Does this bother anyone else as much as it bothers me?

[Up2Late]

Hint: It bothers me A LOT!:grr:

<http://store.barackobama.com/product_p/st26797-50.htm>

<http://store.barackobama.com/Stickers_s/500.htm>

That and the fact that Obama says he wants to Unite the Country, yet his campaign appears to be about "Divide and Conquer," or to use his own words,

"I think it is fair to say that I believe I can bring the country together more effectively than she can..."

<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/14/AR2007081401939.html?hpid=topnews>

Compare and contrast Obama's sticker store to Senator Clinton's:

<http://www.hillarystore.com/stickers.htm>

[mmonk]

1. Not as much as the DLC.

Republican voters going to Obama instead of their own party isn't a negative. The voters are different from the party bosses.

[havocmom]

15. Right. Lots of Republican VOTERS really do want the change Obama is talking about

And lots of sane VOTERS of both parties know that the extreme partisanship of the past 15 years is bringing America down. The Pols talk about party loyalty, but there is too much disloyalty to THE VOTERS on both sides of the aisle. Too much theatrics and not enough real work getting done. Partisan fight sideshows while the corporations eat America.

Time to gather those who want the country to work again and get them on the job! The letter behind their names does not mean as much as their intentions. It would be good for more people to notice that. This isn't a football game where you live and die for the team. This is life and it does take teamwork.

edit - typo

[mmonk]

39. I have all ready heard some republicans that have had

enough and were going to vote Paul just to go against the national party change their minds and say they would vote for Obama because they saw him as the only agent for change. This was an experience I had so not heresay.

[barack the house]

101. Yep,most independents don't want dirty politcs so Barack is right on target he must not get drawn in

And don't give me Rezko HRC supporters Barack has no culpability in the Rezko story. If there was dirt on Barack there would be someting more substantial by now.

[surfermaw]

30. Well you should be. Do you think this is the first time Rep. vote Democratic to help pick the one

They want to run against! Come G.E. watch and see how many vote for McCain, I truly hope he is pulling Republicans that are fed up with republicans, lets face it many republicans have voted republican all their lives because daddy did, when their needs fit more on the democratic side, lets hope he has been able to wake them up and get them to switch, but I am doubtfull, frankly I like all three, I would like to see a Hillary---Obama, or a Hillary ___Obama with Edwards as A.T. or either Edwards as VP.. Funny thing I really liked all three,

[Capn Sunshine]

62. Like in Texas? Where they voted for HRC?

of course. People shouldn't be allowed to choose their candidate or have their vote reflect an expression should they.

[elixir]

72. You mean in the caucuses where repugs crossed over to help Obama? Too bad he can't attract Dems.

[Iris]

2. Yes, it bothers me a lot.

Maybe there does need to be some reaching across the aisle, but I doubt all the republicans who are for Obama now will be come November, which makes his reach risky.

[TwilightGardener]

3. Rush Limbaugh's Republicans voted for Hillary in the TX primary--Repubs For Hillary!!!

[DesertFlower]

12. that was a ploy to make her the nominee.

they think she's beatable. they're worried about obama though.

[TwilightGardener]

18. I know. They were laughing at her, the next day. They had to stop Obama.

[surfermaw]

32. Limbaugh, wants people angry enough to vote agains her

Hillary puts the fear of God in republicans, she is their worst dream...He also knows democrats would vote against any thing Rush Limbaugh is for.

[Capn Sunshine]

64. No, he stated she is the one who is beatable. He recognizes the Obama movement will sink the R's

It's a landslide we're shooting for, if HRC would just recognize she's lost.

[Nickster]

4. Huh? So you want this division and rancor to continue? We need to be Americans again.

[Up2Late]

40. This is not about ending "division and rancor," this is a called Pandering, or to put it...

...another way, LYING to get votes.

Yes, I know what you'll probably say, all Politicians do it, all Politicians Lie to get votes, but this far to much "out in the open" to not be suspect or sinister.

It just reminds me too much of the open and blatant RW-pandering that FOX "news" does.

[babylonsister]

5. No, and how do you get 'divide and conquer' from 'unite the country'? nt

[Up2Late]

36. Just look at the rest of the stickers on that page, it's all about "divide and conquer" not...

...Democrat for Obama or converting Republican to becone Democrats, this is pandering and it is BAD!























