Totally fair. I believe they are both sincere too. But wrt perception I give the edge to Obama here as well, mostly because of Iraq which he was against when it was unpopular to be so. I respect that Edwards' position has changed as have the opinions of the majority of the country and I believe his change of heart has likely been sincere, but it doesn't look great for him that his positions wrt Iraq have steadily been in line with popular opinion (even though that translates literally to him having followed a trajectory that the majority of Americans have so it's not inherently cynical). His experience as a trial lawyer though will make it easier to argue that his positions are poll-driven and cynical rather than entirely sincere. I don't think that's right, but it's true. To his credit, Edwards is campaigning on certain themes that will not be popular like fighting poverty and the health care crisis even if it means increased deficits which he has all but promised. Obama has also been open about personal details that he did not have to share and that will not endear him to a lot of voters excepting possibly in his honesty about them such as past cocaine use and the fact that he is a smoker (well, I guess he couldn't have kept that under wraps even though Jed Bartlett pretty much did). I failed to mention another thing I really like about Obama in my previous post and that's that he's a philosopher. Throughout his relatively short career, he has been known to truly listen to the merits of the arguments from all sides and incorporate those he considers the best into his own positions. He is just a different sort of politician in that way and it is a difference that we have all, R's, D's and I's, been clamoring for for a long time.
Don't you know that all it takes is something like 1% of your blood to be black in order to be considered black? But, yeas, I will hold it a little against him. He should know better than to have a white mama.
I don't know. Mrs. rimrocker is solidly Edwards. In no particular order, I like Edwards, Clark, Obama OK... but I'm not moved by anyone yet. It's also hard for me to think about this in any meaningful way as I'm worried about the rest of the Bush Presidency and the next year in Iraq in particular. Too many unknowns at this point to really settle on one. I do know I'll be looking long and hard at the candidates' capacity to run the government well, as the next President will not only have to respond to what is happening in the world, but they will also have to try and fix the things that have been smashed since 2000.
I voted without reading the instructions. Bill Richardson is a Democrat that I like, but I probably won't vote in the Democratic Primary, mainly because I will be voting for Ron Paul in the Republican Primary.
From an Obama-centric poitn of view, I believe Huckabee would be the toughest match-up. I think most of the other GOP candidates would appear mean spirited, and petty next to Obama's thoughtful/work together based on the merits style. That is why I don't think most of the traditional attacks will work on Obama and will actually backfire against him. He is extremely likeable and has shown that he can work across party lines and bring people from all sides of the political spectrum together. Against any other candidate besides Huckabee Obama wins that contest easily. Huckabee is different, very personable, and appears to have a likable vulnerability of his own. He is someone who is firm enough in his beliefs that people will tend to trust him more than the other GOP candidates. If a different Democrat wins, then I don't think Huckabee matches up that well against them, except possibly Hillary.
Kucinich definitely is since he's already announced. Kerry is, marginally, since he's indicated he'd like to run and he has over 19 million (more than any other potential or announced candidate) in the bank for a run. Meanwhile, Gore has said he probably wouldn't run. I still think he might if Hillary or another candidate he can't get excited about takes an early lead. But if any of the candidates he could really get behind remains competitive (and I'd include Obama and Edwards in that list at least), I don't think he'll go. I tend to think Kerry won't run though. If I had to guess now, I'd guess that Clark won't either.
I think it's funny that T_J voted in this thread but not the Republican thread. Methinks someone doesn't ever want to be wrong.
60% of the votes are going to Obama, just seems charisma, being a good speaker and fresh in people's eyes makes all the difference. Even though he is light on experience and where he stands on some issues is unknown. This is pretty much exactly how Deval Patrick won here in Mass, his overall likability. (real issues were not factors at all during the race)
That has always been the case in major elections. Issue by issue polling would have had Reagan lose twice, Bush Jr. lose twice etc. But the majority of people don't vote on just issues.
Nice post re: Huckabee, FB. I tend to think that any candidate running against Obama would try to employ more genteel arguments but Huckabee would certainly be most successful at selling them.
Kerry's an a**. I thought he got a raw deal from the swift boat people till his stupid remark about the troops in iraq came out. His only saving grace in his entire political career IMO is the fact that he made it possible for me to say I didn't vote for Bush in '04.
Methinks he just jumped in and voted for Hillary without reading that the poll was open... probably in an attempt to come back and say something like, "Look at all the flaming Liberals who support Hillary, who can't win and who people like Batman don't even like. Poor libpigs."
Obama's like the Philip Rivers of Politics. The Sportswriters ordained this kid the next great one after a half finished NFL season and forgot about guys like Brady, Manning, and Palmer.
the obama love is amazing, particualrly since he's hardly a known quantity. just goes to demonstrate the power of celebrity and charisma i guess- he becomes a cleans late upon which we can all project out prejudices, and guilt, upon. he may be all that, but we just don't know right now.
I'm not seeing who voted for who in this poll, but I can see it in the Republican poll. Anyone know why?
