Unstoppable Obama

When did you begin to think that Obama might be unstoppable? Was it when your grown feminist daughter started weeping inconsolably over his defeat in New Hampshire? Or was it when he triumphed in Virginia, a state still littered with Confederate monuments and memorabilia? For me, it was on Tuesday night when two Republican Virginians in a row called C-SPAN radio to report that they'd just voted for Ron Paul, but, in the general election, would vote for... Obama.

In the dominant campaign narrative, his appeal is mysterious and irrational: He's a "rock star," all flash and no substance, tending dangerously, according to the New York Times' Paul Krugman, to a "cult of personality." At best, he's seen as another vague Reagan-esque avatar of Hallmarkian sentiments like optimism and hope. While Clinton, the designated valedictorian, reaches out for the ego and super-ego, he supposedly goes for the id. She might as well be promoting choral singing in the face of Beatlemania.

The Clinton coterie is wringing its hands. Should she transform herself into an economic populist, as Paul Begala pleaded on Tuesday night? This would be a stretch, given her technocratic and elitist approach to health reform in 1993, her embarrassing vote for a credit card company-supported bankruptcy bill in 2001, among numerous other lapses. Besides, Obama already just leaped out in front of her with a resoundingly populist economic program on Wednesday.

Or should she reconfigure herself, untangle her triangulations, and attempt to appeal to the American people in some deep human way, with or without a tear or two? This, too, would take heavy lifting. Someone needs to tell her that there are better ways to signal conviction than by raising one's voice and drawing out the vowels, as in "I KNOW ..." and "I BELIEVE ..." The frozen smile has to go too, along with the metronymic nodding, which sometimes goes on long enough to suggest a placement within the autism spectrum.

But I don't think any tweakings of the candidate or her message will work, and not because Obama-mania is an occult force or a kind of mass hysteria. Let's take seriously what he offers, which is "change." The promise of "change" is what drives the Obama juggernaut, and "change" means wanting out of wherever you are now. It can even mean wanting out so badly that you don't much care, as in the case of the Ron Paul voters cited above, exactly what that change will be. In reality, there's no mystery about the direction in which Obama might take us: He's written a breathtakingly honest autobiography; he has a long legislative history, and now, a meaty economic program. But no one checks the weather before leaping out of a burning building.

Consider our present situation. Thanks to Iraq and water-boarding, Abu Ghraib and the "rendering" of terror suspects, we've achieved the moral status of a pariah nation. The seas are rising. The dollar is sinking. A growing proportion of Americans have no access to health care; an estimated 18,000 die every year for lack of health insurance. Now, as the economy staggers into recession, the financial analysts are wondering only whether the rest of the world is sufficiently "de-coupled" from the US economy to survive our demise. 

Clinton can put forth all the policy proposals she likes - and many of them are admirable ones - but anyone can see that she's of the same generation and even one of the same families that got us into this checkmate situation in the first place. True, some people miss Bill, although the nostalgia was severely undercut by his anti-Obama rhetoric in South Carolina, or maybe they just miss the internet bubble he happened to preside over. But even more people find dynastic successions distasteful, especially when it's a dynasty that produced so little by way of concrete improvements in our lives. Whatever she does, the semiotics of her campaign boils down to two words - "same old."

Obama is different, really different, and that in itself represents "change." A   Kenyan-Kansan with roots in Indonesia and multiracial Hawaii, he seems to be the perfect answer to the bumper sticker that says, "I love you America, but isn't it time to start seeing other people?" As conservative commentator Andrew Sullivan has written, Obama's election could mean the re-branding of America. An anti-war black president with an Arab-sounding name: See, we're not so bad after all, world!

So yes, there's a powerful emotional component to Obama-mania, and not just because he's a far more inspiring speaker than his rival. We, perhaps white people especially, look to him for atonement and redemption. All of us, of whatever race, want a fresh start. That's what "change" means right now: Get us out of here!

Comments

[diamondmask]

A local radio show ranting libertarian did some research and found that in at least 4 Obama speeches, a woman front and center of his stage "fainted" and he expresses concern using almost the exact same language each and every time, down to getting a bottle of water and handing it to her.

Why the theatrics?

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=91

I'm on the fence between Hillary and Obama, and if he's stooping to these revival tent tactics, I'll have to ask myself.... why?

