The rebranding of Barack Obama

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Barack Obama bills himself as a new brand of leader poised to drain Washington's swamp of political cynicism.

But despite spellbinding calls for "Change We Can Believe In" the Democratic hopeful is not shirking from cold-eyed positioning to boost his hopes of victory over Republican White House hopeful John McCain.

Obama has turned down the crowd-swooning oratory since beating Hillary Clinton to the Democratic nomination last month.

The Illinois senator has switched to a general election strategy, making a beeline for the fabled political center, with policy adjustments, tonal shifts and speeches extolling faith and patriotism.

Obama's advisors also seem to be maneuvering for room on Iraq, after his anti-war stance and calls for...