Two Views on Obama and His Public Policy Direction

There is a rising concern among many supporters of the likely Democratic Party presidential nominee Barack Obama on what his domestic public policy will be in a number of different areas. Many feel Obama is likely to adapt a centrist approach much like Bill Clinton did during his presidency, while others feel Obama will adapt a more progressive approach in the tradition of Franklin D Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Lyndon Johnson. Concerns are legitimate on both sides of this debate. One thing to keep in mind is the likely and logical strategy that Obama will employ during the upcoming general elections campaign will be one balanced more to the middle as to draw support from Independents and dissatisfied/disillusioned Republicans. If Obama comes across to some as being too much to the left, he stands to alienate those potential voters which will result in them not voting or choosing McCain. A carefully worded and planned strategy to the middle will help Obama, as his campaign is not concerned with mobilizing the vote within his own party. McCain will do much the same thing, as he will stay to the right on many issues vital to GOP voters and move only ever so slightly to the middle to draw in those Independents, older voters, and Southern Whites. If Obama wins in November, expect his administration to be more progressive than centrist; if McCain ends up winning, his presidency will be more centrist than solidly right as the George Bush years have been. But it is unlikely Obama will be as progressive as many Democrats would hope that he could be, as politics and pragmatism on his part will at least somewhat prevent it.
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http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2008/06/progressive_oba.html
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http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/30/opinion/30krugman.html?em&ex=1215057600&en=3c6e21ae1e37d3e7&ei=5087%0A
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