Do Political Labels Still Fit in an Era of Change?

Is Barack Obama a tax-and-spend liberal Democrat or is he not liberal enough?  Is Republican John McCain a real conservative -- a "maverick" -- or something else? After decades of political polarization, both candidates claim they want to be agents of change.  Do the familiar labels still matter at all? Also, rising flood waters continue to wreak havoc in Iowa, and California is scheduled to start issuing same-sex marriage licenses next week. County clerks are bracing for a tidal wave from all over the country.