I absolutely can't stand Obama... but I will vote for him

[nadine_mn]

Bash away obamaniacs... I can't stand him... change the channel and everything when he is on. I wasn't a big Hillary supportor (I like both Kucinich and Edwards) but I preferred her to Obama.

However.. since he will be the nominee he gets my vote...end of story. Yes I have my bitter moments when I want to write in Gore, but I get over it because anyone will be better than McCain.

You know that famous..which candidate would you rather have a beer with... question. Well I would pick McCain for a beer over Obama (you know McCain has to have some good stories...if he can remember em), but to run the country... hands down I choose a Democrat.

Its not about who I like personally, its about whats best for the country, the environment, our children, and the world. 4 yrs of McCain would devastate. So to all those people who are so pissed that Hillary is out...get over it and support the nominee, and to anyone who says they won't vote for Obama if he picks Clinton for VP...get over it.

When the campaign season started.. we had the best and the brightest candidates from Richardson to Biden to Kucinich to Edwards to Dodd and now will end with Obama. Lets not lose our enthusiasm and support and make sure we continue this momentum.

[MadBadger]

1. As long as you vote for him...no complaints from me.

[w13rd0]

2. Thank you.

Though we would prefer that everyone were enthusiastic about our candidate, when it comes down to it, its your vote we want the most. My vote in November will be for Obama/______ regardless of the fill in the blank, and I'm ok with that.

[cynatnite]

3. K&R n/t

[Yael]

4. Thank you

Health care, ending this war, repairing our image internationally and (the hopes of) repairing the economy are of utmost importance.

Thank you for putting personal preferences aside and standing up for that.

:patriot:

[Tarheel_Dem]

5. I would have felt the same way had Hillary become the nom. This way,

I don't have to hold my nose, and will work my butt off to get Sen. Obama elected.

[lyonn]

69. Agree, feel really good about Obama

It would be a little hard to say I couldn't stand Hillary, but she could not convince me she was sincere. Too many corp. ties for comfort. Hillary felt no explanations were needed to we the people for how she has voted and in particular Iraq and the latest vote to declare the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, or something like that, terrorist. She was possibly giving a death sentence to Iran with that vote. Will she ever learn. Would she attempt to negotiate with the Iranians when it came to nukes? Their leader is off the wall but that country wants to sell their oil and get rich not make war I suspect. Bush threatened them and they have gone off the deep end ever since. Elected that idiot that is running the country just to defy bush.

Oops, rambling....

[Rick Myers]

6. Thank you. We need to be Democrats.

:kick:

[mcctatas]

7. You don't have to like him....

Hell, I didn't like Kerry, but as long as we stay true to the issues every candidate in our party holds dear (I know, to varying degrees) and keep repeating McCain holds none of them, we'll be fine;)

[TTUBatfan2008]

8. Just curious...

but why can't you stand him?

[Phillycat]

16. Trying to bait the OP into honesty so all your little friends can come out and flame her?

No thanks.

[nadine_mn]

LOL I know

It doesn't matter why..I just don't. But I love my civil rights more than I dislike him and thats all it needs to be.

[TTUBatfan2008]

31. No, I'm honestly curious.

The flaming around here is ridiculous. I've criticized the Obama nuts around here on many occasions. Practically every post of mine is spent defending myself against cheap shot generalizations, such as yours just now, from either Hillary supporters or people that are neutral. The behavior of some Obama people on this forum is pretty damn despicable, but that doesn't mean you should generalize me. I was asking an honest question and nothing more.

[Phillycat]

34. Then I apologize.

I myself will not get into specifics about why I don't like the presumptive nominee, because he is the presumptive nominee. I am classier than many people posting on this site when it comes to that. I won't trash him, not if I can hold my tongue. I don't like him, and I won't campaign for or donate to him, but he gets my vote and my party loyalty. I've been a Democrat since before most of the rabid Obama lunatics on DU were born. They don't understand the meaning of party loyalty.

