What will you feel if Obama wins the Democratic nomination?

[Colobo]

We'll do this poll with Hillary and Edwards as well.

[Buzz Clik]

1. I would prefer "Rapture", but it wasn't a choice.

[dailykoff]

2. I remember when Kerry won Iowa.

A very happy day indeed and it just kept getting better.

[question everything]

18. Until he failed in his campaign and lost (nt)

[dailykoff]

22. Yes I remember that day too.

Everything was going great until after most polls had closed and then there was a little surprise. Didn't take long to figure out what had happened. Hope to hell it doesn't happen again.

[ruggerson]

3. A feeling of apprehension (mixed with hope) that he has the character to live up to

his campaign slogans.

edited: for clarity

[CTyankee]

80. Exactly my feeling! I am so afraid of another clobbering and yet I feel guilty about that.

I want to feel joy and excitement and I would, in terms of having an African American as a presidential nominee. I just don't think I could take another beating by the RW smear machine, the horrible racist tinged ads designed to scare all the voters, and see his campaign crash and burn. I am not supporting Obama in the primaries but I will work hard for him if he is the nominee, but I'd hope it wasn't a suicide mission...

[Colobo]

4. Keep voting.

[gaiilonfong]

5. For those who voted despair I would like to remind you

Don't Ask Don't Tell
NAFTA
DOMA

I could go on, but contemplate those for a while.

[FreeState]

78. Yeah because there are only two people running after all

</sarcasm>

[sniffa]

6. eh, it's not Hillary. i'll take it.

[Armstead]

7. I don't know

A general sense of relief that the Democrats have broken through the straightjacket of the last 30 years, in terms of individuals in power.

But I still don't have a clear idea of who or what he represents yet. Nothing has told me yet if he really will bring a fresh start, or simply more of the same-old-same-old in a new package.

[1monster]

8. You left out "resignation."

Same answer for Clinton and Edwards, too.

I'm sick of the status quo, and I'm pretty sure that is what we will get with them, in varing degrees.

Kucinich is the Man!

[Colobo]

12. I think that would be "Nothing in particular".

[1monster]

28. No. "Nothing in particular" is apathy. Resignation is the knowledge

that nothing really ever really changes, despite our hopes and our efforts to change for the better.

[question everything]

9. A bit of disappointment

and a sense of resignation to the fact that my candidate - because I will vote for our nominee - will lose, again.

[annie1]

10. i'll be irritated at first, but i'll figure it's the best choice in the end i guess. i'm not into ..

much about his personality, so i'll be annoyed i have to listen to his voice. but i bet as he grows and becomes more sure of himself, more of whatever people see in him will come to light. and that will be nice.

[liberal N proud]

11. Fear for his life

This racist world would go nuts

[jenmito]

38. Racist WORLD or racist COUNTRY?

But look how many donors he has. Look at the 73-year old white guy singing "God Bless Barack Obama." Look at all the Repubs. who say they'd NEVER vote for Hillary but may vote for Obama. And look at how he could bring the world together by his heritage alone...not to mention his great attitude. I don't think he has anything to worry about. I'd be thrilled if he won.

[niceypoo]

48. You actually believe that the republicans would support Obama?

Their whole campaign would be based on racism. It would be funny to watch, because they would totally self destruct. Republicans just cannot help themselves. You think that republicans disenfranchised blacks in previous elections? This time it wouldn't be just in key states, it would be nationwide. The airwaves would be clogged with racist attacks on Obama. I do believe that the repblicans want Obama as the nominee because they are largely silent on him. Republicans attack what they fear. They believe that their racist base would come out like never before. I say, let them go for it. The republican party would self destruct if Obama is the nominee.

[jenmito]

51. Don't believe ME. Believe the polls. And do you remember Obama came in 3rd among REPUBS.

in an Iowa straw poll months ago? Repubs. LIKE him. They think he can unite the country and some Repubs. are hungry for that. The GOP will trhy to play to racists' fears, but I don't think it will work on him. He's accepted by more Repubs. than Hillary and Edwards combined (IIRC from an article I posted a couple days ago on this subject). The GOP fears him since they don't have years of dirt on him like they have on Hillary (and Bill) and all they have to do is keep showing the video of Edwards combing his hair to turn him into a joke. Obama's the real deal.

