Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering

by Ga6thDem, Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:41:50 PM EST

This is the latest headline on Yahoo news.

The article states that this is a huge problem and has only gotten worse not better over time.

The April poll -- conducted before the Pennsylvania contest -- also showed an overwhelming preference for Clinton over Obama among working-class whites. They favored her over him by 39 percentage points, compared to a 10-point Obama lead among white college graduates. Obama also did worse than Clinton among those less-educated voters when matched up against Republican candidate John McCain.

The voters that were interviewed said that Obama's pastor, his statement about rural and small town voters and the fact that they don't believe he would be a good leader are factors in their decision.

Exit polls show they have comprised three in 10 voters in Democratic contests so far, a group that cannot be ignored in a contest that has seen Obama maintain a slim lead. They made up 43 percent of all voters in the 2004 presidential contest, when they heavily favored President Bush over Democrat John Kerry.

These voters are extremely important if you are to win a general election. If Obama can't make inroads into these demographics in NC or IN then it is certain that he can't win a general election.




Tags: Barack Obama, working class, democratic primary (all tags)

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Did ya hear... (none / 0)

...Obama got a SD from NM today...


A useless "Community Organizer" from Pennsylvania as noted by Republicans, Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin
by hootie4170 on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:45:50 PM EST

Another elite (2.00 / 2)

well an elite vote is still a vote.


by catfish1 on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:48:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Another elite (2.00 / 1)

DINO's everywhere!  Using the old Repug elite meme. Don't you guys even stop to realzie that you use nothing but Rove talking points?


"In the primary you should vote with your heart, but in the general, you should vote with your head" Hillary's husband
by venician on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:51:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I love it Josey (none / 0)


   Hillary Clinton, who is swimming in millions of dollars, hasn't shopped for her own food, driven her own car or paid her own bills, since 1992 (and probably before) is just a regular gal,

  but this guy Obama is an elitist? You are seriously full of it.


by southernman on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:58:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I love it Josey (2.00 / 1)

smart! she's worse? They're both elite?  He's improving, he's trying to see why what he said was offensive, and he's trying to develop some empathy for rural voters.  It's a legitimate issue, because it's about who can get elected in the GE. I know you think it's impossible for McCain to win, but Kerry, a elitist war hero lost to the real Bush, so it isn't inconceivable.  Now the supers are starting to come out, for her and for him. It's a battle about who would be most competent and electable (according to Donna), but there are still more voters to vote. They appeal to different demographics and it isn't white/black.  It'll be close enough to a tie and the super's will have to break the tie.  


Hillary - alternative energy
by anna shane on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:17:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Proof please (none / 0)

this is a classist assumption on your part, methinks, and not based in known reality - my guess is that the Obama's are as equally shielded these days


by pan230oh on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:02:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Another elite (none / 0)

And you're repeating right wing talking points AGAIN


"In the primary you should vote with your heart, but in the general, you should vote with your head" Hillary's husband
by venician on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:00:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Don't you ever stop to realize something else? (2.00 / 1)

That distaste for many liberal elites and their fellow travelers is not limited to the Republican party?  We are just part of a cross section of Americans who don't like many of you or the candidates you favor.


by lombard on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:07:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Don't you ever stop to realize something else? (none / 0)

What policies of the Democratic party do you agree with that makes you vote Democrat rather than Republican?


John McCain on social security.
by heresjohnny on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:15:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I agree with many liberal oriented policies (2.00 / 1)

My problems are more with many liberals themselves - their attitudes and personalities I find extremely annoying - like you for example.


by lombard on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:21:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I agree with many liberal oriented policies (none / 0)

Scathing. I doubt you're old enough to vote.


John McCain on social security.
by heresjohnny on Sat May 03, 2008 at 06:21:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Another elite (none / 0)

DINO's everywhere!  Using the old Repug elite meme. Don't you guys even stop to realzie that you use nothing but Rove talking points?