[GoldCanyonGal]

The Obama cult consists of children and hither-to-for non-voting couch potatoes who were weened on American Idol...som­ebody needs to tell them this is a presidential election with tremendous consequenc­es...not a popularity contest where somebody 'wins' despite their lack of talent. Yes, there are a few high profile, liberal academics who are enjoying the 'debate' but they, for the most part, only play at politics..­.nothing outside academia has any real meaning for them.

[BitJam]

Bzzt. Wrong. But thanks for playing.

Exit poll after exit poll have confirmed that Obama has consistently done very well among better educated voters and voters with higher incomes.

http://www.pollster.com/blogs/exit_poll_data_education_and_r.php

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/behind-the-numbers/2008/02/an_education_gap_among_white_v.html

There was also a fairly detail Pew Research study which showed that people with better educations and higher incomes had a much better grasp of current affairs:

http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=319

~~~~~~~~~~­~~~~~~~~~~

More than six-in-ten college graduates (63%) fall into the high knowledge group, compared with 20% of those with a high school education or less

.

More affluent Americans also are disproportionately represented in the high-knowledge group, a difference that held even after level of schooling, age, gender and race were taken into consideration in the analysis. A clear majority (55%) of those with household incomes of $100,000 or more are among the third of the sample that knew the most, compared with just 14% of those with household incomes of $20,000 or less.

~~~~~~~~~~­~~~~~~~~~~

The big question is whether Obama will be able to make inroads with the voters who are less educated and have lower incomes.

[Loeb]

If Obama is the candidate, where will the
"independents", those who never voted before
go? When the rough-and-tumble negotiations
begin in either the House or Senate Will
these folks be there? Or will they expect magic
to happen?

It is the norm for many in the electorate to
fool themselves into believing that after the
election (win or lose), that is the end.

It is only the beginning.­Then the work begins,
committee by committee, bill by bill. Then we
show our resolve, our toughness.­Nothing will be easy.

[kingshmoopy]

GoldCanyonGal, I think you should stay away from the generalizaions that you posted above about Obama supporters. I am neither a child, nor a couch potato. I am 35 years old, mother to 3 children, former professional animal welfare activist, and have been politically active since the tender age of 2 (when my father took me to my first protest).

My husband and I are raising our young children to be aware, involved, compassionate, and smart about their chioces. Our eldest son just turned 7 and decided that, instead of his friends bringing gifts for him to his party they should bring gifts for children in Guinea, W. Africa (where we lived for 2 years). He said that he had a lot of toys and didn't need anything else, that he wanted his friends in Guinea to be able to have fun. This is hope in action, this is empowerment for a young child--these are good things!

To think that I, and so many people like me, would treat the presidential election as a "popularity contest" is ridiculous. The future of my children--my CHILDREN--is very much impacted by the outcome of this election. As a parent my highest priority is to make sure that my children live in a safe, healthy, and good world. I know about the consequences of this election because, everyday, I worry for the future of my children in this world. We are not part of a "cult," we are doing everything we possibily can to make sure that our children have the best future possible, that includes supporting Obama. I don't base this decision on being star struck, I base it on research.

[twinkerbell]

I'm an older female actively involved in political campaigns since 1952. There is always some "beauty contest" in political campaigns. John Kennedy was tall & handsome; Richard Nixon looked like he had forgotten to shave. People often choose candidates on the basis of their emotional response to them. Senator Clinton doesn't connect emotionally with people. Obama has the same type of charisma that Bill Clinton still has: you believe in him. Unfortunately for Senator Clinton, charm and charisma and connecting with people on a deep emotional level cannot be learned. If Hillary had one percent of Bill's charisma, Obama woudln't be a contender. Obama has talent: he tells us that making change is hard work and asks us to pariticipate. He says change comes from the bottom-up, not top down like Clinton.
He talks freely about his mistakes and what he has learned from them. Clinton is like Bush: she can't think of any mistake she has made in her 35 years of experience. Most of us know that this electionmay be our last chance to prevent America from becoming a Fascist state. Clinton is too closely tied to the corporate world to step away from it; people know this on a gut level. Obama doesn't have years of experience working for the biggest corporate law firm in his state (Clinton was a lawyer in The Rose Firm, the most prominent corporate law outfit in Arkansas). Obama doesn't have years of experience serving on the board of anti-union, anti-woman WalMart, as Clinton did when she was First Lady of Arkansas. When we look at experience we need to determine if this experience going to lead to making better lives for Americans? Obama was a community organizer, he was a civil-rights lawyer, he worked for the under-represented and underprivileged members of society , accomplishing this without being destroyed by the corrupt Chicago political machine. Those of us who may support Obama are not members of any cult whatsoever and you demean yourself by suggesting this.

