Obama Leaning Closer to the Left

I never really paid close attention to the nitty-gritty of American politics, probably because growing up as a supposedly informed person, I didn't think there was a difference between the Republican and Democrat platforms. But more and more, Obama is sounding like Kevin Rudd.

This is the latest Obama video on Youtube. He speaks to citizens in Salem, Oregon on March 21.



Edited to add:

Kevin Rudd, speaking in Parliament last week. The debates are fun to watch, with all the boo-ing and heckling. Hehe.



And this is Labour Party Treasurer Wayne Swan. Funny stuff.



Robert Reich on Obama:

"Obamania" has almost nothing to do with specific policies. It is rather Obama's almost pitch-perfect echo of the John F Kennedy we heard in 1960 and the Robert Kennedy last heard in 1968. It is a call for national unity and sacrifice—not in the interest of military prowess but in the cause of social justice, both in the nation and around the world. His appeal is for more civic engagement, not necessarily more government. He has the voice and wields the techniques of the community organiser he once was in Chicago, asking people to join together. Not since 1968 has America been so starkly summoned to its ideals.