"Distrust' grows as Obama tilts towards center

[depakid]

Barack Obama’s support of an overhaul of domestic-spying laws last week was the latest in a string of statements suggesting the Democratic presidential candidate is tacking toward the center to compete with John McCain.

On foreign policy, national security, tax issues and even local politics, Sen. Obama has made some decisions lately that belie his ranking by the nonpartisan National Journal as the U.S.’s “most liberal” senator.

During the primaries, he ran to the left of Sen. Hillary Clinton, securing the nomination in part by shoring up a base that included self-identified liberals and Internet activists who helped fill his campaign war chest.

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Politically, Sen. Obama also endorsed Georgia’s Rep. John Barrow, a conservative white Southern Democrat, against a liberal African-American woman, state Sen. Regina Thomas, in the July 15 primary. The move raised eyebrows, because party leaders generally don’t get involved in intraparty skirmishes. While Ms. Thomas may have more appeal among Democratic primary voters, Mr. Barrow is widely viewed as in a better position to win in this swing district.

The endorsement also stoked anger on the left.

“It is up to us to create a progressive check on Obama, and we might just have our first opportunity,” OpenLeft.com wrote regarding Sen. Obama’s nod, agitating for Ms. Thomas to score a primary upset.

More: http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/06/25/9883/