[AceInTheHole]

A CHARISMATIC MAN CAN MAKE WOMEN FAINT, I HAVE DONE IT MANY TIMES MYSELF. YOU NEED TO GET OUT MORE!

[AnotherTry]

Money can make anyone faint, so can fear.

[itmaybetoolate]

Fascinating article! I think you may have finally hit on a workable explanation for why people go "ga-ga" over this guy. Whites are looking for atonement. Fascinating!

[AnotherTry]

Yes, we all feel bad about slavery, but we're ok with women of every color being second class citizens for the rest of eternity, apparently.

[serena1313]

The people for the first time in a long, long time have a candidate who is inspiring. No one candidate is going to be perfect including Barack Obama. Nor will we always agree with him or her. Our law makers are human after all and humans are fallible.

Obama whose actions and record show he is a man of character and integrity has so much to offer this country. While every candidate spins their record, Obama is more consistent and forthcoming about his record. Furthermore Obama's actions match his words much moreso than his opponents.

On occasion circumstances dictate situations that are sometimes out of a person's control. Law makers from time to time are forced to vote for something we may disagree with, but that does not indicate therein lies a hidden agenda unless it is a pattern. Several presidential candidates have such a pattern; Obama is not one of them.

Insofar as Krugman describing the excitement around Obama as an occult movement has no basis in reality. We are grounded and excited because for the first time in decades the people can choose a candidate who wants to empower the people. Obama is the one who can lead the country in a direction that the majority of Americans want.

It will not be easy or quick, but we are eager to begin the process with Obama at the helm.

[vrox2008]

Politics as usual is not good enough any more. Obama offers a new kind of government. People need to remeber that the President has a staff, a cabinet, and is surrounded with military experts. We have homeless issues,a deficit, the worst in history,we have over crowded schools, and we are stuck in war that we need to get out of. We need someone in office that sees these issues and wants to change them.

Can anyone recognize America as the country we were or should be?

[Pyrum]

It blows me away so many people think Obama offers something different. I suppose if he repeats he's about "change" often enough, there are plenty of folks actually gullible enough to believe it.

[johnmorgan]

Yes, how do you know Obama will really make these changes? He's not the messiah! And will he be able to handle the Republican slime machine when it goes into full attack against him?

[monique]

Yes, there are problems, but I am not going to elect a motivational speaker to address them.

Hillary passes laws, she writes legislation, and she talks about real things, instead of just repeating "Yes, we can" like a preacher.

Just Friday, a bill that she authored passed, and is headed to the White House to get the President's signature. The bill, "The Kids and Cars Safety Legislation" is a bundle of laws, solving problems, laws addressing safety issues for children. Laws that will protect children in cars, on the roadways, etc.

She gets stuff done. She doesn't just keep repeating tiresome slogans. She works.

[sonomacountylady]

Obama,is change.He is not only young and fresh,with a real commitment to undue the harm that has been done to this Country in the last 8 years.He means what he says.Go to his voting record, or go to his site barackobama.com,then you can see for yourself, that he is not just giving brilliant speeches. He does not take donations from the oil companies,or special interest groups.He gives me hope,that we can bring jobs back into our country, stop jobs from going overseas,help the "middle man" in this Country.
Why is Middle Income America,paying more taxes then the rich? Why does no one ever do something about that? The Clinton's were in the White House for 8 years.No medical plan was put into place, no tax plan to tax the rich more was put into place.Read about Barack's past, his youth, his life,and you will find out who he really is.Someone who was not given everything from birth.Some­one who had to fight for everything he has.He ended up going to Harvard on a scholarshi­p.His Mother died from cancer when she was only 53.And yes, she had coverage,but not enough as she had so many bills. A lot of what he says is coming from personal experience. That is why he is so believable. And why people are flocking to him in record numbers.Th­ere is an "honest precense" about him. Hillary on the other hand, went into Florida and campaigned there, knowing that the delegates were not supposed to count. And when did she do this? When she lost in South Carolina. And why did she do this? To take the focus off Obama winning in South Carolina.P­lus,I truly believe she always thought she could persuede the Democratic Commitee to have those delegates in Florida count.Bara­ck never campaigned in Florida because he went by the rules. So now if they count them,that is considered fair? In Michigan,where his name was not even on the ballot? I do not trust Hillary.
Obama a class act, fair, honest,and believable.

