Obama as the Unselfish Candidate

[George_Bonanza]

Though I'm a big Obama supporter, I've always wondered why some Republicans and Independents were willing to cross over for a pretty liberal candidate (Obama's no Zell Miller). Sure, he can speechify like few else, but Bill Clinton had that ability as well, and the righties despise him. So what is Obama's appeal?

Then I read this Salon article (http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/02/06/obama/), which contained a quote from a young Republican-turned-Obama-supporter: "I truly believe that he is the only Democrat I've ever trusted. Even given his liberal ideas, he would put what is best for America at the forefront." In essence, crossover voters believe that Obama has the country's interest at heart, and not his own ambitions or lobbyist-influenced agenda. They see in him a genuine love for the country and its ideals that will be his guiding star even in the foggy haze of ambition, rivalries, and the other distractions from idealistic politics. And they're so swayed by his sincerity that they're willing to maybe, just maybe, believe in liberal ideals if Obama does, because he would never believe in anything that would be harmful to America.

In contrast, Hillary is seen as the ultimate self-serving politician. She may be smart and adept, but she is perceived as being motivated by at least as much as personal glory as by patriotism. A lot of people do not trust that, and least of all Independents and Republicans who do not share any kind of party loyalty with her.

Obama is the Unselfish Candidate. I think I finally figured it out.

[TwilightGardener]

1. It's true. People just sense that he's decent and genuine, and that he

loves this country and wants what's best for it.

[REDFISHBLUEFISH]

2. Vote for me or I'll tell my voters to stay home Obama! That one?

You are clearly not listening to his underlying messages.

[Apollo11]

4. He cannot make independents vote Democratic if he is not on the ticket.

This is the point that Obama has been trying to make.

[Qutzupalotl]

6. That's not what he's saying.

He's talking about the war. He was against it, she voted for the IWR. Many of his supporters won't go for her. He's not TELLING them to stay home.

[Apollo11]

3. It seems to be part of Obama's appeal

I made a similar observation in a post about 38 hours ago ...

www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4401654&mesg_id=4401711

[Flabbergasted]

5. There is a real issue with this though:

Obama is going to be painted as someone who is corrupt in a number of ways, justified or unjustified. This will dampen his appeal and possibly swing the election. The good thing about Hillary in the GE is Americans have truly heard everything that can be said about her. Any attacks on her will have much less of an effect.

That said, I'm an Obama supporter.

[katty]

7. hillary has been abused for decades - she is teflon