Obama "cult"?

[mugmunster]

That's your opinion, though. I have family who lives in Illinois and who are registered Republicans but have been Obama supporters since he ran for Senate. They said he has worked hard for the state and for his district when he was in the Illinois legislature. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but based on other political threads, aren't you usually pretty anti-Democrat anyways?

Exactly. He wasn't just a "nobody" when he was running for Senate. I remember that race well and being very excited about him. If you don't follow politics, especially local, you aren't going to have really heard about him before this.

 

[JennyMominRI]

That's your opinion, though. I have family who lives in Illinois and who are registered Republicans but have been Obama supporters since he ran for Senate. They said he has worked hard for the state and for his district when he was in the Illinois legislature. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but based on other political threads, aren't you usually pretty anti-Democrat anyways?

Ditto.. My Illinois friends are pretty happy with him..They are by and large Democrats though..We have all been talking about him since 04.

 

[frndshpcptn]

I think older people may (and this is just my opinion) discount the younger generation in politics because they have a sense of "oh, I remember when I was young and idealistic." Now that I am (insert here: older, wiser, beaten-down, discouraged, etc.) my ability to be inspired by words has diminished.

I am just about 30, and I already feel some of that. I just don't get inspired easily. I am excited by change when I see actual change happen, not when I hear promises of it in campaign rhetoric.

 

[MAKmom]

That's your opinion, though. I have family who lives in Illinois and who are registered Republicans but have been Obama supporters since he ran for Senate. They said he has worked hard for the state and for his district when he was in the Illinois legislature. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but based on other political threads, aren't you usually pretty anti-Democrat anyways?

Tim I thought there was a big scandal going on with the Republicans when Barack Obama was elected to the Senate. I heard it was a fluke....being in the right place at the right time type of thing. Is this true?

 

[NewJersey]

He didnt really run for the senate. He pretty much got it by default. And Ill be honest with you - Im not THAT knowledged in the details in how that happened.

And Im not 'anti-democratic'. I consider myself a 'whatever candidate I prefer'.

There are certainly democrats I dont like, though.

From what I understand, I think his opponent (Jack Ryan I think?) dropped out due to an affair and Mike Ditka was asked to run but said no.

Thanks for responding

 

[mugmunster]

He didnt really run for the senate. He pretty much got it by default. And Ill be honest with you - Im not THAT knowledged in the details in how that happened.

And Im not 'anti-democratic'. I consider myself a 'whatever candidate I prefer'.

There are certainly democrats I dont like, though.

People were excited about him from the get go. Before the scandals that happened. I completely believe he would have won no matter what. This excitement about Obama started long before he announced his running for President.

 

[NewJersey]

Tim I thought there was a big scandal going on with the Republicans when Barack Obama was elected to the Senate. I heard it was a fluke....being in the right place at the right time type of thing. Is this true?

See my post above back to CathrynRose . They said they were going to vote for him before Jack Ryan dropped out though.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Can I ask how you think that he will bring an end to "us vs them"? I saw someone else refer to this the other day and I just don't get it. There will be many, many unhappy people in the US if Obama is the next president (just as there will be many, many unhappy people if the Republican candidate wins). How exactly is he going to unify everyone? If he wins, I will be counting the days until the next election in hopes that the Republican candidate will win next time and I'm sure that the Democrats will feel the same if the situation is reversed. His policy ideas will NOT please me and many people that I know, so how is he going to unite all of us?

he's not going to unify EVERYONE-because no one candidate could ever do that. However, he's not going to stand up there on election day and say "if you're not with us you're against us" or "i've got a mandate and I'm going to use it" and encourge the dynamic that has existed under GW that anyone who disagrees with him or his policies is Anti-American. I'm not saying GW intended that to happen, but that's how a lot of people have felt for the past 7 years.

Like Senator Clinton, he has worked well with Republicans in the Senate and I believe he will continue to do so as President. There has even been speculation that he will have a split cabinet with members from both parties.

 

[CathrynRose]

Tim I thought there was a big scandal going on with the Republicans when Barack Obama was elected to the Senate. I heard it was a fluke....being in the right place at the right time type of thing. Is this true?

He did run for Senate, he did not win by "default". People were excited about him from the get go. Before the scandals that happened. I completely believe he would have won no matter what. This excitement about Obama started long before he announced his running for President.

