OBAMA'S BIG TENT

[mikekohr]

Aug. 24, 2007 | WASHINGTON -- It was sort of like finding a Christmas tree in a cornfield. In late July and early August, Iowa Republican voters were asked to name their choice for president in a University of Iowa poll. Mitt Romney, who leads most Iowa surveys, got 22 percent of the total. Rudy Giuliani came in second with 10 percent. But third place went to a Democrat, Barack Obama, who got nearly 7 percent -- more than Mike Huckabee, John McCain and Sam Brownback combined.

Not to worry: The Obama campaign isn't likely to join the Grand Old Party, and pollsters are convinced that Obama has exactly zero chance of winning the Republican caucus in Iowa. But something is going on. "I don't want to make too much of it," says David Redlawsk, the professor who commissioned the poll. "But I do think that the message Obama is putting out right now is the most likely to reach across party lines."

There are other signs of Obama's crossover appeal. Over the last several months, Frank Luntz, a Republican pollster, has been holding focus groups for various media organizations like Fox News to find out what the public thinks of the presidential candidates. "I would ask Republicans, 'Which Democratic candidate would you accept? Who would you consider to vote for?'" Luntz says. "Obama would get more than everybody else combined. Hillary and Edwards have no crossover voters."

A recent poll by the Washington Post and ABC News revealed a third data point in Obama's favor: When asked in July which Democratic candidate has the best chance to defeat a Republican in a general election, Republicans and independents were more likely than Democrats to pick Obama over Clinton. In fact, among Democrats, only 22 percent said Obama was the best general election candidate, while 54 percent flagged Clinton as the best in the general election. But among Republicans, 33 percent said Obama was the best candidate, and 37 percent said Hillary. In other words, Republicans were about 11 points more likely than Democrats to see Obama as the best shot for a Democratic White House.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/08/24/obama_gop/

[Nimrod2005]

1. The Obama Republicans!!!

[MethuenProgressive]

2. I don't want a candidate trying to "appeal" to Repugs.

I want one intent on destroying them.

In fact, among Democrats, only 22 percent said Obama was the best general election candidate, while 54 percent flagged Clinton as the best in the general election.

[BeyondGeography]

3. Democrats are good at picking losers...they've done it 7 of the last 10 elections

Not saying Hillary is necessarily a loser, but your argument certainly is. And if we nominate her because she's "intent on destroying Republicans," and that turns out to be the one thing she's good at, she'll be a one-term president and preside over four years of chaos (if she wins).

[MethuenProgressive]

4. Nice Obama pic in your post.

You can support someone who sucks up to the people destroying our country if you want to.
And hey, if she's only a one term President, that'll open the door for her VP - and it'll be Obama for sure.

[BeyondGeography]

5. Sucking up to the right...do you really want to go there?

[MethuenProgressive]

6. Where's your pic of Obama and Warren Buffet?

"There’s class warfare, all right, but it’s my class, the rich class, that’s making war, and we’re winning." - Warren Buffet, Billionaire Obama Backer, New York Times, November 26, 2006.

[BeyondGeography]

7. Warren Buffet? The guy who opposed tax cuts for the rich and openly roots for Democrats?

The anti-kill the estate tax Warren Buffet?

The quote you cite is not a victory dance by Buffet, it's a lamentation.

[MethuenProgressive]

8. I give you credit - you're a true believer.

Obama's base supporters are enthusiastic, and that's the truth.
I see why he needs Republican support, if he's nominated.
He has to learn it's Democratic support he needs to win that nomination.

[Odin2005]

10. Alright then, lets bring out the gas chambers.

:eyes:

[Odin2005]

9. *Odin sees Obama-bashers go ballistic...*

If you what to understand why Obama is getting so many crossover votes reading The Audacity of Hope is a good idea. Before the Obama bashers scream out and cuss some more I'd like to point out that the average Republican is NOT the same thing as the leadership of the Republican Party. As Obama constantly points out, Americans AGREE on far more things then they disagree.