Is Obama really a different kind of politician?
Lately, Barack Obama has been quoting John F. Kennedy: “The world is changing. The old ways will not do.” For a few hours the other day, I was starting to think he really meant it.
On Thursday, The Washington Times reported that in 2004, as a candidate for the U.S. Senate, Obama came out for decriminalizing marijuana use. That usually means eliminating jail sentences and arrest records for anyone caught with a small amount for personal use, treating it more like a traffic offense than a violent crime. But in a show of hands at a debate last fall, he indicated that he opposed the idea.
When confronted on the issue by the Times, however, the senator defended his original ground. His campaign said he has “always” supported decriminalization.
It’s a brave position, and therefore exceedingly rare among practicing politicians. Which may be why it didn’t last. Before the day was over, the Obama campaign issued a statement saying he thinks “we are sending far too many first-time non-violent drug users to prison for very long periods of time” but “does not believe that we should treat offenses involving marijuana with a simple fine or just by confiscating the drug.” Recently, he had told a New Hampshire newspaper, “I’m not in favor of decriminalization.”
Seems to me that a true different kind of politician who wants change would be against the massive failure of the war on certain drugs. Of course, there is one guy running for President who is against it. A different kind of politician indeed.
2 responses so far ↓
1 Jason // Feb 5, 2008 at 12:02 pm
That’s the problem with all politicians. Their views are only as strong as the audience they’re in front of at the time. And these are the reasons why I am feeling more and more each day like voting in the election will be a waste of time for me. Because ALL of these guys (and girls) will do and say whatever it takes to get themselves elected - depending on who they are talking to at the time. Ugh.
2 pax // Feb 5, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Ron Paul is actually a different kind of politician, in that his personal views on the issues are unimportant due to his reverence for the Constitution.
If you want to know what Ron Paul would do about something, all you need to do is read the Constitution. If it’s not in there, he won’t do it. Nuff said.
Say for argument that the election ends up being McCain vs. Hillary, with Ron Paul running as an independent. Who will you vote for?
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