It's interesting that neither the Status Quo Left nor Right, neither Bush, McCain, nor the Clintons, seem able to categorize Obama adequately for their tactical purposes. Is it because he represents a genuinely new in the political arena?

It is notable that while many of Obama's policy positions are conventionally Democratic, what seems most attractive about him as a candidate (for those who are so attracted) is that he exudes a civic libertarian ethos of individual freedom in and personal responsibility for society. And this is what seems to cut against the paternalistic sense of governing authority given by Bush and Hillary - each of whom personifies the old adage about the 'Daddy' and 'Mommy' parties we must always choose between.

Would I prefer governmental authority run by Hillary over Bush? Of course. But a vote for Obama is a desire to try a civic libertarian course.