--John Phillips, Los Angeles Times
Hillary voters weren't swooned by Obama in the 2008 Democratic primaries and many are abandoning him in public opinion surveys today. But are they mad enough to ride the elephant in 2012?
Get out the saddle, because that's exactly what they did in 2010.
In the midterm elections, while it's true the Democrats were routed everywhere, they got especially creamed in states where Hillary did well. In House races, the Democrats lost four seats in Florida, six in New York, five in Ohio, four in Pennsylvania and three in Texas –- all states Hillary carried in the 2008 Democratic primaries.
Meanwhile, the Democrats strengthened their hand in places that went heavily for Obama in 2008 –- with pickups in Hawaii, Delaware and the MSNBC prime-time lineup.
The lesson: Hillary voters aren't only willing to pull the plug on their fellow Democrats -– they're willing to yank it like they're starting a lawn mower.
I would love to see hillary pushing that mower.
If all those GOP candidates had set quietly then Hillary voters might continue to vote republican. But instead republican governors and legislatures riding what they felt to be a mandate have pushed laws attacking core democratic constituencies. seven Wisconsin state legislators may face recalls because of new GOP governor Scott Walker. Ohio doesn't have a recall mechanism, but a freshman governor and legislators there are riling the same folks. And all of my family members in Florida are complaining vocally about Rick Scott.
ReplyDeleteIndependents will fall on the side that seems most moderate on budget issues, a stance the republican party has abandoned.
Hillary voters will have no trouble voting for Barack Obama, and that's even before we consider the sad candidates the republican party has dredged up so far.
Don't forget, Ben, those AWOL WI senate democrats are facing recall challenges as well.
ReplyDeleteAnd, surprise! I'm not even offended by your characterization of 'sad' candidates thus far 'dredged' up by the GOP. Ronald Reagan wouldn't even pass muster by today's democrat, despite the fact that quite a few today laud him. He was viciously attacked by Dems throughout his first winning campaign, and was attacked throughout his presidency by Media and Dems alike. In point of fact, NO candidate presented by the GOP today would find better treatment by your crowd. In light of that fact your characterizations carry no water.
But to be absolutely fair, no one on my side of the aisle thinks much of your candidate either. The words 'sad' and 'dredged' come to mind.
I'd sooner vote for Jimmy Carter than I would give Obama a second term.
Ronald Reagan would be unelectable in today's Republican party. But my point is that by this time in 2007 six republican candidates had declared for president. So far only to have for 2012. Of those candidate which has the most foreign policy experience? any foreign policy experience? leadership experience? legislative experience? This election's republican candidates just don't have many credentials....sad.
ReplyDelete"Of those candidate which has the most foreign policy experience? any foreign policy experience? leadership experience? legislative experience? This election's republican candidates just don't have many credentials....sad."
ReplyDeleteBent, you really want to go there? Your hero, Obama, has the least experience of any candidate in history...and it shows.
yes and that's exactly the point for a party that has spent the last two years bashing Obama over his experience and leadership lacks, you haven't found candidates to exemplify those differences.
ReplyDelete