As has been anticipated — including by his own former foreign policy adviser — Obama appears to be easing off his support for a timetable of withdrawal from Iraq, saying instead that he’d be driven by conditions on the ground.

“I’ve always said that the pace of withdrawal would be dictated by the safety and security of our troops and the need to maintain stability. That assessment has not changed,” he said today in North Dakota, according to Jeff Zeleny. “And when I go to Iraq and have a chance to talk to some of the commanders on the ground, I’m sure I’ll have more information and will continue to refine my policies.”

The RNC is jumping on the move, saying it’s of a pattern with other issues where he’s shifted to the center since capturing the Democratic nomination.