So basically Obama's problem is that he has too much charisma

[Jersey Devil]

I want to understand this and so help me, I am trying, but I cannot quite understand why I should not support the Democratic candidate with the most charisma who has them practically swooning in the aisles like forken Elvis or the Beatles or Sinatra.

Now, I like Hillary a lot, but she just doesn't get people excited about the future like Obama does.

Am I a bad person?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. Imagine...

A strong liberal with charisma.

It's some kind of unholy nightmare of a democratic candidate.

[Big Blue Marble]

10. "A strong liberal with charisma"

that raises hundreds of millions of dollars easily on the internet without being beholden to special interests.
One who also attracts massive rallies of people including independents and Republicans.

That is as unholy as you can get? Why oh why would we ever want a Democratic candidate like that?

[TheWraith]

31. Dammit, Democratic candidates are supposed to be boring and dry!

That's our recipe for sucess, as evidenced by Gore and Kerry.

Clinton: Because leadership has no place in politics.

[NOLALady]

2. You're a bad

bad boy (or girl).

[FrenchieCat]

3. Yes you are.....you are so bad

that you are good! :)

You could always support the politics of NOPE...that way you won't be called a DOPE!

[NastyRiffraff]

4. Ah, yes, I remember Beatlemania

I was one of the screamers. I got over it when I grew up.

[PassingFair]

16. You know, those Beatles were GOOD.....

I'm sorry you grew out of them.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riOnVUJAo3k

[NastyRiffraff]

20. Didn't grow out of them at all..still love them

And have quite a few of their CDs. I just grew out of the screaming :)

BTW, I just watched "Hard Day's Night" again...it was great!

[PassingFair]

22. I'm not screaming, I'm just voting.

I don't think we'll grow out of Obama, either.

:)

[NC_Nurse]

5. Shame on you, Jersey Devil!

:P

[madaboutharry]

6. That charisma is something else.

I have honestly never seen anything quite like it. He is just one of those people who fills up the whole place with his personality. I think all effective leaders need charisma and I agree that it should not be seen as a negative.

[scheming daemons]

7. Yep... he can never win an election... he's too popular...

;-)

[Whisp]

13. Hillary called him a 'phenomabama' today.

and is quite 'struck' with it, (in a bad way for her)
:rofl:

it was in an interview with some Christian group or something - on CNN.

[Voice for Peace]

30. I prefer phenomenobamanon

This could change the face of politics forever.

Maybe a whole lot of young people will start running for office,
voting for each other, and we can just sit back and give them
wise advice.

[Johnny__Motown]

8. They try to equate having charisma with not having substance, hasn't worked so far

[monmouth]

9. Is "too much charisma" the same as "too pretty to fly?".....n/t

[JimGinPA]

11. Don't Forget The Big Rallies

:rofl:

[WilliamPitt]

12. We're so goddam starved for inspiration that we don't even know what it is anymore.

Used to be a time when politics was about moving people and, like, that kind of shit.

What kind of peace do I mean? What kind of peace do we seek? Not a Pax Americana enforced on the world by American weapons of war. Not the peace of the grave or the security of the slave. I am talking about genuine peace - - the kind of peace that makes life on earth worth living -- the kind that enables man and nations to grow and to hope and to build a better life for their children - - not merely peace for Americans by peace for all men and women - - not merely peace in our time but peace for all time. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal.

Jack. Fuckin' grandstander.

:)

[TwilightGardener]

14. It reminds me of the cartoon of Democratic donkeys looking at

a spinal column, and screaming, "Good God, what is it??" A lot of people look at a truly likable, inspiring Dem candidate, one who doesn't come off as a wonky geeky Mr. Smartypants, and don't know what to do with him.

[Kahuna]

15. Hope is bad. Billary says so. nt

[SunnyDays]

17. His problem is he has not worked very hard at legislating...empty-talker!!

http://www.stop-obama.org/?p=165

Senate Record is Clear, Obama Empty-talker

Obama for Democratic Presidential Candidate? Because he is outstanding, talented, and can do the work needed to bring about change?

