I've read a lot of these "here is what Obama needs to do" articles lately. I agree oftentimes with what I read. I think the author's know their subjects and have great progressive points of view on how this country could and should move forward. The problem with these articles is that the authors write as if they know Obama and know what his views are on these issues. From his recent statements, I'm beginning to believe that none of us know who Obama really is or what he believes, or which beliefs he's actually willing to stand up for. With the FISA legislation, we just learned he was totally unwilling to stand up for our 4th amendment rights. After the statements he has made in the last few weeks, we as progressive need to stop trying to strategize for him while assuming we know what he believes, and start pressing him and his campaign to tell us where this man really and truly stands. I was shocked at his response to the death penalty case. I was sickened by his votes for the FISA legislation. I'm wishing that Hillary was still in this race, because I'm starting to regret that we are putting this man forward as our nominee.

One other quibble I have with this article - the idea that Obama's stand on these issues is the center. I don't have access to the polling data, but I would be surprised if the positions Obama has taken really and truly constitute the center. I understand that that is the media buzzword at the moment, but I have not heard of a single poll being referenced that would back up the idea that these positions are the center. They seem awful far right to me. I think it would be a great follow up if someone could take these issues and try to find out what the true center is. I think we are playing into the opposition parties hands when we use a buzzword like this without checking to see if the facts bear it out.