Obama Supporters: What's Your Biggest Reason For Supporting Barack Obama?

[Tatiana]

I'm curious. I know many people have several reasons for supporting Obama's candidacy, but I'm interested in knowing what the biggest reason is.

Also, at any point during this presidential campaign (before the primary process began) did you consider supporting Hillary Clinton?

[book_worm]

1. He is an inspirational leader who would help restore our stature in the world community.

He was right on the war in '02 and he's right now. He brings people together and he inspires people which can't be overlooked in a president--FDR had it and so did JFK. I never considered supporting HRC because we have had one Clinton who disappointed me in the WH and I don't want another and besides I want something other than Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton. I supported Edwards initially.

[nonconformist]

5. FDR had more than speeches, he had bold policy to enact real change.

That's what Obama doesn't have. He has a great deal of centrist, watered-down policies and speeches about change.

[SoonerPride]

14. Oh, he's got the policies. And will have the Congressional muscle to do it.

The down ticket momentum of an Obama campaign will mean legislative might to effect change.

Clinton would be mired in more of the sameness.

[lark]

71. What policies?

Does he have any that weren't first espoused by Edwards or Clinton? Don't say Iraq, he made one good speech on Iraq then voted to fund the war every single time. He even voted against a tepid start the withdrawal soon bill supported by Kerry and Kennedy. So other than that, which ideas were first his? Oh yes, has he ever done anything to try to get these passed?

[book_worm]

16. You have your reasons for not supporting him and I have mine for supportin so mind your own business

besides he has more legislative experience than Hillary has--and that "only has speeches" is getting old. Exactly what does Hillary have? She was First Lady and her only real intervention in policy making was a dismal failure.

[Recursion]

23. FDR ran in 1932 claiming Hoover was "interfering too much" with the business cycle

He didn't come up with the New Deal until his first year in office, and he certainly didn't give speeches about it in his first campaign.

[Chef]

FDR

If you remember, FDR ran on a very conservative platform and did not demonstrate any of bold policies he implemented when he came to the whitehouse.

[The Doctor.]

76. What is it, SPECIFICALLY, about his policies that are 'watered down'?

[nonconformist]

89. His sorry excuse for a health care plan, for one. nt

[The Doctor.]

90. That wasn't specific at all. You really have nothing, don't you? n/t

[nonconformist]

91. If you know what his plan is, it's pretty obvious how it's "watered-down"

I don't have to prove anything to you. I don't even really give a shit anymore.

[Hippo_Tron]

78. FDR also came up with those bold policies during the transition period

During the campaign he attacked Hoover for deficit spending.

[Yes We Did]

35. Exactly... It's the war stupid.

He was right, Hillary was wrong.

[DemVet]

67. He was right about the war, huh? Yeah...riiiiiiiight.

Maybe that's why he has voted for all of the Iraq WAR spending measures while in the Senate.

[lark]

72. They have voted identically on the war

where's the beef?

[jazzjunkysue]

2. He's not Hillary Clinton.

[Tatiana]

20. Fair enough. n/t

[jgraz]

46. Bingo

And, he's running as a Democrat.

[melody]

48. Same here n/t

[Recursion]

3. He is the only consistent activist for transparency in government

And he has a significant record of achievement in ethics and lobbying reform.

[redqueen]

12. That is one of the reasons

that I went from leaning Clinton to supporting Obama.

[Recursion]

18. I came to him on farm policy

But that isn't a "big seller" on DU, for reasons that elude me.

[Tatiana]

24. This is my reason, as well. n/t

[thoughtcrime1984]

56. Yes, transparency/ethics reform is my #1 reason for supporting him.

#2 is the excitement he has created through every age, race, and creed, which will bode well in the GE.

#3 is his intelligence and ability to project that in his speeches.

[Hepburn]

4. He is NOT Hillary Clinton....

...anything beyond that is PURE glory for him. :hi:

[Tatiana]

26. Point well-taken.

:hi:

[redqueen]

6. Trust

They are very similar candidates... but I trust Obama more to steer this country in a more liberal direction.

