Progressives Must Guard Against Helping to Promote Republican Narrative That Alleges Obama "Flip Flops"

The Republican spin machine is locked and loaded to promote the notion that Barack Obama is a "flip flopper." Four years ago it was their principal line of attack against Kerry and it worked like a charm.

In 2004, the goal of this narrative was to convince swing voters that Kerry had no core values -- that his positions and commitments were blown by the winds of public opinion just as he was blown right and left in the notorious campaign ad of Kerry wind-surfing.

Not long after the 2004 election, I was in a New Jersey taxicab. The driver was a typical male New Jersey cabbie. "So what do you think of Corzine?" I asked. "Oh, Corzine, tough guy. Like him," he replied about the then-Senator.

"What do you think of Bush?" I asked. "Like him too. Tough guy. Stands up for what he believes," came the answer.

"What about Kerry?" I asked. "Kerry? Can't stand him. Flip-flopper."

People want leaders who are firmly committed to their values. The key thing that affected the New Jersey cabbie's view wasn't the positions or views of the candidates. It was whether they stood up for what they believed. There are many independent voters just like him.

I believe that John Kerry has very clear values, but he left himself open to be defined to swing voters as if he didn't.

Barack Obama is firmly committed to progressive values that contrast sharply with the values implicit in necon foreign policy and dog-eat-dog, survival-of-the-fittest Bush-McCain economic policies.

Obama is much less likely than Kerry was to allow himself to be characterized as a flip-flopper without core values, because his entire campaign is rooted in the discussion of values. It has drawn very sharp distinctions with Republicans on the critical symbolic questions of Iraq, the economy and health care. But that won't keep Republicans from doing everything they can to try to make Obama look like he is a "typical politician" without a moral core the same way they did with Kerry.

Last week's near-frenzy in the media over Obama's alleged "move to the center" on Iraq had no substance whatsoever. It was fed, virtually entirely, by the Republican National Committee and the McCain campaign that simply asserted that his statements on Iraq represented a "change " from earlier positions. That narrative was picked up and parroted by various media pundits as if it were true.

Unfortunately, some Progressives fell prey to the media wave and actually gave credence to this non-story, when the fact is that Obama has consistently supported ending the war in Iraq and withdrawing all combat troops within 16 months, at a pace that is responsive to the situation on the ground.

Progressives have to remember that the Republicans don't care about the nuances of these issues. Their goal is simple: make Obama look like he is changing his position.

All Progressives don't agree with every position Barack Obama has taken, but the fact is that very few of his positions have changed since the campaign began.

Progressives who disagree with Barack Obama but at the same time don't want to help Republicans usher in a third Bush term need to remember three things:

1). Go right ahead and disagree with an Obama position or statement -- but disagree on the substance. Don't impute some venal motive. Remember that even when you disagree with him on an issue or policy, Obama shares our progressive values.

2). Don't reinforce the Republican narrative that Obama is a "flip flopper." Disagreeing with an Obama position is very different from arguing that he agreed with you once, but now has changed positions just to win favor with the voters. First, that is generally wrong. Second, if Obama emphasizes one aspect of a position instead of another in order to attract a particular group of voters, that does not mean he "changed" his position. Third, remember that the Republicans are desperate to get Progressives to confirm their narrative and convince guys like my New Jersey taxi driver to elect John McCain.

3). Remember that there is a huge gulf between the values of Obama and McCain. Obama stands clearly in the progressive tradition of giving every human being equal opportunity to fulfill their potential. McCain stands squarely on the side of ultra-conservative values that protect the power and prerogatives of the wealthiest among us.

Obama stands firmly against the neocon foreign policies of preemptive war and unilateral action that lay at the root of the worst American foreign policy disaster in a generation. McCain stands just as firmly for the neocon vision and the Bush approach to the rest of the world.

Obama believes that economic growth happens from the bottom up and doesn't trickle down on the rest of us. He supports the rights of workers to organize to defend their standard of living, and a world where we're all in this together, not all in this alone. McCain intends to continue Bush's economic policies that have assured that all of the economic growth in the last seven years has gone to the wealthiest 1% of Americans.

Obama understands that our world faces the greatest environmental crisis in history as we seek to prevent human beings from altering our climate. First and foremost, John McCain's loyalties lie with the oil industry.

We need to remember that John McCain's campaign is managed by lobbyists from the biggest special interests in America, while Barack Obama understands the need to mobilize tens of millions of Americans to change Washington from the ground up.

