We are not shocked when a candidate moves to the center for the general election. But Mr. Obama's shifts are striking because he was the candidate who proposed to change the face of politics, the man of passionate convictions who did not play old political games.

There are still vital differences between Mr. Obama and Senator John McCain on issues like the war in Iraq, taxes, health care and Supreme Court nominations. We don't want any "redefining" on these big questions. This country needs change it can believe in.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/04/opinio n/04fri1.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&o ref=slogin

for this brouhaha -- the same so-called fourth institution which gave the Bush Administration such a deep and broad pass with the lead-up to the war in Iraq.

As a Democrat, I supported HRC in the primary processes and I'm still not convinced to vote Obama, rather than write-in for Hillary.  But at least Obama is showing he's pragmatic and practical, rather than a close-minded ideologue, which are two characteristics I believe are entirely necessary in any good quality leader.

With this present situation, I do believe the MSM is behaving Pavlovian to the GOP attack machine.  I expect such behavior from the GOP, however, I'm thoroughly disgusted with the press.

As I view several comments and diaries on this isuuse and this not direct response to the diarist per se. But what is depressing to me is seeing an ever so subtle change among democrats now on mydd to start sowing the seeds of maybe we need to move away from our stance of must get out of Iraq by Dec 2009.

We have had a non nuanced position all through the years, primaries and I'm watching diaries and comments now that would be unimaginable a few months ago.

Democrats lets not succumb on our long lasting stance on Iraq.  

thanks to the sheep on the left buying into McCain's campaign spin.

Obama's position has not changed. The only thing that has changed is Republican talking points that some on the left eagerly buy into.

Oh no. The world is coming to an end.

Obama wants to be careful getting out of Iraq so our soldiers are not put in harms way! What could be worse!!!

This thread is a joke.  It didn't take immense foresight to see that the Iraq didn't present an imminent threat to the US in 2002, or that the Bush administration would abuse whatever authority Congress gave it.  Many Dems made this argument.  Obama, similarly, hasn't backtracked one iota from his position that the US should be out of Iraq in 18 months.  

It's just weird that many who supported Clinton seem to be arguing as though politics absent conviction represents some sort of virtue (and what they're doing w/ respect to Obama and Iraq, I'll suggest, isn't so much different from what many conservatives are doing, ie. reading into his statements implied support for positions they already hold).

I'm totally confident that Obama is savvy enough to understand that how the US disengages from Iraq is vital, because if we mess this up we'll be back in 1-2 years (ie. those who want the US to be out in six months are the impractical ones).  There's literally nothing which suggests that disengagement isn't his ultimate goal.