I'm Concerned that something Ugly in the American Psyche might come out if/when Obama

[Mike03]

wins the Democratic nomination, as it appears he can.

What we are witnessing, for many of us, is almost too good to be true: a Woman and an African American in a headlock over the Presidency of the United States of America.

I really can't stand to get my hopes up again only to have them dashed, and that is probably true for many others here.

They are both superbly capable, but it appears that Obama has the momentum. It would be truly awesome of he were to win the nomination, because there is not a doubt in mind he could defeat McCain without even breaking a sweat.

Please reassure me that there is no "other shoe" that is doing to drop. This political season has seemed like a dream--almost too good, too improbable--to be happening the way it is unfolding. Eight years of Bush has pushed me into the realm of paranoia. Is this somehow another trick, another illusion? Are we being set up to be disappointed? For every voter that has dreamed of someone like Obama becoming POTUS, there is someone who is fearful of that reality as well. The same could probably be said of Hillary Clinton as well.

If the U.S. voters should elect either Obama or Clinton, but especially Obama, it will seem to me to be like evidence of some transcendence or at least elevation in the national consciousness that I never in a million years expected.

If Bush has done anything right, maybe he has been such an appalling, hideous human being that he has propelled us into a higher consciousness.

Can this really happen? Can Obama be our next president?

There are two groups of people who can't believe this is happening: People who have eagerly awaited this day for their entire lives, and people who have feared this day for their entire lives. It is the group that fears this day that worries me.

[monmouth]

1. Yes he can!

[lligrd]

2. Great Answer! nt

[NastyRiffraff]

3. I hope either Hillary or Obama will be our next president

I prefer Hillary, but either one is 1,000 times better than McCain.

I AM worried about the next swiftboat-type attack, more in Obama's caes than Hillary's, if only because she's faced these things before and won't hesitate to counter them strongly and immediately. I'm not sure about Obama.

However, this primary, and this presidential election, will certainly be in the history books!

[John Q. Citizen]

22. How does Hillary counter them? What does she do that others might not?

Is it that she goes on TV and uses strong language?

Or does she have some tool or mechanism that others might not?

I only ask because I've heard this said, almost as a truism, but never explained in terms of the mechanism employed that would divert, defend against, or make such a swift boating attack harmless.

I do know that when someone posted results of a poll that showed that 47& of the country says they would never vote for Hillary, some of her supporters blamed it on years of attacks by the right wing.

I'm wondering why if such a large percentage of people won't vote for her, that then the same people claim that she is immune to these attacks. It seems to me, that if a swift boat attack could turn just 4% of the country against her that she would then reach the 51% level, where 51% of the country wouldn't vote for her.

Thanks for clearing this up.

I agree that either candidate would be 1000 times better than McCain.

[DearAbby]

24. In Case you hadn't noticed

But each time anyonehas gone negative it has backfired. People are sick of it. Everytime Hillary had gone negative on Obama, it has backfired, last night being the latest example. I do believe its going to happen, not only YES, He Can...It is Yes, We Will.

[dailykoff]

4. He won't have any trouble winning the popular vote, no.

That's been clear since Iowa. The question is whether he'll be allowed to take office. The Exxon-Halliburton gang has lots of ways of preventing that from happening, including the president's private hit squad, also known as the CIA.

[I Vote In Pittsburgh]

5. That's a great line you wrote there

"If Bush has done anything right, maybe he has been such an appalling, hideous human being that he has propelled us into a higher consciousness."

:thumbsup:

At this point, we can only hope that this is the case.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

6. We already see a lot of ugliness towards Hillary - Obama will be next, I'm sure.

They say that discrimination always includes an uptick in it when the minority group begins to gain equal and individual footing. There will be people who will be threatened by that.

This will bring out a lot of ugliness - which may be good or bad. Perhaps good because it may show people that there are still problems that need to be addressed. There's a lot of denial.

[dailykoff]

8. Did you watch last night's debate?

The "ugliness" is coming from Camp Clinton. She got roundly booed on freaking CNN, her personal propaganda channel, when she tried it last night. That's who's bringing out the ugliness.

[rodeodance]

14. a few booos from Obama folks with Bad manners in not "roundly booed" thingy.

[dailykoff]

16. Listen to the clip.

I had a long commute this morning and heard it several times on several stations. Widespread and unmistakable booing, hollering, and general disapproval from card carrying Dems no less!

[catgirl]

17. And some of those who fear this day are right here

blasting every single Obama thread and dissing Obama supporters
at every chance with venom dripping from mouths.

[Alexander]

19. So the whole audience was Obama supporters? I guess they "don't count".

[kerry-is-my-prez]

21. I wasn't saying that the ugliness was Obama towards Clinton - but others towards her.

I meant mainly people who have problems with discrimination towards minority groups.