And no, I did not consider supporting either Clinton or Obama before the primary started. I was for Kucinich first, then Edwards. I did initially lean Clinton after Edwards dropped out.

[nxylas]

7. Obama wasn't my first choice

I supported Kucinich first, then Edwards. I now regard Obama as the more progressive of the two remaining viable candidates, though not by a very wide margin. Senator Clinton's "kitchen sink" campaign has also done a lot to put me off her. Seeing her get the nomination as a result of such a negative campaign would be a little like watching Dick Dastardly win the Wacky Races. But I'd still prefer her to McCain.

Edit to add the word "viable" - wouldn't want to forget Mike Gravel, even if everyone else has.

[SoonerPride]

8. I initially voted for Clinton, but decided to back the party nominee

.......and that will be Obama.

Anyone who thinks Clinton still has a shot at winning our party's nomination is deluding themselves.

It.
is.
over.

So I backed the winner and am ready for the GE.

[anonymous171]

9. His ability to inspire and energize the people, who get out there and get others to vote for him.

[totodeinhere]

10. He will do away with the old style gotcha politics that the Clintons...

are so good at.

[mattclearing]

11. Transparency.

Obama is dedicated to open government. If you read his issues page at his website, opening up government records to the public is a common theme.

[Tatiana]

30. Not to mention live televising and online streaming of policy discussions. n/t

[mattclearing]

36. That's one of them. :) n/t

[rox63]

13. It's the "We" in "Yes We Can" that originally attracted me

Obama's campaign focuses on us, as in "We the People". He understands that no one can govern in a democracy without the consent and participation of the people. He has been saying from the start that this is about us, that we must all share in the responsibility and rewards of taking our nation back.

In contrast, Clinton's campaign is focused on what she plans to do. It doesn't necessarily need or want our input. It's all about her, not about us. It's the same old top-down strategy that has gotten us into a huge mess already.

Change must come from the ground up. It's a vital part of the Obama campaign. And I believe it's the only way that real change can happen.

[progdog]

80. My reason also.

Thanks! :hi:

[Radical Activist]

83. I think that outlook reflects his background as a community organizer.

That's one of the big reasons I like him as a candidate.

[blogslut]

15. His philosophy of inclusion

The fact is, even if we win the house, the senate and the executive, if we want to get anything done, we're going to have to convince some republicans to side with us. Otherwise, we'll have four years of obstructionism from the right. I believe that Barack Obama has an ability to persuade the reasonable members of the republican party to see things his way.

We have a huge mess to clean up and we're going to need all the help we can get.

[TwilightGardener]

17. Smart, good judgment, analytical mind, cool and calm demeanor, led a purposeful

and decent life devoted to public service, has more integrity than I expect from a politician, has good policies and ideas.

[PresidentObama]

19. For starters, he's the only viable Democratic candidate in the race.

[JimGinPA]

21. I Have Many Reasons, But The Biggest Is He's The Only One I Trust To End The War In Iraq...

And then make a legitimate effort to go after the actual terrorists that attacked us.

[Quixote1818]

22. Because all my Republican friends are actually considering voting for him

The same friends who cant stand Hillary.

[Melinda]

25. I'm done with those who: voted for IWR, lead the DLC, lie re experience, think Dynasties are cool.

Not to mention people who hide things make me nervous.

[MadBadger]

27. Iraq

[flor de jasmim]

28. Transparency, forthrightness, intelligence -- OK, that's 3

So far, he has not set off my bulls__t monitor, which is pretty finely tuned.

[reflection]

29. I thought about HRC at first

but I fear she has done too much damage. A poorly structured campaign devolved into a feces-flinging fest that has left both of our candidates mortally wounded. I am getting behind Obama because he's the only one (IMO) that can emerge from this mess with any semblance of dignity. Hillary would be widely viewed as illegitimate were she to win at this point.

