Obama's Win, An Analysis
How did it happen?
How did Barack Obama defy the odds and do what few imagined possible a year ago, turn back Hillary Clinton's well-funded frontrunner campaign and trounce a Republican nominee, a war hero no less, who had the potential to draw support from across the political spectrum?
With determination and discipline, Obama crafted a message that only he, a son of Kansas and Kenya, could sincerely deliver. Change. Hope. Post partisanship. An end to the negative politics of the past. All valiant, if also vague, selling points. Given the scope of his win, however, it is clear he struck more specific notes, too, that rang true -- health care for all, an equitable tax policy, access to health care, an end to corporate welfare -- for voters in blue and red state America.
But Obama, no matter how gifted, unflappable, charmed, should also thank two men for assisting in clearing his path to victory: Howard Dean and George W. Bush.
Piggybacking on a 50-state strategy first peddled by Democratic National Committee chairman Dean -- to much quiet snickering from many in the Democratic establishment that it was expensive and untenable -- Obama launched meticulous efforts to win over voters in traditionally Republican states in all four corners of the nation, from Colorado to Indiana to North Carolina. He opened offices in Montana of all places. He sought to turn reliably Republican Virginia. And he made plays for Ohio and Florida.
No longer should Dean, the crusty former VT governor whose 2004 presidential bid flamed out after one ill-timed Iowa yelp, be discounted by the Washington Democratic establishment. Dean's vision, the state-by-state networks established by the party under his leadership and his even management of a prickly primary contest between Obama and Clinton, makes him the other clear winner of the 2008 contest.
Meanwhile, with approval ratings hovering in the 20s and 30s, President Bush, too, established the climate for Obama to triumph. Much as President Clinton's indiscretions hurt Al Gore's 2000 bid, Bush's unpopularity, his betrayal of his party's core beliefs in smaller government, fiscal prudence and a non interventionist foreign policy, made it harder to rally conservatives this cycle. His legacy hurt the GOP's centrist candidate, John McCain, who might have, under other circumstances, differentiated himself from the unpopular president.
The scope and shape of Obama's win -- aided by the Rust Belt appeal of his running mate, Scranton's own Joe Biden -- is easy to qualify. The Democrat cleaned house. It's that simple.
He won men and women. He won every age group except seniors. Blacks, Hispanics, white voters ages 18-29 all backed the Illinois senator. He won among voters making more than $200K and voters making less than $50K. He won support from those in every education bracket, from voters without a high school degree to voters with post graduate schooling. He won Independents. He won moderates.
With Bush destined for history's rendering and the Democratic Party now also dominating the House and Senate, for Obama, the hard work of governing begins. Words must be translated into action. Does a next-generation president, an African American who pledges to represent all the people, follow another Illinoisan's lead and bring able Republicans into his circle? How will he shape the highest court in the land? Will he save a sinking economy -- voters believed in great numbers that he, not his Republican rival, would better manage the crisis -- or get saddled with it?
Last night, Obama touched briefly on the historic significance of his win. The somber president-elect promised progress but cautioned that even with the best of intentions, with a mandate in his suit pocket, change will take time.
"The road ahead will be long," he said, addressing tens of thousands of flag waving supporters in Grant Park. "Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you -- we as a people will get there."
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Actually, I think it is time to gloat. The conservative GOP is finished. Their failed policies practically destroyed the country. They can't govern. They have no serious stance on issues. Instead of campaigning on issues that matter, they tried to scare the populace into not voting for their opponent. It didn't work.
Judging from the comments from these blogs, conservatives are only patriotic when they win elections or are in charge. Otherwise, they're basically rabble rousers; tyranical, traitorous miscreants with no real sense of democracy. Good riddance to the lot of 'um.
The climate was right in all aspects, a war that has become unpopular, a coincidental crash of our financial system blamed on Repubs, a country that wants to be politically correct, and wanted to make history. A country that wanted and probably needs change and a man who sold the notion of hope and change with lofty goals that the dems have already been laying the ground work to lessen the blow when the "change" does not happen. We do not know how he will govern, but he ran on change. He ran on change and a new kind of Washington, he beat Hillary by tying her to old Washington and politics and then selected the leader of the good 'ole boys club and old washington as his running mate. Now he is selecting familiar faces for his cabinet of "change", many Clinton redo's-how is that change? Looks and feels like the same old political machine. I believe the people have been hustled by an intelligent, charismatic, eloquent speaker. I hope I am wrong, but his actions do not line up with his rhetoric. Only time will tell
This phenomenon has been a long time in the works. The political mobilzing machine behind the great O in extremely well organized. It has done a great job tapping into the failings of pop culture values (or lack of) of US people. Namely...Style over substance.
