"The change in field is an electromagnetic wave, and it propagates at the speed of light. Now: since the changes in an electromagnetic field propagate at c, how is it possible that orbits in a central electrical potential remain stable? Does an electron "see" where the potential well is now, or where it was some time ago?"I don't necessarily accept your premise that the field itself doesn't propagate.
A disturbance to a field may very well propagate at Light speed, but that's an entirely different action, in my opinion, than the field *itself* propagating.
A disturbance to a field may very well propagate at Light speed, but that's an entirely different action, in my opinion, than the field *itself* propagating.But once the field is there, it's there. What aspect of the field needs to propagate, other than any changes to it?