By now you’ve heard all about the Zogby poll showing the race between Obama and McCain tightening up. Well, actually, it shows McCain ahead by five percentage points. How can America be so stupid? I mean, particularly in light of all of John McCain’s ties to lobbyists, his numerous flip-flops, outright lies, inability to figure out how many houses he owns, etc.

Could it be that once Obama snagged the Democratic nomination, he went straight for the strategy that has cost two Democratic nominees the presidency? You know, that old strategy of talking like a Republican because you think that’s what the nation wants to hear? You know… Talk about how you might consider offshore drilling. I know, I know, you said it would have to be part of a broader package, and I know that a majority of Americans support it.

But America in general, particuarly the Americans you need to swing to your side, DO NOT UNDERSTAND NUANCE.

When you’re debating John McCain at a function where you should not even have attended because you know the religious zealots are going to hand you your ass on the way out, and you’re asked when does a baby get human rights, the correct answer is not “that’s above my pay grade.” You go to a religious gathering and you don’t have a better answer prepared for that?

John McCain had a simple answer. Conception. Life begins at conception. Anyone who has had even remote contact with a southern Baptist fundamentalist knows that. If you can’t answer that question you have no right entering their church. And if you do have an answer, you better make sure you can state your position in six words or less, because it’s hard for these people to understand anything but pure black-and-white concepts. Start explaining your position and their eyes will glaze over faster than you can say “my cousin sure is lookin’ cute these days.”

While these middle-country and southern folk might not be much for seeking out and understanding the finer points of McCain and Obama’s policy proposals, the one thing they can tell is when someone is not giving them the straight dope. Since gaining the party’s nomination, Obama has changed his position on offshore drilling, the length of time before troops will be out of Iraq, immunity and broader powers to telecoms for domestic spying, the right to bear arms, public campaign financing, faith-based initiatives.

It’s getting harder and harder to tell him apart from John McCain. And we know what happens when the general public says, they “couldn’t tell the difference between the candidates.” As Kerry once put it, “you end up in Iraq.”

This is just a warning, Senator Obama. You better start talking and acting like a progressive, or you risk losing it all before a single vote is cast. There is a reason we haven’t had a Democrat in the White House for eight years now. There is a reason why congressional approval ratings are so low right now. There is a reason people are looking at a third Bush term in John McCain when there should be no rational reason for them to do so. It’s because when Democrats don’t show a spine — when they don’t show a backbone on positions that mean something to them, the public votes Republican. Happens every time. And I fear it’s about to happen again.

Please, for your country’s sake, for the world’s sake — heed my warning.

Stand up for progressive values. The country is with you. It’s why they were excited about the possibility of your presidency. It’s why they registered to vote in massive numbers. It’s why your candidacy was so heavily favored over your rivals. You gave us hope that America could once again be what Ronald Reagan called, “a shining city upon a hill whose beacon light guides freedom-loving people everywhere.”

Of course, America has not been that example recently. It would be a shame for our country to continue down the dark road it has traveled for the past eight years. People want to see someone standing up for what they believe in. Remember when you said the gasoline tax repeal was a gimmick? That didn’t hurt your numbers. Why? People felt you were taking a reasonable stand. They don’t necessarily have to agree with every policy position. You’ve already lost the anti-choice crusaders. Why court them? You don’t need them to get elected. The moment you start wavering, caving, moving to what you perceive to be as the “middle,” you may as well just hand the race to John McCain, who has given no one any reason to vote for him.

This is a referendum on you, Senator Obama. It’s time you started distinguishing yourself from McCain and started standing up for true progressive values. If the voters feel that there is no distinction, no difference between you and McCain, they will take what feels “safe” every time. To them, “safe” is McCain, even though it definitely is not a safe choice for us, or for the rest of the world.

For the sake of our kids, and the world, I’m asking you, please — no more moving to the center. The earth, the world cannot stand to have another Republican in the White House for four, let alone eight years. America cannot stand it, our sons and daughters cannot stand it, and the environment cannot stand it.