Progressives should go right ahead and question Obama's positions on issues -- and they should continue to hold him accountable when he is elected president. But remember that the Republicans are desperate to convince independent voters that Obama is "just another politician" whose values flow from the latest poll instead of his own commitment to principle. Don't help them. If you do you will be wrong, and you will also help the Republicans fulfill their unthinkable fantasy of a third Bush term.

Robert Creamer is a long time political organizer and strategist, and author of the recent book "Stand Up Straight: How Progressives Can Win," available on Amazon.com.

Comments

[elmysterio]

This is just "Vote for the lesser of two evils" line of thinking..­. the lesser of two evils is still evil.

Good luck.

[Liberal2]

Precisely. O'theBum-o's primary canpaign was based on dimenionless words ("Change", whatever that means). Had the Bum-o been a bit more precise, Edwards might have won. Edwards was the best of the top tier because he was strong enough of a person to admit he could be, and was, wrong on a very important issue--Iraq.

For the first time in my life if I vote, I'll vote for the rethug. Election of O'theBum-o will cheapen the democratic party the way Pelosi and Reid have done. Better to elect anothe bad rethug and get the country really, really angry. I think we're one or two more major national disasters away from p.o.ed citizens looking for rethugs to lynch.

[sacdogtrainer]

Can you make an argument without using 5th grade name-calling tactics?

[MaeScott]

Can't fool me. You're repug anyway. Go away, now. Scat.

[standforpeace]

I believe that it is my responsibility to call out politicians when they take positions counter to my values, to let them know that my support is not unconditional. The primaries provided progressives with the opportunity to have some input into the direction that the Democratic party takes, and it is important that we not give up that input by giving our candidate carte blanche to move to the right, flip flop, or to put a better spin on it (as you do) emphasize aspects of his positions that are out of sync with our core values. What we are doing is making it clear that while Obama is attempting to expand his electoral coalition, he should not take for granted that those who are already with him will continue to support him no matter what. Otherwise we need up with a diffent party in charge and more of the same kind of government that we already have. And sorry but that is not the kind of change I was promised, and it is certainly not the kind of change that I and other progressives will work to elect.

[MaeScott]

Then you deserve the government you have gotten from Bush & Co.

[gypsy508]

Wow. If Robert Creamer is sincere, he sure is going to be disappointed in the Obama Presidency.

[Guitarsandmore]

I agree with Rober Creamer. Let's get Obama elected before we jump all over him. We are all really good at criticizing politicians and showing the worst side of them. But we know we don't want McCain and the Republican idiot pack in charge anymore. Let all the old men go on unemployment, social security and get the hell out of the way. Obama will be easier to control because he'll have to answer to a Democratically controlled congress. This is a much better scenario for our cause.

I know Tom Hayden is over there going off like a Roman Candle on the 4th of July but that's not the thing to do right now.

Stay focused on the winning issues which are:

1. End the Iraq war - a Trillion dollars spent in Iraq for a war Republicans refuse to end.
2. End $ 4.00 gas prices - alternative energy with plug in hybrids, solar, and wind.
3. free single payer universal health care - Repubs don't want it.
4. Accountability to the American people for taxpayer dollars spent.
5. Restore the constitution to the founders intent.
6. Stop Country Wide and other predatory lending instittutions from ruining the economy.

Obama can and will do all of these things. Let's get him elected first.

Vote for Barack Obama in November!

[tbone99]

4. )"Accountability to the American people for taxpayer dollars spent."

The telecoms are given billion dollar contracts to gather info on us.If you won't stand up to B.O on the angle of civil liberties.­, how about standing up to him on the waste of taxpayer dollars, money better spent on infrastructure and jumpstarting the economy?

5.) restore the Constitution- Stop Fisa
6. ) stop predatory institutions -Stop FISA

[Liberal2]

Another fool steps forward. O'theBum-o isn't promising to end the war, he's promising to string it out, kinda a "compromise" with McCain.

End $4 gas.....du­h, stupid...P­HYSICS! What is the total engery inputs to constructing wind turbines, photovoltaic cells? Will these cover their own cost, provide energy for their replacements, and still add up to the national need? No one has ever come up with numbers to define a "steady-state" alternate energy-based economy.

Free single payer national healthcare? First, it ain't free, it comes out of taxes. Second, O'theBum-o has declared his "willingness" to "compromise" with rethugs...­Bye-bye single payer, welcome back insurance companies.

Accountability to the American people for taxpayer dollars spent and Restore the constitution to the founders intent. FISA? The Bum-o ain't even president yet and he's already selling us out with a secret plan to change FISA.....s­omeday.