<http://store.barackobama.com/Stickers_s/500.htm>

[babylonsister]

63. People have their own identities they can associate with Obama-

that doesn't mean he's trying to divide anyone. Mountains out of molehills?

[rurallib]

6. No - to me it is a sign that some people are finally waking up

out of a 30 year stupor where they gave their vote and got screwed royally.

[rug]

7. So, you can stay Republican and vote for Obama. Kicking the downticket under the bus.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

16. Sweetie, your candidate is the DISASTER for downticket races

We're having a hard time recruiting candidates for local races where I live because they are so worried about Hillary Clinton being at the top of the Dem ticket will screw them. My friend who is running for state lege is considering dropping out if HRC is the nominee.

The repukes are salivating for her to win the nomination because they know the base will come out in droves to defeat her, while marking R all the way down the ballot like the good little drones they are. Why you Clinton supporters don't see that is beyond me. She is POISON in Red and swing states.

[rug]

22. Then you concede Obama is recruiting Republicans to vote for him and not the ticket.

Your friend sounds pretty weak. He probably should drop out.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

33. First of all, why don't you drag your ass from behind the keyboard and run for a local office

Then tell me how "weak" someone who is actually doing that thankless task is.

Secondly, Obama is recruiting moderate and low-efficacy Republicans, who have historically shown themselves to be willing to vote Dem in all kinds of races. They are a very different animal from mouthbreathing Dittoheads and fundies.

[rug]

69. First, you don't have a clue what I do.

And your apocrophyal friend quitting in the middle of a race shouldn't have run in the first place.

Second, Obama is recruiting Republicans for Obama. Republicans who switch do so by switching parties, not personalities.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

78. No I don't have any clue what you do but I suspect it's not very momentous

As for Obama recruiting Republicans to vote for him, well duh. That's how you win elections by big margins, and the kind of mandate that brings with it. But I'm sure you already knew that, seeing as how you're a big-time political hotshot of some sort and all. :eyes:

[rug]

79. And again you underscore the point that it's Republicans for Obama not for the Democratic ticket.

And your suspicions are uninteresting.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

83. Once again you prove that your political instincts are woefully blunted

You don't get Republicans to embrace a Democratic ticket right off the bat. That will never happen. What you do is get them to embrace an inpirational candidate and the rest will follow. It's how the Reagan Democrats became loyal Republicans.

You have to admit that Obama has a way better chance of starting the process of converting Repubs to Dems than Clinton ever will.

[rug]

88. "get them to embrace an inpirational candidate and the rest will follow"

The only thing that will follow is a rightward drift to placate them and keep personal power.

And they will turn on him on a dime when the inspiration wears off.

I'm glad you embrace Reagan as an inspirational leader.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

90. I see you're one of the ones who had a conniption over the Reagan statement

Here's some educational reading for you:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/1/17/105720/622/269/438076

[rug]

98. No, it was your statement.

Reagan ran on a platform based not on hope and inclusion but fear and exclusion. His first major act was union busting, followed by massive miltary contracts, interspersed with gun running to fascists.

You can link to all the diaries on kos you want and it won't change history.

To in any fashion allude to Reagan as a political model is ignorant and disgusting.

But I'll give you one point for the use of conniption.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

103. "To in any fashion allude to Reagan as a political model is ignorant and disgusting.

Holy McCarthyism, Batman.

Just so I know, what other subjects are verboten?

[rug]

105. And you're ignorant of McCarthy as well.

I didn't say it was forbidden, just ignorant and disgusting. Feel free to continue that discussion at Republicans for Obama. They'll validate you.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

106. Beats the hell out of Stick-Up-The-Butt Whiners for Hillary any day!

:rofl:

[rug]

107. When you get up don't forget to pick up your credibility.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

108. Right after I call a WAAAHMbulance for you.

Jesus christ on a pogo stick! Your candidate won something (finally) the other day. Can't you just be happy about it and stop looking for reasons to be outraged?

[DesertFlower]

8. no. my husband changed from repub

to dem to vote for obama. he said "he's had it with the republican party".

[Up2Late]

45. Then why does he need a Republican's for Obama sticker if he has in fact become a Democrat?

Wouldn't he want a Democrat's for Obama sticker? Oh sorry, I see that's NOT one of the options on Obama's website store.

