The Centrist vs the Populist - Who’s Who?

We are quickly moving toward another election in which both candidates strive to move center, and in some cases, cross the aisle in order to secure votes from the undecided.  This fact can be seen in the flip flops of both candidates in the last year.  This is an interesting phenomenon of American politics.  It’s tough to win a primary without appealing to the parties base which sometimes fall further out on the political spectrum - as was the case with Obama.  Interestingly, McCain won the primary without appealing to the base of the party.  Whereas, after the primaries, McCain found himself quickly having to appeal to the more conservative elements within his party, Obama decidedly shifted center.  These moves have created confusion amongst Democrats and Republicans.  Is McCain the maverick who tells it like it is regardless of how it comes across to his conservative friends, or is he the Bush Tax Cut championing, offshore oil drilling, 100 years in Iraq conservative?  In his case it seems to be politics as usual.

Is Obama the no-offshore drilling, no strategic reserve, talk to everybody populist, or is he the offshore drilling, strategic reserve sipping, temper talk with substance centrist ?

This move towards populism is seen in both candidates most recently in their energy policies.

Will the real candidates please stand up!

–Joel