Likability counts. It may seem stupid that it's so critical in a general

[cali]

election, but it is. And that's just a huge obstacle for Clinton. She is not liked by far too many voters in this country. Her high negatives mean she has to get out every democratic vote, and can't rely at all on independents or repukes. You really think repuke women will vote for her? Only if she's running against old huckleberry. College kids? She doesn't inspire them to come out and vote. African Americans? She's already in trouble with an unknown number of them.

Face it, Clinton is not someone people like or trust. She's no Bill and emotional moments won't move voters in the general to vote for her.

There's really nothing she can do about this. Months and months of campaigning have NOT changed the very negative opinions that Americans have about her. Don't expect her negatives to do anything but grow if she's the nominee.

It's doubtful that Hillary can pull together the type of coalition she needs in order to win in November, and all the triangulating quasi-dishonest tactics the Clintons are so renowned for, won't change that.

[AndyTiedye]

1. Likeability Is an Issue With All Our Candidates

Especially if they run Fuckabee.

[Bonobo]

3. I agree about Fuckabee.

[cali]

4. Fuckabee splits the repuke party

every bit as much as the Ghoul- only in the opposite ways. Fiscal conservatives/social moderates will not vote for him. They won't fund him either. There is no way that the repukes I grew up surrounded by will vote for the creep. The cultural gap is just too big.

[Bonobo]

5. Ewwww, you grew up around repukes?

You've done VERY well for yourself, Cali.

[cali]

11. Well, my family is composed of hard core liberal dems of one degree

or another, but I grew up in New Canaan, CT and Fairfield County is home to rich repukes. I know these folks, and they will not vote for The Fuckabee. (Except perhaps for Ann Coulter's family, and I even doubt they will)

[Bonobo]

13. That is a relief...

because to be honest, Fuckabee comes off as really likeable.

[Quixote1818]

7. No it's not. Edwards and Obama are as likable as Bill Clinton was

when he ran. People love Obama about as much as Princess Diana.

[Bonobo]

2. So do independant votes. Look at the percentages in NH.

He kicked ass among indie voters. That's what we need in the GE.

[Hello_Kitty]

6. I talked to 2 Democrats at different times yesterday, both fairly apolitical.

Both of these women told me they would strongly consider voting for John McCain if Hillary is the nominee. The latest Rasmussen poll on the general shows that nearly a quarter of Democrats would vote for McCain while only 6% of rethugs would vote for Hillary. Factor in the independent votes and we are screwn. :(

[OzarkDem]

9. Ignore Rasmussen

I have a hard time believing any Dem women would vote for McCain.

[Quixote1818]

10. My sister said the same thing. We got in a huge debate about it.

I couldn't believe she said that as she is probably more of a Democrat.

[Hello_Kitty]

14. McCave's image as a 'maverick', as bizarre as it is to those of us who know anything, persists

One of the women told me, I shit you not and with a straight face, that McCain was "pretty decent on social issues." :wow:

Dude gets 0% ratings by Planned Parenthood and most environmental orgs and yet people believe he's a "moderate". :banghead:

[AndyTiedye]

17. Cain's "Maverick" Image is a Testament to the Power of MSM Propaganda

EVERY time they have mentioned McCain's name for as long as I can recall, they use the word "maverick" and "moderate".
Of course, he is no maverick and no moderate, he is calling for escalating and expanding the war even further.

Even though he is calling for a continuation and expansion of Bush**'s failed policies,
the MSM has been able to keep McCain completely untainted by Bush**'s failures.

The people will never get to see this on the evening news:

[OzarkDem]

8. Edwards is the best in this department

that's why the news media doesn't want to cover him.

[gulliver]

12. So much for Obama's idealism. Likability is cynicism.

People don't like the truth. Another disease that leads them to support false leaders.

Obama's big chance in NH was blown. He could have said "Likability is not a good way to choose a leader." That would have been the statement of a good leader. And I would have liked him for it. He would have been helping to cure the people of the brain cancer that drains them to their deaths and attaches at their "have a beer with" receptors.

Obama's nothing special in the likability category anyway. And Hillary is very likable. I judge on improv in news conferences. I take away points for good speeches. Bush (ask any MSM droid) gives good speeches.

[loyalsister]

21. I think that is an insult to some voters

What gives any of us a right to specifically delineate what should and should not be included in the decision process toward voting?
We do not have tests for voting. Just because it isn't my preference what someone else decides does not mean it is my right to diminish their process.

[gulliver]

22. I can accept their process, but I simply can't respect it.

We are now surrounded by marketing methods and media-fueled crazes. I view people who fall for them as innocents captured by the enemy. I don't disrespect them. I just feel like they are lost.

[paulk]

15. likeability doesn't necessarily translate into people voting

against you - or for you, for that matter.

------------


you know what? this is a bullshit thread. That's all - bottom line. It's just more of the same partisan nonsense that has turned this website into such a pile of shit. There was a time when you, Cali, could at least be counted on to provide some balance around here - now that you've chosen a candidate I guess that's over. Instead what we get are the same tired nonsense that we've been seeing for the last year vis a vis Hillary. What a disappointment.

[cali]

16. likability does translate into votes

and I've had it with playing fair when so many Clinton supporters don't. I'm fighting back against it. At least I'll vote for her if she's the nominee and I'll defend her against bullshit. I haven't seen any Clinton supporters doing that for Obama. I've seen the opposite.

[paulk]

19. one more person adding to the constant anti Clinton din around

here is such a waste of time... certainly mine, and I think yours also.

You've gone on the attack, and it's with the same tired bullshit that's been a constant of DU.

Whatever.

I'm putting you on "ignore" until after the primaries, because right now your posts aren't worth reading.

[loyalsister]

18. Likability is what gets a person who watches Teevee

to visit the web site and actually read the plans.
Edwards has a false air of likability because he has stayed above the fray. However, there are probably quite a few people representative of some of my family members when it comes to the other candidates.
My mom- who usually votes Republican over abortion- is a Hillary hater. But, she loves Obama.

A couple of sisters are ready to volunteer and have donated for the first time ever- Obama.

Another sister leans toward Obama.

The more my Republican dad worries it won't be his preferred republican the more he thinks he might vote for Obama.

Other young family members are excited over Obama.

A female cousin really wants to support Hillary and is mad that Edwards hasn't done better. Although from up close and personal interaction she doesn't like him.

I have been interested in observing this dynamic along with blogs and I must agree with you. I think Edwards' likability is overestimated and Obama's could be translated a dozen different ways.

[Elidor]

20. Likeability is overrated

It can be a big plus, but it's not absolutely necessary to win.

Exhibit A:



Weasels rate higher for likeability, but this guy was elected twice. Don't underestimate the Asshole Factor. A lot of Americans seem to like the idea of a hard-bitten, mean-spirited leader.

Here's a guy who is very likeable:



It doesn't seem to be doing much for him, however.

I have never had much faith in the intelligence of Americans, but I think, given the extreme importance of this election, more people than normal are looking beyond likeability at what candidates are saying they will do in office. They are less concerned about who they'd like to have a beer with and more concerned about actual issues, because most of them realize our country is in the toilet, and a smiling face is not going to magically change that sad fact.