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(s)Elections See other (s)Elections Articles Title: Obama repositions Obama repositions Published: July 6 2008 18:38 | Last updated: July 6 2008 18:38 Barack Obama is tacking to the centre and alarming some supporters. The repositioning began with the first television advertisement of his general election campaign, celebrating “values straight from the Kansas heartland”. He recruited Jason Furman, an economist disliked on the left (the man praised Wal-Mart, for heaven’s sake); he modulated his anti-trade rhetoric; he criticised the Supreme Court for striking down a death-penalty law, and declined to criticise it for throwing out the District of Columbia’s strict gun controls. Mr Obama has supported new federal money for “faith-based programmes”, endorsed new rules allowing eavesdropping on terrorism suspects, and qualified his promise to talk to Iran’s leader “without preconditions” (there would be some after all). Causing greatest consternation, he has begun to modify his position on a prompt withdrawal from Iraq. The details must depend on conditions at the time, he says. All this is a mixture the left finds toxic – and it allows Republicans to attack Mr Obama for cynicism and inconsistency. So much for his new kind of politics, they say. EDITOR’S CHOICE In depth: US campaign 2008 - Jul-04Obama wants ban on risk-based pricing - Jul-06Democrats’ vision of healthcare for all - Jul-06McCain vows anti-drug projects with Mexico - Jul-04McCain shuffles staff as criticism mounts - Jul-03Obama camp signals robust approach on Iran - Jul-01Some reversion to the centre was inevitable after the primaries. Case by case, Mr Obama can explain the changes: for the most part, they are adjustments and clarifications, not outright reversals. And much as some Democrats seem dismayed, Mr Obama always said he was a moderate. The centrist and independent voters he is currently targeting will be reassured. As Tony Blair found in campaigning for his first term as prime minister, yelps from the left can be very good politics. Still, Mr Obama’s new centrism carries risks. Ralph Nader is there to collect the votes of disaffected leftists. If the charge of cynical triangulator begins to stick, Mr Obama will lose headway with the centre as well. Tactics aside, Mr Obama’s policies still lack coherence and clear organising principles. To be sure, there are worse things than his brand of kind-hearted pragmatism, but as a guide to disciplined action it has its limits. Mr Obama needs policies that retain the left’s loyalty, underline the Democrats’ case for change, impress independents and move the country with conviction in a new direction. It so happens he has one: comprehensive healthcare reform, an issue of historic importance for the country’s fiscal prospects, economic vitality and moral self-confidence. Lately it has been relegated to secondary status, behind taxes and national security. Mr Obama needs to put that right.
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#1. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
Nonsense. BushObama is merely taking up where Bush will leave off. There is no left, center or right, that is all BS. Obummer WILL do as told and carry on.
Exactly.
Acceptance of any politician is risky at best, accepting one as a Savior is damned foolish and ignorant.
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