EDITED: messed that up at first. :)

[TTUBatfan2008]

40. EDIT: saw your edit...

I think Obama has set up a lot of people for big time disappointment. He might turn out to be a really good President if he wins the election, but it will be a huge challenge for anyone to clean up Bush's mess. There are a lot of external factors that make the job of the first President following George W. Bush a pretty difficult situation. It's one of those things where a person could do a pretty good job but the policies won't have a big enough immediate impact and then suddenly people are disappointed and he has a hard time getting re-elected. I sure do hope it works out but I'm definitely skeptical.

[Phillycat]

44. Oh, it's a shit job for sure.

Why do you think I wanted the policy wonk? :D Cleaning up Bush's mess is going to make for one of the more unpopular presidencies in recent history. Bringing someone in who has, LET'S FACE IT, only a small amount of national political experience and not too much in the way of political capital to spend (he hasn't had time to build much up!) seems very, very stupid to me.

But, like I said, I try to keep those thoughts to myself now that he's the nominee. Heh.

[lyonn]

75. Bill did a good job repairing the Reagan/Bush fiscal mess

He was hacked on for being a Governor from a backwards Southern State and didn't have the experience. The same could be said for Obama. Sometimes intelligence and common sense goes a long ways. Hillary wasn't able to convince me that she would be willing to buck the corps and make the changes needed in regulating them. She worried me with her attitude towards the ME, like she needed to prove how tough she is by threatening countries. We need diplomacy not threats.

[Phillycat]

78. Obama said basically the same thing about Iran yesterday at that Israel meeting.

But you'd never hear Word One breathed about that on OU...excuse me, DU.

Comparing Bill Clinton to Barack Obama...well, let's just say I'd be VERY surprised if Obama is half the president Clinton was. We shall see!

[lyonn]

82. No U.S. leader can take all the options off the table

He was pretty stout about his ideas on how to make nice with our enemies but you must deal from strength not weakness.

[TTUBatfan2008]

86. Janesez...

I think Clinton gets more credit in the Democratic Party than he deserves. He's a great politician as far as campaigning goes, kind of like Obama, but I think the economic boom of the 90's was mostly lucky timing for him. The best thing he did was not getting us involved in too many idiotic policies. He just kind of let the country do its own thing and as I said, the technology/Internet boom was mostly timing, although he certainly didn't do anything to harm our economy. I think economics should NEVER be politicized unless you have a President like Bush who is cutting taxes while spending massive amounts of money on a pointless agenda overseas. But for the most part, economics is usually a function of luck. Carter got very unlucky. Clinton got lucky. Bush actually got unlucky. You can't blame him entirely for the recession that went on. The economy comes and goes in cycles. The idiots on the right always try to claim Reaganomics is what led to the 90's boom, but that's a huge exaggeration just as much as the notion that Clinton was responsible. The best thing he did was not getting in the way of things like Dubya.

[nadine_mn]

43. I apologize too

I have a list of issues of why I disagree with Obama on certain things, but it doesn't matter...even if he agreed on every single thing and promised to make me Queen for a Day there is just something about him I don't like. He is eloquent, smart, good looking and I am sure he will be a fine President. I just don't like him. But I respect him and I will vote for him. The point of my post is more about the need to rally behind the nominee not to bash Obama.

[TTUBatfan2008]

54. Ah, well it is much appreciated...

I have my problems with him for sure, especially his energy policies. Ethanol is a craptastic alternative. I also have problems with him acting like he's anything other than a typical major party politician. Because in reality, he has many Clinton Administration people working as advisers for him.

