Radical leftist's son: 'Obama learned his lesson well'

Child of Saul Alinsky sees Democratic Party using his father's methods

In a letter to the editor of the Boston Globe, the son of radical socialist community organizer Saul Alinsky praised Barack Obama for stirring up the masses at the Democratic National Convention "Saul Alinsky style," saying, "Obama learned his lesson well."

The letter signed L. David Alinsky closed by saying, "I am proud to see that my father's model for organizing is being applied successfully. … It is a fine tribute to Saul Alinsky as we approach his 100th birthday."

Saul Alinsky was a social revolutionist who advocated going beyond leftist approaches to the point of stirring mass organizations of "Have-nots" that would rise up and seize power from the "Haves." Alinsky's radical methods were often controversial, as were his words, such as the dedication of his book "Rules for Radicals": "To the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom – Lucifer."