He was known as a reformist (i.e. one of those in the SPD who wanted to achieve their political goals within the existing system) and as someone who was not much interested in fundamental theoretical debates.
Era perceput ca reformist (unul din membrii SPD, care dorea să-și realizeze obiectivele politice în cadrul sistemului existent) și ca o persoană care nu era prea interesată de dezbaterile teoretice fundamentale.