Obama is already getting some heat from the far left over his appointments that are too centrist, and he is still a month away from inauguration.

I expected this as the Republicans are just too fragmented to mount any kind of opposition to any pending policies.

The McGovern syndrome suggests that the Democrats need the left to get nominated but need the center to win. “The Myth of the Rational Voter” suggests that to stay in power the elected must recognize economic realities that the voters do not.

Obama’s changes are most likely a response to the dramatic shifts in the last 90 days. At $45 a barrel a windfall profits tax on oil companies makes much less sense than it did a few months ago when it was $150 a barrel. Yet this change shows the flaw in a policy that did not recognize the dynamics of the market in oil and commodities.

The 40% drop in the stock market may delay the proposals for higher taxes on investors; but is this not recognition that the taxes would have a destructive effect on the economy?

Obama’s supporters will suggest that his changes just reflect a recognition of the ‘new realties’ of the last few months. While this is true it also underlines the very basic flaws in his proposals on the campaign trail.

I will gladly admit my error in judgment if he governs better than I expected, and the more of his campaign promises he reverses the likelier that is. I hope the far left gives him an equal chance.

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