Selling Out or Good Strategy?

The Chicago Sun-Times has an article that draws a parallel between Obama's recent policy flips and similar kinds of "adjustments" that bedeviled the Kerry campaign in 2004.  While acknowledging that Obama's flips increase his vulnerability, the piece seems to have an "it's no big deal, all politicians do it" feel to it. 

The article seems to suggest that Obama's flips might be considered high-minded or, perhaps, simply justified as good political strategy:

For one thing, a willingness to hone policy, add nuance or even change one's mind -- especially when new information comes to light -- is not a bad quality in a leader. For another, those partisans who supported a candidate in the primaries are not likely to switch parties. Often the worst that can happen is they stay home on Election Day. Politicians are usually willing to risk that for the chance to court the center.

It's true that politicians often adjust their tone and emphasis between a primary and a general election. The sheer alacrity with which Obama turned away from his earlier pronouncements was, however, enough to give even the most cynical pol whiplash. 

The article then fails to mention the exceedingly awkward, aborted, full-fledged flip-flop on Iraq that Obama attempted, but which necessitated a hurried second press conference to assure the the left and his cheerleaders in the press that he was still committed to pulling out the troops. 

On Iraq, Obama said Thursday that his upcoming trip there might lead him to refine his promise to quickly remove U.S. troops.

Obama is credited with opening his position to "refinement" (a word, like nuance, loved by the Left), but there's no mention in the article of his panicked, hastily arranged second press conference.

If the media leads the way in excusing the shifting political positions of those seeking elected office, the ability of voters to make good decisions about who our leaders ought to be is lessened.

Comments

[The Other Joe]

Obama won the nomination by outflanking Hillary on the left for wanting to get out of Iraq ASAP. He had better deliver.

[Joe]

It will be interesting to see if some on the Left migrate toward Nader as a result of Obama's transparent and opportunistic attempts to tack to the Center.