[DesertFlower]

48. my husband doesn't wear a button.

maybe it's a statement to other republicans that they're disgusted.

[Up2Late]

56. Then let an independent organization sell them, he should not sell these...

...or any of the other sub-divided group stickers on his website if he is truly trying to "unite the country."

This may seem like nit picking or just a minor problem to you, but as I see it, it's a small mistake or small lie, but add a bunch of small mistakes or small lies together and you have a major problem.

This, added together with all his other rookie mistakes, are what makes him too vulnerable and too easy for the Republican Hate Machine to exploit and/or eventually take down.

[DesertFlower]

66. you have your opinion and i have mine. nt

[mrreowwr_kittty]

9. Did the Republicans for Kerry bother you back in '04?

I guess you think we can win the GE with the Democratic base only. Sigh. :eyes:

[NYCGirl]

10. Were you bothered by Republicans for Kerry or Republicans for Gore?

http://dkosopedia.com/wiki/Republicans_for_Kerry_2004

http://www.perkel.com/politics/gore/repub.htm

[Up2Late]

49. Did Kerry or Gore have those stickers for sale on their websites?

I don't remember that, but maybe you can find a link to that, since you brought it up?

[NYCGirl]

77. They very well might have. Since I never looked for them, I don't remember. NT

[democrattotheend]

82. I think Dean did

http://www2.demstore.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/scstore/Dean/buttons.html?L+scstore+tjsl1509doneff59f059+1204847466

[mrreowwr_kittty]

91. They probably did. Is that the problem? Stickers?

:crazy:

[gravity]

11. Only Democrats should support Obama?

I don't understand your problem

[sniffa]

13. Your use of large fonts makes a compelling arguement

But no.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

19. I just love how Obama is practically Hitler now to the OP because a few repugs support him.

But will be a perfectly acceptable choice 8 years from now. I guess the stain has an expiration date or something. :shrug:

[Up2Late]

47. Oh NO YOU DIDN'T!!! Tell me you DID NOT just play the " HITLER" Card!!!

You really DO NOT want to go there!!! Do you even know where that Pink Triangle (that you use as your avatar) comes from?!?

Maybe you need a reminder? That was what the Nazi's use to distinguish the Gay people from the others, like Political Prisoners and Jews, in the Nazi Death camps! The Same Nazi Death Camps that almost 1/2 of my family was murdered in during the time of Hitler!

Believe me, my friend, you do NOT want to go down that road.:mad: :grr: :mad:

[DemBones DemBones]

80. Godwin's Law takes down an Obama supporter! nt

[Name removed]

93. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

92. Now that's some great faux outrage there!

Would have been better with some large fonts, but I guess I can't have everything. :shrug:

[HCE SuiGeneris]

29. !

:rofl:

[TheDoorbellRang]

37. !

:rofl:

[SoxFan]

94. Large fonts=More Cowbell

[PurityOfEssence]

14. "together" to do what? Hold hands and "hope" that entrenched interests will give up power?

Did we learn nothing from the Clinton years?

[totodeinhere]

17. There were Republicans for Kennedy in 1960.

You always have these types of organizations. I'm sure that a Democrats for McCain group will also be forthcoming.

[Up2Late]

50. True, you do "...always have these types of organizations..." but this is NOT an Organization...

...this is his Campaign site!

If this was a separate organization, that would be different, but it's him doing this on his OFFICIAL Website bothers me, a LOT!

Do you see the difference?

[totodeinhere]

60. I don't see any difference.

I'm sure that other Dem candidates in the past have also promoted "Republicans for" groups on their websites.

Look, as long as the other side holds at least 40 votes in the Senate, and they almost certainly will after the next election, we have to work with them. The more Republicans that Obama can get to support him the easier it will be to work with them to get things accomplished.

[Up2Late]

74. Let me see if I can make this more clear...

...because you seem to be using an "...in a perfect world..." rational here.

In "real world" politics, this is a very bad move, because when you buy a 10 cent sticker for $5.00 on a candidates website, what you are really doing is giving the candidate a $5.00 (or $4.90) political contribution. And what happens when you give a candidate a political contribution? Well, you expect something in return, that's how politics works in "real world" Politics.