Oh, it's 100% pure, unadulterated Republican talking points from this crowd at this point. If they're not bitching about "reverse-racism," citing Scaife-rags and praising Fox News, criticizing Keith Olberman (who's unimpeachable as far as I'm concerned),  using the "elitist" tag to describe a candidate a whole lot less elite than the one they're supporting, or using guilt-by-association to tar the probable Democratic nominee as a 60's black-radical-terrorist, then they're shamelessly pimping counterproductive tax giveaways and audaciously referring to themselves as "principled." Well, they're nothing of the sort, and as far as I'm concerned, most of 'em aren't even Democrats anymore.  


by RP McMurphy on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:52:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Another elite (none / 0)

I'd mojo you but I am powerless...Nice...


A useless "Community Organizer" from Pennsylvania as noted by Republicans, Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin
by hootie4170 on Sat May 03, 2008 at 06:41:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Another elite (none / 0)

Both Republicans and Centrist Dems dislike the sanctimonous and arrogant far left.  There is no shame in that.  


2004 swing state margins: PA-2%, OH-2%, IA-1%, WI-0.5%, MI-3%, FL-5%, NM-1%; Alienating 50% of the party is a luxury we can't afford.
by BPK80 on Sat May 03, 2008 at 07:37:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I am (none / 0)

so sick of this "elite" CRAP!


Washington Woman
theocracywatch.org
EENR Blog
by kevin22262 on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:08:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (2.00 / 3)

Did you see her campaigning in the back of a truck in NC  a few minutes ago.

The crowd took in every word she said .

I really haven't seen a democratic candidate like her's that appeals to working class voters and Reagan democrats in a long while.


Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.
by lori on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:47:07 PM EST

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (2.00 / 2)

I know and like the above poster said, Obama doesn't want these people to vote for us. I guess that's what a stomach full of arugula will do for you.


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:51:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Hey, lay off the arugula! (none / 0)

It doesn't care whether it's eaten by a liberal elitist or a bitter small towner!


by lombard on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:11:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

Did she have bibbed overalls on and a stalk of wheat hanging out of her mouth?


by emptythreatsfarm on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:54:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (2.00 / 1)

Yep, Obama's supporters make the same elitist comments that he does. And you wonder why these people won't vote for Obama?


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:57:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

The comment is about Clinton's penchant for pandering.  Not about the good people of North Carolina.

I just got back from hauling some heifers to a neighbor.

What have you been up to today, oh great defender of bibbed overall wearers?


by emptythreatsfarm on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:03:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

An attack ad of Obama supporters booing Clinton and chanting Obama. What kind of attack ad is that going to make??


My candidate lost fair and square. So did yours. Get over it and let's kick McSame's ass!
by RLMcCauley on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:44:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

Plenty of working class rural white Obama supporters in Oregon will prove you wrong.


It's time to restore balance and fairness to our economy,... It's time to stop giving tax cuts to corporations that ship jobs overseas... - Barack Obama
by Lefty Coaster on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:47:34 PM EST

Or right! SUSA: Hill closes in on OR voters! (2.00 / 1)

Woohoo! Clinton up 2, Obama down 2 from three weeks ago!!


by catfish1 on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:50:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Obama's Appeal to working Class Strong In Oregon (none / 0)

Woohoo! Obama is up by 12 points in this newer Oregon poll


It's time to restore balance and fairness to our economy,... It's time to stop giving tax cuts to corporations that ship jobs overseas... - Barack Obama
by Lefty Coaster on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:26:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Strong In Oreg (none / 0)

hm.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_c ontent/politics/election_20082/2008_pres idential_election/daily_presidential_tra cking_poll


Washington Woman
theocracywatch.org
EENR Blog
by kevin22262 on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:11:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's (2.00 / 1)

We'll have to wait and see on that. Obama was supposed to win IN but is faltering there now.


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:52:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's (none / 0)

I thought Indiana was supposed to be a tossup.


It's time to restore balance and fairness to our economy,... It's time to stop giving tax cuts to corporations that ship jobs overseas... - Barack Obama
by Lefty Coaster on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:16:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

They haven't had the chance to sit down with Bill yet, have they?


by pan230oh on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:04:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (2.00 / 1)

How many elections do dems. have to lose before we realize we are not getting back the Reagan Democrats?????  The key to winning is getting new voters to choose the dem. party. In Pa. Obama won the new voter vote by 20 points.
Being stuck in the past must suck, huh???
"In the primary you should vote with your heart, but in the general, you should vote with your head" Hillary's husband
by venician on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:47:38 PM EST

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (2.00 / 2)

Hillary Clinton clearly thinks otherwise.