Stop Country Wide and other predatory lending instittutions from ruining the economy. Duh? lending institutions aren't even in fourth place regarding ruining the economy. Think about the jobs sent to China, and the jobs being filled by imported foreign workers. (Ya know...thi­s is one reason why Rome had to institute the infamous "bread and circuses". Slaves brought in from conquered land displaced roman workers, forcing them onto the Roman dole.)

IOW, yer talking, but not amking sense.

[gypsy508]

"Obama stands clearly in the progressive tradition of giving every human being equal opportunity to fulfill their potential. McCain stands squarely on the side of ultra-conservative values that protect the power and prerogatives of the wealthiest among us."

What a load of crap. They both clearly stand to protect the powerful and the wealthy. No flip flopping there.

[BaltimoreSteve]

You Robert need to do more to attack the pundits who propogate false info in blogs, print articles, or TV shows. Call them out. Name them and their false statements. Obama uses the word "refine" and somehow that is now defined as a flip? Obama then has to repeat or clarify since the pundits use a differnt dictionary. It is your job as a journalist to call these pundits out.

[scottarino]

In other words just go-along to get-along? What else should I do and say O wise one?

[cyberfarer]

You know, it isn't progressives who are arguing Obama is moving away from his core principles and to the right. It is Democrats when they say he is moving toward "centrist" (right) positions.

Obama won the primaries as an agent of change speaking as a progressive and trumpeting a progressive agenda. Now those progressives who have bought into the campaign, are being told, don't worry; be happy. Hold your nose and vote.

So who is Obama and what does he really stand for? Does anyone know?

It is no solace for me if he draws down the war in Iraq (and he is leaving himself plenty of wiggle room) to wage war against Iran and Pakistan.

It is no solace for me if he condemns Palestinians to a longer period of oppression to win the support of AIPAC.

It is no solace to me that Obama will preside as president over the violation of my civil liberties through warrantless eavesdropping.

It is no solace to me that his opposition to NAFTA was merely electioneering. How much of his platform is merely electioneering?

And I am tired of being told I must support this political chameleon to prevent another political chameleon from winning office.

[Trogenhorse]

He has not changed his position!
He said change the things about NAFTA that don't work not change NAFTA
He said " 2 states for Isreal and palestine- no change there
He said 2 brig per month and careful getting out of Iraq- again no change
He said ALL Americans will be engaged in his campaign- no change with moving left or right


Why don't you listen instead of interepting what he's saying. I know what issues are important to me and you can bet I paid close attention when he spoke on them. Some issues I disagree with him on. Others I fully support. Most important- I listened so there's no surprise and no disappointment

[MaeScott]

He is the same as he has presented himself in the past.
The right only seeks to define him as a fliopper to negate the 52 flips McCain has done in last few months.
How about this one?
In 2001, McCain was one of just two Republican senators to vote against the tax cuts. "I think it still devotes too much of it to the wealthiest Americans," he said at the time. And now? Well of course big tax cuts are the anchor of his economic plan.

Integrity? No. just another Bush 3rd term.

[presto]

Giving us detailed instructions on how to think and how to talk seems somehow over the top. If the flip-flop fits....

[tbone99]

If the flip flop fits...

great slogan

[liberalfaith]

Read The Audacity of Hope. Obama lays out his plans very clearly there, and he hasn't wavered since 2006. He is an agent of change, not a liberal or a conservative. Sorry if anyone thinks that those two are the only choices in the world.

[scottarino]

He is a liberal fascist.

[MaeScott]

The facists belong to the republican party, dear. Corporate neo cons, every one.

[beauzo144]

I'll take the Liberal Facist over the Conservative Fascist any day any time. At least I know I will eat at the end of the day.

[tbone99]

Where's the liberal part come in ?

He condones corporate lawbreaking
He wants to merge state and faith
He wants to erase black , native american history in this country
He's fronting for ethanol , nuclear and communications industries
Wants the state to intervene between a woman and her physician
Supports financially aggressive , militaristic ,regimes
Supports Vouchers, ( education for profit) and federal dictated education curiculums, which discourage critical thinking.
backs Big Brother type surveillence of the citizenry

[ianrthorpe]

Now I'm a left wing socialist by my impression of Obama is he's the ultimate greaser, oozing his oily charm not to flip flop because that would require he had two positions on every issue, but to grease up everybody he speaks to. Only a man who has no position other than that of furthering his own interests can possibly agree with everybody.

To paraphrase Shakespeare, "Obama lards the lean earth as he walks along." (How do you think he got so thin? He greased everything that's how.