[fdwcrm]

Why don't you get off the "Obama juice" and actually research what this guy's proposals are about. A lot of "lefty" ideas and fiscally irresponsible proposals.

[johnmorgan]

You sound like Obama will work miracles because he believes in "change," whatever that means. You're setting yourself up for a bitter disappointment one of these days. Obama talks great, but that's all.

Still, I prefer him over the corporatist candidate Hillary, whom I consider Republican-light. The real Democrats were pushed out of the race by the mainstream media.

[MercedesGabriella]

Sooo, what, exactly are you saying, Barbara? Sorry, but you sounds as spacey as Obama...

[BinBaldwin]

My Dad is a lifelong Democrat. He voted for FDR and every Dem since except Carter in the 2nd term and Mondale. He voted Clinton twice and Kerry and Gore. My father registered GOP after he saw the treatment Joe Lieberman recieved from his party. Dad will vote for McCain.

[teahead]

Does anyone care?

[youthrewaspark]

"My Dad," a report by BinBaldwin 7th grader.

[johnmorgan]

Joe Lieberman deserved much worse treatment from the his party.

[research]

What did the republicans ever do to Lieberman?

[BinBaldwin]

NY Times April 19 1988

Mr. Dukakis, the overall leader in national convention delegates, was driving for a solid victory that he hoped would give him unstoppable momentum and dispel the doubts that have followed his alternating successes and failures so far.

[BrooklynLager]

Good point - winning the primaries is usually the kiss of death.

???

[dailyrev]

I have a question for candidate Obama, seeing as the latest event of suicidal terror occurred in his home state. My question is here. http://dailyrevolution.net/?p=10688]

[JiminNC]

Yep, let's send all these gun nuts to Siberia ... of wait, wrong country, failed experiment ... nevermind.

[gregjones]

Hi Fellow Obama Warriors;

Greg Jones here, National Director of the grassroots, multi-racial organization called Blacks 4 Barack which is based right here in Cleveland, Ohio. We're Fired Up and Ready To Go. Together, we can WIN Ohio....Fo­r the Re-Birth of America !

Visit: www.Blacks4Barack.org
Obama news, views, issues, photos, videos and More !

Fired Up & Ready To WIN !!!! You Warriors have been INCREDIBLE

[DietrichMoody]

Who is this? Ann Coulter??

[riverhouse]

All the best to you, Greg Jones. Thank you for your efforts. Imagine the day when America and the world wake up to Barack Obama as president of the United States. It will change America and it will change the world.

[fdwcrm]

Oh yea! CHANGE ALRIGHT, AND NOT FOR THE BETTER! You need to catch up on your reading about his fiscally irresponsible programs. He makes me faint too, but not in a good way.

[Troubledgoodangel]

As far as I can see, Obama is an avatar of Ophrah. The danger is that people, disenchanted with traditional religion and scared about the nation going under, in mindless rush to find a "human savior," will begin to throw themselves under the wheels of this phony juggernaut, who obviously can't deliver! What I fear, to be more precise, is a collective hypnosis of the young and less educated, an enthusiasm that will burst like a babble of soap when reality strikes! Ophrah and her avatar are masters in this kind of short-term deceptive infatuation. What the nation needs, however, is truth, not gimmicks!

[jackbauer0396]

Actually, while your assessment that the young are voting for Obama in droves is correct, he's actually winning the large majority of well-off and college-educated Democrats. So your premise that we're all just being hypnotized because we're too stupid to know what's good for us is a little silly.

[shamba]

Why is it obvious that Obama cannot deliver? He has a legislative record in Illinois and one now in the senate. In Illinois he delivered on ethics reform, health care, justice reform (including re capital punishment), and more. In the senate he delivered on ethics reform and on nuclear disarmament.

And who is this Ophrah you refer to? Likely you mean Oprah. And by avatar do you mean to suggest that Oprah is a diety and Obama is her human manifestation? Odd really. They are both merely human, and Oprah is just someone (of influence to many, though not necessarily me) who endorsed Obama and is campaigning for him. I am too, though I cannot reach as many people as Oprah does.

You who suggest Obama offers no substance, have you really read his policy proposals and studied his extensive legislative record?