[virtualobserver]

31. Initially I was for Hillary, until late '07

I was simultaneously drawn to him by his message of unity, and driven from Hillary by her campaign tactics.
Then I got "the audacity of hope" on audiobook and came to realize just how brilliant this guy really is.

[Mz Pip]

32. Maybe, just maybe

he can bring a new perspective to Washington. Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton, more of the same IMHO. I know there are no guarrantees with Obamabut I'm willing to give him the opportunity to try. Even small steps would be better than the entrenched, unyeilding politics that we have now.

He's young, intelligent and has inspired a new generation. I think young people who are my sons' age have a lot at stake as far as the future goes. If Obama is able to engage young people and keep them engaged then I think we might just have a better future. If he can really translate that initial enthusiam into action more power to him.

He wasn't my first choice but after Iowa I started to pay more attention to him. It really doesn't matter so much to me that he lacks years and years of Washington experience. We have seen where that has led us and it hasn't been pretty. Time to turn things over to the next generation and see how they do.

[DJ13]

33. He's the only chance we have to end the polarizing atmosphere the corprations thrive in

Ever since Reagan the two partys have been waging a false war between themselves that only serves to drive a wedge between the people and their government so theres no incentive to conduct proper oversight into how the government has been funneling money into the coffers of big business at the expense of our own national interests.

We've had 28 years (so far) of this joint political party governmental fraud, and Bill Clinton was no exception in perpetuating that fraud, so thinking another Clinton would try to end it is beyond stupid.

Obama isnt beholden to the same big business interests, hasnt had time to become corrupted like so many others within our own party, and his intellect and personality leads me to believe he will be different from the pretenders that weve had as President since 1980.

[DinahMoeHum]

34. His campaign camp knows what they are doing, competing in all 50 states

instead of automatically writing off some states as impossible to win over. This is the closest thing to Howard Dean's "50-State Strategy" - compete in every state, every district, every county, every precinct, etc.

This strategy also strengthens the "down-ticket" candidates - for Senate, Congress, state legislatures, etc. Even if the Dems don't win the electoral votes for that state this year, they may win a Congress Rep here, a Governor or AG there; it adds up and it sets things up for the next election cycle - plus, they build their talent bench.

:kick::kick:

[4_Legs_Good]

37. After 8 years of George Jr., and all the bickering, America needs some Make-Up Sex

America needs some kind of a unifying figure. Someone we can actually be proud of as a leader, and I really think that Obama brings that to the table. I think that he can be unifying just and inspiring here and around the world. He can go to Berlin and deliver an "eich bein ein berliner" speech and get cheers.

He will, once again, make us see the stars.

David

[Tatiana]

45. Oh my! This is DUzy worthy!

After 8 years of George Jr., and all the bickering, America needs some Make-Up Sex

:rofl:

[Tatiana]

38. I love these responses. They beg another question. Which matters more?

Experience or judgment?

[book_worm]

42. both. Obama has judgement and more legislative experience than Hillary.

[Tatiana]

49. But if you had to pick one, which would you go with? n/t

[Az_lefty]

39. #1: He's not Hillary Clinton...

#2-9999 all the other positive reasons stated in this post..

[Cha]

40. My biggest reason it turns out is

his Speech in Oct 2002 that was prescient and used good judgement against bombing Iraq.

You know the speech that hilary likes to mock and say how much more experience mccain has and oh, she says she has more, too, but some of that experience comin' outta her resume looks Padded. And, whatever experience she has hasn't helped her judgement or her ablility to run a comprehensive campaign..she's going to debt to cover those expenses.

[apocalypsehow]

41. Hope.

n/t.

[GodlessBiker]

43. He is a 21st Century candidate.

[Tatiana]

50. How? Like, in terms of technology? n/t

[GodlessBiker]

59. In terms of forward-thinking; not reminding us of the past; multi-cultural.

He is a candidate who embodies the need for this country to re-establish connections throughout the world.

[goletian]

44. wise and tactful - that sums it up for me n/t

[graywarrior]

47. He's a change from Bush/Clinton/Bush/Clinton

I am sooooooo tired of dynasties running this country.

