Maybe Barack Obama Just Isn't That Into You

First, Barack Obama wasn't sure he wanted to reach out to Hillary Clinton supporters because they should just get over it, probably feeling that women who traditionally voted Democratic would come around by November.

He may be right, but then I read in a column by Joel Stein in Time Magazine about how Floridians like his Jewish grandmother "Mama Ann" aren't being swayed by Obama's rhetoric until people, like him, spend a little time chatting them up and, as I've said before, "wooing" them to stay blue in the fall.

Then, I heard that at least one mayor of a pretty significant city is still waiting to hear from the Obama campaign and is wondering, when is he going to make the call to ask for my support?

Even my Pennsylvania mom, a staunch Democrat, just isn't feeling the Obama love and is still wondering what to do in November. (I have taken the Joel Stein route and am imploring her to stay with the Dems in the fall).

Now I know there will be lots of people who say, "HEY, what else do you want the guy to do?" And while that's a fair question since he's out there campaigning pretty much every day, there is clearly a sizeable disconnect between the Obama campaign and some voters and potential supporters.

Which made me think, maybe Barack just isn't that into us.

He definitely expects those of us who traditionally cast Democratic votes to check the box for him, but, interestingly, doesn't seem to want to ask certain groups in a way that would resonate for those who aren't feeling his charm.

He wants us to "put out" our votes, but doesn't seem to want to alter his courtship method in a way to seal the deal with those on the fence.

For plenty of us, it comes down to issues and ideology. But don't forget, George Bush doesn't even drink and Americans apparently chose him to be POTUS because they felt he'd be a fun guy to have a Miller or an Amstel Light with. Even voters who analyze the issues often vote for the candidate who seems right in their gut.

Plenty of us were wrong about assessing the judgment and character of John Edwards, so I'm not saying all gut is a good thing. I'm happy to stick with issues and policy in making my selection this year.

But if Obama really wants to end up in the White House, he and his campaign need to help shake the feeling that he's not making the 'ask' in a way that connects with the groups he needs.

Barack, Mama Ann and PunditMom's mom want to vote for you. You just need to be a little more "into" them.

Joanne Bamberger writes about the intersection of motherhood and politics at her place PunditMom. She is also a Contributing Editor for Politics & News at BlogHer and is an original MOMocrat!

Follow Joanne Bamberger on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PunditMom

Comments

[jvarga]

Dear Senator Obama,

Although in past elections this hasn't been required, after this primary we feel that you are obliged to personally write each and every one of us a letter begging and grovelling for our support. You need to own up to committing the egregious offense of ... beating Senator Clinton. If, after you've sufficiently debased yourself, we will consider supporting you.

Signed
A bunch of people who are trying to ruin the USA

[Yohomegirl]

Obama expects a lot from you, which is a form of flattery. It means he thinks you are capable of making a wise decision. Maybe he should get on his knees and crawl all over the country and 'woo' until he is blue in the face. Maybe if you aren't happy with a black candidate that would solve all, he's be the blue candidate. Maybe it is that as a black man he has not deferred to you. I cannot understand given the choice why it isn't screamingly clear who the choice is for all. Obama 08!

[JNail]

Your thoughtful post is quite insightful. I am a 55 year old man (w/ 2 daughters, 26/6) and admit I have taken a long time to understand the HRC supporters feelings. I do not like the Clintons, but give Hillary credit for her actions the last 2 months. My first reaction was 'get over it" since I really misunderstood the real feelings here. If it were not for Bill I could even support her now for VP - but Bill is too much to deal with.

My college class at Wiliams was the first one to admit women (my oldest is an alum as well now) and frankly should have had a window into some of these feelings based on that experience and even discussions at our 25th reunion 7 years ago. A classmate of mine Martha Coakley is the Atty Gen, in Mass. and could very well be a future Sen. Gov. or even Pres. or VP candidate and a good one.

I am now very glad that next Tues. Hillary and her supporters can have their night and I hope that Barack's being open to this and offering it will help the folks you describe and others to enthusiastically join the Obama campaign.

We all need to come together and make sure that the last 8 years do not continue and that female politicians and young girls like mine, Barack's and others never have to crack the glass ceiling since Hillary this year gave a pretty good busting.

[WASanford]

Words are cheap and promises are made to be broken. The only way to know what Obama is about is to look at his record and it is sparse, to say the least. While I was less than excited by any of the candidates, I thought Hillary would have the best chance of winning because she had a history of living well despite the attempts of the right wing slime machine to bring her down. After Obama won the primary, I began to make my peace with the fact of a likely Democratic loss this November and I was ready to do whatever it took to win back the presidency.

Then he voted for the FISA bill! Let me explain why I think it’s such a big deal. I’ve been registered as a Democrat since I began voting in the late 50’s, but I’m an American first. I love my country, its institutions, and what it stands for; I grew up during World War II. But an America that fails to recognize the rights of its citizens is not that America. The Fourth Amendment is not about hiding unpalatable deeds from our government, it’s about forbidding the government the power to harass us with unwarranted searches and seizures and thus allow its citizens some privacy.

Those rights are not Obama’s, Congress’s, nor the Administration’s to bargain away, they belong to all of us. I cannot vote to put anyone into office that would do that to his/her fellow citizens.

[IslandGyal]

Ok, vote for McCain and shut up about it!!!

[sdaflm]

So you go right ahead and vote for McCain and he will insure that whatever remaining rights we have left will be taken away for sure. So if you enjoyed the 8 year reign of king Bush you'll just love the reign of king McCain.

[loper2008]

This is a strange phenomenon to me. I voted for Kerry in 2004 and I had no strong feelings toward him one way or the other. I certainly didn't feel he needed to bend over backwards to please my and my demographic group. You say he is not doing things correctly but do not give one suggestion as to what you want him to do win these voters over. Apparently, talking about what direction he wants to take the country in is simply not sufficient enough to earn votes. Maybe he'll have to start giving these little old ladies foot rubs.