WHY OBAMA ISN'T WAY AHEAD

David Brooks wonders why Obama isn't poised to win in a landslide.

Perhaps because even The Boston Globe recognizes an Obama flip-flop when they see one.

Perhaps because Obama's desire to withdraw completely from Iraq in 16 months doesn't make any sense, especially when experts keep telling us that Iraq is not quite ready for a total U.S. withdrawal quite yet.

Perhaps because people aren't sure he can handle Iran, especially when it is looking more and more like they are just stalling for time so they can become nuclear-armed.

Perhaps because his party is out-of-touch on the issue of new offshore drilling for oil.

Perhaps because his campaign keeps walking into political punches.

Perhaps because he isn't doing so well with older White women.

Yesterday, the Rasmussen tracking poll put McCain ahead of Obama 47% to 46%. It should be an Obama (and Democratic Party) landslide, and it may yet be so. But, for now, the American people aren't sure what to do as they stare into the face of wars and rumors of wars, recessions and rumors of recessions, and the very real financial squeeze that seems to tighten with each passing day.