Radical Centrism? How weird is that? Yet, it just happens to be Obama's formula for sucess

Barack Obama fever has swept across the nation because he had enough insight to realize hard-line definitions and hard-line stances have done nothing to help our economy, the war in Iraq, the threat of global warming, or any of the other problems confronting the American people.

In an era when George Bush has managed to alienate anyone not at the far reaches of Conservatism, at a time when all other politicians including Clinton and McCain are digging in their heels to pronounce their hard-line stances and their willingness to continue to glorify fighting with each other, Obama is saying--hold it! We need to stop fighting. We need to find solutions, and those solutions may call for compromise.

This is what will defeat his opponents. The people get it, but Clinton and McCain don't get it. They keep offering belligerence, and they keep assuring the American people they're going to be tough and hard-nosed when it comes to pushing their agendas.

The only problem is---that is not what the American people want. The wave of popularity Obama is riding is not a fluke. Populist centrism is at the heart of it and this means he will be attacked by both Right and Left. It's already happening. Ralph Nader's vice presidential choice is already sending out press releases questioning just how far Left Obama is. At the same time the Republicans are trying to paint a big red L across Barack Obama's forehead.

It won't be easy for the upstart Senator from Illinois to withstand this two-sided attack, but if he sticks to his guns and continues to express his Centrist ideas, the American people will continue to come out in droves to vote for him.

Can Obama continue to be his own man? Can he stay above the sleazy tactics and smokescreens that will be emanating from both political camps, from the hard Right and the hard Left?

Considering the hateful, often racist, comments being swilled out by Republicans hungry to smear Obama, it is only natural for his millions of supporters to start worrying that he might falter, that he might be brought down. Ironically though, The man himself seems pretty cool. He knows who he is. He knows what the American people want. That is Barack Obama's strength.