Obama's shift not seismic, observers say

WASHINGTON, July 10 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's move to a more centrist position isn't catastrophic, but keeps with the Democrats' goal of winning the White House, observers say.

The likely Democratic presidential nominee's latest move to the political center was his vote Wednesday to reauthorize U.S. intelligence-gathering laws.

Reaction in the liberal blogosphere was critical but was mild elsewhere, The Los Angeles Times said Thursday.

"We're willing to work through this period," said Richard Parker, president of the liberal Americans for Democratic Action. While the organization has "serious concerns" about Obama's shift in recent weeks, they're outweighed by the group's disagreements with Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the likely Republican nominee.

Gerald Austin, a veteran Democratic strategist, was more blunt.

"When I hear people complaining," he told the Times, "I tell them I have one thing to say: 'President John McCain. Three Supreme Court appointments.' That's all I need to say."

Obama says he hasn't shifted his positions and tells those who see him as moving toward the center they "haven't been listening" to his message.