1. If the republicans had a more dynamic candidate, this could be a race. No offense intended, republicans.

My expectations are low. I just expect Obama to be a better president than the alternative.

What I really don't care about are the "wedge" issues.

Fact is, nobody is trying to take away our guns. Over the last several years, states have increasingly made concealed weapons permits available. Some states have established reciprocity with other states, reagarding such permits. Still, the issue is not for the presidency.

The president, no matter which party, has nothing to do with the issue of "gay marriage."

The death penalty is also outside the scope of the presidency.

Of course, Supreme Court nominations are a factor and a damn good reason to vote for Obama.

Obama's stance on FISA is indefensible, but it should appeal to the radical right. Not the sort of thing an, "undercover Muslim" would be supporting, is it?

Totally abandoning NAFTA is not something which can really be accomplished, and certainly not by a president alone. It was a bad idea, but like the Iraq war, it's lot easier to start something than it is to get out of it. Modification of NAFTA is a more honest and realistic goal. I don't consider it a "flip-flop."

Of course one of the greatest "flip-flops" in recent political history was, "Read my lips. No new taxes!"

Captain Negative at 3:53AM on Jul 9th 2008

2.
Would it be a surprise that Obama wants to widen his appeal to the voters by moving center with campaign promises?

JefFlyingV at 5:21AM on Jul 9th 2008

3. Osama will ALWAYS be a Socialist in wolve's clothing. Lies, half-truths and general skullduggery is the M.O. of any politician.
Change? He'll change your tax level to be sure. The first thing Osama will do is raise your taxes.

Moving to Center? Children - can you say "smoke and mirrors"? Osama was quoted as saying that he's NOT against $4.00 per gallon petrol. Only regrets that the price rose so quickly. And Americans are considering this nobody politician with no real-world experience in world politics? NO WAY.

Are you people crazy?

Yonny at 6:35AM on Jul 9th 2008

4. "What I really don't care about are the "wedge" issues."

I'd add to your list of wedge issues FISA and the fear of a repeal of Roe v. Wade. I gather you'd care about those.

Obama's stance on FISA is just an indication that he can read the tea leaves, realizes that to most of the country it isn't a big deal and that those for whom it is an issue are solidly in his camp anyways. Personally, I don't think his stance on it is going to do much to enhance his appeal to the radical right. But it might make him appear to be less of an left-leaning ideologue to those who are straddling the fence.

Obama's move to the center is just validation of what a number of us have been saying all along when confronted with the whole nebulous concept of "Change" that's become the mantra of the devoted. That he's a just another politician - albeit a very skilled one.

bob at 6:58AM on Jul 9th 2008

5. Because Obama gave his word to the American people who are supporting him, that he will end the war 16. End of it!!!!!!!!!!!!
If he doesn't he broke his word and he is not capable to be honest. Say something and keep it or you are not who we thought you are. Just an other politician. If you can't do it the DNC should elect Hillary because she could do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Obama promised so many things to the American people and if doesn't keep it, we do not believe in him.

Annie at 8:01AM on Jul 9th 2008

6. Because Obama gave his word to the American people who are supporting him, that he will end the war 16. End of it!!!!!!!!!!!!
If he doesn't he broke his word and he is not capable to be honest. Say something and keep it or you are not who we thought you are. Just an other politician. If you can't do it the DNC should elect Hillary because she could do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Obama promised so many things to the American people and if doesn't keep it, we do not believe in him.

Annie at 8:05AM on Jul 9th 2008

7. Annie, He's still planning to end the war in a gradual manner which would have us out in 13-16 months after he's inaugurated. Anything quicker would be reckless. If you are so enamoured in someone who won't look at an issue and modify his stance, vote for bush again. I'd prefer someone who can think something through, looking at FACTS and then make a decision. Not make the "facts" fit his pregone conclusion.

Dennis at 8:15AM on Jul 9th 2008

8. Once again, Obama could care less if he's viewed as being left, right or center of an issue. His history speaks for itself as to who he was when he started his candidacy.

There are three different types of flip flops to me. One is of necessity, another is being misinformed & the last is philosophical change of mind.

I think McCain is guilty of the first with a tad of philosophical rendering as well. Staying with tax cuts in a soft economy dictates the needs of individuals to govern their own destiny accordingly. Offshore drilling is a change of definite necessity that McCain's maverick label affords him the opportunity to flex with the current needs of the country. Democrats now statistically favor offshore drilling by a whopping 70% in favor rate. Who'd a ever thunk?

Obama dug his own hole in the beginning casting himself as a champion of the left. It was what it was. Every single flip flop he's involved with is deep philosophical change from his left roots & being sorely misinformed.

It's ironic because the issues he should be changing on that would be far more received by the left he's not. He's dug in on his failed idea on improving the energy crisis with taxing excess profits, closing trading loopholes & speeding up alternative energy measures that are pipeline (can't be achieved overnight) dreams at the moment for both parties in which everyone understands finally need to be implemented. He thinks his contemporary thoughts are a revelation.

His promise of ending the war was so absurd now he's finally going to talk to the ones that know best, the MILITARY! Irony again, McCain had to suggest he get off his ass & visit the front to make a more well informed decision. Obama was just shooting from the hip with his anti war rhetoric & the left swallowed it hook, line & sinker. Now supporters like Dennis above are saying he needs to make a "more informed" decision. That alone speaks volumes for this guy the DNC nominated.

