I can't believe I'm starting this thread, but anyway, this is based on some comments I have been seeing lately on the Board and in the Media. Is Obama's popularity like Bush's, is it because he's likable and he is still considered relatively an outsider to Washington Politics. (This thread assumes that this is the reason Bush was elected and also the "I would like to have a beer with him") Now my contention would be no because when people voted for Bush, they actually said, "i'm voting for the person i can sit down and have a beer with". but is the overall criticism fair. This isn't just a experience vs. lack of thread. This is a thread basically asking, are we who support this guy supporting him for the right reasons? I think its pretty clear to alot of people that bush may have gotten elected for the wrong reasons. are we doing the same thing here?
I'm not a supporter, but I know SOME people who support him for the wrong reasons. Others who really believe in his ideas, which is fine.
Are you kidding me? People who support a candidate when they don't know much about his policy ideas but like him because he isn't a member of the party are supporting him for the wrong reasons. I know one person who supports him only because he's black and I know one person who supports him because she thinks Cindy McCain is a barbie doll. I said SOME. I think the op's question is valid to ask after what happened when people (me) voted for Bush and got something that wasn't what we bargained for.
The problem is that this is the case for voting for any non-incumbent in any election. No one can say for certain what McCain or Obama will do as President, because neither has ever been President before. So all you can do is vote based on impressions and potential. It's no different than an NBA Draft for example - you look at what they've done at lower levels, you look at their potential, etc - and then you make an educated guess who would be better.
Are you suggesting that people who support a candidate for the wrong reasons should not be allowed to vote? If not, why do you care what other people's reasons are?
I would like to vote for someone who won't turn the Presidency of the United States into a national embarrassment .... again. McCain certainly seems the more likely of the two to appear stupid in office. Obama at least has an air of dignity and intellect.
Absolutely, there are similarities. I said this months ago. Obama is a relative unknown with limited experience who is portraying himself as a Washington outsider who will bring a new tone as President. Bush was a relative unknown(although he came from a famous family) who had limited experience and portrayed himself as a Washington outsider who would bring a new tone as President. Obama is great at connecting with voters when delivering a prepared speech. Bush is usually great at connecting with voters when delivering a prepared speech(he does mangle his words sometimes). Obama sounds like an intellectual lightweight and buffoon when ad-libbing. Bush sounds like an intellectual lightweight and buffoon when ad-libbing. Bush ran as a conservative and hoodwinked a lot of GOP faithful when it turned out he was a big-time liberal spender. Obama is running as a centrist and....well, the jury's still out on the guy, but all signs point to him being an extreme leftist. His windfall profit tax on oil companies is a socialist policy, whether you support it or not. If people support Obama because they agree with the direction he wants to take this country in, so be it. I respect that. But there are a lot of people out there backing this guy because he gives them hope or he makes them feel good about themselves or he's a great orator(on the teleprompter anyway). Those are not what makes a great President. And frankly, that'll wear off in about a month after he's inaugurated. Then what'll we be left with?
There is a third option: People who support Obama because they dislike McCain's "direction" more. The joys of a two-party system.
True, the "lesser of two evils" scenario. Believe me, many conservatives are reluctantly voting for McCain. His positions on illegal immigration, climate change, and campaign finance reform leave a lot to be desired.
Yep that's a strong theme of defense...For all Obama has done "wrong" on stating he didn't receive money from oil companies when he did, or "accidentally" fudging up numbers in his approved ads, or the FISA turnaround, or the vocal disapproval he made of Wesley Clark's jaded comments (concerning McCain), or the gun rights embracement issue, or supporting Israel the way he does,...etc. ...the theme of comeback from my good backslapping liberal friends is ....well,...er...uh..what is the other option? McCain... Like Mulder suggested, Obama hasn't shown himself to be liberal enough... What some of these silly-willys don't realize is I think highly of Obama (just don't tell them that)... A million times better than a Gore or Kerry option....
Huh?...You don't agree that Obama is so much better? Look you know I lean right on almost all issues except social issues...Honestly,...He is the best Democratic candidate since Bill Clinton, ...yes he has his faults, but I think Obama has the potential to be good...
I don't agree with you saying that's what the reply to you has been (though it may be what you heard), but what would you want or expect to hear? I have criticized Obama's campaign, for one. But do you want people to say "oh noes, I am done supporting that guy after $1.3 million turned into $2 million in a 30 second ad!"
Not at all, B-Bob...I just want to put Obama under the microscope and to analyze where his weaknesses might be...I really do think of him highly...He has strong command prescence, charisma, and impressed me with his debates versus Hillary (who I thought had the intellectual edge)...He has the potential to be good or even great...
