How Voters Think

[Joemailman]

I know that political rallies are pep fests. I just don't like the religious revival feel to the Obama events. They talk like they are on a righteous mission of good versus evil, but actually they just want to get somebody elected.

Obama says that he will fight special interests, he's down on lobbyists. I really doubt that he will attempt to do anything significant in this area. Campaign Finance Reform, the real solution, seems dead in the water because of First Amendment concerns.

It seems to me that Ralph Nader is the one on the scene that is talking realistically about fighting corporate control of the government. The major parties are not in a position to reform themselves. I'm not anti-corporate, corporations should be able to lobby government, they are an important part of society. But Nader is the one speaking truth to power, as they say.

Obama may very well beat Clinton in California on Tuesday. If he does, the Obama triumph will be all but inevitable. I think the Clintons lost the election in South Carolina.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epo...imary-259.html

Edwards tried to talk truth to power, and the mainstream media, who are all owned by huge corporations, did their best to pretend he didn't exist. This is very difficult for a candidate to overcome, and Edwards could not do it. There are very powerful people who want to maintain the status quo, and reducing their power will be very difficult.

[LL2]

I don't know, it is all just like a Tony Robbins seminar.

We can change the world - yes we can! yes we can! yes we can!

But the only change they are really talking about is electing Obama, that's the whole show.

Bill Clinton had that same feel back in 1992. They were singing "can't stop thinking about tomorrow..." all the way to the White House.

[Deputy Nutz]

I liked Hillary's response to the kenard about family dynasties: "It did take a Clinton to clean up after the first Bush, and it might take another Clinton to clean up after the second Bush."

Sounds like the Clintons used to work at a whore house.

[Deputy Nutz]

It always looks like McCAin has a big swollen left cheek (If you're looking at the TV it's on the right).

It's strange looking.


Yes he is VERY old. I just keep hoping he wins because the conservative media is going absolutely crazy and I love it.

Ann Coulter has endorsed Clinton because she Says Clinton is more conservative than McCain. I actually think the Talk radio conservatives might prefer a Dem win the election rather than McCain. A McCain win could spur a resurgence of moderate Republicans who have been marginalized since Dole lost in 1996. Besides, a Dem in the White House, especially if it's Clinton, with a Democratic congress, would be great cannon fodder for their agenda.

This just drives me nuts. McCain actually votes the way he thinks and feels in congress to hopefully best represent the state of Arizona. But yet because he doesn't walk the party line on things the republican voice won't get behind him, they would rather vote against their party for someone that won't give them anything they want.

[MadScientist]

I liked Hillary's response to the kenard about family dynasties: "It did take a Clinton to clean up after the first Bush, and it might take another Clinton to clean up after the second Bush."

Sounds like the Clintons used to work at a whore house.

A pretty apt description of a George Bush Whitehouse.

That is one of her best lines, but it still doesn't change the fact that she is the poorest of the Democratic candidates. She may win the nomination, but she will have to overcome the loss of the disillusioned new voters that Barack has brought to the table, along with the independents and moderate repubs that would have voted for him.

They try to frame it as the safe choice (Clinton) vs the risky one (Obama), but, really, Hillary is safe enough to lose. Every time Democrats play it safe, they lose. It's the same playbook that brought you Humphrey, Mondale, Dukakis, and Kerry.

[Harlan Huckleby]

She may win the nomination, but she will have to overcome the loss of the disillusioned new voters that Barack has brought to the table

yes, I've heard a lot about these people. They are the dem equivalent of Ann Coulter, who announces she is voting for Clinton if McCain gets the nomination. Maybe some children will hold their breath and stamp their feet if Hillary gets nomination, but not that many.

Every time Democrats play it safe, they lose. It's the same playbook that brought you Humphrey, Mondale, Dukakis, and Kerry.

Those were all weak candidates, with the possible exception of Mondale. Clinton is a superb debater and dynamic campaigner who has a VERY passionate following.
I don't see Clinton as a safe candidate because of her high negatives. It seems to me that Obama folks are playing the safe card because Obama does modestly better in matchup polls against McCain.

The general election is going to be a learning experience for Obama fans, whether the nominee is Clinton or Obama. It is going to be a tough fight for either. Either will be diminished by the process, and especially so for Obama.

I'll be happy with Obama as president, but I expect him to do some stumbling in first term. Just one example: Hillary's health care plan that insists on mandatory participation shows that she has a better feel for how things work, and how the Republicans will subvert efforts by the Democrats.

[MadScientist]

She may win the nomination, but she will have to overcome the loss of the disillusioned new voters that Barack has brought to the table

yes, I've heard a lot about these people. They are the dem equivalent of Ann Coulter, who announces she is voting for Clinton if McCain gets the nomination. Maybe some children will hold their breath and stamp their feet if Hillary gets nomination, but not that many.

