Obama '04 vs Obama '08 [View All]

[BenDavid]

The Obama of 2004 might have a bone to pick with Obama, the presidential candidate of 2008.

For example, in the Oct. 30 debate, Obama hesitantly raised his hand and joined with most of
his Democratic rivals to declare he opposed decriminalizing marijuana. But as a Senate candidate,
Obama he supported eliminating criminal penalties for marijuana use or possession.

In 2003, Obama said he supported the children of illegal aliens' receiving the same benefits
as citizens, "whether it's medical, whether it's in-state tuition." Asked specifically whether he
included "undocumented" people, Mr. Obama replied, "Absolutely."

But on Jan. 21, when Obama was asked whether his health care proposal covers illegal aliens,
he said "no" and that he first wants to cover the U.S. citizens and legal residents without health care.

Obama's differing answers are among five conflicts between positions he took while running for
Senate in 2004 and those he now articulates while running for president. Experts said the likely
reason for the changes was that Obama ran as a liberal during his Senate run but has become
more centrist as he pursues the broad coalition required to win the White House.

So, he changed his positions to get elected?