The piece is interesting journalism, because it points up one of the major failings of 'progressives'. That is, constantly making the perfect the enemy of the good. Yes, we'd all like to see Obama be able to maintain the stances that went with his earlier rhetoric. But deciding not to vote for him is the equivalent of voting for John McCain. And if nothing else, a McCain presidency will guarantee continuation of a right wing perspective in the federal court system (District and Appellate levels as well as Supreme) and in the 'bureaucracy' - the layers of government which actually administer programs and which are packed with 8 years of Bushies. For heaven's sake, GROW UP! Nobody and nothing is perfect!

The author doesn't advocate voting against Obama in anyway. She merely pionts out that this failed Democratic strategy of appealing to the "center" has only succeeded in shifting our nation to the right, and she presents the imporant question: "What will Obama do after he wins? Why should we believe he will suddenly tack back to being a defender of civil liberites?" This article complements the July 10 Christian Science Monitor article "Why 'base' and 'independent' campaign strategies converge". Both present sound reasoning as to how Obama is deflaiting enthusiasm from his base (especially from the new young voters he attracted during the primaries) and is endangering his campaign by shifting right and appealing to the "center". ... More »

Another opinion piece decrying Obama's shift toward center. Conniff rejects Markos argument on Daily Kos saying in effect, it's what you have to do to get elected. She says instead, "The time to resist the pressure to hew to a "center" defined by the Bush Administration's radicalism is now." I don't think Bush radicalism defines the center. The American voter does. Unfortunately. Based on past performance, my guess is Obama and his campaign advisors know voters' views better than Conniff or I do, so I have to accept his centrist rhetoric with a sad sigh for the level of voter knowledge.