In a sharp column today, Robert Samuelson makes a similar point to the one I made below, namely, that once Obama is actually forced to start governing, he’ll no longer be able to paper over the contradiction between his progressivism and pragmatism:

But Obama’s clever campaign strategy would put him in a bind as president. Championing centrism would disappoint many ardent Democrats. Pleasing them would betray his conciliating image. The fact that he has so far straddled the contradiction may confirm his political skills and the quiet aid received from the media, which helped him by virtually ignoring the blatant contradictions.

Samuelson also makes some astute points about how McCain’s stubborness becomes a bad thing when accompanied by poor judgement, as with campaign finance reform. The whole thing is well worth a read.