[momophile]

92. this, to me,

is one of the biggest turn offs. I agree with you, graywarrior. about something other than Alan Rickman!!

[Lisa0825]

51. I believe he will bring the center back to the left, rather than pushing us

more to the center. He has been able to communicate with independents and Republicans and show them that they have more in common with us than they realize and have been manipulated into believing that we are the enemy. If we can bring the disaffected Republicans and more independents back to the party, we can have a chance to show them how much better our policies really are and turn them into real Democrats. I know a lot of people who didn't consider themselves Republicans until Reagan or Bush, or conversely, never voted Democrat until Nixon. People can change perspectives, but that won't happen with the same old divisive politics. To do that, we need someone who can cut past the negativity and offer a hand. As divisive a figure as Hillary has been, I do not see that happening with her.

No, I have not supported Hillary since I began delving deeper into politics about 6 years ago. That was when I learned about the DLC, the effects of NAFTA, and then she voted for the war... so there have been a variety of reasons behind my inability to support her, since way before the current campaign began.

[Tatiana]

52. Do you think it is possible for Obama to not only pull the center left-ward

but to also bring some of the one-issue right-wingers toward the center?

[Lisa0825]

58. Yes, that too!

Even the hot button issue of abortion. If anyone can get some of the less militant anti-abortion-voters to come back by making them see that DEMOCRATIC policies result in fewer abortions due to increased financial security, education, and social support, whereas Republican policies result in MORE abortions due to a lack of these things... if anyone can make them see it, I think Obama can.

That's just one example. The race speech had other good examples... "seeing opportunity as a zero-sum game." The races shouldn't be pitted against one another for the SAME jobs. Instead, lets increase opportunities for EVERYONE, for starters by curtailing outsourcing!

He is very skilled at making people who thought they were on opposite sides see that they actually have some common ground.

[Perky]

53. Simple. We need a nominee that can win a mandate election on Iraq and healthcare

[Rainbowreflect]

54. There are many, many thing I like and support about Obama,

but the biggest is I believe he might actually get some of the changes we want done! I know most of our current and past candidates have great plans for making the changes we want, but then they run into the opposition and the lobbyist. I think the only way to counter this is a President who can inspire the average Joe and Josie to get involved and to push the representatives to do the right thing.

[Bullet1987]

55. Transparency in government...

[olkaz]

57. I support Obama because he is not Hillary.

So, no, I didn't support Hillary, at any point.

(I was originally Edwards, Dodd, Biden)

[eagertolearn]

60. Was on the fence until...

the negativity.  I really thought that Senator Clinton had
more experience and to have her husband on board too was an
added plus.  She is intelligent and worked hard to get her
turn.  Now I realize that it takes good judgment to surround
yourself with the right people and he has that judgment and I
believe the right ideas to make our country and this world a
better place (I've come to see how brilliant he is also). The
other thing he has is the people behind him.  I don't know if
I really believe the polls because every where I go people
want Obama for president.  Most republicans I know are very
unhappy with the current administration but will probably in
the long run still stick with it to keep the money in their
own pockets(they don't get it).  But I don't know if they will
use any energy to get out to vote!  My husband switched over
(from republican to democratic to vote for Obama) but his
parents and sisters and my mom are strong Fox news followers
and believe all that junk they keep hearing.  I guess for the
most part I will vote for Obama because of the hope factor. 
You should have seen all those faces at the Portland rally. 
Hope has given all of us a reason to believe in our country
again.  I believe the people of our country will do what ever
it takes to help him accomplish those goals because those are
our goals.  (P.S.- How do I fix the text and the set up so it
is like others....I'm new to this.. Thanks)

[cooolandrew]

61. His enthusiasm and genuine love for America and the world.

[Dr Fate]

62. For me, 3 reasons:

1. His campaign respects the DEM grass-roots and the active DEM base- in stark contrast to the DLC/Hillary/Bullmoose/Lieberman crowd. Rather than cutting me down as a crazy anti-war nut, he found common ground with me. This includes his embracing of 50 State Strategy & his embracing of what the Hillary people used to call "The Nut-roots." In other words, his campaign wants my involvement and is glad to say so.