[SOS]

67. Republicans are irrelevant to us

We need Independents and a strong Democratic turnout.

Neither party has enough registered members to elect anyone.

Trying to swing even one Republican vote is a waste of time and effort.

[Colobo]

13. Obama has a lot of detractors over here.

[Capn Sunshine]

76. Fortunately DU is not the real world

In the real world, the swing voters find him quite appealing. Unlike Hillary.
THAT would be a suicide party.

[FreeState]

79. As do all the other candidates n/t

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

14. Alienation. I've seen more than enough Democratic suicide parties.

I will hope he wins, but will endeavor to avoid politics... there is not a happy ending to that story.

[Colobo]

24. You will warm up to Obama. I'm confident you will.

[DemKR]

15. k&r

[Evergreen Emerald]

16. I will fear for our country.

Because it will mean that we are not out of the woods yet. We have at least four more years of Republicans in charge.

[jefferson_dem]

23. Curious: Will you vote for him in the GE, supposing this scenario plays out?

n/t

[Evergreen Emerald]

36. of course I am a democrat

[Windy]

30. You really are an uninformed robot aren't you.

Hillary is the most "republican-like" of all of our candidates.

[Evergreen Emerald]

34. I will not respond to those who call names.

You have no idea my educational level or my information. Do know that I am not one to just repeat the talking points as if they are truth.

[dajoki]

117. Good For You...

I am so sick of some people assuming things about other people and putting words in their mouths. Just because you disagree with someone, right away they're calling you names and questioning your intelligence, when they know absolutely nothing about you. Maybe not responding is the only way to show them that it doesn't matter what they think of the other person. :hi:

[ronnykmarshall]

92. This is why I'm not "warmed up" to Obama.

Great way to win over supporters.

[Little Star]

104. Nice way to win Obama some support! Good going.

[Windy]

114. Well, you're assuming I am an Obama supporter. Why is that?

I am actually for anyone but clinton (and richardson). I see great leadership qualities in all of our other candidates.

Hillary supporters consistently demonstrate their inability to think outside the four corners of their candidates talking points by making that automatic assumption that anyone who cannot support Hillary or has a problem with her past judgement and can't support her is an automatic Obama supporter!

[Little Star]

115. Sorry.

But you sure did sound like one. Sorry again if I offended you.

[old guy]

17. He's not my choice,

but if he is the candidate I will vote against the repub and vote for him.

[napi21]

19. I would be a bit scared. The one thing that scares me with Obama

is his ability to fight off the Pubs. We all know, no matter who our candidate is, the Pubs will throw everything at them that they can find, including distortions & lies. It takes a lot of hard hits for anyone to learn how to deflect, destroy those hit before they take hold. I think we all though Kerry would have been able to do that, and look how THAT turned out! I don't know anything about the State races Obama had in Ill, but in all fairness, his opponent for the Senate was a joke!

[jenmito]

41. He's proven that he's very able to fight off the Repubs. Not only quickly and intelligently,

but with a smile as he sticks the knife in.

[annie1]

46. i think he can too.

[jenmito]

52. Thank you.

:hi:

[jefferson_dem]

20. Pride and elation.

Me for days ---> :woohoo:

[youthere]

21. Generally happy...

but disappointed for Biden.

[Pushed To The Left]

25. I would be extremely happy and very excited! n/t

[msongs]

26. 4 more wars! 4 more wars! but he can play basketball according to his campaign promotions nt

[ClarkUSA]

35. WTF are you babbling about this time?

:crazy:

[killbotfactory]

27. Overjoyed

I know he's going to win, and win big, if we give him a chance.

[suston96]

29. I would feel disappointed but.....

...I would aggressively help the first black American become the President of the United States on January 20, 2009.

[mtnsnake]

31. I'd hope that he regains the magic he had that one time when he did his Keynote Address

That was what made me think he'd be our first African American president, when I heard him that night. I wished at that time that it was him who was running against Bush and not Kerry.

However, he has done nothing since that moment to convince me that he is still the same inspiring person that that he was for those few minutes 3 years ago. Maybe it was his speech writer that night.

