Has President Obama always been a staunch supporter of massive widely cast, warrantless secret government data collection on all Americans? Let’s look at his own words on the topic:

H/T John Henke for the quotes & links

Contrast Obama today…

“You can shout Big Brother or program run amok, but if you actually look at the details, I think we’ve struck the right balance … You can’t have 100 percent security and also have 100 percent privacy and zero inconvenience. We’re going to have to make some choices as a society. On balance we have established a process and a procedure that the American people should be comfortable about.”

With Obama, 2009:

“We uphold our fundamental principles and values not just because we choose to, but because we swear to. Not because they feel good, but because they help keep us safe. They keep us true to who we are.

So as Americans, we reject the false choice between our security and our ideals. We can and we must and we will protect both. And that is just what you will pledge to do in a few moments when you raise your right hand and take your oath.”

Or Obama, 2007:

This Administration also puts forward a false choice between the liberties we cherish and the security we demand. I will provide our intelligence and law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to track and take out the terrorists without undermining our Constitution and our freedom. That means no more illegal wire-tapping of American citizens. No more national security letters to spy on citizens who are not suspected of a crime.

Read more here at Politico.