Post away, but I hope you realize that not every Democrat is on the same spot on the Left-Right- scale. I am much more centrist than many who call themselves progresssives these days. While I usually share their goals, I often don't like their tactics.
That's because I'm pragmatic. It's one thing to have goals and ideals,but it's another to implement them and to take responsibility for the consequnces.
ONLY criticizing, (someone called it 'hammering') doesn't get the job done, and if it did, at what price? Those are things I take seriously
Not that I'm shy about criticizing, but I do try to put it in a broader context, at least if my temper is under control.

I'll look forward to your posts.

So I wanted to draw a contrast. Obama is tacking center-wards out of what I consider to be a mistaken belief that he must do so to win. If I criticize Obama — and I will — it will be to add my voice to the number seeking to remind him of the wishes of the supporters he can count on and to suggest that perhaps he shouldn't work so hard at avoiding criticism from the likes of Fox News.

I mentioned my disagreement with him on certain points to preempt the argument 'but Obama flip-flops too!' McCain's blatant pandering has received far too little attention. People assumed that this is what he MUST do to attract the people on the right who used to hate him.

I don't want Obama to follow the example of John Kerry or Al Gore or indeed Bill Clinton. I am so tired of Democrats who won't stand up for a liberal agenda. Maybe it's the only way to win — I get that. But I wonder if Dems wouldn't do better if they didn't concentrate on explaining that their objectives are a necessary corrective to Bush.

So you'll probably see me continuing to criticize Obama when he tracks what I consider to be GOP talking points. I don't expect him to be a 'far left progressive,' but I do hope to see him stand up for civil liberties, an energy policy that takes account of the environment and the threat of global warming, and a war policy that is designed to repudiate unilateral actions or preemptive war. When he's criticized for being 'soft' on national security, I'd like to hear him say: 'You're mistaken about what is required for national security. Here's how I plan to do it differently AND why my approach is better.'

I would like to see a Democratic landslide. Obama's focus groups may indicate that it's not politically expedient, but I'd like to see him offer a clear alternative to more of what we've had for the last eight years.

I really don't put that much faith in any of these flip-flop stories, whether it's about Obama or McCain or anyone else.
I think it can be a credit to someone who recognizes he was wrong or circumstances have changed, and – changes his mind

At the same time, political expediency and pandering undeniably play a role.
I just don't want to jump to blanket conclusions – about anybody.
That's why I end up defending people I have no intention of voting for, sometimes,, and at other times refuse to condemn on the basis of the latest headline or blog post.

I tend to hold back and watch where someone is going instead of judging the quality of every step he takes.
At other times still, I get carried away, and break my own rules.

Post away!

Note: one paragraph re: Obama's reversals weighed against one long paragraph about McCain's. I'm trying to get Dems who don't support him (because they're still bitter) to see why they should. But as I said above, feel free to skip them, especially if you're already a True Believer.

Please feel free to skip my posts in future. I swear I won't mind.

I never thought I'd see an example of boring and an example of destructive in the same article.
Miracles do happen, I see. Was it Dodd 's divine hand?