So what is really happening here is, he's taking money from Republicans who are going to want "something" in return. And what is that "something"? That something is for him to work toward Republican goals, NOT Democratic goals, if he wins the General Election! That's why this is bad.

Unless you think these are just Republicans who are voting against Hillary, but that is also a problem, because those Republican will most likely NOT for for the Democratic candidate in the November election.

[totodeinhere]

76. I don't need a lecture from you about politics.

I have been active in politics all my life. You are way too cynical. Both sides can and have worked together for the common good of the country. Or at least that's the way it used to be in days of Tip O'Neil when he would have a friendly drink with Gerald Ford while discussing a legislative agenda for the House. That type of bipartisan spirit is what Obama is trying to revive.

[ClayZ]

20. I would like nothing more,

than for my Republican parents and sister to finally SEE THE LIGHT!

[ElsewheresDaughter]

21. YES and thank gods that PA has a CLOSED Primary and Obama's Rethugs can NOT muddy the water there

[UndergroundEcoHound]

52. yawn...

says the supporter of the candidate whose only means to the nomination is through a complete burnt earth strategy leaving the party and our chances in shambles just for the sake of her ambition.

[JimGinPA]

23. 70% Of AMERICANS Are Against THe War In Iraq - So, NO

[AtomicKitten]

24. Well, there are Obamicans and there are GOP Limbaugh-driven mischief makers.

The math is pretty easy on this: The former awesome, the latter bullshit.

[jillan]

25. You mean, they're not whispering anymore???

Everytime I hear Obama on tv he says the same thing over and over how the Repugs whisper to him. :P

[msallied]

26. It bothers me that it bothers you

Because it makes you sound like a typical Republican.

Screw unity, right? It's "us or them" politics as usual.

[Up2Late]

53. No, it's screw pandering!

That is the problem here.

When Republicans start voting for the Democratic Candidate because he is more appealing to Republican and Republican interests (which is what is happening here), that is the problem.

Because when that happens, it means that they are not working toward Democratic goals, that is also a problem.

[TheDoorbellRang]

73. There are several interests that some Republicans and Democrats share

The politics of the past several years have produced almost a kneejerk reaction in our country -- if someone says they support something because a Democrat proposed it then obviously Republicans hate it, and vice versa. In the last debate Obama was asked about his "most liberal senator in the Senate" tag, and I think his answer clarified how this thinking has calcified into us vs. them: he asked why his work on ethics reform in the Senate was classified as liberal -- wasn't ethics reform a core value shared by both parties? This is his point.

Here's a more personal point. My Republican brother called me last weekend to talk politics. We haven't talked politics in some time, since he voted for Bush and we decided to just not go there anymore. He called to tell me he and his wife were both voting for Obama this fall if he gets the nomination and had questions for me on his chances. He's sick about the war in Iraq, the Republicans have been spending money like drunken sailors, and he believes this Obama guy has what it takes to start the clean up process. These are the types of Republicans who are voting for Obama -- the kind who believe in fiscal responsibility and ethics, the kind who are embarassed by the antics of their party for the last decade. They have had enough.

So.

Republicans for Obama? Not surprised in the least.

BTW, if they have any Independents for Obama buttons, I might need one for myself. ;-)

[OhioChick]

27. Sort of Like Rush

and Faux News asking their viewers/listeners to vote for HRC?

[grantcart]

28. Do you know anything about the head of Republicans for Obama

a little research would be useful before you go crazy.

[Up2Late]

59. Then you tell me, who is it and what is his/her history?

And why is he selling these on a Democratic Canidates Official Website?

If there is a "head" of "Republicans for Obama" then he should have his own website. You find it.

This is called "in bed with the enemy," If someone is voting for Obama, they should also have the courage to stop calling themselves Republicans.

I voted for John McCain in the 2000 Georgia Open Primary because I could and I wanted to vote against George W. Bush (also Gore already had the nomination in hand), but there is now way in HELL that I would ever buy a "Democrats for John McCain" sticker and/or put one on my car!

Think about it! When Republicans start giving you money, they expect something in return! We REALLY don't need that right now.

[GoneOffShore]

31. Um --- No

:eyes:

If someone wants to step over to our side, then hey, come on in. Just wipe your feet and be polite.