2. He is able to pull off #1 while still somehow gaining respect and support from independents, conservative and Republican voters.

3. He can win. See #1 & #2 above.

[WyLoochka]

63. He is head and shoulders above

Clinton - and all the others who have dropped out - as far as his leadership skill set.

His natural inclination is to study and reflect on all sides of an issue before coming to a conclusion and proposing solutions. He makes huge intellectual efforts to really understand - in depth.

He has demonstrated that he is truly compassionate and able to empathize with the broad range of predicaments people are in today. He has a strong vision he will use to help lead us to better ways of doing things here at home and around the globe.

He is extraordinarily intelligent. He can synthesize so much better than anyone else in public service today he makes the rest of them look like shallow dumb-asses.

I was for Edwards I guess because I don't have the skills Obama has and related to the talk about needing to "fight." I have since actually been glad that Edwards dropped out because I then took a good long look and listen to Obama. He fights - but he does it in a far superior way - rhetorically speaking.

He is elegant, eloquent and dignified thus, inspires so much more of the confidence and excitement that are needed to get things done that he outclasses everyone else by a long shot - including the former president touted for his "charisma" old Bill Clinton who, with all his intelligence and charisma only managed to barely - and often not even that - hold the line against the right wingers.

His wife has the intelligence, but not the charisma, nor apparently after all this time the inclination to change things. She seems to like the power structure set-up in DC the way it is - and it is one of my biggest beefs that it should undergo huge changes. Why would we expect she could do something he couldn't do, anyway? At this point she has said not one word that has indicated to me that she recognizes that people out here having to live life according to the right wingers is a problem that needs to be solved. She capitulates to right wing frame after right wing frame over and over again - just like Bill did in the 90s.

Obama hears the winger refrains and rises above them and then reframes the discussion such that it includes a good part of the way we leftists look at things and helps lead away from mean, bitter, nasty winger shibboleths.

When we elect Obama, he will get us out of the right winger framing box we have been locked in for 30 god damn miserable long years.

[Tatiana]

74. " Why would we expect she could do something he couldn't do, anyway?"

That's a good question.

[ieoeja]

64. I hope he will take us back to the future.

#1. Given his extensive experience working in community activism, I have reason to believe Obama may actually shift the center Left. Which would be just the opposite of the last Democratic president.

#2. His election should help dispel the "black man can't get ahead" meme that keeps far too many young African-American men from even trying.

#3. He went on the 700 Club and argued in favor of gay and atheist rights. For all his religosity I can not think of another major presidential candidate since Carter who has spoken out more strongly in support of Atheists and Gays.

#4. He appears to be appealing to non-union Reagan Democrats and may bring some of them back into the fold. Union Reagan Democrats are, unfortunately, another issue. I think that comes down to the competition for jobs between poor whites and poor blacks. The GOP has done a wonderful job of dividing us on that issue.

#5. 50 State Strategy. I have witnessed first hand a Democratic stronghold go Republic for the past two decades. First election under the 50 State Strategy, the district sent a Democrat to the House. I won't be at all surprised to see Obama carry that district (though probably not the state) in the general election this year.

#6. And, frankly, having our first African-American in the White House will be cool as shit.

[RiverStone]

65. Obama = unity + inclusiveness + change ..n/t

[damntexdem]

66. It's complex:

I was originally for Kucinich, then for Edwards.

When it was down to Obama vs. Billary, there was no real choice for me -- Obama was it. And he HAD opposed the War, unlike HRC.

But meanwhile Obama had been showing the ability to mobilize many who had not been active. He showed appeal across many lines.

Then he makes one of the great speeches in American history, treating American voters as if they were adults, making sense on racism, and inviting America to participate in a dialogue on what to do about what's wrong with it. Sure, by then, I was already committed; but it really sealed the deal.

