Barack Obama is an appealing candidate on several different levels.

First, and most obviously, he is a novelty in our political culture as a black politician who can be taken seriously as opposed to his predecessors who have been viewed as fringe candidates such as Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

Secondly, his story is one that appeals to our emotions as the quintessential American dream: a minority from humble beginnings rising to the pinnacle of American politics. Thirdly, he is a charismatic speaker who has the ability to interest an audience and convey his message in an eloquent manner.

With all this in mind, it isn’t difficult to see how Obama has been able to win the hearts of many in the electorate and appeal not only to Democrats, but to a sizeable portion of the independent voting block as well. The senator has portrayed himself as a centrist candidate who has something for everyone and can bring about positive change in American politics.

While this rhetoric is enticing on the surface, a deeper look into Obama’s political record and ideology suggests that he is anything but a centrist, and in reality does not represent a seismic change in American politics.

The National Journal, a nonpartisan weekly political magazine, publishes an annual list of the Senate’s most liberal and conservative members. In 2006, Barack Obama scored an 86 out of a possible 100 liberal rating, making him the 10th most liberal member of the Senate. By comparison, Hillary Clinton scored a 70.2, making her the Senate’s 32nd most liberal senator. What does it say about Obama’s record if Hillary Clinton, a self-professed victim of the “right wing conspiracy” and a woman demonized by Republicans as one of the most dangerous liberals in America, isn’t in the same ballpark of liberalism as the Illinois senator? How can a candidate with one of the most radically liberal records in Congress possibly bring about “change” which will ultimately benefit a broad range of the American electorate?

Another concern that many have with Obama is his lack of experience and substance. With all the attention he has received from the national media in recent months, it is easy to forget that Obama has been in Congress for only three years. Before that, he was merely a state legislator in Illinois. If elected president, Obama would arguably be the most inexperienced man to ever inhabit the Oval Office in a time when our nation faces grave economic and security threats. This lack of experience has led to an ambiguous message which espouses the themes of “hope” and “change,” but has left many pundits to question Obama’s consistency.

In 2002, while still a state senator in Illinois, Obama gave a passionate speech condemning the war in Iraq, saying he would vote against it in Congress, and has subsequently touted his original opposition to the war. However, upon being elected senator, Obama has voted in favor of allocating hundreds of billions of dollars in funding for the war and recently stated in a debate that he would not rule out military action in other parts of the Middle East, such as Pakistan.

Another significant issue in this election cycle is healthcare, and Obama’s plan is just about as naive as one could expect from someone just three years removed from a state legislature.

Paul Krugman, a prominent liberal economist and columnist for The New York Times, criticized Obama’s plan in a December column, citing Obama’s plan for a “big table” discussion of health care reform with drug and insurance companies as unrealistic. Krugman is correct in his assertion that major pharmaceutical companies and HMOs are not going to sacrifice their enormous profits at Obama’s “big table” for the sake of health care reform. Such naivety is indicative of the lack of experience and perspective with which Obama has run his campaign.

Since the primary season began a month ago in Iowa, Barack Obama has heralded himself as the candidate of change in a time of inefficiency in American politics. Considering the senator’s ambiguity and inexperience, can we afford the change he represents?

About the writer:

Joseph Goddard is a junior political science major. He can be reached for contact at [email protected].