[DJ13]

34. It bothers me LESS than Hillary having a REPUBLICAN governor......

........trying to help her seat Floridas delegates so she can steal the nomination.
:eyes:

[workinclasszero]

51. Exactly!

DLC and Rethugs, two peas in a pod.

[JackORoses]

35. the days of your Hillarite brand of divisive Politics are over

Quit trying to stand against the coming Change.

[LostinVA]

42. "Quit trying to stand against the coming Change"

Declaring stuff like this is very, very scary to some of us.

[JackORoses]

44. Boo! You know that Hillary can't win fairly. Thus, she is standing in the way of progress.

And you are helping her.

[LostinVA]

46. Again, scary AND creepy -- and now threatening

"Quit trying to stand against the coming Change"

"she is standing in the way of progress And you are helping her"



I hear a silent "Or Else" at the end of some posters' statements. This kind of rhetoric is WAY beyond Hillary and Obama. It has nothing to do with either of them OR their campaigns.

[JackORoses]

68. who said 'or else' that sounds Hillaresque. "Vote for Hillary or else your children will die."

No, I am only asking that for the good of the Party and the Future of our Nation, Hillary should step aside.

She cannot win without destroying all sense of Party unity. If she truly had any loyalties beyond herself, she would have already extricated herself.

[Irishonly]

38. There are cross over votes in every election

Obama has encouraged republicans from the beginning to vote for him. I think the problem people have is a good democrat doesn't trust republicans after the last ___ years. Not all republicans are neocons and even some neocons are tired of how this country is being ruined by war and out of control spending. At least my distrust of republicans cause me worry when I hear about republicans crossing over.

[LostinVA]

41. I don't think that sig/avatar belongs on DU -- it appalls me

And, I went to their website: some of it seems sincere, and some of it seems very, very Rushesque.

I agree with Bluebear: I don't like Republicans deciding our candidate, whether it's Clinton or Obama.

[Up2Late]

61. What web site?

I searched for that web address before I created the sticker and didn't find one, but I was a little worried that someone might grab it afterwards, but I couldn't get my stupid Comcast web page to work.

Sorry, I thought it was pretty clever bit of "political speech" at the time, but if someone has set up a web page at that address now, I'll change it.

[Political Heretic]

43. Not at all.

[4_Legs_Good]

54. I LOVE IT!!!

I've had a lot of dissillusioned Republicans come into my office saying they'd be willing to give him a chance after the last 8 years and the prospect of McCain as their front runner.

Republicans who are sick of the religious right running your party and our country, come on over, let's rebuild this country...

David

[BigDaddy44]

55. This is silly

So this bothers you. What do you recommend? Should Obama renounce this group and announce he doesn't want Republican support? Or does this prove that Obama is a subversive who has *gasp* attracted REPUBLICANS!!! (spit spit gag, spit).

You know how a President is the most effective? If he has a mandate. How does he get a mandate? Massive support. How does he get massive support? A big electoral win. How does he get a big electoral win? ---- by getting some republican support.

What you're implying is that if Obama beats McCain, you'd prefer he win at 52%-48%, as opposed to 58%-42%.

[Up2Late]

67. It's not silly and it's NOT a "group," it's Pandering!

If this is a "group," Obama should NOT be selling that groups' stickers on his Official website, they can set up their own.


And what is pandering?

<http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pandering>

Main Entry:
(1)pan·der Listen to the pronunciation of 1pander
Pronunciation:
\ˈpan-dər\
Function:
intransitive verb
Inflected Form(s):
pan·dered; pan·der·ing Listen to the pronunciation of pandering *
Date:
1523

: to act as a pander; especially : to provide gratification for others' desires

<films that pander to the basest emotions>
— pan·der·er Listen to the pronunciation of panderer \-dər-ər\ noun

[seabeyond]

57. except i have republican males in my family disgusted with republicans

they dont like mccain at all. they arent religious fanatics and they dont dislike gays and blacks. lol lol

my father and a few other republicans have looked at obama and said "i could vote for him". talking to father he thought about obama and guilianni at first. i dont know what he decided on him after a while of 9/11 all the time. but i can see my father settlin and being happy with obama. other texas males too. so i am not too bothered by it.

hubby, a repug is voting for him. but then he voted kerry and would vote hillary, until i convince him not if hillary continues her dirty rove/bushco tactics.

