it's four years later, obama has an actual record to run on now. romney has a record to run on as well, but had done his absolute best to distance himself from it until the first debate happened. even in 2008, obama didn't say much during the primary that he had to run away from during the election. of course, mccain was one of the weakest candidates in recent history, even weaker than kerry in 2004 if that's even possible.

look, it's one thing to pander to your base during the primary but yet another to say one thing to the base and the completely opposite position to the general election. he's pro-life and wants to overturn roe v. wade during the primary but if he's elected he will not introduce any legislation to limit abortion. he does not want to talk about his health plan in MA during the primary but now it's a great idea as long as it's a state's rights issue. except he thought it would make a great template for a federal health plan when he liked it but now he doesn't like it anymore but yet it's still a good idea. too many contradictions in too short a time.