of time in depth with the liberal class going back to the radical and populist movement at the turn of the century which were very powerful. unions like the old c i o, socialist, candidate for president told almost 6% of the vote in 1912, publications like appeal to reason with the socialist, and the force, at the time before the war, and socialist mayors. what happened was the war itself and wilson had

we mistook style and ethnicity, and advertising tactic pioneered by calvin klein for progressive politics in genuine change. john is in chicago. john, you're on booktv. >> caller: mr. hedges, so nice to listen to you. i do feel that you disparage the democracy in the united states. i've been working on a southside chicago for about 15 years and i think the promise that has been made, in my area, is substantial and been done in a democracy. i feel that obama has all sorts of problems. yet at the same time i think he is a leader, of significance. and i'm sorry that you seem to be against democracy being practiced in the united states. >> guest: well, i wish democracy was practice, and should become in the united states. and i certainly feel that i, as a writer any citizen, am fighting as hard as i can to reinstate democratic prerogatives, and democratic rights that have been taken from us. not simply by obama. this up in something that has been going on for a while. but i think we have to restore power to the citizenry by wresting it away from corporations began to do believe obama has been

we mistook style and ethnicity an advertising tactic pioneered by calvin klein and benetton for progressive change. >> in 2008 the financial collapse, wall street was terrified. they thought they'd been found out. >> they thought they would to have pay a price for their criminal activity, fraudulent activity and malfeasance. and obama functioned as a brand in the same way that people of color or hiv-positive models were used by benetton and calvin klein to liken their brand with a riske lifestyle and brand. we confused a brand with an experience. obama won, advertising ages top annual award marketer of the year because the professionals knew precisely what he had done. he beat nike, zappos. he became a black mascot for wall street. >> host: one of the themes in a lot of your books is criticism of liberals. why? >> guest: because the liberal class was never meant to function as the political left. the liberal class was meant to function as the political center. and i spent a lot of time in death of the liberal class going back to the radical and populist movements which were very popular and

among those at thursday's funer funeral, calvin klein and vera wang. klein worked with badger on an ad campaign. all guests were given these programs with the picture of the three smiling girls, just a small reminder of the love and innocence lost on that tragic christmas morning. the family has set up a foundation in memory of the girls, for more information and to offer your condolences, you can head to our website at today.com. >>> we're back in a moment. this is "today" on nbc. >>> just ahead, was a video from casey anthony stolen from her computer or did she want to get it out? >>> and rickier have jay, how he'll behave at the golden globe, after your local news. iq. to keep skin smooth all day... all night. nivea. touch and be touched. flavored with real honey. powerful cold medicine that leaves out artificial flavors and dyes and instead uses something more natural, honey. new vicks nature fusion cold & flu. ♪ >> this is wbal-tv 11 news today in baltimore. >> good morning. i am stan stovall. baltimore archbishop edwin o'brien has been elevated to

among those at thursday's funer funeral, calvin klein and vera wang. klein worked with badger on an ad campaign. all guests were given these programs with the picture of the three smiling girls, just a small reminder of the love and innocence lost on that tragic christmas morning. the family has set up a foundation in memory of the girls, for more information and to offer your condolences, you can head to our website at today.com. >>> we're back in a moment. this is "today" on nbc. ♪ when life gets busy... there are days where you want to give your immune system some support. try airborne. each serving contains 14 vitamins, minerals and herbs including zinc, echinacea, ginger, and a blast of vitamin c. it's the easy, great-tasting way to help support your immune system. try airborne. in fast-acting effervescent formula, and new super-convenient chewable tablets! why not save on car insurance? [ coin drops ] [ high-pitched voice ] thanks. [ normal voice ] you're welcome. get a free quote at progressive.com. >>> just ahead, was a video from casey anthony