[Window]

58. Nope. Not at all.

There are quite a few republicans who are truly disgusted with their party.

[THUNDER HANDS]

65. no, that doesn't bother me. What bothers me

is the idea that Hillary Clinton could be our nominee. Start with a "at best scenario" of 52% of the vote - and that's if she runs a perfect campaign and no big-name 3rd party enters the race.

[Bucky]

70. If he accepts John Hagee's endorsement, it'll bother me.

Geeze, don't you think you're demonizing Republican voters just a little bit here?

Pulling Republicans over to our side of the aisle is a good thing. They're Americans and most Republicans are decent people. It's heartening to see that Obama is able to wake up so many of them.

[Emit]

71. Republicans for Kerry '04

Did that bother you, too? I had one of these "Republicans for Kerry '04" bumper stickers on my spouse's jeep for months back then!

[Up2Late]

75. Did you buy it on the Kerry's Official Kerry2004 web site?

I don't remember seeing those there or did you buy them from an independent organizations website? If it was from an independent site then no, it wouldn't bother me, but if it was from Kerry's official site, yes it would.

[Emit]

89. We got it from our local Democratic Party

who, in all likeliness, got it from the Kerry/Edwards campaign, as most of the literature and signage came from there. When I volunteered in '04 for Kerry/Edwards, we had large numbers of Republicans coming in to volunteer, there was even an official 'Republicans for Kerry' group here locally affiliated with the Democratic party -- my father-in-law was invited to attend their meetings even. It was also not uncommon to sit and call Republicans and Independents to survey, many of which were leaning toward Kerry/Edwards -- we kept a list of them for '06, '08 and beyond survey calls.

Look, I have four Republican family members, three of which changed their registration recently, all supporting Obama. One recently told me that most of her friends who are Republican are supporting Obama, too. We've already caucused here, so their support of Obama is genuine, not some big conspiracy. None of them are interested in McCain ... or Hillary, for that matter.

[democrattotheend]

81. Lots of candidates have these

I believe there was a Republicans for Dean button in 2004, and I hardly think Dean could be accused of being Republican-lite (well, he was by some people in Vermont, but that's Vermont).

[OnionPatch]

84. No, it doesn't.

It make me jump with joy. :bounce:

If Obama's policies were Republican policies, if he were espousing Republican world-views, if he were toadying up to the GOP elite like Lieberman does, then yes, it would bother me. But if Obama can bring Republicans over to his side without compromising Democratic values, then I see this as a good thing. A very good thing.

Sorry to say, we will not change people's minds by ridiculing them and treating them like the evil enemy. Part of the reason I support Obama is because I think plenty of Americans from both sides of the aisle would like to get past some of this partisan hatred and he seems to know how to bring them over.

It's hard to admit you were wrong. I'd bet a good many of these folks will get to the point where they can stop calling themselves Republicans eventually, but it won't happen overnight. That they support Obama is a very good sign.

[Perry Logan]

85. It's already been clearly established that assholes like Obama.

[RoadRage]

86. Nope. I'm all for republicans deciding to join our party..

vote for our candidate who has the same platform as Hillary (basically). They're voting for HIM because they like HIM. They know what his policies are, and they have decided that is something they will overlook in favor of unity, getting out of a war, getting an economy on the right track.

How in the HELL do we grow the democratic base if we put a gate up that says "no visitors welcome".

Now, I do oppose those who wish to wear the invisible button that says "Republicans for Clinton only in the Primary so we can continue the Democratic death match and then vote against Hillary in the General Election". Those are a whole different type of button... and THOSE are the ones we should be worried and upset about.

[NorthernSpy]

87. translation: you like losing. you're used to it.

You've heard of the Reagan Democrats? Well, we're doing that this time -- in reverse.

Yup, this time, we're keeping our message and going after THEIR voters.

[FedoraLV]

111. Maybe they'll stick around ;)

And change parties ... we'd be daft not to reach out to Republicans after 8 years of the worst president in history when their party has splintered into factions.

Isn't that what we've wanted for eight years, for Republicans to see things more through our eyes? Why are you baffled that some of them are (at last) having second thought about the war, the economy, the current administration, our energy policy, on domestic issues, etc.?

