Obama wants his supporters to believe his shifts reflect something other than political expediency. If only they didn't have transparent hack flip-flopping written all over them. Take FISA reform. Obama now says, "Given the choice between voting for an improved yet imperfect bill, and losing important surveillance tools, I've chosen to support the current [FISA] compromise." During the primaries, however, he pledged not only to oppose such a bill, but to filibuster it. Obama Spokesman Bill Burton said at the time, "To be clear: Barack will support a filibuster of any bill that includes retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies." Note the "To be clear." Pretty devastating stuff, huh?
What makes Obama's shift to the middle so astounding is the level of cynicism it exemplifies. To now claim he has been with the Bush Administration on so many issues he opposed them on (Iran, Iraq, FISA), or he's now against them on so many issues he supported them on (energy legislation), undermines the very essence of his candidacy. And his supporters are getting the picture. The facebook candidate is alienating the online community he helped create as I said he would. Unfortunately for Obama, their dissent is going viral. "Thousands are using MyBarackObama.com to angrily organize against him because of a changed position on terrorist wiretap legislation that awaits Senate action as early as Wednesday."