Now that you mention it, I guess the ugliness of Obama supporters towards Clinton supporters could also be called rather ugly too.

Is it "Projection" perhaps on your part?

[Bucky]

7. it can't be uglier than what came out in us when we "elected" Bush

[dailykoff]

13. Bingo. It's not "the American psyche," it's the freaking American business class,

a euphemism for predatory transnational corporations (read, Houston-based piracy outfits) and the insanely rich criminals running them.

[Crunchy Frog]

9. I am too, and a part of me is really dreading it.

I do think that in the end, this ugly side of our culture will be transcended and Obama will be our next president. I'm expecting to see some real nastiness before that happens though. (Heck, I've already seen some truly appalling things here on DU.)

[TheWraith]

10. Remember this phrase: Eight years of Bush.

Eight years of the Shrub has affected everybody in the country, and for all but the 20-30% who still drink the Kool Aide, they recognize it's been negative. People are desperate for a change, and don't care as much about nitpicking details about candidates as they once might have. They care about the war, the economy, and altering the way politics has been done over the last 14 years.

[nomorewhopper]

11. i think we will witness something beautiful if Obama is the nominee!

a black man president?

honestly, it's going to happen. think about it. just a hundred fifty years ago, we had slavery in this country. it's incredible that a black man born of modest stock (not the nobility required to lead many other nations) can achieve so much. because of that i do worry about his safety, because he is indeed a symbol for so much change. but i think it will be wonderful to see so many people looking past the color of his skin and electing him to lead our nation

[Blue_Roses]

12. I know what you mean...

it's like you don't want to get too close (emotionally) to them because we've been "hurt" and "let-down" so many times.

However, it's time for this country to have someone who cares about the little people.

It's the year when the Democratic party takes office--whomever that candidate may be. No more elephants in the living room:D

[jesus_of_suburbia]

15. Whoever gets the nomination, we must FIGHT FOR THEM!

Fight hard like we've never fought before.

[bling bling]

18. Obama supporters in red states will have to go the extra mile.

It's up to us to reach the people you fear. Information is power. And that is what will make the difference.

The freeper types aren't the ones we need to worry about. They're smart enough to pay attention, they watch both Republican and Democratic debates. They're political nerds like we are, really. They spin spin spin but they aren't the ones we need to be concerned about. They're willfully tunnel visioned and partisan.

But there are people who we do need to try and at least talk to. Think rural midwestern and southern red states. The type of people who Rove targeted with the gay wedge issues. The type of people who Rove targeted with the mass mailings that Kerry would make abortion mandatory and Christianity illegal. The kind of people who get their information from their fellow churchgoers and the guys at work as opposed to CNN and MSNBC, or even Free Republic. These are the people the Republicans will try to drive to the elections by telling them that Obama will take away their guns and use the Presidency to push his muslim and/or black agenda.

These are the people we'll need to go out of our way to reach and show them who we really are. Stop letting the Republicans control the information and our message. These are the people who vote Republican because they believe Rush Limbaugh who describes Democrats as power-hungry snobs who want to take over the country and enact our liberal agenda (see Rove mailers part above).

I'm in Missouri and I'm planning to do some road trips around my state this year. It will be a great opportunity for baby bling bling and I to get out of the house AND do some sight-seeing too. There are some very beautiful areas in Missouri that I've only seen once or twice. It will be worthwhile regardless of whether I really make a difference or not for Obama. I don't see how it could hurt. I hope many Obama supporters in red states will be doing this also.

[RufusEarl]

20. This line: "It is the group that fears this day that worries me"

I think from your OP that you fear for our candidates lives, and i completely agree with you. After hearing that Obama's security was not checking bags and other items being carried into the arena in Dallas, with crowds @ 17,000 worries me.

Allot of people have been comparing Obama to JFK, we must remember what happened to JFK and do everything we can to prevent anything like that ever happening again.

Peace!

[NMMNG]

23. Something ugly in the American psyche has already come out

[cd3dem]

25. Can Barack Hussein Obama be president? Just got my third copy of "the email" from California.

people voted for Bush because he promised to keep them safe...

Obama said last night in reference to his National Security experience.. he would keep us safe... sounds like Bush but I do not think Bushies will believe it... he has NO National Security experience! where has he been and who has he spoken to or delegated with in other countries? No one!! ... they will believe he is a Muslim... that is what they do!

[pleah]

26. Yes he can!, just doesn't cut it with me! He better have some fucking answers

[Forkboy]

27. The American psyche already is ugly, and has been for a long time now.

Unlike Michelle Obama I'm still waiting to feel proud of my country.