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Barack Obama: Pragmatist or Liberal? How About Both?

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Retainng G.W. Bush's Secretary of Defense is a pragmatic navigation of a liberal course? Perhaps in the the context of a "liberal application" of military force. In recent history our presidential lexicographers have applied rather strict definitions to a number of words; "torture" and "sex" are two that spring immediately to mind. Apparently "change" is the next political keyword to be redefined in a manner that is anything but liberal.

Hard One of VT 8:45PM December 02, 2008

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Robert Schlesinger

Robert Schlesinger is managing editor for opinion at U.S. News and World Report, overseeing all opinion editorial content. He is the author of White House Ghosts: Presidents and Their Speechwriters. E-mail him at rschlesinger@usnews.com. Follow him on Twitter: @rschles.

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