Change You Can Be Comfortable With

Doesn’t have much zip to it, does it?

But that could well be the unofficial theme of the Obama campaign these days.

Since become the presumptive nominee, Sen. Obama has carefully been moving back to the middle, making statements and policy proposals that are aimed to appeal to—and perhaps reassure—independents and more-conservative Democrats. This is nothing new at all, we see it pretty much every four years. And Sen. McCain made a similar move after he wrapped up his nomination; going on a poverty tour with a “Message: I Care” flavor to show Americans that compassionate conservatism was not dead. (Message: nice try.)

But while McCain is still exhibiting some minor symptoms of schizophrenia with his efforts to win over both independents AND the Republican base, Obama has morphed into Mr. Moderate, with a healthy helping of Bipartisan to go.

Obama has weighed in on the recent Supreme Court ruling on gun control by more or less agreeing that citizens have an individual right to bear arms. It’s not going to save him from the $40 million “Obama’s coming for your guns” attack ad campaign that the NRA has planned, but it might help him convince a few independents that he’s not as big a liberal as the NRA fanatics say he is. (My apologies to NRA members. But let’s be honest. The NRA is pretty out there at times.)

Obama has also recently changed his position on the FISA crimes that the current administration and telecom companies want immunity for. He’s taking a very middle-of-the-road stance here, and he’s right in step with most congressional Democrats at this point. But as far as I can tell from this rather complicated issue, the Dems are kind of caving on this one. We probably won’t know for sure how illegal the Bush Administration’s actions were until they’re out of office, but they really seemed to bend the laws here past the breaking point. “Bygones!” says Obama and the Dem leadership. Big of them.

And it’s been kind of sad watching Obama try to convince people that he doesn’t hate America. God knows he’s in a tough position there. I’ve seen some of the emails, and it is not pretty. So if he feels the need to wear a flag pin and make a speech on patriotism, all I can do is wish him luck. Some people are determined to find fault no matter what, and the patriotism issue gives them an excuse because it can be so subjective. “He didn’t say the Pledge LOUD enough!”

And then there’s the Wes Clark thing. I think Clark’s comments were unfortunate, but not scandalous. Yes, in fact, being a POW is not in itself a qualification for being Commander in Chief, but why even make that statement? Why give the McCain an excuse to act outraged and more patriotic-than-thou on the same day Obama is giving his speech dealing with that subject? It was a boneheaded move. And though many bloggers are mad at Obama for condemning Clark’s statement, the fact is it’s a huge mistake to start having arguments about Vietnam AGAIN, after we are all so sick of anything that remotely resembles Swiftboating.

If anything, Obama’s condemnation of Clark fits with his pledge to run a different kind of campaign and avoid the personal attacks and distractions. I honestly don’t think Clark was trying to make a personal attack on McCain, but it sounded petty.

Obama’s embrace of faith-based programs is also interesting, although I need to hear more details to comment on that at any length.

But all in all, Obama’s not looking like an agent of radical change as we enter the national stage of this campaign, and I think that’s both to be expected and appropriate. The county is hungry for change, but too much change is scary. Obama’s trying to find a balance. It’s a bit of a tightrope walk, but that’s what all presidential candidates do to some extent.