Did you come in directly to this article? It's part of a
series. Make sure to read Part 1: Obama and the death penalty, Part 2:
Obama and guns, Part 3: Obama and FISA, and Conclusion.
Should you really be blaming Obama because you mistook his positive message of "yes we can" and "change" to mean "tack the US radically left?"
I don't think so, and frankly I'm tired of the uninformed and so-called "betrayed" crying out in melodramatic anger that "Obama has abandoned the cause and is shifting to the middle."
Have you possibly been throwing in your own interpretation of what he means by change? Have you maybe been assuming where he stands on issues, perhaps based on what you believe and because he reached out to the super liberal progressives at the grassroots?
Despite our wishes, the common connection on liberal issues, and labels, Senator Barack Obama is not a radical extreme left man. The only people who think so are the opposition, the angry people at the grassroots level, and the lazy mainstream media who isn't really bothering to check any kind of facts or history and go for the biggest bang headline they can find.
When I tracked his history of issues and voting, and read his position papers, I saw a pretty moderate Democrat who is remarkably consistent, especially compared to his opponent.
Let's take the three major issues under discussion (attack) this week---death penalty, guns and FISA---and break it down.
Wow -- Julie, thanks. What a good read. I've been struggling this week with all of Obama's decisions, wishing some weren't so. On others, while I don't necessarily embrace his decision, I have to admit I can't fully disagree. I've always said that I am completely against the death penalty, but when it comes to someone who harms a child, let me at them first.
I recall when reading The Audacity of Hope that Obama said that because he is new to the political scene and represents the historical hopes of so many, he finds that a great many people infuse a certain set of expectations onto him not because of who he is but because of what they want. I see myself in that.
In reality, what Obama has done for the Democratic Party has been nothing short of revolutionary -- not taking corporate or PAC money. Being the only candidate to fully implement the 50 state strategy. Bringing the level of discourse to an intelligent and respectful level. Creating one of the most astonishing political machines in recent history.
I have to believe, despite the fact that he has disappointed me this week, he will bring the same level of change to the White House.
Or, we could just have Mr. McCreaky. No brainer.
Posted by: Kristin | June 29, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Julie, can I kiss your ring? Because this series you've done is EXCELLENT, and I worship you for doing it. I'm SO grateful you've pierced this whole "must tack to the center" meme (which I've also helped spread) with facts, reporting, and logical, rational thinking on the past week. I feel it should be mandatory reading before we resume discussion of FISA, the Supreme Court ruling on the death penalty, and whether or not Obama is "selling out" the left by "moving to the center."
Once again, you brang some awesome.
Posted by: cynematic | June 29, 2008 at 11:18 AM
You rock, Julie.
Posted by: Gunfighter | June 29, 2008 at 12:22 PM
FANTASTIC! Doing my own research this week, it's really begun to piss me off every time I read "tacking to the center" in the MSM. You're right - he's remarkably consistent. Wonderful series, Julie!
Posted by: Lawyer Mama | June 29, 2008 at 02:01 PM
Great job, Julie. This is nothing new to those who have been actually following the candidates' policies since late 2006.
The major media like to give themselves a break every now and then from the headspinning inconsistency of McCain and try out a "new development" in their narrative.
Posted by: Christine | June 29, 2008 at 02:54 PM
julie, this is a staggering work of brilliance. all of it.
Posted by: jen | June 29, 2008 at 04:06 PM
I 'strongly' suggest you dig further into this. I do not believe Obama. Here's some help for you. http://elect2009.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/obamas-flip-flopslies/
Posted by: Cindie | July 05, 2008 at 07:05 PM
Yo, Cindy - did *you* actually dig further than watching some Fox News videos on You Tube? Because Fox never tells the whole story. They usually buy the Republican/conservative/McCain spin on pretty much everything either without bothering to do additional research, or by intentionally distorting the truth by using selective sound bites.
How do we know this? We were getting the same press releases from the McCain camp that Fox News was.
Posted by: Lawyer Mama | July 06, 2008 at 06:27 PM