To the editor:

The right-wing media has a fixation with Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama’s past. I bought into this too and still find it troubling. The fact is, it is in the past, and you cannot change it.

Isn’t it more meaningful to look at present day Barack Obama? Months ago, Obama scolded Democratic candidates John Edwards and Hillary Clinton for accepting money from “special interests,” which includes unions, according to Obama. Now, several months later, Obama himself has accepted millions from unions and other “special interest” groups.

Interestingly, Obama declined public campaign funding that allows him to avoid spending limits, although he originally stated he would accept the public funds. Public financing has not been forgone by a presidential candidate in 35 years.

Isn’t the very “change” and “new direction” that Obama speaks of a bit contrary to his spending habits to try and win the presidency? This is only one example of Barack Obama changing his position, but the very one example that could hand him the presidency. Obama is playing the same game he so sternly denounces; only he’s playing it much, much better.

Tom Shewmon,
Lawrence