Only an out and out snake oil salesman can do that. Thankfully I'm British and have no part in this election because I'd rather disembowel myself that vote for either of the candidates.

http://greenteeth.blog.co.uk/2008/07/03/jeremy-clarkson-s-gaamp-t-on-ice-lands-h-4398512

[Argente]

I too am thankful that you cannot vote here. As a Greaser, I find your racially-based comments quite offensive. Also, please do not allow a mere technicality like citizenship stand in the way of your disembowlment.

[Abysmal]

Mr. Creamer,
You're an idiot. The problem that people on the left have isn't about any specific policy, it's about Obama selling himself as a progressive, left of center candidate and then agreeing with the supreme court about gun rights, disagreeing with them about the death penalty and then voting for the FISA bill. We don't really care if he flip-flops on one particular issue, what we care about is that he seems to have flipped into a flop of a progressive candidate.

[NotMcCain]

Please don't speak for "people on the left". Speak for yourself. You don't have any idea what I think.

When did Obama "sell himself as a progressive"? Or as "left of center"?

How about...."­Never". He's a Democrat, which is pretty much "left" of the current dominant policies in America. But he's a centrist Democrat, not a progressive (good thing, too, since "we" don't win elections.­)

He has said over and over he wants to be president of "all" America. His Iraq policy, respect for the SC decision on gun rights, and FISA position are....HIS ideas and leadership based on his understanding of the facts, the reasons for them and their outcome.

He's a leader--su­rprise!--a­nd not a puppet of the left or right.

It's such a novelty, that even when I disagree with him on particulars, I find his real non-poll-driven actual "thinking" and "leadership" very refreshing!

"Do No Harm". So let's stop letting Republicans (and their friendly media supporters) swiftboat him and PR him as a "flipflopper" (when McSame is the BIGGEST flipflopper of all!)

Old saying, "If you're not part of the SOLUTION (in this case "Obama") then you're part of the problem (i.e. Bush & McSame)."

I'm looking at all these sudden Obama-detractors as being McSame supporters. Because, hey, in effect, YOU ARE.

[druidlady42]

I must respectfully disagree with you.

Obama has never "sold" himself as a "Progressive, left of center candidate.­" He has sold himself as a "change" candidate, changing the way politics is done, changing our foreign policy of militarism, changing our economy away from more profit for the top 1% in favor of the middle/lower classes, etc. This he has done and will continue to do.

He does, as I do, believe that individuals do have a right to own a gun, but with restrictions for ownership and safety of the community.

As father of two little girls, I can understand his difference with the Supreme Court on the death penalty for child rapists. As Jesus said, "It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones."

The votes for approval of the FISA compromise are already there; whether Obama filibusters against it or not, the bill is going to pass. BUT, this bill, although unfortunately allowing immunity, also includes new safeguards and oversight of surveillance by Congress and the FISA Court. Something lost, something gained, until the illegality of the whole issue can be addressed by Pres. Obama!

Keep in mind: every time you or anyone else adopt the words "flip-flop" to describe Obama, you are helping the Republicans elect John McCain!

[Saitia]

Mr. Abysmal,
You're the idiot. And an "abysmal" one at that. Like so many others who are brainwashed into believing that every politician can be stuffed into the "left-righ­t-centrist meme of MSM convenience-- no need to think--he's a "progressive leftist!" It's no surprise your reasoning reveals a steady diet of MSM garbage in-garbage out, but also that you haven't grokked that Obama's truth-driven commitment to highest values-- not ideologica­lly-driven positions-- makes it impossible to ever pigeon-hole him in the obtusely-defined spectrum of MSM political shorthand.

Those who are only interested in nurturing their comfy little ideological clusterphuque of values are crying the loudest right now, and abandoning a candidate in whom they haven't even invested enough thought to discover that true unity demands he appeal to all Americans; and that the pursuit of highest truth drives his decision-making-- not "progressive left" ideology. Learn what he consistently stands for and why. Read "The Real Deal" today at: http://www.urantiansojourn.com/

[margotb822]

Why is it so hard for people to understand that Obama has always been just slightly left of center (and sometimes even right). His position has tended towards the middle. All of the truly progressive candidates were eliminated because they couldn't win the support of the majority. And, because of that, Obama is our best candidate for President. He's not the most progressive, but he never pretended to be.

Honestly, how many people that came to support Obama by the end of the primary started there? Many people went through one or two (or more) candidates before coming to Obama. And many of them threw their support behind him because they thought he had the best chance of winning.

Sheesh! It's Obama or McCain. And, to let McCain get away with BS that you know is untrue is criminal. Honestly, I don't care if you don't like Obama, but if you call yourself at all progressive, you have to want McCain defeated.