[dailykoff]

32. Remember Bill's speech in '88?

Not particularly impressive, and I don't remember that he did a lot that was noteworthy before taking office in '92.

[mtnsnake]

40. That's the difference when one is the real deal & one is questionable

The real deal will just grow and grow on you like what happened to Bill from start to finish.

Obama hasn't grown on me. I realize now that I was a victim of the media's hype that he was the "future star of the Democratic Party" and I was hypnotized by his fantastic Keynote Address. Since then, I've been waiting for that same inspirational man to re-appear.

[dailykoff]

43. I guess I'm lucky then

because I missed Obama's speech. I caught Bill's though and it was thoughtful and interesting but not exactly a barn-burner.

[mtnsnake]

59. Here's a video of it. Make sure you listen to all of it

It's good, but it gets really good towards the end of it
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/convention2004/barackobama2004dnc.htm

[dailykoff]

112. Thank you!

I will!

[ClarkUSA]

39. He wrote that speech himself.

Thanks for the poignant post. :pals:

[mtnsnake]

47. It was one of the best speeches ever

Unfortunately, he hasn't nearly lived up to the same high standard he set for himself that night...not in terms of inspiration, anyway.

Thanks for the poignant post

I wrote that myself :evilgrin:

:pals:

[ClarkUSA]

65. Yes, it was.

He has inspired me since that day and even more so since he started running for president, because I learned that the trajectory of
his core beliefs are little different now than it was when he was a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago. The past being
the best predictor of future and all that good stuff...

Before I forget, I'm going to wish you a Happy New Year :party: now, in case we don't bump into each other before then. :pals:

[mtnsnake]

89. thanks!

...and an exciting and Happy New Year to you, too :pals:

:toast:

[Dawgs]

85. Watch his speech at the JJ dinner.

That keynote address was one of many great speeches.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid900841612/bclid900668312/bctid1312371767, speech starts at 1:00.

[saltpoint]

33. How Would Joan Didion Feel?

I ask because from early on I highlighted a passage in one of her early essays. She writes:

"The ability to think for one's self depends on one's mastery of language."

I find Didion's assertion to be true and very pertinent after 8 years of listening to a jabbering ape from Crawford, Texas.

I would tune in to hear President Obama's Inaugural Address, and I would listen with very genuine appreciation and an extremely keen ear.

It's been a dark eight years in this country and around the world. If a man promises to help lift us out of it, I'm on board for my share of the effort.

[Bitwit1234]

37. The most absolute

disappointment, dejection, disgust and want to know what kind of people live in this country.

[jenmito]

44. In answer to your question,

it will mean people unlike you live in this country.

[Zueda]

42. Very interesting poll series.

Thanks!

[saltpoint]

45. Hi, Katzenkavalier. Can we request that all 8 of our Democrats get a similar

poll?

It would give everyone a chance to throw in for their guy or gal.

[Colobo]

49. No problem, Old. It'll be done.

[saltpoint]

50. Appreciated. Thank you.

[southerncrone]

53. Unfortunately, he is unelectable

He will not get the white independent vote. The Repub South will come out in great numbers to defeat him. Same with Hillary. (She won't get the male independent vote)

[Colobo]

56. He will be Our Next President. Trust me.

[Beacool]

54. A feeling of disappointment that my party chose fluff over substance.

I would then concentrate on my state and local candidates and volunteer for their campaigns. At the national level, the party won't get a dime of my money nor a minute of my time.

[Colobo]

60. If we choose Obama, we are choosing substance.

[Beacool]

113. Please...........

:rofl:

[sniffa]

55. WHERE'S THE OPTION FOR PRESENT OBAMANATION

*wipes the slobbering drool off chin*

[CyberPieHole]

64. sniffa, when did you start wiping your chin...is it something *new* your trying?

:evilgrin:

[sniffa]

68. whenever i imitate Hillary supporters

:hi:

[CyberPieHole]

71. Come now, sniffa...don't be coy...chin wiping is *new*...I'm sure it is...

:hi:

Best wishes to you, sniffa. Hope you have a wonderful New Year!:toast:

[Mz Pip]

57. Cautious optimism

Certainly better than I felt when Kerry won the nomination and I was filled with a sense of foreboding.