I for one am not partaking in a mindless rush to secure Obama as a human savior, but merely as a human nominee for president from a Democratic party that has too long thought that it's best hope has been to appear to be as close to the Republicans as possible. It has been a party afraid of pursuing its own principles, and has rejected the involvement of democratic leaning people throughout the entire country - relying rather on establishment Democvrats afraid of their own shadows. If Obama is nominated and that kind of top-down politics rejected, I might register as a democrat for the first time in decades.

[fdwcrm]

"have you really read his policy proposals and studied his extensive legislative record?" Have you?---pretty scary.

[Georgiadude]

I just took a look at your past postings, I have too assume you are being paid to write this garbage.

If you are not being paid, you have my sympathy, having to go through your life without the hope that our collective lives could possibly be better than they are now. Living a life of cynicism that seems to be comforted by the venous spew that you produce, it's very sad.

BTW, the nation does not need your version of truth, we already have someone very similar views of the truth living in the White House.

[KennyFox]

Am I the only one who doesnt understand what this Georgia boy is trying to say?

[gloryoski]

Lots of good stuff in the post, Barbara.

I been asking myself when my own Obama "tipping point" was. I think _Audacity_ did have a lot to do with it (despite the "I kick hippies" stuff sprinkled throughout). But whenever it happened, I would like to think that I although have kept my critical thinking but I am no longer "made of wood."

One thing, though, besides the over generalization of "anti-war"--which was already commented upon.

You say, "We, perhaps white people especially, look to him for atonement and redemption­." That seems like an awfully broad statement to stick in there at the end without untangling the many questions it raises. For example, just about white people : 1)Do all white Obama supporters do this? 2) Do all of us do it non-self-c­ritically? 3) How legitimate of a thing to do is that? 4) Why to all?

Sorry if I'm repeating. I admit I did read all 500-some comments.

[DLSteinhardt]

The USA rebranding argument is a deeply compellingly rational reason to vote for Obama.

Yes, we're a nation where rich white guys run outta control, dominating the world like James Bond/Austin Powers villains, but the USA is also where most folks worldwide hope to escape to if life gets too dicey at home, a nation that could just elect their kid President of the United States.

[tranquilhorizons]

Too bad most voters mistakenly believe Obama is ANTI-WAR

When in reality, Obama supports continuing war in Afghanistan, he has not ruled out military action against Iran, and he supports sending US troops into Pakistan!

Obama's plan is to CONTINUE the US occupation of Iraq, pulling out only about 12-15% of our troops and leaving behind more than 130,000 troops!!

(see my post below with links - to OBAMA's website!)

A vote for Obama is a vote for continued WAR, and ADDITIONAL WARS!

That's what happens when you are bought & paid for by Special Interests

[JMHLK]

Has anyone checked out http://mrsircy.blogspot.com/2008/02/sinclair-takes-obama-to-court.html ?

[serena1313]

*** tranquilhorizons

How many times are you going to post these fabrications? You need to get your facts straight!

What Obama said is he is not anti-war he is anti-stupid wars and unnecessary wars nd preemptive wars.

He also said he will talk with Iran rather than threatening them or even going to war against them. He quotes Kennedy a lot, "never negotiate out of fear, but never fear to negotiate.

Obama has 650,000 - 850,000 on-line contributors. That is who funds his campaigns. Have moneyed-interests contributed to his campaign? Probably just like all the contenders in the race. Hillary Clinton has taken in more from corporate interests than all the democrats put together.

Now McCain is the one who will leave us in Iraq and has told his audiences many times over there will be more wars. In fact he has sung "Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran" to the tune of Barbara Ann by the Beach Boys while on the campaign trail!

In contrast Obama has said he will end the Iraq occupation. Therein it will end the hundreds of billions of dollars being spent every year. Each month it costs us over $10 billion dollars to stay in Iraq. That is money that could be spent on the infrastructure and other needs here at home. (more importantly ending the death and destruction)

In terms of money spent on Iraq thus far: $691 billion dollars.

FY 2009: Bush asked for $688 billion dollars:

$515.4 billion for the DoD

$ 70.0 billion for 1st quarter for "emergency" war funding for the FIRST quarter

$102.5 billion is the current emergency war funding yet to be approved

Total: $687.9 Billion

By next spring the cost of Iraq and Afghanistan could reach $900 billion. That is almost $1 Trillion. (BORROWED from China).

Obama knows this hurts our economy and how absurd it is!

The crimes against humanity committed against the Iraqis & Afghanis are immoral & unconscionable.

Obama will defend the country, but will not act irresponsibly.