As I said - Im not crystal clear on the details - but I think MAK's got it right.

MUG - youre not in Illinois, are you? Im unsure where youre getting the 'excited' from?

And quite frankly - I thought this thread was about the Cult-Like-Ness at his speeches. And again - I say, it seems weird/creepy/odd.

 

[mugmunster]

See my post above back to CathrynRose . They said they were going to vote for him before Jack Ryan dropped out though.

He had a lot of support from people who were actually following the race closely. Contrary to popular belief, state senate elections aren't exactly followed by most people in the state.

 

[mugmunster]

Cathryn,

Chicago born and raised.

A lot of people were very pleased with him in the Illinois State Senate, I think 1997 and 2002 were the election years.

 

[momto2girls]

he's not going to unify EVERYONE-because no one candidate could ever do that. However, he's not going to stand up there on election day and say "if you're not with us you're against us" or "i've got a mandate and I'm going to use it" and encourge the dynamic that has existed under GW that anyone who disagrees with him or his policies is Anti-American. I'm not saying GW intended that to happen, but that's how a lot of people have felt for the past 7 years.

Like Senator Clinton, he has worked well with Republicans in the Senate and I believe he will continue to do so as President. There has even been speculation that he will have a split cabinet with members from both parties.

Ok, I see what you are saying. He is going to keep his thoughts to himself. I still have a hard time believing that he will unify everyone like you expect, but it is always good to have a dream.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Ok, I see what you are saying. He is going to keep his thoughts to himself. I still have a hard time believing that he will unify everyone like you expect, but it is always good to have a dream.

I thought I said that he isn't going to unify EVERYONE. I certainly don't expect that-and I don't know anyone who does.

 

[wvrevy]

So far, nobody has answered my question: How is the energy surrounding Obama any different than that which surrounded Bobby Kennedy 40 years ago?

Also, to address the "all talk" crap...when John Kennedy stood on the capitol steps and promised that America was going to the moon, did he also stand there for the next 2 hours and detail step-by-step instructions on how we would do that? Of course not. He set the goal, and led the country in that direction. THAT is the type of quality I and many others sense and respond to in Obama. The man is a natural leader, plain and simple. Yes, he has plans behind his words, but anyone with any sense knows that the president can make all the plans he wants, and it won't matter if Congress isn't on board with them. Barack can lead them towards the goals he wants to accomplish, letting them do their job in working out exactly how to get from point A to point B.

A president doesn't get to legislate (well, no president that actually understands the constitution has, anyway). All he can do is try to set the direction and get people to follow him. Barack's supporters believe he can do that as well as any president since Kennedy.

But I'd still like an answer to my question. (ETA: I wonder how people in their middle-age viewed that same energy? Certainly gives you something to think about, doesn't it?)

 

[budbeerlady]

I am just excited to see someone who "appears" to be able to get both sides together. I feel its been a while since that has happened. I am impressed by Obama, I dont feel the we can do it chanting is weird.

No weirder than chanting McCain or Romney or Hillary over and over. I prefer the we can do it to saying someones name over and over, it gives his supporters ownership of the campaign. I like we can do it, not Huckabee can do it.

 

[Alaska Catdog]

Congratulations OP for starting such a great thread. I appreciate your curiosity and I think your posts are indeed eloquent.

For me I am inspired not just by Obama but by all the other people who support him. I went to caucus on Tuesday. We were told that at the last caucus 11 people showed up (I live in a very small community). Over 500 people came to caucus this time. Not only was the room not large enough, the building could barely contain us. About 300 of those present were there to support Obama. Alaska is a very very very conservative state. I was sitting next to people who had never in their lives considered voting democratic. I myself changed my political affiliation in order to participate.
I believe that folks are scared of the direction the current administration is taking us and feel the need to get involved to effect change. From my perspective this is happening in both parties. People want something different I think Obama embodies that needed change and people are responding to it. I was born in 1968 so I did not experience Kennedy but I feel like Obama has the same impact on peoples hope that Kennedy did. I like that because hope leads to dreams and dreams lead to ideas and ideas lead to action and action leads to change and I need change. That's why I support Obama.

 

[lilyv]

Ok, I see what you are saying. He is going to keep his thoughts to himself. I still have a hard time believing that he will unify everyone like you expect, but it is always good to have a dream.

