It’s fun to watch Barack Obama slither toward the center, isn’t it:

Presidential hopeful Barack Obama tours the Chrysler Stamping Plant in Sterling Height, Michigan, on Wednesday, May 14.

Jae C. Hong / AP

In case you missed it, Barack Obama’s American flag lapel pin is back. How long it will stay on is anyone’s guess.

If you blinked, you missed John Edwards’s endorsement of Obama earlier this week.  In that case, you also missed Edwards’s lavish praise of Hillary Clinton [e.a.]:

Mr. Edwards spent several minutes praising Mrs. Clinton, which was met by loud boos by the largely white crowd who had filled the arena with no knowledge of the endorsement to come.

He called her a capable senator and a stalwart campaigner who deserved respect for tenacity and service. “We are a stronger party because Hillary Clinton is a Democrat, we are a stronger country because of her years of public service, and we’re going to have a stronger presidential nominee in the fall because of her work.”

Hmmm. What ever could he mean?

Exurban Jon at Exurban League:

If Bush gave a speech about drug dealers, would you release a statement saying, “how DARE you insult me!”? Of course not; you’re aren’t a drug dealer. So if you really aren’t an appeaser, you shouldn’t have willingly identified yourself with that group. …

I’ve done plenty of PR work in my time, senator. Although you shouldn’t have released a statement at all, here’s how you should have handled a press question about Bush’s comments:

“One thing all Americans agree on is that appeasement doesn’t work. As president, I will engage in tough, principled, and direct diplomacy just like Kennedy, Nixon and Reagan before me. And of course, no American president will engage with terrorists, least of all those who seek to destroy our stalwart ally, Israel. I look forward to celebrating the 65th anniversary of Israel’s independence.”

Another amateur-hour play from Barack and his first responders. Ho hum.