If he wins the nomination I hope he can run a better campaign than Kerry.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[FrenchieCat]

58. I would be overjoyed to be able to truly believe that America

is better than what I thought. I would restore a bit of my faith in that we mean what we say.

[paulk]

61. a bit disappointed, but it wouldn't stop me from supporting him

and working for him in the general.

I will support any Democrat in the general, we need the White House in 2008, period.

[Catherine Vincent]

62. I'd support him 100%! nt

[CyberPieHole]

63. Contempt for McClurkin and all the Homophobes who got him a victory...

but certain in the fact that a loss in the GE would be guaranteed. Obama is the least viable of our candidates.

[FreeState]

81. Id be worried for LGBT full civil rights as well

He does not support full inclusion of GLBT persons in the US - while neither do most of the other candidates, at least the other candidates don't sell us out for votes (at least not yet).

[Colobo]

82. Obama will represent the LGBT community with dignity.

[gaspee]

108. yah, right

He's a homophobe and worse yet, he's pandering to the religious freaks and doing it on the backs of LGBT. I'm staying home if he gets the nom.

[FreeState]

111. he isn't now so why would he later? N/t

[Dawgs]

86. Bullshit.

He supports civil unions as a path to gay marriage. Hillary and Edwards are both against gay marriage. Obama knows it can not be accomplished without first working for civil unions.

You are wrong, and you continue to lie about his position on GLBT rights. It's pathetic that you would be against someone that has fought so hard for the gay community. I'm embarrassed for you.

[FreeState]

107. obama does not support gay marriage

he has no plan to use Civil Unions as a vehicle to gain equal rights.

[gaspee]

109. Name something

tangible he has actually done to support full and equal protection under the constitution for GLBT. With citiations. I don't beleive a word out of the mouth of obama supporters these days.

I'm voting Kucinich before you go calling me a hillary supporter or other such nonsense.

[Jai4WKC08]

66. Despair of 8 more years of Repub White House

The Republican machine will chew him up and spit him out so fast, it'll make Hillary look like the most beloved woman in America in comparison.

[Colobo]

69. Obama will make Republican look like newbies. Trust me, he'll beat them easily.

[CyberPieHole]

72. Yeah, right. They won't bring up the cocaine stuff or his middle name...

and Zeus knows what else...Obama is not vetted and he is the least viable of our choices.

[Jai4WKC08]

93. What is your evidence?

That he beat Alan Keyes? Yeah right...

Wishful thinking isn't good enough. Sorry.

[AtomicKitten]

70. A huge sigh of relief.

[TroubleMan]

73. Not my 1st, 2nd, or 3rd choice, but anybody but Hillary is fine with me.

Hillary is the only candidate who would lose to the repugs in the general election.

[FogerRox]

74. Okee dokee , now its time to hunt some republicaners

[tom_paine]

75. My option isn't listed, so I can't vote but it is this: Worried.

Please don't think this is Obama-bashing. Let me say upfront that I think Obama is a good man who would make a fine President (even though I don't agree with him on everything; hell, I don't even agree with my own candidate on everything). But this is not the time for him for a couple reasons.

1) My problem with Sen. Obama is very much the same problem I have with Sen. Clinton. We need a Roosevelt-like President at this crucial juncture when the very idea of self-governance and the Old American Republic is under threat from within. Both Teddy and Franklin, whatever one may think of their other policies, often stood up for the voiceless, the "little guy"...Teddy through his monopoly and trust-busting plus his environmentalism, FDR through the New Deal which saved capitalism and America from the Bushies and the Nazis.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/document/document_20070723.shtml

I just don't see Obama as that guy, nor Clinton as that woman. They both seem to me to be beholden to the status quo and the corporate interests. They seldom mention the larger issues of Corporatism and it's excesses, and I get no sense they wish to fundamentally alter the status quo which grows more insane by the day and is killing America.

To me, Obama and Clinton at best represent a brief respite between Royal Bushies, who will pick up where they left off in '12 as if they never were gone. If they should somehow ascend the Imperial Throne of Amerika, I will pray that I am wrong about this one.