You would be more on the money , if you say Obama cannot get them back because they are clearly fueling her candidacy.

There is a little disconnect there.


Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.
by lori on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:50:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Your can fool some of the people... (none / 0)

They're the only voters she has a chance with. The rest of the electorate sees right through her.


"In the primary you should vote with your heart, but in the general, you should vote with your head" Hillary's husband
by venician on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:54:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Your can fool some of the people... (2.00 / 1)

So you mean they are 50% of Dem electorate? So you make the case easier that if those 50% go to McCain, he will win along with Repub voters.


by Sandeep on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:07:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Your can fool some of the people... (none / 0)

I think she'll do just fine among the thinking, educated Democrats who care more about making visible positive changes happen for real people than the ability to think great thoughts or create unrealistic expectations.


by pan230oh on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:09:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

A little? How about mucho disconnect? (2.00 / 1)

Some of these Obamabots really are about as faith based as you can get.  Evidence be damned!


by lombard on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:18:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (2.00 / 1)

New voters are never going to amount to 43% of vote total in a general election are they?

And if Obama's new voters aren't enough to win a democratic primary doesn't it tell you something?


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:53:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

Since when do rural voters make up 43% of the population?


"In the primary you should vote with your heart, but in the general, you should vote with your head" Hillary's husband
by venician on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:55:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (2.00 / 1)

The article states that working class voters are 43% of voters.


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:56:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

Oh because the article says so it's true? Sorry I haven't put on my tin foil hat today, and I'm thinking clearly.


"In the primary you should vote with your heart, but in the general, you should vote with your head" Hillary's husband
by venician on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:59:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (2.00 / 1)

Well, they are using 2004 exit polls. Do you have better information than the article does?


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:14:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

Have you been paying attention to the registration numbers?

'04 is not '08.


Voting for John McCain is not God bless America.
by SFValues on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:16:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (2.00 / 1)

Even inspite of those new registrations (who can flip over anytime), is Obama winning the battleground states?

You can add up those new registrations and see how much Bush won by and if the new votes outweigh the difference. This is with the assumption that all new registrations are going to vote for Obama 100%. (It will be a surprise for some people with blinders to note that new registration also includes Reagan Democrats).


by Sandeep on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:11:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

Oh, I didn't know the registration cards had an option ro register as "Reagan Democrat"

silly me


"In the primary you should vote with your heart, but in the general, you should vote with your head" Hillary's husband
by venician on Sat May 03, 2008 at 07:07:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

Does that included African-Americans?


John McCain on social security.
by heresjohnny on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:11:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

*include even


John McCain on social security.
by heresjohnny on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:15:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (2.00 / 1)

Don't know whether it's classified that way or not. I says that Kerry lost these voters but that doesn't mean that he didn't get any working class voters just that he didn't get enough to win.


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:16:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

I ask because clearly there are working class African-Americans supporting him. Well as my cat - my dead cat in fact - can beat the sacrificial lamb that is McCain I'm not worried.


John McCain on social security.
by heresjohnny on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:19:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (2.00 / 1)

That is where you are mistaken. There are tons of voters that will vote for McCain if Obama is the nominee. You obviously haven't been paying attention. I heard the same statement about Bush in 2004 and how did that work out?


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:21:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

Yeah actually I pay more attention than most. Some people still think Clinton has a real chance at getting the nomination. Those people aren't paying attention. Others think that McCain is a threat when he is just treading water and clearly is at his ceiling. Those people aren't paying attention either. Me. I pay attention to everything.


John McCain on social security.
by heresjohnny on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:23:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (2.00 / 1)

Sorry but you obviously aren't paying attention. If you think Obama can win a general election with his demographic problems then you live in a dream world. When was the last time an elitist won a general election? And one that has an angry wife to boot?


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:36:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

Ok. Clinton can't win either then. When is the last time a Dem could win the WH without the African-American vote?

All hail emperor McSame!


John McCain on social security.
by heresjohnny on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:57:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

Well, ga6, I think the last time a true elitist won the white house was in 2004. ( well, he didn't actually win, but he 'prevailed') The last elitist with an angry wife to win an election would be... let me see.... Clinton, '96.