No, they are new people who have not firmly established their political identity, independents who look for integrity, and moderate republicans who are ticked at Bush. Obama gets them, Clinton doesn't.

Every time Democrats play it safe, they lose. It's the same playbook that brought you Humphrey, Mondale, Dukakis, and Kerry.

Those were all weak candidates, with the possible exception of Mondale. Clinton is a superb debater and dynamic campaigner who has a VERY passionate following.
I don't see Clinton as a safe candidate because of her high negatives. It seems to me that Obama folks are playing the safe card because Obama does modestly better in matchup polls against McCain.

Clinton is a weak candidate. I will give that she is good in the debates, and more energetic than McCain (only Fred Thompson wasn't). But even to the people that don't demonize her, she still comes across as just another political weasel saying anything to win and standing for nothing. That's why she will do poorly with new voters and independents. McCain comes across as more honest, even if he has spent the last 4 years selling out to Bush and would make horrible appointments to the courts.

[Joemailman]

Cinton's mantra of "I will be ready to be President from day one" is getting really old in my view. A four year term is a long time, and I'm more interested in who has more potential to grow into the role of an outstanding President than I am with who will be more ready on day one. If I'm willing to consider taking a chance on a relative newcomer as I approach the age of 50, I have to believe that much younger voters are even more inclined to do so.

Of course, I always vote, so I will be there on election day no matter who the nominees are. The big question is whether Obama's young followers will show up if he is not the nominee.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Clinton is a weak candidate. I will give that she is good in the debates, and more energetic than McCain.

Clinton is an extraodinary politician. Perhaps Obama even more so. You have no idea how unusual this election is.

she still comes across as just another political weasel saying anything to win and standing for nothing. That's why she will do poorly with new voters and independents.

I see. Clinton is selling snake oil. Whereas Obama is delivering the real goods: hope, change, unity, end of politics as usual, yes we can! yes we can!

I would suggest that Obama is marketing an empty vessel into which anyone can pour whatever they want. Thus his broad appeal. Check out one of those books advertised in back of men's magazines, "How to Pickup Women", (I know a guy who wrote such a book , what a dope!) those books will tell you: don't say too much, be vague and allow the woman to project into you what she wants.

And if you think new voters are gifted as truth detectors, well, you have a very dim view of life. People actually get wiser as they see more, especially in their ability to judge character.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Cinton's mantra of "I will be ready to be President from day one" is getting really old in my view. A four year term is a long time

I think its necessary to strip away all this stuff.

Choosing a president is simple: try to get to know the mind of the person as best you can, and picture how they will deal with tough decisions. 95% of what is said in campaigns is a distraction.

[hoosier]

Choosing a president is simple: try to get to know the mind of the person as best you can, and picture how they will deal with tough decisions. 95% of what is said in campaigns is a distraction.

Sounds to me like a fancy way of saying, Project into them whatever it is you want :P

[The Leaper]

She will never win-over the Leapers of this world who heard on talk radio in 1994 that she is a bitch - that's his story and he's sticking to it.

Again...

It is from reading the memoirs of people who worked INSIDE the Clinton administration, not talk radio or some "conservative" outlet. People who share most of the Clinton's viewpoints on the issues still view Bill as a hothead and Hillary as a bitch. Claiming that viewpoint only comes from Limbaugh or O'Reilly is ignoring the facts.

Her own party has been yelling and screaming at her and Bill to tone it down the last few weeks. Maybe you've missed it. But I guess those people are all part of conservative talk radio.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Her own party has been yelling and screaming at her and Bill to tone it down the last few weeks.

Hillary has been a bitch in this campaign? I'd give her the Miss Congeniality Award.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Choosing a president is simple: try to get to know the mind of the person as best you can, and picture how they will deal with tough decisions. 95% of what is said in campaigns is a distraction.

Sounds to me like a fancy way of saying, Project into them whatever it is you want :P

OK, you scored a couple points here, but its still early rounds.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I am mad as hell. In West Virginia, the McCain supporters in caucuses voted for Huckabee so that Romney would end up getting no delegates.

What a corrupt subversion of democracy!

Leaper & JustinHarrel argued that Huckabee's voters are all mormon-hating evangelicals, but the exit polls and analysts are unequivicol: Huckabee is running interference for McCain in the South, taking voters who would mostly fall to Romney.

I hate Mitt. I like Mike. But I can't stand the spoiler role that Huckabee is playing. I'm glad that Edwards got out of the race, even though most of his supporters have evidently fallen to Obama. Let the people have the say!