He's misinformed & his true philosophies are locked in his mind, that's the scary part for anyone paying attention at the moment. I actually think you guys know you screwed up royally with this nomination but it's better to see it through with the hopes Obama will learn as he goes.

Well, he is learning a little. His shifts are more conservative than the middle & he's taking that road because he knows his policies are doomed to fail.

The left shouldn't view this as treachery, you were all in on it, you should just view it as a colossal mistake. I'd soften my approach too....

Bobby at 9:11AM on Jul 9th 2008

9. Only someone on the far left could consider Obama moving to the center. I suppose Trotsky objected to Stalin's move to the center also. Stupid doctrinaire self annointed idealogus like you consider the center as political purgatory. The fact is that Mr. Obama's tax proposals will hurt most American taxpayers and stifle any possibility of a true economic recovery. We saw that with that dolt, Jimmy Carter, no doubt a hero of yours, Whom the american people had the good sense to jettison after he fooled them the first time. I understand your desire to see a peoples republic of the united states but I hope you don't mind if I don't participate in that dream.

eric at 10:26AM on Jul 9th 2008

10. The president, no matter which party, has nothing to do with the issue of "gay marriage."

On the contrary, it is up to the federal government to decide what is a marriage, for purposes of accepting joint income tax returns, as well as dependents for purposes for federal benefits, whether its Social Security survivor benefits or fringe benefits for federal employees.

Kent at 10:44AM on Jul 9th 2008

11. Ahh Cenk is turning on his Messiah. The far left is in a hissy fit over their "lefty" candidate betraying them. Obama is a smart guy and he knew who to use to get what he wanted. He was getting his ass handed to him in the last ten states of the primaries and his handlers knew he needed to make a shift. There has never been a lefty prez. If he wants to win he knows he has to shift to get the votes. The change and anti war rhetoric only worked for so long on the college campuses move ons and code pinkers. He had to shift on the Iraq situation, because much to demise and wish for failure of the far left the surge is working(I know I know Cenk fluffers Afgan violence is up). You think he is going to go against Petreus uhh no, so Cenk huffington and Daily Kos suck it up because you just got OWNED!!!!

Joan Rite at 10:03AM on Jul 9th 2008

12. Forever will the liberal elite look down their noses at little minds like mine who question apparent inconsistencies. But the forest is lost on me. I cannot see why the obfuscation of Obama. Why the changes? Horse traders and pig farmers get it. To get elected. So what's new or news? There will be clarity with the first couple new conferences with the new president Obama. The unchanging Obama. The grounded Obama. The flip flops will be gone. The uncertainty will be gone. The centrist will be gone. The real Obama will again emerge. The facade will no longer be necessary. The kill the still living aborted babies Obama, the ban all weapons Obama, the redistribute the wealth of the middle class (what's left of it)Obama, the government intrusion into education of children from birth Obama, the use of "hate speech" to eliminate freedom of speech altogether Abama, the drop our defenses and appease the terrorists of the world Obama, the use the Supreme Court to write the law because too many Republicans still exist in Congress Obama, the post-modern elitist who does not believe in the truth so he can never really be lying Obama, will emerge with fierceness and force and we will all be changed. Forever. And the hope with which he campaigned so successfully will be finally and completely put beneath his feet because it is not hope he brings. It is death to the experiment we call government of, by and for the people.

Serpentdove at 11:33AM on Jul 9th 2008

13. I am very curious to see how Senator Obama "nuances" his stand after meeting with the commanders in the field. I would bet the farm that anything they tell him will be contrary to his basic position. That leaves him with two options, neither good for him.

First, he can say that after meeting with the brass, he has re-evaluated his position to conform with theirs. I am sure they will not be advising him to pull two brigade out at once with others following on a set basis to be out in 16 months, as he originally promised.

But accepting their evaluation will hardly enamour him to Move-on & Co. if he suddenly sides with "General Betrayus." They will go bongos. Can't wait to see what they do in Denver after that.

Second, he can say that he respectfully disagrees with the assessment of the brass, and is sticking to his original plan. That will not sit well with the vast middle of the electorate who respect Petreus, even if they don't like the war. It will not sit well with those who "don't like the war," but believe we turned the corner and are now winning and don't want to jump ship at this time.

Finally, it will make him look bad for saying he will consult with the commanders and then ignore their advice.

In short, I think (and hope) that he is painting himself into a corner by saying he will meet the the commanders in Iraq in order to re-asses his position in any way. It will put him between Iraq and a hard place, if you will forgive the stupid pun.

Davie at 11:34AM on Jul 9th 2008

14. Cenk what religion are you??? Very curious...

If you dont like our constitution then move the hell away from here..

The supreme court judges are there to rule on constitutional law only.. Not on there beliefs.. Liberal judges(who rule on there beliefs) would destroy what our Fore-Fathers tried to prevent..

jim at 11:49AM on Jul 9th 2008

15.
One more perspective that the media never discusses.

Obama's choice of VP. He's got to balance his own vulnerabilities with demographics & overall appeal.

His centrist move is to coincide more with his upcoming selection of the second in command. Obama's VP choice IMO is far more important than McCains because of his radical backers.

It'll be interesting.....

Bobby at 12:38PM on Jul 9th 2008