Having said this, I am vehemently anti-war and while I wish he would vote against funding it, I can understand the position of not wanting to undercut the troops' safety once they're stuck over there. Biden has used this logic to defend himself against attacks on his voting record. Despite my views about war, I do understand and respect this point of view. Obama had the good sense before the war to realize the Bush administration was nothing more than a criminal organization. I'm in Texas and I've known it for years, all the way back to when he was governor here. The media's ridiculously patriotic spin at the beginning of the war was shameful and they are almost as responsible for this mess as the administration itself. If they had used more scrutiny in the lead-up to the war instead of just falling in line with the propaganda, perhaps they could have prevented public support from being around 80% nationwide.

As for Clinton, I think the campaign itself is proof that she would have all kinds of problems as President. I don't know if Obama would be any better, but her frivolous spending during the campaign and high debt situation has me a bit relieved because if she can't handle a campaign then I wonder about running something so large like the federal government. Again, I have no idea if Obama will do any better, but he ran a much more efficient, smarter, and stronger campaign than she did so it is understandable why he was able to win. It'll be interesting to see what happens. I really do think whoever gets the job is fucked regardless. Kinda like Carter was.

[goletian]

85. you think hes cocky. a little... too clever... eh?

[bhikkhu]

9. Thank you. Perhaps an open heart?

After eight years it is such a great relief, I have to say.

[PretzelWarrior]

10. you obviously have something wrong with you...

but hey. if you pull the lever or punch the ticket for him....you're aces in my book.

Now go kick a puppy and steal a kid's ice cream. you have no soul. muahahahhahaah.

[nadine_mn]

17. I could never kick a puppy

but where are those rotten kids and their ice cream

[blogslut]

11. Okay

I always thought the beer question was the wrong question.

The question should have been:

"If you were stranded by the side of the road with car trouble, who would you trust to stop and give you aid?"

I don't think old Dubya would have fared so well on that question. I don't think McCain would either.

Obama - Like John Kerry and Al Gore, would absolutely stop and help out a stranger in need.

Sorry you can't stand our nominee. Maybe you just don't like fire signs.

[Swamp Rat]

22. "fire signs?"

I could spruce it up a bit. :D

[blogslut]

49. Silly Rat

PM me sometime. I'll tell you my nickname for my "day job" ;)

[DemocratSinceBirth]

99. I'm not so sure McSame wouldn't stop to help

He would probably have one of his aides change the tire because he can't even lift his hands over his head to comb his own hair because of war injuries...

"Everybody" thought Bob Dole was mean but he was reported to be one of the friendliest and kindest men around to the congressional police...

[crankychatter]

12. I despised Bill Clinton, campaigned for him twice, defended him with flame throwers

I've been voting for the lesser of evils for 35 years

ho hum

[Phillycat]

13. Of course I'm going to vote for him. Who the hell else would I vote for?

I'm a Democrat. And yeah, I don't like him either.

[DesertFlower]

14. thank you. you're a true democrat. nt

[Asider23]

15. I Can't see why you dont like him

but congrats on voting for him....

[Colobo]

18. You don't have to like him. Just remember he's on our side

when you are casting your vote.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

19. Well, I think Kucinich is weird and creepy and Edwards is a weasel.

But like you, I believe the issues are what matters.

[ampad]

52. LMAO

I feel the same about Kucinich and I just don't trust Edwards. For the life of me I could not understand the huge appeal to Edwards. I would of gladly voted for Dennis over Edwards but Dennis just seems a little off to me.

[dansolo]

92. I never understood the appeal of either Kucinich or Edwards

Kucinich is a closet authoritarian, and Edwards is a windsock who decided this time that he would become a populist. At least Obama has been consistent throughout his political career, and he didn't change his views once he decided to run for president.

[The_Casual_Observer]

20. Obama has made too many promises out of desperation. It's going to

haunt his ass later on.

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

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

[The_Casual_Observer]

46. Let's see just how much of his shit comes to pass......

[CTLawGuy]

21. that's all I ask

you don't even have to support him, you can support "the nominee"...

[grantcart]

23. what do you think of Franken?