To be honest, I am not even sure Edwards is that guy, either, but I think, along with Kucinich and perhaps Dodd, he is the candidate with the best chance to take the gloves off and give us "little people" the "Roosevelt" we need now...RIGHT NOW, before it is too late.

2) This comes under the heading of, a sad truth that I wish wasn't, but becomes so magnified with perhaps the entire future of Liberty and the American Experiment at stake.

Obama's nomination, if he should get it, will inevitable cause him the instant loss of millions of potential voters because of his skin color. It's wrong, but it is reality. I am not saying this as an excuse in perpetuity to reject his candidacy strictly for that reason. One day, and soon, if America is not swallowed whole by the Bushies, we need to stand up take the chance and make it happen.

But not now, when so very much is at stake and we cannot afford to disadvantage ourselves any more than we already are with a Bushie-led and controlled MSM, a voting system in tatters in which minorities are already casting votes which, after the Bushies are done with all their manual and electronic disenfranchisement, actually now ARE worth only 3/5ths of a White vote, etc.

For myself, personally, I am glad that 1) was enough to convince me to support Edwards. Even if Hillary and Obama were White Anglo-Saxon Men (yes, I feel as dirty in saying all this as you likely do in reading it, but it is reality and I will not shy away from it) I would still support Edwards.

That aside, we need to win and win big enough that the Bushies can't steal it. Neither Sen. Clinton or Sen. Obama can deliver those kinds of margins, not just because of who they are but because they are not willing to take risks and break out of the Bush False Reality Bubble...the lunatic "status quo".

Edwards is, and has done so with his words already. We can only hope that he will follow those words up with Rooseveltian actions if he is our nominee and manages to be elected President.

Anyway, so my vote would be: Worried. Very worried, and that is the same I would feel about Sen. Clinton for the same reasons.

Go ahead and flame me, I don't care. It's how I feel.

[Kucinich4America]

77. My main concern with Obama is lack of experience

That wouldn't prevent me from voting for him in the General, but I'd be praying that he's up to the job. I'd really rather see Obama as VP in 2008, and have him gain some valuable executive branch experience, which will make him a better President in the future.

[Dawgs]

87. Look at his life history. He has been more than successful at anything he's ever done.

That Hillary talking point about "experience" is false. And, unfortunately some have bought into it.

[Kucinich4America]

118. You can't possibly be accusing me of spreading Hillary talking points?

Have you read any of my posts concerning Mrs. Clinton?

The difference is that I could vote for Obama, in spite of my concerns. I WON'T vote for Hillary regardless.

"Successful at anything he's ever done" is a good thing (certainly when compared to serial failures like Chimp & Cheney) but how does that qualify him to be President?

Remember the mess that Jimmy Carter inherited in 1976. Vietnam and Watergate. Two clusterfucks that were over, but the damage that each had done to the country was far from over. A lot of that damage came back economically, and Carter ended up getting a bad rap over the whole thing. Unfortunately, far too many still buy into the lies told about that time.

The next President is going to inherit a mess that is exponentially larger than that. Barring a miracle between now and then, Iraq will still be ongoing, and I don't think Chimpy's done trying to find a reason to attack Iran. The economy is in the worst condition since 1929. You really want to throw an inexperienced guy into all that?

I would be 100% behind Obama as the VP on the ticket. Give him 8 years of on the job training in the executive branch, helping to restore this country from the Bush Crime Family nightmare, and then he gets the top job when he is much better prepared for it.

[philly_bob]

83. General sense of happiness -- but very worried.

Is American over racism? They may not say it to the pollsters, but I fear race still makes a difference. Banning the N-word in public discourse hasn't stopped it in some circles.

As for Obama as a person, he's got the charisma, that's for sure. My one-gal focus group in the other gender says he's the handsomest candidate. And he's an excellent speaker.

For my taste, I'd like to bring him along a little more -- he's made some rookie mistakes, re voting rights, "reformed" gay spokesman, and social security. Plus, America needs to get to know him better. His model seems to be compromise and negotiation, but I fear there are some parties (on the right, in America; Islamic jihadists, around the world) that simply will not be brought around to a reasonable position.

