To change a law, you don't just put up a bill for a vote; you first need to drum up support, which means getting politicians motivated for it which means riling

To change a law, you don't just put up a bill for a vote; you first need to drum up support, which means getting politicians motivated for it which means riling up their political base. That is to say, to change a law, you have to get citizens caring about it -- hence the rhetoric about 'economic patriotism'.