No surprise here.
The only "identity crisis" that the GOP had was John McCain himself. How can you attack your opponent on raising taxes when you voted against Bush's tax cuts (twice). How can you attack your opponent on border security when you and your buddy Ted Kennedy voted for amnesty? The GOP performs best when they nominate a candidate that is able to distinguish themself by attacking liberal ideology (Reagan, Bush I, Bush II), not a candidate who embraces it (McCain).
The only "identity crisis" that the GOP had was John McCain himself. How can you attack your opponent on raising taxes when you voted against Bush's tax cuts (twice). How can you attack your opponent on border security when you and your buddy Ted Kennedy voted for amnesty? The GOP performs best when they nominate a candidate that is able to distinguish themself by attacking liberal ideology (Reagan, Bush I, Bush II), not a candidate who embraces it (McCain).
The only "identity crisis" that the GOP had was John McCain himself. How can you attack your opponent on raising taxes when you voted against Bush's tax cuts (twice). How can you attack your opponent on border security when you and your buddy Ted Kennedy voted for amnesty? The GOP performs best when they nominate a candidate that is able to distinguish themself by attacking liberal ideology (Reagan, Bush I, Bush II), not a candidate who embraces it (McCain).
I voted for Obama, and I thought he had a better handle on the issues, better temperament and all, but I am not sure if he would have had a chance if McCain hadn't picked Palin or the economy hadn't bottomed out. I am actually dumb-founded that America picked the right guy. We'll see where his policies take us.
Economically I think his plan is better, though I think the progressive tax scale can be a problem. I think public campanies should pay higher taxes than private companies that make the same amount, but I am not an economist so what do I know?
In terms of world relations I think Obama's views on diplomacy and speaking to ALL world leaders is the only way to go. It has always upset me that our leaders wouldn't meet with those who are supposed to be our enenmy. I think those are the people we should definitely speak with. Unfortuantley I don't think Obama will take the even-handed approach to Israel and the Middle Eastern countries. If Emmanuel ends up as his chief of staff I think he will be staunchly pro-Israel considering Emmanuel's father was in Irgun. In my opinion a even-handed relationship between the two groups is the only way to begin to resolve our problems.
I am all for alternative energy research and implementation. The one problem I have with Barack's plan is his stance on ethanol. Personally I think ethanol isn't the answer. Too expensive to produce, and its' use will end up raising prices on food goods. (We need to remove farm subsidies for land-owners not growing food as well.)
Overall I am very encouraged by his placement in the White House. We need to try to keep pushing for those things that will help all of America and not just sections. Keep interested in local and state politics and keep America moving forward. Getting a guy with mainstream policies into the White House was only the first step. Now it really begins.
The GOP picked the right guy, but in his choice/forcing him to become this McCain 2.0 they lost the moderate guy that everyone liked. I admired the hell out of McCain before he went overly right. He was the guy pushing to remove tax breaks, seemed socially liberal, and the biggest proponent against torture, which, conincidentally proved to provide the false memo indicating an inquiry to Iraq procuring WMDs.
I am sick of hearing that Obama ran a flawless campaign. If the press is out to put you in the White House, and fail to ask the tough questions, and cover for all your gaffs, then what is the big achievement? What is amazing is that the Republicans did as well as they did. They had a candidate that had stabbed them in the back too many times to garner much base support, and a vice presidential candidate that was loved by the base, but mocked and grilled and trapped and tripped so that those who only watch mainline media had no idea of her true value to the ticket or the country. So, I hope you media folks like what you have done to this country, because there is no going back.
Obama= change huh??? What change? A VP who has been in the senate since the 1800's and a Chief of staff from the Clinton administration? Doesn't anyone read enough to know that the Clinton administration is one of the biggest causes for the subprime meltdown and all our jobs going overseas???? I see no change!!!
Sarah Palin added absolutely nothing but skepticism to the GOP ticket. She is a moron and McCain choosing her lead to his demise.
Sarah Palin added absolutely nothing but skepticism to the GOP ticket. She is a moron and McCain choosing her lead to his demise.
Sarah Palin added absolutely nothing but skepticism to the GOP ticket. She is a moron and McCain choosing her lead to his demise.