Politics (gasp)

One of the worst accusations politicians receive is that of being a flip-flopper, or of changing their position.  So when new information or more experience causes them to change their position on an issue, they're required to quietly and carefully start saying something different, while hoping that no one will notice that they said something else six months ago.

Today I read an article on a recent interview of Senator Obama by ABC's George Stephanopoulos.  In this interview Sen. Obama made it as clear as a politician can that if he becomes President he will not raise taxes if the economy is still in a fragile state.  This is a far different plan than what he presented when he was still one of several contenders in the Democratic Primary (largest tax increase in near history), and a moderated plan that he presented this summer as the presumptive Democratic Nominee (moderate tax increase no matter what).

Critics of Mr. Obama might say that this was his plan all along.  First to court the liberal Democrats that he needed to make a strong showing in the Primary and then switch to a more moderate position when it's important to be able to court more conservative/moderate voters.  Personally, I think that if that's the case, he deserves the Presidency.  Anyone who can plan that far ahead to achieve success should be able to do at least a half-decent job of running the country.  Far more likely is that as time has gone on, Mr. Obama has been doing some thinking about what he'll really do if he gets to be in charge.  This thinking has led him to a position that, in my humble opinion, is much wiser than his original plan.  Which, if this is the case, simply means that Mr. Obama is willing to learn and adjust his position to what he believes is the correct one.  I consider this an admirable trait.  However, "change" would have to include a smaller government, a balanced budget, and a pro-life posiiton before such an admirable trait would cause me to consider voting for him.