Obama is more likable and charismatic than Clinton. He is better at connecting with people. And likeability is what counts in the end, as the victories of Reagan and GWB shows.
The value of "experience" (Edwards does not fare better than Obama on this point) is overhyped. Experience does not get you elected. especially not if your record can be distorted. Against Guiliani, Thompson and Romney it would not matter at all - since these 3 are as "inexperienced" as Obama and Edwards. Against McCain it might be a small factor. but he has other weak points (being old and so on).
"Obama is more likable and charismatic than Clinton. He is better at connecting with people. And likeability is what counts in the end, as the victories of Reagan and GWB shows." __________
Piffle. Have you seen the highly enthusiastic receptions Hillary gets in N.H., Iowa, Nevada? They love her. This mantra that keeps being repeated - that the country loves Obama and does not like Hillary, is crap. It's neither accurate nor fair.
Furthermore, if Hillary were as "unliked" as you say she is, she sure as heck would not be polling highest among all demographic groups - all of them - except for white males where she breaks about even with Obama.
So, what I see here with you and others is a seemingly desperate need to cling to all you think you've got - the twisted belief that Hillary is so disliked that she simply can't win. YOU dislike her. The higher percentage of the netroots seems to dislike her. The rest of the Dems in the country? They like her!! Stop being so absurd.
Your post would be great if you were responding to something about the primary. My understanding is that the previous post was about electability in the general election.
Yes, I've always found that unlike in the general election the democratic primaries always break for the candidate on the "Kick a puppy" platform.
Well except for the freak win by the "throw momma from the train" candidate in 1956. But since the whistle stop tours haven't enjoyed much popularity since then, we can easily discard that win as not relevant in today's politics.
If somebody does well in the primaries, it's probably because he/she is likable. It's not that the democratic base chooses the biggest asshole of the bunch. They chose the most viable, likable person. The dynamic between the general and primary is almost entirely the same concerning "Likeability"