All in all, if he's up there, I'd be proud. But I'd be really, really worried about losing if the Republicans make a reasonable choice.

[SaveElmer]

84. Elation if Hillary Wins...mild disappointment if Obama wins...Depression if Edwards wins

Not unhappy if Biden wins...

[corkhead]

88. where is "Relief that it isn't Hillary" as a choice?

:shrug:

[Amerigo Vespucci]

90. I won't vote for Obama, regardless of the outcome.

He's not qualified to be President of the United States. If he wins, I'll go to Plan B, which at this point, is "undecided."

[Colobo]

91. He's more than qualified; he's the best candidate we've had in years.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

94. Nice avatar, and I respect your opinion...but...

...I know a hot air balloon when I see one. Your opinion, my opinion, one of us will be right an the other won't. We'll find out soon enough.

[Colobo]

95. I know you know a hot air balloon when you see one

and for instance you should know Obama is not one.

[Dawgs]

98. Was it hot air when he made a speech against the Iraq war?

Was it hot air when he sponsored a bill with Feingold pushing for Senate Ethics rules?

Was it hot air when he accepted a position as community organizer in one of the poorest places in the country(right of college)?

Was he wrong when he fought to change campaign finance rules?

Was it hot air when he refused to work or accept contributions from lobbyists?

etc, etc, etc..

[hayu_lol]

96. All three of our front runners are better qualified going into this primary...

than our current pretzeldent is now. The same thing holds for Biden, Dodd and Richardson.

We would all be better off than we are right now.

Now that the Kucinch people have sworn to disrupt and corrupt the Iowa Caucus "to leave their mark" I have left Kucinich out of this equation.

All our candidates are qualified to be president...with that one exception.

[Catherine Vincent]

97. You're so compassionate for your candidate.

If Obama doesn't win the nomination, what will you do?

[Colobo]

102. Vote for whoever gets it.

[MrSlayer]

99. Doomed to another 4 years of Republican rule.

I'll vote for him and do what I can to convince others to do the same but I don't believe he'll win.

[ginchinchili]

100. I would mentally & emotionally gear up for another Repub Administration

Particularly if the Republicans do like I think they will and nominate McCain. I just don't think running around giving nice speeches on change without anything to back it up except Oprah is going to be enough in the general election. He's not ready to be president.

[liberalla]

101. First thought was, "glad Hillary didn't get it"

I would prefer Edwards, Kucinich, Biden or Dodd getting it, though!

[MzShellG]

103. I am appalled at all of these democrats...

Saying they will basically give up if Sen. Obama wins. Yes it will be an uphill battle for him. Same for HRC. The only thing we as democrats should be planning to do, regardless of who wins the primaries, is to get out and help campaign hard for our nominee. Unless, ofcourse, you WANT a repuke to win. Some of these post are shameful. :argh:

[ronnykmarshall]

106. Welcome to my world

The foaming at the mouth "I'll NEVER vote for Hillary" screeches around here make me want to :puke:.

Oh I'm voting for Obama if he gets the nod. In spite of the shit that's been thrown at me as a Hillary supporter, I'll work to get him elected if it comes to that.

HOWEVER ... there are MANY people here on DU that can kiss my ass after the primary season.

[Colobo]

110. How are you, Ronny?

My dear friend! :hi:

[depakid]

105. Nothing in particular- I've watched the Dems field losers for so long

that putting up another sacrificial lamb won't bother me all too much.

On the one hand, he'll say and say and do more naive and foolish things.

On the other- he'll give some good speeches, and won't be nearly the disaster for state and local candidates and ballot measure that Hillary surely will.

[IndianaGreen]

120. Iowa is notorious for giving us LOSERS!

They went for Mister Electable in '04.

[Andy823]

116. Very worried

That the "money" that backed him will be calling in their favors, and we will see "some" change, but not the change this country really needs. I would also worry about his advisors being the kind of people who want "change" VS the kind of people who want to keep corporate America in charge of things.

[IndianaGreen]

119. A great sense of relief that it wasn't the Clintons!

A Hillary nomination will bring despair. The Clintons (2-for-1 remember?) at the top of the ticket will hurt our local candidates.

Edwards will run the strongest in Indiana, and might even carry it.