My dad, lifelong Republican, loves Obama

[MiserableFailure]

He went to the bookstore and bought his book, the Audacity of Hope. He read it through in 2 days. Now my dad reads maybe one book every couple decades, so this is a huge deal. He voted for Bush in 2000(not sure about 2004, but think he either voted Kerry or didn't vote at all) and said that he would vote for Obama in 08 over any Republican, no question about it. But he absolutely detests Hillary and her duplicity and would never vote for her. I realize that this is just one person but I don't really think that Hillary can win the general. Obama just seems like a much cleaner and respectable candidate to a lot of people.

P.S.- My dad was against the war from the beginning and he respects Obama a lot for opposing it from the beginning, unlike Edwards and Hillary(both have blood on their hands). I don't like either as a candidate but I at least respect Edwards for having the courage to admit that his vote was wrong, and Hillary never will. All she does is talk about how it's "George Bush's war", blah blah blah. Just shut up, Hillary. Or she says that "she never thought Bush would ignore the UN" or some bullshit like that. It's a cop-out. You voted for the war. It's your vote. Own it. Take responsibility for it.

[sellitman]

1. He should look at Edwards.

He polls very well with moderates and actually beats Repugs in head to head polls. Something that can't be said of Clinton or Obama,

Yet

[MiserableFailure]

2. Edwards comes off to a lot of people as slick

and not honest. It may not be the truth but it's how he comes off to some.

[sellitman]

7. That's the opposite of what I see.

Outside of the retarded haircut none issue Edwards has put forth more ideas than the other 2 combined. He has addressed Health Care, the Poor, the environment and the War with documents not just sound bites.

[maximusveritas]

3. That's not true. Both Hillary and Obama beat the Repugs

according to the latest polls. In fact, in the latest Zogby, Edwards was the only candidate NOT to beat the Repugs.

[MiserableFailure]

4. Interesting

So the guy claims that Edwards is the only one who wins heads up but in fact it's the opposite? Looks like the candidate is not the only slick one

[maximusveritas]

5. He's probably just not up-to-date

It was true a month or so ago, but not anymore.

[Dawgs]

9. Huh? Obama does just as well in head to head polls and does extremely well with moderates.

http://www.pollster.com/ATrialHeatsALL.php

[TeamJordan23]

6. Obama has that appeal to cross party lines and win over Repubs and Independents.

He brings a new perspective to politics and will vow to end polarizing politics.

[bunkerbuster1]

14. I honestly believe that appeal more than compensates for the "won't vote for a black man" thing

I too have encountered people who've surprised me with very complimentary things to say about Obama.

I think a lot of folks really want to like him, and are surprised to find it's not that hard to do. If that makes sense.

[Totally Committed]

8. Just shows that one person's ray of hope is another's red flag....

I'm actually watching and listening for the ones the Republicans feel they can support in this race. I probably won't vote for the same candidate(s) I see them opting for. Not at all.

TC

[flpoljunkie]

12. Alright then, let's nominate someone the R's would crawl over broken glass to vote against--

no matter who ends up as their nominee. And that someone is, of course, Hillary Clinton.

[bunkerbuster1]

15. No reason not to nominate her, though.

I'm not her biggest fan, but this whole stupid "She'll alienate fascists!" is one of the dopier arguments against I've heard.

[flpoljunkie]

16. You're joking, of course. It's not just the "facists" who will react this way.

I would be very doubtful that OP MiserableFailure's dad could be classified as such.

[bunkerbuster1]

17. Not joking. Most people barely know her.

...although they think they do.

She'd have an opportunity to redefine herself and peel away a lot of voters who've staked themselves to "not votin'/nohow" position so beloved by headline-hungry pollsters.

And it's not like we'd need a whole lot of 'em.

[flpoljunkie]

18. Hillary Clinton has a very well known record. Opinions about her are pretty much entrenched.

[bunkerbuster1]

19. And to that I'll say--everyone thought so before she ran for Senate

I remember reading how she was going to get clobbered in upstate NY because everyone just knew she was shrill, shrewish, yadda yadda. Didn't work out that way.

Most Americans don't know squat about her. I doubt most have heard more than 15 seconds in a sound bite here or there for the past six years.

Again, I am not backing her, but I think the degree of misogyny or "Clinton fatigue" out there, and so beloved by our media, is probably somewhat overblown.

My main problem with her isn't her "electability" but rather her willingness to triangulate. And that's just who she is; love her, love her triangulation. I'd rather a genuine progressive, i.e. one willing to bust the military industrial complex down a few well-needed notches, provide a single-payer healthcare plan, and promote a serious energy conservation policy.

[Totally Committed]

21. I happen to agree with you on Mrs. Clinton.

I don't like her. I can't trust her. And, as you say, the Republican base would "crawl across broken glass" to vote against her.

But, I'm not thrilled with most of the field this time out. Way too many DLC hacks drowning out the soft and tenative populist messages. I can't get excited about anyone yet.

There are several waiting on the sidelines that I could get excited for, and I'm hoping one or more them will enter the race.

TC

[illinoisprogressive]

10. Obama is converting people to become democrats everyday.

[laugle]

29. Time will tell whether this translates into votes.

[RFKJr4PRES]

11. Obama is helping Bush pretend that Iran is a threat

Iran is not a threat AT ALL and yet Obama as well as other top tier candidates continue to enable Bush's lies by pretending that is a threat that needs to be dealt with. All Bullshit. The US is the threat that needs to be dealt
with. We have no right to point the finger at anyone.

That is very promising that your Dad is opening his eyes, now is a good time to give him the whole truth. Obama has voted for funding of the war in Iraq, and has done nothing to stop it while in the Senate. One speech does not make a man. He was in no position to vote at the time, but judging from his votes and rhetoric while in the Senate, as well as his appeasement of Bush's sorry appointments, I doubt that he would have voted against the Iraq war. He is not a strong leader in my opinion.

[RFKJr4PRES]

20. How are Edwards, Hillary, Obama considered leaders?

What have they led on? They have done nothing to stop the gross abuses of this government, and in many cases openly supported them.

We need to demand more from our leaders. The Democratic nominee is supposed to be the best we have to offer.

[Ethelk2044]

25. Obama is not helping Bush. This is Bull Shit

[RFKJr4PRES]

26. THIS is bullshit!

"Allowing Iran, a radical theocracy that supports terrorism and openly threatens its neighbors, to acquire nuclear weapons is a risk we cannot take," said Obama in a statement read aloud to reporters. "All nations need to understand that, while Iran's most explicit and intolerable threats are aimed at Israel, its conduct threatens all of us."

[BigDDem]

13. Tell your dad to buy a bumper sticker

he can be considered a donor.

[Catchawave]

22. Funny, all the Republicans I know

like Edwards :D

Funny you mentioned Obama being "cleaner" ... didn't you call Biden a racist for saying Obama was clean?

[MiserableFailure]

23. I called Biden a racist

For saying that Obama was the first clean black candidate...

That's a bit different than saying that Obama comes off as cleaner than Edwards. I guess you can accuse me of hating white people though. lol

[Catchawave]

24. You said:

biden is a racist.

I have the link if you need it :D

[zulchzulu]

27. I've met a decent amount of moderate Republicans that will vote for Obama

And the best part is that they will probably leave the Republican Party for good as well...

[flaminbats]

28. the Audacity of Hope..

one of the best books I have ever read, and like your father I couldn't put it down! anyone who votes in the Democratic primary needs to read it, anyone who has questions about Obama's agenda or believes he has been too vague will feel differently after reading it.