To those gnashing their teeth about the Des Moines Register poll sample

[wndycty]

I think these numbers should be encouraging to anyone who wants to see a Democrat (in this case its Obama) win the general election, additionally if these numbers pan out on Thursday its should strike fear in the heart of the GOP because it shows Obama can draw, and more importantly, mobilize new voters as well as independents, not to mention some moderate Republicans.

For those who criticize this strategy and view Obama as some type of sellout for reaching out to independents and moderate Republicans your motivation is transparent. If anyone remembers his 2004 speech at the convention that strategy is true to the theme of the speech which was about uniting this country.

If you look at rankings of Democratic Senators you will see that Obama is considered to be one of the most liberal in the chamber.

Bush won with the slimmest of margins (and that is if you believe he actually won), wouldn't it be great to see a president win with 55-45 margin? Maybe I'm too optimistic, but I've been around this too long to be naive.

Nobody has won anything yet and Obama has to run this race like his life depends on it.

The fact that Obama can win this nomination with the support of independents and moderates is not a bad thing, NO MATTER WHAT THE HATERS WANT YOU TO BELIEVE, it just shows that we have a Democrat who appeals to them and need I remind is definitely considered to be very liberal based on his votes in both the Illinois and US Senates.

[yourout]

1. Swimming towards the middle just gets you drowned in the deep water.

[wndycty]

4. This is what shows your ignorance. . .

. . .he is still to the left of Clinton and about even with Edwards. Don't view the fact that he is drawing independents and Republicans as him selling out. As I said in the OP one of his central themes has always been to unite the country and if these numbers are correct it shows his message is resonating.

And when you look at all of the viable candidates he is not anymore to the middle than the rest of them.

[yourout]

7. Obama is my second choice.......I am just fed up with Dems wanting to move right.

If their stance on issues appeals to the middle then fine but Hillary has already staked out the center.

[RDANGELO]

2. I agree 100%.

Good post.

[rucky]

3. I want the Dems to win.

not just win, but landslide.

If Obama has a winning strategy, we'll know it soon enough. GOTV is so important, but often overlooked - or an afterthought in a campaign.

[wndycty]

5. And if he is able to win in Iowa using that formula its going to be an amazing story. . .

. . .while a lot DUers, especially the ones supporting other candidates, are focusing on the independents and the moderate Republicans, the most amazing story is his ability to motivate new voters. Can you imagine how great a story it will be if a significant number of people voted for the first for Obama? That would be absolutely amazing.

For years we always hear how voter turnout is down, wouldn't it be great if we saw an increase for a change?

[BringBigDogBack]

6. Great post

[KingofNewOrleans]

8. I don't have an issue with wherever Obama gets his votes

I just think it's hard to imagine 40% of caucus goers being independents (or even 5% Republicans). That implies a massive turnout. Along the line of 200,000 or so. That seems to be beyond the most optimistic predictions.

It would be very impressive if turnout was like that, and it may be as all the candidates have been going after independents too.

[undercoverduer]

9. K&R

:kick:

[OHdem10]

10. I hope you are right. (correct)

I read an analysis over at HuffPost which indicates Obama
is running to the Right of Hilary.

I get suspicious of GOP voting liberal when in large numbers.
They have been known to tip elections --not because they are
enamored of a candidate--but because they think they can beat
him the easiest in the General Election. (Combined with the
hatred of the candidate's opposition.

I hope this is not the case.

[wndycty]

12. And by what criteria is Obama running to right of Hillary?

Is it on the war?

Is it on the economy?

Is it on civil rights?

Is it on education?

Is it on a woman's right to choose?

Is it on family farms?

Is it on immigration?

Where is Barack to the right of Hillary?

[wndycty]

14. Are those crickets I hear?

:kick:

[returnable]

21. No kidding...

I keep hearing this "Obama is running to the right" crap, and yet no one can point to a single issue that is cribbed from the GOP platform. The bottom line is Obama knows how to get the right side of the aisle to come around to his PROGRESSIVE position. And he has the track record to prove it. Why some folks think this is a bad thing is beyond me.

:kick:

[antiimperialist]

11. Another Obamaniac who thinks Republicans will continue to be nice to Obama if he wins

It'as as simple as this:
Republicans hate Hillary Clinton. Obama is Hillary's nemesis, therefore Republicans are praising Obama a lot and this leads independents to believe that Obama is such a big uniter, because even David Brooks and the Weekly Standards are praising the guy.

But once Obama becomes the target, the support from the middle and left will be OVER.

[wndycty]

13. Well you might need to accept that Obama can very well be our nominee and . . .

. . .has an excellent shot at winning. I accept that fact when it comes to Hillary and Edwards and I'm fine with it.

[Colobo]

15. Obama's got what it takes. The haters can't handle it, but he will prevail.

[AtomicKitten]

16. Good analysis.

I agree that some here are dissing Obama for the very skills that will enable him to win and win BIG!!!

[sandnsea]

17. He gets Pubs to pass liberal laws

Changing campaign financing in Illinois, implementing video taping of all murder interrogations, extending health care to children, implementing a Hospital Report Card... that's the beauty of it, he doesn't move to the middle, he gets Republicans to move to where he is.

[wndycty]

18. And to think there are some DUers who think that is a problem

:kick:

[killbotfactory]

19. Well, after 16 years of capitulating dems

I understand where they are coming from, but it wouldn't kill them to do some friggin' research into his history instead of assuming that Obama is going to sell us out.

[wndycty]

20. Wednesday morning kick

:kick: