July
1 The Center of the World

Updated

That, and other news, in today's Political Panorama.

I'm in my hometown of Minneapolis this week, so posting will be a little less than usual...

Barack Obama's move to the center --- on gun rights, NAFTA and other issues --- is stirring up MoveOn and other liberal groups, as well as Arianna Huffington, who has seen this pattern before in the Gore and Kerry campaigns.

She writes on HuffingtonPost today, "The Obama brand has always been about inspiration, a new kind of politics, the audacity of hope, and "change we can believe in." I like that brand. More importantly, voters -- especially unlikely voters -- like that brand.

"Pulling it off the shelf and replacing it with a political product geared to pleasing America's vacillating swing voters -- the ones who will be most susceptible to the fear-mongering avalanche that has already begun -- would be a fatal blunder."

In other words, remember what President Bush said in 2004: "You may not agree with me, but you know where I stand."

Obama's campaign announced a continuation of Presdent Bush's "faith-based initiative, in an effort by the candidate to lure evangelical voters from John McCain.

What could be next? If the past is any guide, look for Obama to turn his aim on Hollywood's production of violent movies and videogames. He already makes a point of calling for parents to turn off the TV sets and game consoles.

"W" On the Set: The Los Angeles Times visits the set of Oliver Stone's "W."

The Vow: Stephen Baldwin says he'll leave the U.S. is Obama is elected.