*** tranquilhorizons

You need to stop perpetuating lies about Obama.

[riverhouse]

Hillary voted for the war. Obama made speeches as an Illinois state legislator against the war. I'm against the war. I knew, like Obama knew, that there was no legitimate reason to invade Iraq. Hillary lacks the judgment to be president of the United States.

[fdwcrm]

It's amazing that you must have been sitting in Congress at the time the the resolutions were presented. Tell us all what you heard...I want to know what gave you such insight. Obama is full of BS. Another "out" for him, he didn't have to make that tough vote in 2002, now did he?

[Pyrum]

If Obama had been a Senator in 2003, he also would've voted in favor of the war, no matter how often he claims otherwise. Obama has voted to continue to fund the war. Do you know who has consistently voted against starting and funding the war? Ron Paul!

[Amberlass]

WOW JMHLK: I HAVE CHECKED THAT SITE OUT NOW.
OBAMA SURE HAS A LOT TO HIDE. I THINK HE SHOULD ANSWER THESE CHARGES OF LARRY SINCLAIR.
IF THERE IS ANY TRUTH TO THEM, WE NEED TO KNOW NOW.

[Kahawa]

Amberlass, please don't tell me that that single piece of information on one site convinced you that "Obama has a lot to hide." What happened to innocent until proven guilty? Not to mention the fact that Larry Sinclair assuredly has his own agenda ... perhaps to undermine Obama?

I await more substantive information ...

[Tankan]

Excellent piece Barbra!

Hillary Clinton is seen as the status quo the establishment candidate, the people, ecpecially the younger generation, see the state of America today, teetering on recession, it's reputation in tatters, then along came Barack Obama, a great orator, a man who oozes leadership qualities, a man who lifts the heads of struggling Americans and gives them hope! This is a factor Hillary cannot match, she can sneer and snarl and throw all the stones she wants, but unlike her this young man remains cool under fire, taking it all in his stride, and Hillary, rather than bringing him down is actually unwittingly elevating him in eyes of growing numbers of people. For the sake of America and the wider world, wise men and women can only pray that this phenomenal young man becomes President!

[sef2121]

You people sound stoned. Where were all the people of my generation 4, 8 years ago when GW won the white house and the young people stayed home? Where have they been the past eight years? I am 24 and I am so disappointed with the lack of RAGE my generation has exhibited throughout the Bush administration. A lack of a draft should not translate to a lack of caring. And now some phony comes along that all the celebs like and the youth is all of a sudden considered politically savvy? If I hear "I didn't even care about politics until I heard Obama speak" one more time I am going to hurl. You mean that you haven't been reading the paper for the past eight years or caring about the myriad humanitarian crisis that have been going on? How about local politics? Do you know your own Senator's names? Nope, didn't think so.

Don't fool yourself-Remember McGovern (at least he was in Congress for more than five minutes before deciding he was the messiah and deserved to become president).

McGovern enjoyed the same close race and massive youth appeal (including a young HRC)

He ended up losing every state to Nixon with the notable exception of Massachusetts and DC.

Enough said.

[research]

As a Kucinich voter, I really can't stand to listen to Obama's plodding, overblown "inspirational" speeches, but I know plenty of people get turned on by that stuff.

This is a video of Obama being interview by the SF newspaper board. This interview put to rest my worries about Obama's highfalutin but apparently empty rhetoric.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/c/a/2008/01/20/EDIAUHASH.DTL&o=0 posted 02/14/2008 at 02:06:55

[BrooklynLager]

Hey Kucinich voter, what did you make of his request that his voters caucus with Obama's in all the districts where Kucinich failed to reach 15%?

I was an Edwards supporter at the time, and was surprised. Just wondering what you thought about it.

[research]

I was very surprised. Perhaps he wanted to upset the Clinton Juggernaut. I was even more surprised the hear him talk about Ron Paul so favorable. Not that he agrees with Paul's politics, but that he likes him and respects. Ron Paul likes Kucinich in the same way.

I don't expect to agree with my candidate on everything.

[timinhi]

Yeah--I especially liked the part where he says, "GENERALLY SPEAKING, I don't lie." What's that supposed to mean? I'm curious about the SPECIFICALLY SPEAKING occasions when he DOES lie. Is he actually admitting that he's really NOT "without sin?" Stop the presses!

[lvny]

I'm not sure. I guess it depends on what your definition of the word "is" is.

[research]

Politicians who can't lie, don't get very far. Voters fault.