Question for Obama supporters who formerly were republicans

[lastliberalintexas]

Granted, this question really also only goes to those same Obama supporters who loathe Clinton, so I will also note that. I also posted this in direct response to an Obama supporter, but I thought I'd ask it as a general question to see where some of you are coming from.

I have seen a surprisingly large number of Obama supporters admit to being former republicans, which in part is great because it means people can change. But I've also noticed that some of those same posters absolutely detest and loath the Clintons, and I've wondered about that connection for a while now. Do you think that your former republicanism might actually have any influence over the way you view the Clintons?

I've seen some Obama supporters talk about how nasty this race has been, when it has been anything but to this outside observer. This race has actually been quite calm and clean as between the candidates (I am intentionally excluding posters here in that assessment!), so it amazes me when Obama supporters complain about Clinton's vile campaign. Do you think that the 1990s and your former republicanism colors your perceptions even today?

Let me be the first to admit that my 90s experience creates an incredible bias for me. I wasn't a Clinton fan then, I wanted Tsongas in 1992. Yet I defended the Clintons from tons of bullshit bile spewed by the right wing assholes in the 90s. I also worked in DC for a short time, and even as a no name worker bee I caught glimpses of the battles the Clintons faced, fought and won because of the war aged by hate radio, the actual right wing conspiracy, and the unthinking sheep who bought into the shit flung at them. Even though they were always more conservative than I, they earned my respect because of the battles they faced, fought and WON. I certainly don't yearn for another Clinton presidency, but I would support her over McCain every day and twice on Sunday. Same for Obama, btw.

But I wonder how living through that same time as a republican changes the equation. I also wonder if it might be a good idea for people like I am describing, who admit to being republicans in the 90s, to take a step back and think about how that colors your world and your views of the Clintons. And to remember that the battles they faced were in part because good people like you bought into the BS back then. Is it then so inconceivable to think that you just might also be buying into it again? Propaganda is a powerful political tool for a reason, after all.

I really didn't get the Clinton hate back then, but I understand it even less coming from supposed Dem supporters on a Dem message board.



And please don't tell me all Obama supporters are not this way- I know that. My question is to a very specific subset of Obama supporters who were republicans and who also hate the Clintons.

[Yael]

1. Clinton Fatigue

I am one of those of whom you speak. Of course, it was Dean and Edwards for me as when I realized the Republicans had been LYING to me all my life, I went from right of right to left of left and was drawn into the firebrand populism thing. I now fully support Senator Obama.

I voted for Perot back in 1992. Economically, I saw what was coming with NAFTA and even though he was wrong on almost everything else, NAFTA is the key (IMO) to why our economy is in the toilet now. We don't make things anymore. We are a service economy now, and when people can't make things to earn a living -- they are self-sufficient and don't USE "services" as much.

My anti-Clinton attitude has nothing to do with their platforms or their policies, however. It has everything to do with their character.

Travelgate told me everything I needed to know about these people. It wasn't that they didn't have the right to replace the staff, it was HOW they went about it. Full-blown Sith Lord mode. They didn't just replace them, they lied about WHY they were replacing them to attempt to destroy their careers in the process. Scorched earth.

One thing that has been very amusing to me during this campaign is watching the SHOCK and SURPRISE of my fellow democrats noting how low they will go. I saw this out of them in the 1990s and expected nothing less. It is like using a cannon to kill a fly when a fly swatter would suffice. It is the OBLITERATE and DESTROY without care or conscience.

From back when Senator Edwards was still deep in this thing:

Obama - United We Sit At A Table To Bargain
Clinton - United We Sneak Off To A Backroom To Bargain
Edwards - United We Reach Our 300 Million Pound Fist Out And Fucking End This Tyrany And Take Our Democracy Back

Thanks, but the lack of respect that the Clintons show people means that they get no respect from me in return. I would even struggle voting for a ticket with her in the VP slot. It is time to rid DC of thsir toxic drama.