Bush murders soldiers for profit. McCain wants to wet his beak.
by awobbly on Sat May 03, 2008 at 08:50:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

Wrong. Clinton wasn't an elitist. The nickname "bubba" doesn't exactly scream elitism. And Hillary didn't come off as angry. Michelle is angry and Obama is an elitist who lectures people. It's a losing combination.


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Sun May 04, 2008 at 04:54:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You're talking to the wall (2.00 / 1)

Evidence doesn't tell these people anything.  They are faith based.  And then they say they are not a cult!


by lombard on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:19:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Well, that should tell you something (2.00 / 1)

That there are not enough of these "new" voters to compensate for the voters who don't want Obama even if he wins these newbies by 20 points.  Do you think there is a much larger percentage of liberal new voters in the general election?


by lombard on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:16:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

As per some blind Obama supporters, they are choosing Obama party, not Dem party. Many of the new registrations have no clue what Obama stands for but hey gotta be part of the herd. Even inspite of all these new voter registration, he cant win. What does that mean to us in Nov?

Having said that, there are logical mature Obama supporters who can understand why Obama lost his mojo.


by Sandeep on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:18:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (2.00 / 1)

LINK the story, please...


TexasDarlin blog
by TexasDarlin on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:49:03 PM EST

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

that's what i thougtht


"In the primary you should vote with your heart, but in the general, you should vote with your head" Hillary's husband
by venician on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:49:38 PM EST

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

And how is Clinton doing amongst people who make more than 50K, African Americans and people under 45?

Now, I wouldn't say her support is collapsing, I'd say it has already collapsed.


Voting for John McCain is not God bless America.
by SFValues on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:49:57 PM EST

She's gaining among them (2.00 / 1)

So she starts with the most vulnerable, and now she's gaining among the young, wealthy and well-connected.


by catfish1 on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:51:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: She's gaining among them (none / 0)

Can you back that up with facts?


Voting for John McCain is not God bless America.
by SFValues on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:53:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: She's gaining among them (none / 0)

clintonites don't like facts or math, so you might be in for a wait, at least until they can provide a link to some right wing repug article or web cite.


"In the primary you should vote with your heart, but in the general, you should vote with your head" Hillary's husband
by venician on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:57:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: She's gaining among them (none / 0)

I gave the other poster some hints to get used to facts. You might want to do the same.


by Sandeep on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:23:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: She's gaining among them (none / 0)

Can you back it with facts that Clinton's support has collapsed for under 45? (Hint Ron Brownstein - Chris Matthews Hardball). You will be surprised to hear the fact based analysis of Ron.


by Sandeep on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:21:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (2.00 / 1)

Collapsing? Hardly. If you call pulling in ahead in a state that Obama said he was going to win collapsing then you have a strange definition of that word. You guys have said she's done more times than I can count. Obama has been on a decline since WI.


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:55:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

Sorry to burst your bubble, but just being in the race doesn't mean you're not finished.

Rememebr, Ron Paul is also still in the race.


Voting for John McCain is not God bless America.
by SFValues on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:59:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (2.00 / 1)

Name a primary that Ron Paul has won?


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:17:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

He's gotten more delegates the Clinton since WI right?

What state did he say that he was going to win and then he lost?


John McCain on social security.
by heresjohnny on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:08:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (2.00 / 1)

He's losing IN right now. He said he was going to win there. He also said that he would only lose PA by 5 pts. Look at his spreadsheet for all his predictions.


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:18:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

Oh you mean his spreadsheet projections? Whatever.

Clinton thought she'd end it on 2/5 and that was just as meaningless.


John McCain on social security.
by heresjohnny on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:21:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

Ya, great point. I mean, if Obama can't tell what the future is going to be how can he win the GE?


Voting for John McCain is not God bless America.
by SFValues on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:24:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)


   Hillary said my vote didn't count...b/c I live in a boutique state...(which just happens to be the poorest state in the country).

  What is it with Hillary and insulting voters?


by southernman on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:57:20 PM EST

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (2.00 / 1)

Stop whining and change ur state.