I compared Obama’s official US Senate record with that of Hillary.The results are nothing short of shocking. 90 % of the time Hillary outperforms Obama. That is to say 9 out of 10 times he does about half the work Hillary can do. Don’t believe me? Look for yourself:

This is how Obama’s work stacks up with Hillary’s for the 110th Congress.

(GRAPHS for each session of Congress)

Need clarification? The graphs are based on empirically verifiable numbers. Any reader can take these numbers and plot them, as I have, and you will always get the same results. Results which clearly show, the gap not just in experience between Obama and Hillary, but capacity to work. My next five posts, I’ll give you the details.

Obama should be careful not to over-hype Change. Change requires work and dedication. Obama’s record shows he has exactly half the dedication, and ability to deliver, of his main rival.

MORE

[Sensitivity]

26. CROCK: Why don't you compare Obama to other 1st term senators -- He is the HARDEST WORKING SENATOR!

Or to Hillary's 1st term record. What deceptive B.S.

Clinton gets slightly higher numbers registered by virtue of the assignments that seniority give you, NOT HER HARD WORK, even though she is a hard worker.

[RememberWellstone]

18. No substance

I think I'm gonna faint..anyone have abottle of water? How bout an EMT? Help me Obama, I need you.

[NightWatcher]

19. too much charisma is like having too much money or too big of a

house on the lake......haha, you thought I was gonna say didnt you

[Blue_In_AK]

21. I just don't get the charisma thing...

I must be charisma challenged or something, because he doesn't do anything for me, never has.

[LWolf]

23. That's not the problem.

The problem is that he doesn't have the substance I'm looking for underneath the charisma.

[casus belli]

24. A soft jelly center? n/t

[LWolf]

25. Perhaps.

I'd like to find universal, single-payer, NOT FOR PROFIT health CARE in the center.

I'd like to find resolve to repeal the Patriot Act, NAFTA and NCLB in the center.

I'd like to find that military action as an instrument of foreign policy has no place in that center.

Just to start.

[Recursion]

29. Why do you say that?

Seriously, seeing something repeated a million times on DU doesn't make it true. What part of his platform do you find insubstantial?

[tabasco]

32. Don't expect an answer from a parrot.

Just the same few words they know how to say.

[LWolf]

33. These parts:

First of all, by "insubstantial," I mean "doesn't contain the substance I'm looking for."

Health care: leaves the insurance and pharmaceutical companies at the table, which hamstrings the effort before it ever begins. HR 676 is better. He should be endorsing it.

Education: Likes merit pay; he tries unsuccessfully to differentiate HIS merit pay from republican plans, but it doesn't fly with this teacher. He leaves privatization on the table--another republican favorite. I don't hear him calling for the repeal of NCLB, or planning to build enough schools and fully fund class-size reduction, either. There's a couple of things of substance I'm looking for.

War: Is hawkish. Wants to continue the war on terror, wants a continued military presence in the middle east. I'm looking for the end of empire, the end of war as an instrument of international policy.

I could go on, but I think these three are enough to answer your question.

[workinclasszero]

27. It shows how lame many of the status quo pols that run the dem party are

I mean these jerks would be calling MLK, JFK and Bobby Kennedy cult leaders living in fantasy worlds of hope!

Well not just the dem, the rethug party has picked up the same dem talking points to use against Obama. Thanks so much to Hillary, the Anti-hope candidate.

Add yes, you are very bad for having a political hero, a man that empowers the people.

A young, good lookin guy that stands up for the people and is the best public speaker since MLK.

You should be ashamed of yourself!!:):applause::toast:

Obama's movement starts from the boots on the ground, you and me, and then moves up.

Thats why the status quo fear Obama. They fear the people.

[NYPat]

28. It depends on how it's used

Charisma isn't bad or good. It's an ability like intelligence, it depends on what you do with it. It can be used for great good or great evil. When under its influence it can be a little difficult to stay objective. I'm sure that Obama has good intentions and most of his supporters do exhibit the ability to stay clear headed and fair minded. Sadly, some have shown a penchant for rudeness and vulgarity in their desire to protect and defend him at all costs. I do wonder if booing will be allowed if and when Obama debates McCain. The media may have a different standard then.