[elana i am]

68. he's not hillary.

seriously.

we're not all totally enamored with obama, just some of us absolutely loathe the clintons. he's a very likeable person but he's not progressive enough for me. i consider his biggest asset that he's not hillary. i'll probably vote for him instead of writing in kucinich.

i never considered hillary. never have, never will.

[Terran]

69. I think I'm a good judge of character

And when I hear him speak, I hear a person who's balanced, sincere, confident, smart, and wise enough to wield the power of the office in a sane and humane way.

I feel that way about John Edwards too, and I think they'd make a dream ticket together.

As for HRC, well, I have never felt good about her personality...from Day 1 of the Clinton Administration. I defended her throughout because she was First Lady and I felt she made a real effort on national healthcare back then. In retrospect, I think that may have been little more than resume-building. As a politician in her own right, I have never seen in her the qualities I think make a good leader. Obviously she's smart and knows policy and doesn't support the more insane aspects of modern conservativism, but I have seen in her a grasping quality; I think she wants to be President TOO much for her own good, as if she just wants power for its own sake. I don't see in her the wisdom and the humanity that I see in Barack.

edit: typo

[grantcart]

70. he is the one that is most likely to reduce the number and need of calls at 3:00 AM

[Guava Jelly]

73. Because I believe he has a better chance of defeating McCain than Sen.Clinton

I was at first a Richardson man then I went to Edwards and drifted to Obama.
I wasn't in love with Obama as a candidate at first.
I just preferred him over Sen Clinton.
From where I live, and the various Independent voters that I have ran in to in my parts
Seem to really like Obama and I haven't met one yet that shared those feelings about Sen Clinton.
This is what originally turned me toward Obama. (Because the independents normally decide the elections)

But since the Media onslaught of the Wright farce and the pounding of Rezco from a certain board.
And His speech..I am now head over heals for my candidate..I haven't been this excited about a candidate yet..(I'm 41)

[The Doctor.]

75. One; He isn't DLC. Two; The right can't touch him, and they know it.

Three; He's a proven uniter. Four; While both of them have fair policy stances, I trust Obama to be less fettered to corporate interests than Hillary (see One). Five; I believe that he will bring more people out in the GE by huge margins. Republicans will suffer straight ticket demise in November, thus giving us a shot at taking the country back for the people.

Yes, I did seriously consider supporting Hillary, she'd be a fine president. But I believe the conditions of an Obama presidency will be far more favorable to the future.

[DevonRex]

77. His very vocal opposition to the war.

At no time did I consider Hillary because she voted for the IWR. Simple as that.

[ZombieHorde]

79. I support BO because he is a far superior to any Republican.

I still support HC for the same reason.

[Radical Activist]

81. He has a solid progressive record that matches his rhetoric and the ability to win.

There are many other reasons but throughout the primary it always came back to that. None of the other candidates had those two qualities.

[roseBudd]

82. I never thought Hillary's high unfavoarables and down ticket drag were worth the gamble

The 90s may have been good and anything is better than Bush but the Clinton's really screwed the pooch.

Not only was the tawdry horn dog stuff unhelpful, but the sleazy profit driven pardons on the way out really stuck it to the democrats.

The Clintons, with her enabling are how we ended up where we are now.

Obama, he's got something Gore, Kerry, Dukakis, Hillary etc. can't buy, learn or steal.

We would be fools not to put our money on a talent like that.

And we cannot afford to have the most hated woman in America as our nominee.

[thevoiceofreason]

84. The best energy policy by far.

[knixphan]

85. He's the superior diplomat.

And he won't veto a national healthcare bill (like Conyers') if it winds up on his desk.

[marshall]

86. He's honest

Comparatively speaking he is head and shoulders above the competition in terms of honesty and integrity.

[Liberal Veteran]

87. Didn't like Dynasty as a tv series and sure as hell don't want it in the WH.

I want someone different. Not Clinton. Not Bush.

[tokenlib]

88. I think he cares more for the struggling. Examples:Social Security and Iraq!!!

I simply trust Barack Obama's heart more than Hillary's...

