The Obama Republicans and a blue electoral landslide!!!

[mckeown1128]

There is an interesting phenomenon that has arisen over the last few months: a trend of moderate Republicans who want to vote for Barack Obama. It may seem counterintuitive, conservatives supporting a candidate who wants to tax the wealthy and embrace the conventions in the Kyoto Accord, but there is something in Obama's message about ridding politics of partisanship that is appealing to these Republicans.

Some of these right-wing Obama supporters are putative country club Republicans, hailing from areas similar to the North Shore of Chicago. Others are professionals who are disillusioned by the Bush administration's failure to develop a sound domestic policy to redress issues of health care and Social Security or to end the relentless war in Iraq.

"From a philosophical point of view I still see myself as a Republican," says Kenneth Wehking, 38, a Denver man... At one time he supported John McCain for those very reasons, but now he is attracted to Obama and belongs to a group called Republicans For Obama. He likes Obama's philosophy: the need to rid the country of the red/blue divide that has made it impossible to move forth legislation in immigration or health care.


Great article!!! Ohh.. for those who would like to spin this against Obama... Just because he can pull repukes doesn't mean he will legislate as a moderate/republican. Reagan drew many democrates but was still a pure puke. By the way how nice would it be to have a Reagan like landslide electoraly but for our side. Could happen... :7

http://www.suntimes.com/news/hunter/433292,CST-NWS-hunter19.article

[Alamom]

1. 7 minutes and nothing, If this was written about HRC, you would be

burned up by now.

[mckeown1128]

3. Bloomberg has everyones attention...

I thought at the least I would get a few grumpy Hillary supporters...but I guess not...

[Hekate]

2. Very, very nice. I have felt all along that Obama could be The One...

I love John (and Elizabeth!) Edwards, but for some reason he's polling a distant third in most places.

I think Hillary Clinton is as qualified as all-get-out, but I have watched the VRWC demonize her ever since 1990 and I don't know if enough voters can get past that false characterization.

Barack Obama is very young as such things are reckoned in presidential politics, but there's no question that he's exceptionally bright as well as ambitious. And he's a rising star who has caught the imaginations of a lot of people across color lines, and apparantly across political lines as well.

I'd be happy with any of these people as a nominee, and I'd gladly work for any of them.

But Obama could be The One: first black man in the White House, appealing to a divided nation as someone who can bring us together.

Hekate

[mckeown1128]

4. I like John Edwards too...

but in the last few months the corporate media has damaged him really bad(and unfairly) I would like to see an Obama/Edwards or Edwards/Obama ticket.

[jcrew2001]

5. Obama is the Great White/Black Hope meaning that he can bridge

political parties and race. In presidential politics, Personality trumps politics. And many Male republicans are looking for an alternative in the Dem party. They won't vote for Hillary, but they'll vote for Obama.

While there are still racists who won't vote for a Black person, I believe that will be minimized particularly with a new generation of voters who grew up rooting for Michael Jordan, etc. Obama also needs to convince suburban white voters, and his mixed heritage is an asset because he grew up with his white grandparents and can connect with white suburban voters.

[nevergiveup]

6. My sister is one

of these moderate Republicans. She voted for Chimpy in 2000 but hates the war so much she "held her nose" and voted for Kerry in 04. She says that if Obama gets the nomination she will make her first ever Democratic campaign contribution.

[illinoisprogressive]

7. A repub. I know is for Obama and knows his policies are liberal. doesn't care

she has been a republican her adult life. Because of what Bush has done and what Obama says and her desire for an end to divisive politics, she is crazy about Obama.
But, we both know you cannot just count on only the democratic vote to win the general. You need to pull people from the other party and indies to win. How do people think Reagan won so decisively. Not with just republicans. He pulled in alot of dems.

[Bitwit1234]

8. Raving articles like this depend on who you support

Those supporting Obama think he is the king of the walk, those supporting Hillary think the same thing. But you don't see Hillary supporters dising the other side.

[rufus dog]

9. No dissing of the other side involved

I live in THE OC (Yes Orange County, CA - Behind the Orange Curtain) I have had two people see the Obama book on my end table and ask if they could borrow it. I am not even sure of who has the book currently. The point is that these people who I know voted for Bush in 2000 and 2004 asked to read the book. Not sure what it means, but is shows an interest.

[flpoljunkie]

10. Thanks for the post. Also know Chicago Republican who supports Obama.

[wyldwolf]

12. Antoin "Tony" Rezko?

[Nedsdag]

17. Marc Rich?

n/t

[Ethelk2044]

19. Should ask Hillary about That Cherry gave Hillary a fundraiser. She would know

all there is to know about that one.

[mckeown1128]

14. Can't post a a Pro-Obama piece without a little flame.

:nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke:

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

15. How do you make that graphic? n/t

[mckeown1128]

16. When you post a message click on the..

smilies lookup table. You can click the graphic you want or type in the code. :smoke:

[snowbear]

18. Sure doesn't appear that it can...

But then again, it's primary season at DU...

[Dr. Strange]

11. I've seen it too

It sounds somewhat like "South Park Conservatives" or "Log Cabin Republicans," but I've seen a couple of pubbers who are quite interested in Obama.

It may be one of the signs of the apocalypse, though, so I'm sure if I'm ready to cheer just yet...

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

13. This is because he is following his progressive values and framing like Lakoff

For those of you who haven't read Lakoff, he is a brilliant cognitive linguist, who has argued that people vote values rather than issues. Take for example, Reagan. When polled union men didn't like his policies, but they liked him because he spoke/ his image spoke to their conservative values. We all know what happened. Lakoff argues that there is no center in American politics, just biconceptuals, or people who accept both progressive and conservative framing of different issues. According to Lakoff biconceptuals are won by activating their progressive values, rather than moving to the right or simply campaigning on whatever issues poll well. Campaign as a smart progressive who speaks to progressive values and you will get the support of the center. I think Obama has done this and will be able to win in a landslide because of it.

Here is an example of how Obama is doing this: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3326371&mesg_id=3328138

You'll have to see the original thread which was bashing Obama for talking about responsible fatherhood to understand the full context, but this is a good example of how he is framing issues, but sticking to progressive values.

On edit: I also know a few Republicans who will vote for Obama