[kenyaw]

To answer your question. They don't understand that he has always been a moderate, because they don't care to READ. Everything that I have ever read that he has written, has always been human and fair minded. Neither ultra-liberal nor conservative. He has always been an Independent democrat.
If people researched candidates, before speaking they would know that truth.

[Horus45]

We must not forget that there are still a lot of "Operation Chaos" wackos who are still insisting that they are Democrats!

Most, if not all, of these people who are suddenly "Outraged" about Obama on FISA are in reality Republicans who are Planting stories for the MSM to pick up on.

Where was their outrage the last time Obama voted for FISA? The bill that was rejected by the House.

Just keep that in mind when someone is ranting that they will "Never" vote for Obama now that he has "Flip-Flopped" on FISA. More than likely they were never going to vote for Obama anyway since they are truly Republicans.

Anyone who claims to be a Democrat, would not in their right mind cast a vote for McCain!

[mredder4]

Stop giving us the choice of damned if we do and damned if we don't. Just because Obama is a preferential candidate on many issues doesn't mean that I'll support him if he makes outrageous moves like the FISA flip-flop.

A Democrat who doesn't worship at the Obama Shrine because of serious and legitimate disagreements with the nominee over important issues aren't all "Operation Chaos" people trying to affect the conversation negatively. Some of us would rather question why we have to settle for the Democratic candidate that ran on a no-pandering platform and then is turning every which way to pander to general election voters. Why was everyone so intent on making Obama the nominee despite his complete and total lack of convictions. There are not many issues in which Obama has stood up and said "I support the Democratic position on this issue, because it is right" rather than cave in to right-wing pressure?

Obama lost his spine somewhere after the primaries ended, especially for villifying Hillary Clinton for having many of these same positions. He's even back away from his Iraq troop withdrawal statements from the primary. Calling those of us with the brains to notice Barack Obama's shifting with the wind "wackos" isn't going to change the facts on the ground: Obama has no more principles than any other politician running for election, despite his promises that he would be a different kind of candidate. End of story.

[NotMcCain]

Posts like yours fit the pattern of opportunistic Obama-bashing that we're seeing so much of around here. (And, I'm sorry, but it's obvious that at least 90% of the people posting like you do never supported him to begin with.)

To quote myself, "If you're not part of the solution (Obama), you're part of the problem (McCain/Bu­sh)."

Where do your views above fit in, do you think?

[druidlady42]

So, you're voting for that "paragon of virtue and truth", McCain?

[Zeje]

I am TIRED of voting for the best of two evils- - and i"m not going to do it any more

[MaeScott]

mredder needs to read this article again. His/her posts are from the Repug Chaos playbook. Stretch the truth, then lie.

[Argente]

In reading through the posts of those who claim to be Democrats outraged with Obama, it looks to me as if they are, for the most part, disaffected Clinton voters who are dying to say, "I told you so." They'll either vote for Obama, write-in Hillary or their Aunt Tillie, or stay home. But it's likely that most of these folks will get this vitriol out of their systems over the next four months and vote a straight party ticket.

The notion that they are Republicans organized against Obama seems like a reach given the fragmented state of that party - talk about disaffection! Especially given that the typical Limbaugh fan doesn't have sufficient organizational skills to program more than one pre-set on their radio.

[tbone99]

Thee appears to be only two Repugs running - Tweedledee and Tweedledumb

[lainey]

Once again, anyone calling him a flip-flopper never took the time to educate themselves on the Senator's points of views or his individual beliefs. Perhaps if you had turned off theInternet and read his books, you would have found him to be a man of reason and centrist ideas. How can you all feel so rejected? He said at an anti-war rally "I am not opposed to all wars. I am opposed to dumb wars." That sums him up perfectly. As the "voices grow louder and more disciplined"--from both the left and the right--those of us who care about reason and civility will do so also. There is no difference between the extreme thoughts generating from either side of the aisle--both are a detrement to our country.

[scottarino]

So we have to buy this guy's books to learn where he stands on policy before we elect a President? Wouldn't it be easier for him to stump on his policy instead of gradiose speeches about the vagueness of change.

[thehardertheycome]

No you do not have to buy his book to learn where he stands on policies. Buying and reading his book will help you understand the candidate himeself. His policy stances are on his his websites and in his speeches. You just have to be willing to read more and rely less on on the pundits and political talking heads who often have an agenda of their own.

[DedicatedDiva]

The fact that you said that speaks volumes! You have never listened to any of his stump speeches and you refuse to read! So why should I listen to you.

[eden4barack08]

You can also get it from a library, if you take issue in buying it.
That is, of course, if you truly care to be informed!