Jul 8
Sorry for the delay in posting. I was speaking on a panel at Mark Strama’s Dreamy Campaign Academy, where the students pretended to listen while me, Charlie Ray, and Colleague Burka pontificated on the subtle nuances of old and new media. The only time the students appeared interested was when I hobbled through the door in excruciating pain, dragging my left foot and (self-diagnosed) sprained toe behind me. I’m just waiting for the toenail to fall off, like I’m starring in a 2008 remake of “The Fly.”
While I was dining at the Gage Hotel in Marathon, my friends and I were engaged in a rather spirited discussion about the general election. I kicked things off by saying, “Well, looks like your guy Obama’s a real flip-flopper. Mmmm, these venison fajita black bean nachos are to die for!” Of course, I was simply trying to steer the conversation away from Andy Brown, who had been speaking about the future of the Travis County Democratic Party for the past hour.
My statement came from last week’s news reports that Obama had seemingly changed his position on the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. This, on the heels of opting out of public financing and advocating for certain faith-based initiatives. Now, before you get all huffy, I’m not really criticizing Obama. I mean, if you want to weigh Obama versus McCain in the Great American Flip-Off, it’s pretty clear who the master of all floppery would be.
I think Obama is refining his positions, although the anti-war left may disagree with me. This is politics, people, the fine art of negotiating and compromising and moving to the center. And surprise! Obama is a politician. A masterful one at that. But anyone who really thought that he would never budge just a little on his campaign promises was kidding themselves. [Daily Kos, I’m looking at you.] Hillary did this, and Obama will too.
Still, as someone who secured the nomination by vowing to change the way things are done, he needs to do this very delicately. Not only because of the inevitable Republican attacks, but also because of his base that got him here in the first place.
In recent weeks Obama has abandoned or downplayed his previous commitments on wiretaps, the pace of withdrawals from Iraq, trade with Mexico and Canada, guns, and the funding of his campaign. In most of these cases he has been moving to the center. In all of them he is taking the position most advantageous for his campaign in the fall. Left-wing bloggers, notably Arianna Huffington, have been screaming in cyberspace…
The passion Obama inspired earlier this year was critical to his victory in the primaries. But it isn’t what he needs now. The public is not looking for a political messiah. Indeed, the over-the-top adulation of Obama’s most fervent admirers probably strikes some swing voters as creepy and cultish. What people want is a steady leader who looks out for their interests: safety, secure health care, higher wages, cheaper food and gas.
[TIME]
The trackback URL is here.
“Indeed, the over-the-top adulation of Obama’s most fervent admirers probably strikes some swing voters as creepy and cultish.”
Same applies to basic non-adulating supporters.
Just beat McSame and don’t self destruct is all I ask. Then get us the hell out of Iraq once you’re elected.
http://www.inthepinktexas.com
Re: 1. treehugger
I’ll do my best.
Re: 2. Pink Lady
I’ll write you in.
http://www.mcblogger.com
You know, what gets me about all this is that he’s caving on positions where he doesn’t have to. Faith-based initiatives? FISA? No one gives a shit about them.
Well, except for the nutters on the right who weren’t going to vote for him anyway.
These changes are irritating as hell to most Democrats and don’t bring any swing or R voters to the him. I know he’s a politician, never really had faith in the Obamessiah. However, some of this is just, well, tone deaf.
AND I DON’T REALLY BELIEVE YOU WERE IN THE DESERT FOR THE FOURTH.
Re: 4. mcblogger
I give a shit about FISA, but we are seeing the ………….
“typical Dem dumb down”……..
too chicken shit to be bold and aggressive…he needs to go after McW and the McSames inability to hold a position for 48 hours.
They wlll hang RockO ( I know I KNOW) if he Keeps givig them rope, and he needs to provide the press with hard copy and CHALLENGE their lazy asses when they call him a flipper, when he is just adjusting his position.
/lots of joke potential……….
//let me whip this out (position paper)
http://www.lettersfromtexas.com
During Andy Brown’s hour of pontification, he didn’t happen to stage any sort of historical reenactment did he? Apparently he does that from time to time.
Re: 6. Harold Cook
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. “
Re: 4. mcblogger
Have you considered that he actually cares about faith based initiatives?
Re: 7. JohnCornyn’sBoxTurtle
I think faith based initiatives are a good thing… as long as they are not prothletizing or discriminating, and the funds are equally shared and not overwhelmingly biased towards a particular religious group. They can participate like non-profits in that respect.
http://www.inthepinktexas.com
Re: 8. JohnCornyn’sBoxTurtle
Democrats hate Jesus.
http://www.lettersfromtexas.com
Faith-based initiatives seem to me to be an effort for one group to say, “my imaginary friend cares more than your imaginary friend.”
Re: 11. Harold Cook
My imaginary friend can beat up your imaginary friend.
http://www.lettersfromtexas.com
Re: 12. West Texas Hillbilly
oh yeah? You and what imaginary army?
Re: 10. Pink Lady
Jesus IS a democrat, but with balls.
Re: 13. Harold Cook
W’s river guard crossing army?
/Keeping Tequila and cold beer from attacking BBend
I’m gonna go out on a limb and say it’s not a bad thing to take a position and then be simply open to refining it when you know you’ll be getting even more education on the subject.
One thing I hated about W was his comeplete stubbornness and unwillingness to consider new info. Flip flopping is not what Obama’s doing, but even if it were, sometimes that’s preferable to being “right” at all costs.
As long as it makes sense, like the public financing.
I mean, a girl’s got a right to change her mind.