Getting To Know You...

I've been getting to know Barack Obama better in the last few weeks...but like any new relationship reality is setting in. He just isn't who I thought he was and I'm beginning to feel concern.

It isn't that I don't believe he is still the best candidate...he is hands down. And it's not that I'm some nave teen who doesn't understand he now has a general election to win - I do.

The country believes McCain is the safer candidate on foreign policy and terrorism. OK, so Barack needs to come out and say something strong on Iran after their Nuke test last week, I get that.

There are even some new discoveries that I approve of. The Supreme Courts decision on banning guns for instance. The Constitution of the United States would have to be changed for any other decision to be possible. Gun regulation and prevention is the way to go.

His compromise on the intelligence surveillance bill though, has me hot around the collar. "Cowed by the Bush administration's pre-election scare tactics, the Senate passed freedom-stealing FISA legislation undermining your Fourth Amendment rights.

This is not a compromise as some in Congress would have us believe. The only thing they compromised is your freedom." Writes Anthony D. Romero of the ACLU. The ACLU plans to sue over the legislation.

One of the most disturbing aspects of the bill that passed 69-28 is the protection of any telecommunications companies from civil lawsuits revolving around phone taps put on regular citizens without any judicial over-site after the 9/11 attack. These companies gained immunity for their illegal actions. "This president broke the law." Stated Senator Russ Feingold (D-WIS.)

Although Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama came out in favor of an amendment that would have removed this immunity from the bill (they were defeated 66-32), he voted for it regardless.

The ACLU is fond of saying we can be safe and free - but if the government of this country and private business can join together and break the law without fear of legal retribution, well what chance do us little guys have of being able to protect ourselves? When this happens it's the government I fear, not some faceless terrorists.

Barack Obama is also trying to steal the religious zeal from the Republican Right by showing himself as a man of faith. Fine - but I believe coming out in favor of faith-based programs is a mistake. This infringes on the separation of Church and State, one of the cornerstones of this country. The Constitution must be upheld regardless of what direction the wind is blowing in. The direction changes rather quickly around here and the Constitution is more important than any one election, politician, political party, etc.

Does any of this mean I am going to vote for John McCain - of course not. Maybe this move to the middle is exactly what Barack Obama needs to win come November. There is a lot at stake in this election, but what it may mean is that his grassroots supporters are less willing to give of their time and money. The zeal and momentum might be lost. I don't think it's a coincidence that Obama raised less money in May than in any other month.

His campaign should pay attention. Media is expensive and one of the main reasons Obama came so far, so fast is because of the enthusiasm of the very people he is now alienating. Let's hope he can afford it - but I would be very nervous if I were on his staff right now. The Honeymoon may be coming to an end, but is the romance dead?