[nadine_mn]

28. Oy... Franken

I like him, but I agree on issues more with Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer. I am sooo torn... Franken has the money and the name recognition, Nelson-Pallmeyer has the better stance, but in the end I want Coleman out so bad I will even take Ventura.

[grantcart]

30. Is Franken going to win?

[nadine_mn]

In any other state I would say yes...but Minnesotans are damn

quirky..again see Ventura

[Beacool]

24. I totally agree with the first part of your title.

As for the second half, you are a bigger person than I.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

36. We already knew that, Beacool. nt

[Beacool]

41. Heck, I don't owe the party a blessed thing.

:shrug:

[Think82]

68. So, it's spite? Or just a lack of consideration for our nation's future that's causing youtonotvote?

I was Biden supporter. We need a dem in the white house. Get over it. The future is too important for you to throw it away out of spite to satisfy your hurt ego.

[Forkboy]

39. Way to shoot for utter irrelevancy.

:thumbsup:

[AtomicKitten]

25. not exactly a ringing endorsement (to say the least) but we'll take it

[ClassWarrior]

29. It's a ringing endorsement of Democratic Values, and that's what's important.

I'll take that any day.

:toast:

NGU.

[AtomicKitten]

33. hey, I'm down with that

:toast:

[jonestonesusa]

38. It's an endorsement - better than opposition to the Dem nominee

on a Dem board. It still borders on snarky to say you can't stand Obama without wanting to say why.

What's the point of a discussion board if we can't discuss differences?

Oh well - on to the GE. Glad you're on board.

[nadine_mn]

35. I probably will never be a fan of Obama but the whole "I won't vote"

because my candidate isn't the nominee" needs to stop. Our system is not perfect...by a longshot. I believe that there are more qualified people out there to be President but because of likability factors, money, etc will never be a nominee. If you don't vote this fall, or you write in a candidate you might as well vote for McCain.

[AtomicKitten]

47. well, thanks for your vote

I've been mooning over Al Gore since 2000. The judicial coup d'etat in 2000 broke my heart. :( Then in 2004 he didn't run. More :( for me. When he received the Nobel Prize I just knew in my gut he had transcended the plane we mere mortals walk on and I turned to the guy I pegged for Gore's VP, Barack Obama. This is the first time I've ridden the pony all the way to the finish line in a primary! No worries. He's got some impressive skills and will bring a fresh perspective to Washington. Cheers.

[SusanaMontana41]

27. You're my kind of Democrat, nadine_mn

Our differences about the Dem candidates pale when compared to our differences with McSame.

We cannot have four more years of Bush!

Good on ya, mate!

[Pisces]

32. WHat's not to like?. I appreciate your vote whatever your feelings are.

[rusty quoin]

37. Being that there is , for the first time in my voting life...

a candidate I can feel strongly about and who's going to the general, I know how you feel. And I have always voted Democrat.

[Forkboy]

42. Not really thrilled with him either, but he's the only game in town.

:toast:

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

45. Can you elaborate a bit...

...as constructively as possible, as to why you have such a strong negative impression of Obama?

[nadine_mn]

50. I could

but I won't because the time for that has passed...he is the nominee.

I quit DU for a while because it was so negative, so I won't be a hypocrite. I made one very vocal reason why I dislike Obama a long time ago and had my say then. Now its about healing and supporting the party

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

57. I can respect that...

...but I'm still curious to know what you find so strongly objectionable about him. The kissing up to AIPAC is admittedly nauseating, but they all, with the exception of Kucinich, seem to do that.

[wanpete]

48. thanks. can't make you like him, but glad that you will be voting for Dem.

hopefully, as president, his leadership will gain your admiration and trust.

[SeattleGirl]

51. I feel the same way about Clinton, but you can bet I would have voted

for her if her name was on the ballot in November.

This is about turning things around in this country, and I know McSame isn't the person to do it.

[endelfam]

53. I do like him but....

thanks for your candor and your support.