Raising the payroll tax cap saves Social Security and gets it OFF the table as an issue. Hillary said it was an undue burden on the affluent which I find reprehensible.--AND along with her corporate friendly DLC tendencies as evidenced on the Bankruptcy Reform--there is no excuse for any of the Dems who voted for it (every major consumer group opposed it)--I know who she cares about--and it isn't the little people.

Barack will support raising the cap--as did Wes Clark in 2004...


Iraq--she enabled the neo-cons and then took on this current faux anti-Iraq war posture I find disingenuous. I find her current theatrics more disturbing than if she had stayed simply pro-Iraq war...
Barack has been more consistant and sincere on the issue in my view.
Two issues that for Hillary show her priorities and values---I no longer trust the Clintons.

And what really did she learn from her health care failure??? To kiss corporate ass?? I wonder....

[RBInMaine]

93. My first choice was Edwards, 2nd Obama. Why? He's brilliant, well-tempered,

fresh, has incredible insight, uniquely EXPERIENCED with 20 years from community organizer to 8 years in state govt. to national govt., an ability to bring people together, has been part of two racial communities and uniquely understands both (so yes, his personal story and life experiences do matter for me - and I'm white), and is a clear break from the Bush/Clinton dynasties - a real chance to change the country much more dramatically than the Washington establishment Hillary Clinton. And certainly he has excellent, well-thought, comprehensive positions on the issues. His ideas on healthcare with an emphasis on cost reduction, getting us the hell out of Iraq, a real green energy policy, and how sees the connections between the Iraq debacle and economic strain are very moving. He's very inspiring. Very impressive.
that's the gist.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

94. He's a Constitutional scholar who wants to restore Habeas Corpus and the separation of powers

Not to say that HRC or any of the other candidates wasn't concerned about the Constitution but Barack is uniquely positioned to understand what is at stake and to lead accordingly.

[bevoette]

95. POSSIBILITIES

i'm a thirtysomething college educated white female w/ an AA husband, we are DINKs, we live in the most liberal city of one of the most conservative states. i'm a cynic by nature and think politicians are mostly full of poopla...but i've been able to cast protest votes for 20 years b/c i live in one of if not the reddest of states. i voted Perot - twice! LOL

last fall, i randomly watched some of the debates when i wasn't doing anything interesting. heh. Republicans were a buncha clowns for the most part. Democrats...i had generally favorable opinions of Richardson and Edwards...not so much Hillary (yes, it was her baggage, sorry)...but Obama stood out.

he made me pay attention. he made me believe what he was saying, that he really meant it. in simple terms...he made me NOT feel cynical about politics for the first time in my entire life.

i am not offended when people belittle that reaction, calling it 'koolaide' or whatever...it's not like i can explain it that well, lol. it was just an instinctual and visceral reaction - he seems good, he seems right, and he gives me hope that things really CAN be different. <cue violins> :P

people loved Kennedy...Reagan...Clinton...i see this as my turn! :)

i never voted in a primary in my life. i voted for him...and i can't wait to vote for him in November...my first major party presidential vote since 1988 :o

[mmonk]

96. Change and a different face of America on the world

that can possibly connect with countries we currently always are running dirty wars in.

[fujiyama]

97. His foreign policy is a clear change from the status quo

He was vocal about not being so supportive of Musharraf even before he lost the elections. For this reason, he was attacked by all quarters - both Dem and repuke. He understands that Iraq is and never was the epicenter for Al Qaeda and global Islamic extremist terrorism. And he made it clear back in '03 when he opposed the war.

I like the campaign he has run. It has been based on hope and optimism. Is that enough to run a country? No, of course not. But it does inspire. And to me, that's quite different from what I'm used to getting from politicians.

[PatGund]

98. I can't say I'm a supporter....

As much as "He's the best of the available choices."

I gave Sen. Clinton another look after Gen. Clark endorsed her, but sadly, had to disagree with him. Her triangulation and entitlement attitude turned me off again.

[Tatiana]

99. .

:kick: