Just had coffee with some friends including 2 conservatives who are pushing for Obama. Wow!

[mtnsnake]

One of them is even going to NH tomorrow to visit with relatives, and while he's there, he's going to campaign for Barack. I guess they've finally had enough of Bush, eh.

I, being a little slow to catch on at first, expressed my surprise & pleasure that they have finally seen the light and are going for a Democrat this time. Well, how little do I know. The guy who's going to NH tomorrow says it's not so much that he likes Obama, it's that he sees Obama as being his best chance at stopping Hillary on her march to the White House. He did admit, though, that Obama has grown on him and would be a much better alternative than Hillary. Apparently, there are a large number of conservatives who feel that this year's field of repuke candidates does not have anyone in it who can beat Hillary, so they're hoping Hillary gets beat by another Democrat first.

BTW, neither of these guys, the two conservatives of the coffee group, think Huckabee has a chance. Both of them, though, are distraught that Newt Gingrich didn't get in the race this year. They said Newt is the only Republican who can beat Hillary. One of them still has hopes he'll jump in or get drafted into the race. Everytime I agree to do coffee with those guys, which isn't too often, I always regret it. Anyway, I thought it was kind of interesting.

[iconoclastic cat]

1. Yep, I'm seeing that around here in Chicago, too.

One of my Repub coworkers is planning to vote for Edwards or Obama in the general!

[rucky]

2. I've spoken to two conservatives who told me the same thing.

They're not happy with the Republican field, and are supporting Obama.

They can't explain why - they just like him.

[Colobo]

3. Many people from all walks of life like Obama.

[BigDDem]

4. Republicans love BO!

[Renew Deal]

10. That's because BO knows

[rodeodance]

11. my gut feeling is that is our demise. just a feeling.

[mtnsnake]

23. Yeah. I don't know if the 2 who I spoke to really like him or if they just want him to beat Hillary

They did say a couple nice things about Obama, maybe for sake of civil conversation, but they also let me know that Obama is their biggest hope of stopping Hillary's shot at the WH.

Once Obama fulfills their dreams of knocking off Hillary, if he does, I wonder how much they'll still like him once the General Election rolls around.

[papau]

31. In health ins co circles Obama is seen as friendly to Health insurers and the way to stop O

[RoadRage]

36. 2 Ind. & 1 Repub

1 Friend & 2 co-workers that all live in Iowa, and have registered Democrat to caucus for Obama today... (I live in Omaha, NE - they live Council Bluffs). The 2 co-workers are Independents, and they really like Obama.. the republican thinks he's better then anyone running on the repub side right now. All three despise Hillary, and said they'd vote for any Republican over her though...

I guess if I have any issue with Hillary, it's that so many other people hate her guts. I have nothing against her - but I don't see how she wins a general election with virtually no Repub support.. and very little Independents.

[avaistheone1]

46. The only candidate who polls show consistently beating all Republicans is Edwards

Those polls have been consistent for the last 6 months.

Little wonder the Republicans want Obama to win.

[hwmnbn]

24. Me too...

I never believe any repug would do something to help the dems. They ALWAYS have some sinister ulterior motive. I don't trust not a one of them. :grr:

[TeamJordan23]

39. Actually, Americans love BO. nm

[BOSSHOG]

5. Gingrich is hanging out with a low profile

just waiting to show up at the gop brokered convention and offer himself as the great healer.

[BlueManDude]

9. I was certain he was going to get into this thing

and unlike many here I thought he had a good shot.

However, that brokered convention stuff will never happen again.

[BeyondGeography]

15. The guy who ditched his cancer-stricken wife on a hospital bed as a great healer

only the Republicans would buy that one (and they would).

[Vanje]

35. Great healer? or Great heel nt

[roguevalley]

44. Can you imagine a GE with Gingrich and Clinton? He can't run as

the moral candidate and flog bill because he was doing the same thing. I don't know what that would be like. Horrors.

[CoffeeCat]

6. I met an Obama supporter...

...who has "crossed over" to the Dem side, after these horrendous Bush years.

This person voted for Bush twice. She and her husband have been life-long Republicans.

They are wonderful people who believed in core Republican values of small government
and responsible government spending.

They are appalled at what has happened during the past seven years.

This person is now a precinct captain for Obama. This person was actually instrumental
in wooing me into the Obama camp, when I was undecided about which Dem candidate to
support.

It really is amazing.

[yardwork]

33. You followed the advice of two people who voted for Bush twice?

Just out of curiosity, what makes you think that they are a good judge of candidates?

This is not intended as a swipe at Obama. However, the fact that he's supported by life-long Republicans is not a good thing, imo.

[CoffeeCat]

37. I understand what you are saying...

...believe me I do.

Bush is so horrendously awful--when you hear this his supporters now are voting for Obama,
it's natural to have concerns.

However, many Bush supporters were centrist Republicans who believed in the GOP because they
liked the idea of fiscal restraint and small government. There were also many Republicans who were
turned off by the Clinton scandals, and convinced that Republicans were more aligned with their
core beliefs and values.

I'm not saying that was right. We all know that the "family values" nonsense, was just that.
However, I think many of us can understand that Bill Clinton's shenanigans made it easy for
Republicans to ride that false moniker. America had sex-scandal fatigue, and Bush was able
to exploit that. It's too bad. These Republicans, who are crossing over, are realizing
that they have been completely bamboozled and that Dem core values are more in line with
their "family values".

There are many decent Republicans out there and they are just as appalled by Bush
as we are. They are disgusted.

I didn't "follow the advice" of these people. My decision to support Obama was based on my
own extensive research. I am concerned about electability, and I see many Republicans
and Independents inspired by and impressed by Obama. We have to defeat these bastards in November,
and part of my decision was based on who can take them down--who can appeal to Independents.

There is a more reasonable faction of Republicans, inside the party. They hate Bush. Bush's
polls are at 29 percent, because at least 20 percent of his party are not Kool-Aid drinking
lemmings. Many of them are pro-choice and they side with Gore on global warming.

This particular Republican that I know--who is an Obama precinct captain is mainly concerned
about what Bush and the Republicans have done to our Constitution--and how we are sliding
into Fascism. That's a beautiful thing---when Dems and Reps can agree that our government
and what our Founding Fathers created--is more important than either political party.

I was relieved to find pockets of people (Republicans and Democrats) who understand what
Habeas is and know that Bush is playing a dangerous game. The only way we will defeat
these bastards--is with a contingent of people on both sides saying "Hell no!" to this
assault on our freedom, our civil rights and on the power of "We The People."

If you want to read about my brief conversation with Obama, you can. That was one of the many
factors that played into my decision to support him.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2572350&mesg_id=2579311

[yardwork]

40. I was responding to what you wrote in your earlier post.

I imagine that there are decent Republicans out there. I really can't imagine how they could have voted for Bush in 2004. I'm sorry, but I just can't. The photos of Abu Ghraib were out in public by then. The war was going terribly. The economy was sinking. It was clear that the Bush White House was trashing the entire federal government.

I simply don't believe that any reasonable human being could have voted for Bush in 2004. I would not trust anybody - anybody - who did so. Ever again.

This person was actually instrumental
in wooing me into the Obama camp, when I was undecided about which Dem candidate to
support.

[rodeodance]

7. and the talk shows are pushing Obama--people need to get a clue!

The guy who's going to NH tomorrow says it's not so much that he likes Obama, it's that he sees Obama as being his best chance at stopping Hillary on her march to the White House.

[Benhurst]

8. It's so encouraging to find New Gingrich groupies unthreatened by

one of our own. Not.

With so much common ground, should we be prepared for our people to go for Gingrich if he manages to get nominated and Obama doesn't?

[sniffa]

12. i believe you

[NashVegas]

13. It's Things Like This That Make Me Want to BACK Hillary

If she'd only throw McAuliffe to the wolves.

No matter what my personal feelings are, I would so much love to see it an outright face-off between Hil and her RW challengers.

[DrFunkenstein]

19. I Would Rather See Americans United Behind Health Care and Enviro Reform

Sure bloodbaths are what political junkies live for, but let's not forget that this is about the lives of hundreds of millions of people, not political theater.

[NashVegas]

21. Politcal Theatre Has Nothing to Do With It

It's the desire to see these thugs finally stripped of power, and/or revealed to the masses as the petty little shits they are.

That's not theatre, that's drama :)

[progressive_realist]

25. Right. Because the first Clinton didn't let the crimes of Reagan/Bush go completely unpunished.

:sarcasm:

[mtnsnake]

22. Yes, & it's things like this that will make me wanna have coffee w/them a little over a yr from now

if Hillary wins.

Away from DU, when I'm talking in the presence of Republicans, I'm just as much for Obama, Edwards, or any Democrats, as I am for Hillary, but listening to the motives of these two guys this morning made me want to rub it right in their faces if Hillary ends up going to the WH.

[chimpymustgo]

14. Why would this turn DEMOCRATS on to Obama??? This is just what scares me!

What do right wing white people see in this guy - and LIKE?

[mtnsnake]

18. "What do right wing white people see in this guy - and LIKE?"

In this case, it's obvious, although it didn't hit me the first few seconds they were talking about it. These two guys are pulling for Obama because he's their only hope at stopping the evil Hillary Clinton from reaching the White House. That's how little confidence they have in any of their own current candidates beating her.

[NavyDavy]

16. the reason repukes are pushing for Obama to win the

nomination is they know there is no better way to get that precentage of racist right wingers out in droves to vote....That is just my opinion....

[eShirl]

28. that's a good point, too

I hadn't thought of it that way

[truckin]

17. My right wing brother-in-law is supporting Obama also. He is not

thrilled with the Repub choices and thinks Obama is a reasonable choice.

I am for Edwards but an influx of independents participating in the Democratic caucus might swing Iowa to Obama. It should be interesting tonight.

[mtnsnake]

20. Does he also see it the way my 2 conservative "friends" see it, as the best way to keep Hillary out?

Or does he really like Obama? With my two acquaintances, I think it's a little bit that they don't mind Obama...as far as Democrats go...and a lot that they hate Hillary and want Obama to knock her off in the Primaries.

[truckin]

26. It sounded like he was actually going to vote for Obama in the

general election. He does hate Hillary, though.

[eShirl]

27. they know Obama is the closest to a Republican they are going to get for President

of course they are for him

[Bluebear]

29. "2 conservatives who are pushing for Obama" - which should give a progressive pause.

If you really, really think about it.

[IsItJustMe]

30. I, for one, am suspect of your friends motives. Just a thought, but they may be voting for BO

because they think he would be the easiest to beat in the GE. Call me cynical.

ON EDIT:

I smell a rat!!!!

[Robbins]

32. Elections

There are people out there who voted for bush but are dismissayed by some things that have happened.
some bought the line the MSM sent out about Bush of him keeping things that they liked about
Clinton going but that he would unite the country while Gore would keep It divided.And In 2004
you couldn't trust Kerry to keep you safe from terrorists.People like Obama he can reach beyond
the Democratic base to Independents and some Republicans.Republicans want to run against Hillary because she unites Republicans and there are those tied of Bush who don't like her.When you consider
how tight Bill Is with Poppy Bush asks yourself who Republicans would rather have In the White House
If they lose.If it really Obama or It Is Hillary.Let's remember the Clintons gave us NAFTA and
Wellfare reform.

[mtnsnake]

34. They won't be voting for him. They're pulling for him to beat Hillary in the Primaries

They claim that they like him more than the other Democrats, but I think that's just because they feel he has the best chance of stopping Hillary.

They were pretty clear that they have more faith in Obama beating Hillary than in any of their own people, with the exception of Gingrich, in beating her.

[jenmito]

43. That makes no sense at all...

"They were pretty clear that they have more faith in Obama beating Hillary than in any of their own people, with the exception of Gingrich, in beating her."

Obama's not going to be going up against Hillary in a general election. A Repub. is.

[Flabbergasted]

38. Cool

[killbotfactory]

41. Yep, this just proves republicans have extremely sound judgement

that's why they are republicans.

[jenmito]

42. Wasn't Hillary's camp claiming she could get a third of Repub. women's votes?

:shrug:

[ecstatic]

45. I've suspected all along that their anti-Hillary hate was based on fear

And some far left liberals picked up on the hate and actually took it seriously!

Analogy:

Clintons are to repugs as Raid is to cockroaches.