Legal Commentary

Obama's "Dogwhistle"

By Big Tent Democrat

Fred Hiatt gives the Left a lesson on how to keep your eye on the issues you care about and not fully focus on the fate of the candidates. There is nothing Hiatt cares about more than continuing the Iraq Debacle. Nothing. Barack Obama's weeks of "moving to the middle" coupled with his inartful use of the word "refine" in reference to his Iraq policy has given Hiatt his opening. Writing for the WaPo Ed Board, Hiatt states:

BARACK OBAMA has taken a small but important step toward adjusting his outdated position on Iraq to the military and strategic realities of the war he may inherit. . . . Mr. Obama's shift came when he was asked last week about his withdrawal plan, which he first proposed in late 2006, a time when Iraq appeared to be sliding into a sectarian civil war. . . . As we see it, [Obama's shift is] a modest but real step toward a responsible position on a conflict that, like it or not, involves vital U.S. interests.

Maybe this is what Obama intends - a wink towards the Hiatts of the world on Iraq. Maybe not. In either event, Hiatt saw his opportunity and he took it. And the debate on Iraq policy has shifted. More . . .

Consider how some on the Left react to any criticism of Barack Obama. Instead of thinking about the ramifications for the policies they claim to support (or oppose), their kneejerk reaction is to defend Obama at all costs and to lash out at anyone who criticizes Obama.

Do they care about the effect on the actual policies? Not so much. By attempting to create a political landscape where Obama can do no wrong - they lose the war on issues. Hiatt knows better. For all the criticism we have of Hiatt on policy, it is clear he knows how to play this game. Certainly much better than some segments of the Left.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on July 08, 2008 (boomark / email).