'Obama's New Approach: Contrast'

Big Tent Democrat writes here.

A funny thing happened to Obama's "Move To The Middle" tour. After two weeks, it has abruptly ended, as the AP's Liz Sidoti writes:

Barack Obama has found something that eluded him during the primary season — contrast. And, he's basking in it. . . . [V]ast disagreements with McCain — on everything from economic philosophies to security proposals — seem to have given Obama license to more aggressively and enthusiastically go after his foe. . . . These days, Obama assails McCain's position on the issues every chance he gets. He levels his charges with a commonsense tone and lighthearted touch that couches the criticism while making his core argument: McCain and President Bush are the same.

"If you are satisfied with the way things are going now, then you should vote for John McCain," Obama says before rattling off a list of current concerns, including rising gas prices, home foreclosures and job losses as the country fights two wars.

Of course this placed story (it seems impossible to believe that Obama aides were not pushing for this story) comes on the heels of two weeks of Obama campaign blurring and triangulation that clearly hurt Obama. From FISA to choice, Obama was "moving to the middle." The backlash must have stunned his campaign. Clearly, pushing for this story is due to this line of attack by McCain:

McCain campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds dismissed the criticism, saying: "Whether he's ditching positions for his own political gain or launching partisan attacks, Barack Obama has shown that he's your typical politician."

(Emphasis supplied.) Thus, Obama's team made sure this part of his campaign gets prominence now:

At a Georgia appearance, Obama noted McCain's long support for the Iraq war and objections to a withdrawal timetable. Conversely, Obama said: "I opposed this war from the start" and "I will bring this war to an end."

Later, in New York, Obama noted that McCain wants the landmark Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion to be overturned. Conversely, he said, "I will never back down in defending a woman's right to choose."

It just so happens that these are two issues that Obama was perceived to have "waffled" on recently. Obama's emphasis on these issues after the blowback from his "move to the middle" is not surprising. But it is still satisfying and positive.

Sidoti writes "This audience ate up Obama's criticism of McCain — just like his crowds do every day." Just as the country will in November. If Obama sticks to the contrast. It is what America wants (of course the DC Village (Tom Daschle) never wants it.) . . .