[Runcible Spoon]

55. For me, it was like walking for days in teh desert and finding an oasis with Arbie's and Mr Subb.

They both totally suck, but one just a bit less and you have to eat SOMETHING when you're starving. I'm totally FED UP with establishment Democrats but I don't see any other movements with any momentum right now to really chage things.

[nadine_mn]

58. I agree with you

I lean way to the left so I feel your pain about establishment Democrats...
I fantasize that we will have someone who isn't afraid to expose the crap that has been going on for years...but thats all it is...big ole fantasy

[QC]

65. What if they only have Clamato, Mr. Pibb, or soymilk to drink? n/t

[depakid]

56. No More Republicans

I think that's something everyone here- and damn near everyone abroad can agree on.

:kick:

[nadine_mn]

60. You would think that would be obvious however

I have heard from many Democrats (either on here or calling in to Progressive radio shows like Thom Hartmann or Bill Press) who would rather vote for McCain or won't vote at all. That is so depressing.

[earth mom]

59. I can't stand Obama either.

I think there's gonna be a lot of people pissed off at him if he's elected because he made promises he won't keep.

Does anyone know if it's too late for Gore to run as an independent? :evilgrin:

[JCMach1]

61. I will take the medicine, but I won't drink the koolaid

[cottonseed]

62. Rock on!

:headbang: :yourock: :headbang:

[thoughtcrime1984]

63. Well, congratulations!

I can't stand Hillary but would have voted for her over McLettuce, your point is???

[nadine_mn]

64. Maybe you missed the text of my OP

my point is... it doesn't matter who I like.. we need to come together and support the nominee..no matter who.

I have heard ppl say they won't vote because its not Hillary or they won't vote if he picks Hillary for VP...

this I won't vote crap needs to stop


sorry you missed that

[Triana]

66. Thank you. Nice to see a person with their head screwed on straight...

...I preferred Edwards and Kucinich would have been an absolute dream. Never much liked Hillary and now can't stand her (so I know how ya feel).

Thanks for enduring what I know is that "sticking your hand in an unflushed toilet" feeling in order to vote your party, at least. I know it sucks and it isn't easy, believe me - so thanks. :)

[Thrill]

67. Thats amazing. I really don't understand why you can't stand the guy. He doesn't attack people

He could of used a lot of crap on the Clinton's but never did.

I have some really staunch Republicans. Who are going to vote for McCain. But say they still like Obama, and wouldn't want to see a nasty campaign against him.

I'm a little surprised. Someone, especially a Democrat would say they can't stand him. Especially since I haven't seen him do anything to a Democrat or Republican to get that kind of reaction. Unless the problem is the elephant in the room

[Phillycat]

71. You're right. We're all racists.

:eyes:

[Think82]

72. He didnt say that. see below

[Thrill]

77. I didn't say that

But "I can't stand" is about as strong as hate. What exactly has this man done, to get this kind of reaction? Someone who is always positive. And talks over and over about Hope?

wow just wow

[Phillycat]

80. I will not enumerate the reasons I don't like him.

I will not trash the presumptive nominee. That is because I am a party loyalist. But start with Donnie McClurken, and Obama's microscopic experience on the national political stage and you'll be going down the right road.

[Bluebear]

81. I can't stand Jim Carrey. But hate him? No way. The two are NOT close.

[nadine_mn]

84. "I can't stand" is not the same is as "hate"

I consider myself to have a fairly decent grasp on the English language and if I "hated" Obama that would have been the word I used.
And I refuse to to get into a discussion about why I don't like him....at this point it's not important. And for the record Teletubbies are always positive and I don't like them either.

I disagree with him on issues that are important to me and there is something about him I don't like... enough said. I wasn't thrilled about Hillary either and I liked Bill even though I disagreed with some of his policy decisions.

[nadine_mn]

74. What elephant?

[Think82]

70. Is it the experience thing?I was a Biden supporter and I love obama. I beleive he has good judgment

and he'll surround himself with the right people. He's also a fantastic symbol to the world of everything that is good about America.