-FedoraLV

[blogslut]

95. No

Possibly millions of Republicans feel abandoned or betrayed by their party - so much so that they are left with only two choices: Abstain from voting or join another party. Staying home is easy. Switching is hard.

[QC]

96. It's good for Repubs to vote for Obama. It's only bad when they vote for Clinton.

Anything that benefits Obama is, by definition, good. Get with the program!

[Emit]

104. All of the Republicans who I know who are supporting Obama

are supporting him in all sincerity, not just to mess with the vote. They really like him.

[QC]

109. Of course they're sincere. What's not to like?

He embraces fundamentalist bigots, is "open to" privatizing public schools and messing with Social Security, praises Reagan five times a day, and considers universal health care a bad thing. Why would any Republican not think he's the coolest thing to come along in years. I just can't understand why any Democrat would agree.

[Emit]

112. Oh, please, don't be silly

There's really not much difference between the two.

According to GovTracks, Obama and Clinton have similar ratings in relation to bill sponsorship, and Obama gets lower marks for missing more votes. Obama sits on one more Committee than Clinton, and they both chair a subcommittee:

CLINTON:
Bill Sponsorship & Cosponsorship

Statistics: Hillary Clinton has sponsored 354 bills since Jan 22, 2001, of which 307 haven't made it out of committee (Extremely Poor) and 2 were successfully enacted (Average, relative to peers). Clinton has co-sponsored 1725 bills during the same time period (Average, relative to peers).

Clinton is a radical Democrat according to GovTrack's own analysis of bill sponsorship. (Where do these labels come from?)
SurveyUSA reports Clinton's job approval rating at 60% as of 2007-11-20. The average approval rating among senators in states surveyed is 53%. See their survey details for more information.
Hillary Clinton missed 167 of 2421 votes (7%) since Jan 23, 2001. The graph to the left shows the number of missed votes over time. Click for a larger chart.
Committee Membership

Hillary Clinton sits on the following committees:
Member, Senate Committee on Armed Services
Member, Subcommittee on Airland
Member, Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
Member, Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support
Member, Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
Chairman, Subcommittee on Superfund and Environmental Health
Member, Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety
Member, Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Member, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Member, Subcommittee on Children and Families
Member, Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety
Member, Senate Special Committee on Aging

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=300022



OBAMA
Bill Sponsorship & Cosponsorship

Statistics: Barack Obama has sponsored 129 bills since Jan 4, 2005, of which 120 haven't made it out of committee (Poor) and 1 were successfully enacted (Average, relative to peers). Obama has co-sponsored 548 bills during the same time period (Average, relative to peers).


Obama is a rank-and-file Democrat according to GovTrack's own analysis of bill sponsorship. (Where do these labels come from?)
Barack Obama missed 193 of 1113 votes (17%) since Jan 6, 2005. The graph to the left shows the number of missed votes over time. Click for a larger chart.
Committee Membership

Barack Obama sits on the following committees:
Member, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
Chairman, Subcommittee on European Affairs
Member, Subcommittee on African Affairs
Member, Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs
Member, Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs and International Environmental Protection
Member, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Member, Subcommittee on Children and Families
Member, Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety
Member, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Member, Subcommittee on Ad Hoc Subcommittee on State, Local, and Private Sector Preparedness and Integration
Member, Subcommittee on Investigations
Member, Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security
Member, Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=400629

[QC]

114. Exactly. Two corporate centrists, more or less indistinguishable

from one another. Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

[Emit]

115. Not much of a choice for us real Democrats, huh?

But, one carries less baggage and is not in a leadership role in the DLC.

[QC]

116. Nope, not much of a choice at all.

I pretty much lost interest when Edwards dropped out.

[apocalypsehow]

97. Uh-huh. Your "concern" is noted.

n/t.

[printpolitico]

99. Divided we stand?

the comment about his supporters not supporting her makes her supporters reluctant to support that kind of arrogance.

[SoxFan]

100. The horror! The horror!

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

102. Almost as much as this:

[Recursion]

110. I love it when republicans vote for our candidates, personally

I don't get why others don't.

[JI7]

113. Kerry campaign sold same thing on their campaign site

as did Gore.

Republicans also sell "democrat for "republican candidate".