There will always be folks who are willing, on some issues to reach across the aisle and work toward compromise. Having a President that sees value in working toward the common good is quite beneficial in encouraging our elected officials actually work. (Beyond Baseball hearings....what exactly has our government really accomplished lately???) Of course,those who prefer intransigence will always be with us, as well.

Don't really know what "dreams" has to do with this subject.

 

[sassyat30]

So far, nobody has answered my question: How is the energy surrounding Obama any different than that which surrounded Bobby Kennedy 40 years ago?

Also, to address the "all talk" crap...when John Kennedy stood on the capitol steps and promised that America was going to the moon, did he also stand there for the next 2 hours and detail step-by-step instructions on how we would do that? Of course not. He set the goal, and led the country in that direction. THAT is the type of quality I and many others sense and respond to in Obama. The man is a natural leader, plain and simple. Yes, he has plans behind his words, but anyone with any sense knows that the president can make all the plans he wants, and it won't matter if Congress isn't on board with them. Barack can lead them towards the goals he wants to accomplish, letting them do their job in working out exactly how to get from point A to point B.

A president doesn't get to legislate (well, no president that actually understands the constitution has, anyway). All he can do is try to set the direction and get people to follow him. Barack's supporters believe he can do that as well as any president since Kennedy.

But I'd still like an answer to my question. (ETA: I wonder how people in their middle-age viewed that same energy? Certainly gives you something to think about, doesn't it?)

I'm only 33, so I can't answer your question.

 

[disneyfan67]

Well aside from the issues, if I'm just speaking from the heart, there is just something about him that when he speaks, I feel that he's specifically talking to me...I feel that he's genuinely honest, he cares deeply for this country, has a great sense of values, and he understands what I am looking for in the next leader of this country. I think it's hard to put into words what exactly he says or does that gets to me, but it's his overall demeanor, the message, the candor, the vibrancy, etc.

That probably made no sense as it was just raw emotions so forgive the confusion it may cause.

Tim, I have to say your enthusiasm for Obama is something to be proud of. For a young person to be this interested in politics, wanting to better the country by supporting a candidate they feel can achieve this goal, is refreshing. I salute you and your passion.


I don't think it's creepy at all that people all over this country are emotional over the Obama candidacy. The past few years have been difficult, filled with emotion, turmoil, and people are hungry for change. Will that change be any good? Only time will tell, but I'm hoping. To me it says something about America that we care enough about this great country to get this involved and participate in the electoral process. I may not agree with Obama's views on somethings, but I love the "Yes we can" motto because the American people can accomplish anything when we put our minds to it. Going to the moon in 1969 proved this to me and I refuse to believe otherwise.

I do wish I had your passion again, but that ship has sailed for me. Just a piece of advice though Tim. Don't give too much of yourself to any candidate or party, that you lose yourself in it. Politicians and their supporters have a way of letting you down at times, so be prepared for it and keep a little distance between you and them. Good luck and thanks for caring enough about our country to get this involved.

 

[NewJersey]

Congratulations OP for starting such a great thread. I appreciate your curiosity and I think your posts are indeed eloquent.

For me I am inspired not just by Obama but by all the other people who support him. I went to caucus on Tuesday. We were told that at the last caucus 11 people showed up (I live in a very small community). Over 500 people came to caucus this time. Not only was the room not large enough, the building could barely contain us. About 300 of those present were there to support Obama. Alaska is a very very very conservative state. I was sitting next to people who had never in their lives considered voting democratic. I myself changed my political affiliation in order to participate.
I believe that folks are scared of the direction the current administration is taking us and feel the need to get involved to effect change. From my perspective this is happening in both parties. People want something different I think Obama embodies that needed change and people are responding to it. I was born in 1968 so I did not experience Kennedy but I feel like Obama has the same impact on peoples hope that Kennedy did. I like that because hope leads to dreams and dreams lead to ideas and ideas lead to action and action leads to change and I need change. That's why I support Obama.

I love it!

I was reading stories like this on the Obama blog and last night on the liberal thread - 2200 showed up a Kansas caucus site and something like 1800 were for Obama.

The Rocky Mountain/Great Plains/Alaska stories were the most inspiring for me, out of Super Tuesday.