It's interesting to note that Obama is proceeding with an approach to Iraq policy more in tune with the needs of the general election rather than the primaries. For better or worse, he's allowed Clinton and Edwards to get to the left of him this.
Perhaps he's counting on on the solid support he's garnering to sustain itself through the primaries. Clinton and Edwards now are singing the right tune to pick up more anti-war support, but you can bet that if either of them actually get the nomination, they'll immediately go to the right of McCain.
I like to think that Obama is going to win the nomination with the proverbial one arm tied behind his back. That is, he'll do it by winning the primaries despite running on a position keyed to the general electorate. The advantage is he'll avoid having to make the classic flip-flop that all candidates have to manage once they transition from the primaries to the general.
I've always thought Obama plays things too safe. He could use his charisma to attract votes even while going to the left of Kucinich. He'd still have all the support he needs to win, and the country finally could get the policies it despirately needs.
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