I hope the Obama of June 2008 is the President Obama we get.  He's reminding me of the Bill Clinton that was elected in 1992.  Problem was with a democratic majority, Bill Clinton moved left after the election and became a different President until after the 1994 elections forced him back in order to survive.  

I hope Obama is being honest, and I suspect he is.  We here online should help him by demanding that he keep focusing on what's best for the country, which (overall) will be best for Democrats sweeping.

As the election gets closer, the Republicans will make the same argument they made in 1996 which is: "Don't give Clinton a blank check".  They will write off John McCain and try to salvage as many seats in Congress as possible.  However, we are in an ascendency for the Democratic wave so their efforts won't work: until 2010 (?).

Obama can be the reason Democrats run this country for at least 4 political cycles.  That is if he can consistently stand up for American values both in politics and policy.

Here's my list of the good he's done recently.   It seems a new one comes everyday.  He should keep it up.  (Also below are "liberal positions" that he should take that will stand with the American people and actually be good for the country):

(no order)
1. criticized the Supreme Court decision to prohibit the DP for child rapists.  Obama was tepid but correct.  I would wish he would have made a moral appeal that our nation is stronger if we send a Death Penalty message to all who commit or contemplate  such  evil on earth.  I share the logistic and political concerns of the critics about how the system is flawed and often arbitrary, but I think that means we should use our intellect and energy to make it better and foolproof.

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/06/25 obama-condemns-supreme-court-decision-i n-child-rape-case?mod=googlenews_wsj

2. Endorsed a conservative democrat who supported Iraq War over leftwing challenger.

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared- blogs/ajc/politicalinsider/entries/2008/ 06/18/obama_cuts_an_ad_to_help_john.html

This shows that Obama is doing what's best for the party and the country.  It also shows that the Iraq War is not a "litmus test".  It also adds to the evidence that I think he would have voted for the War resolution just like all over democrats with realistic national aspirations.

3. supported Fisa compromise that got 80 votes to end cloture
http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-06-2 6-voa2.cfm

4.  obama decision to opt out of public financing.  He has shown that freedom is better than govt. rules, and that Democrats can win the votes and move of the voters with the right message.

5.  Changed his "dovish" rhetoric about meeting with foreign leaders from "no preconditions" to a more reasonable one:

In his remarks, Sen. Obama said a possible meeting with Mr. Ahmadinejad would take place "at a time and place of my choosing, if and only if it can advance the interests of the United States" -- and only after earlier talks between lower-ranking American and Iranian officials. He also vowed to "do everything in my power to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon -- everything."

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008 06/25/9883

6.  He's been wearing the "American Flag" pin.  This is symbolic and I could care less personally but, in the primaries Obama allowed himself to be alligned with people who generally find fault with our country, burn our flag, and use our goodness against us to demand rights for others who hate us.  By wearing the lapel Obama is sending a message that he stands with the crowd that no matter what loves this country first and is proud to say it.

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There are plenty of issues where he can go Left and stand with the American people, and I hope he does:

1. against free trade and stand firm for fair trade agreements. The Business groups are wrong on this, and labor is more right.

2.  advocate a death penalty reform/criminal justice reform where the goal is to have the accused  treated just the like the rich.  This way the innocent will be found so, and the guilty will deserve their punishment.  This will get the people's support because it would cut down on the endless appeals and delays.

3.  advocate a smoking ban outdoors if anyone around objects.  This is a small issue that will resonate with many people.  You're sitting at a ballgame or some event outside, and all of sudden you are inhaling the poison of someone else.

4.  work to repeal the electoral college system.  We run national campaigns nowadays where whatever is said in one place is instantly broadcasted to the whole world.  The EC now only serves as a potential disaster.

5.  Stand firm against drugs by using the bully pulpit, by using public money to counteract their use, but end the war on drugs in areas where it is clearly a waste of resources: on marijuana and some other drugs.  We could actually lower drug use by reallocating the same amount of money.

6.  Change the laws so that prescription drug companies have to give up their patents sooner once they've reaped a profit.  Right now they can game the system to get extra profits and hurt the public, even though often public funds were used in the basic research.  There needs to be a balance between the profit motive and public good.  The pendelum right now is too far in terms of profit motives.

I'll stop there.  I could go on with good ideas that are from the Left.

The Key is for Obama to promote good ideas from the left without going out into the leftwing.  

My point is that being a true liberal is not really on "the left".  It can be, but not necessarily so.  It means honestly trying to do what's right.  You might argue all people do that, but clearly that's not true.

I can name numerous people who have an emotional zeal for an issue and won't be deterred from it regardless of the facts.  They start out there, and their goal is to end up defending where they started out.

Obama is headed in the right direction.

Obama needs to be encouraged to continue this June streak here on the Internet.