[Youphemism]

73. It's the ears, isn't it?

Don't forget that during the State of the Union addresses, they'll have large parabolic microphones on either side, to help de-emphasize them.

I'm with the other folks. Good for you for looking past your personality tastes to the positions and issues.

[nadine_mn]

76. No I got over the ear thing with Kucinich

It those damn perfect teeth

[Youphemism]

79. Yeah. I think he chews fluoridated nicotine gum. /nt

[ccharles000]

83. I like Obama he seems nice.

I like Hillary better. I will be happy to vote for Obama.

[kdpeters]

87. I felt the same way about Clinton 1996, Gore 2000, Kerry 2004 and still voted for them

It's a valid position exactly for the reasoning you describe. I don't see why anyone should have a problem with your personal feelings toward a candidate as long as you know it's bigger than that.

For me, Obama is the first candidate I'm excited about supporting since Bill Clinton 1992. I like him a lot and have nothing but respect for your different opinion as long as we're allies where it counts.

[liberalla]

88. Thank you. We all need to vote Democratic this year.

I'm an Independent, former Edwards supporter, who has slowly warmed up to Obama.

[MrScorpio]

89. Who knows, maybe Obama will grow on you

And you'll fell better about your vote

[barack the house]

90. Exactly buy everyone you know the documentary the 11th hour. The election is..

inevitable after that.

[tpsbmam]

91. Not going to bash at all.....

I'd feel exactly the same way were the shoe on the other foot and I had to vote for Clinton. I wouldn't like it, but I absolutely would have voted for her. And I most likely would have done what I typically do under those circumstances, which is to go GOTV work.

[sendero]

93. I feel the same about HRC..

.... but if she were the nominee, she would get my vote, period.

[polichick]

94. You'd rather have a beer with McCain???

Ickiness aside, I've always thought that beer thing was ridiculous ~ what an ignorant way to choose a president. I hope this is the beginning of Americans purposely choosing intelligence in their president!

[terrya]

95. Thank you for your post.

I'm sorry everyone, but I'm not falling in love with our nominee like everyone else around here. I'll vote for Obama (dependent on who he chooses as VP). But I'm not going to get weepy and syrupy and mushy about him. I'm not going to swoon over every picture posted here of Barack and Michelle and the cute kids.

I'm like you...whether I personally like Barack Obama is besides the point. I'm not going to ever have a beer with him, as that ridiculous question is asked of voters every 4 years, regarding some pointless "likability factor" in a Presidential candidate.

But I'll vote for him. Again, dependent on his VP choice.

[cboy4]

96. I plan on vomiting all over the voting booth after I circle in

his name.

Poor cleaning crew.

[TexasObserver]

97. I've never gotten my very first choice for president, since 1972.

And it was McGovern in '72.

I'm not counting the incumbent years of 1980 and 1996.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

98. Wellstone is my hero! I love Kucinich and Edwards. I can't understand

why you hate him, but as long as you vote for him, that's all that matters. Kudos to you!!

[nadine_mn]

100. Clarification - I do not hate Obama

I just can't stand him....big difference. Just because I don't agree with him on certain issues and I am not in awe of him, does not mean I hate him.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

101. Sorry. I didn't know there was a difference. n/t

[Vinca]

102. I don't expect you to love the guy, I only expect Democrats to defend

reproductive rights, end wars, work for universal healthcare and beat Republicans. But thanks anyway.:pals:

[nadine_mn]

105. LOl read some of the other responses

the fact that I don't love him is distressing to some...
its not enough that I will vote for him...I must also tattoo his name on my ass

[Teaser]

103. who says you gotta like anyone, anyway?

good on you for your reasoning.

[asthmaticeog]

104. That's how I felt abut voting for Kerry. I held my nose and did it.

It's really the ONLY sane thing to do. As you said, it's about what's best for the country, the environment, our children, and the world.