:-)


by Sandeep on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:02:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Hey look! (2.00 / 1)

It's another person who needs to be reminded that the working class doesn't consist solely of white people!


by Mobar on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:57:49 PM EST

You forgot "bitter" (2.00 / 1)

Surely, you're that, too, aren't you?  I know I am!


by lombard on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:09:21 PM EST

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

These voters are extremely important if you are to win a general election. If Obama can't make inroads into these demographics in NC or IN then it is certain that he can't win a general election.

By that logic, if Hillary can't make inroads with black voters, then it's certain that she can't win a general election.


by Angry White Democrat on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:00:16 PM EST

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

Certainly that is a concern but AA's are concentrated mostly in states that we lose like GA. We've lost working class voters time and again and won AA's time and again and still lost general elections time and again. What do you propose the solution is? Depending solely on AA voters certainly hasn't worked.


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:19:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

Certainly that is a concern but AA's are concentrated mostly in states that we lose like GA.

AA voters are everywhere, including swing states. Pennsylvania and Ohio are 12% AA, and Florida is 16% AA. Hillary's entire strategy for the GE is to win those three states - do you think she can do it starting out 10% (or more) below John Kerry's total?

And that's not even getting into the fact that without the AA vote, she would have no chance in other states too, like Michigan for example.

We've lost working class voters time and again and won AA's time and again and still lost general elections time and again. What do you propose the solution is? Depending solely on AA voters certainly hasn't worked.

No one is saying we should depend solely on AA voters. What I'm saying is that the focus only on working-class whites, to the exclusion of all else, is offensive and needs to stop. James Clyburn said it best:

"I am very concerned that if we keep talking as if it doesn't matter ... that Obama gets 92 percent of the black vote ... since he only got 35 percent of the white vote, he's in trouble. Well, Hillary Clinton only got 8 percent of black vote. ... it's almost saying black people don't matter. Only thing that matters is how white people respond. And that's what bothered me. I think I matter."


by Angry White Democrat on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:37:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

Well, the problem is that Obama is focusing on upper income whites and AA's to the exclusion of all other voters. His campaign, in fact, has said that they won't vote for him pretty much starting the unelectable narrative that's now in the media.

And Obama is starting with even worse numbers than Kerry so what does that say? In NH, Hillary has gone up while Obama has gone down.


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:45:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

Or maybe we can agree that primary results don't correlate in any meaningful way to general election results?

And as for GE polls, they're worthless this far out. If GE polls in May meant anything, we'd be nearing the end of president Gore's second term right now.

And Hillary's GE numbers are inflated because the Republicans haven't even started attacking her yet. They're throwing everything they have at Obama instead. Hillary's GE numbers now represent her high-water mark - if she were to somehow get the nomination, the Republican attacks would start, and she has nowhere to go but down.


by Angry White Democrat on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:58:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

You've got to be kidding about republicans attacking Hillary. They've been attacking her for years and years. The thing is that she's a known quantity and McCain's a known quantity (or at least people seem to have an opinion on both of them) and Obama is like a shiny new target.

Obama has failed to define himself and so the GOP is doing it for him. It's a fatal general election mistake. That's why his numbers took a tumble post Wright. Since Obama doesn't really tell us who he is, voters have to use people like Wright etal. to determine who Obama is and what he believes in.


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Sat May 03, 2008 at 08:12:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

The Republicans haven't been attacking Hillary at all lately, but they've been after Obama nonstop for months.

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?u uid=9C7B3821-3048-5C12-00984C8A5502BF08

That's why Hillary is polling better for the GE - she's been getting a free ride from the Republicans. That would change fast should she somehow become the nominee.


by Angry White Democrat on Sat May 03, 2008 at 09:16:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

At least Hillary will defend herself in the GE. Obama has shown that he will lay down and take it. Wusses never win.


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Sun May 04, 2008 at 04:56:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

Now for the real story from Al Giordino:

"So, to sum up: Look at the damn graphs. You can see that Clinton is in a staggering free-fall among African-American voters, her favorability is down 36 points while 17 percent view her more negatively than before, while Obama's favorable and negative ratings among whites have paired at five point increases. You can even see the small dip - about two percentage points - in his popularity among whites that can be attributed to the news cycles about his ex-pastor, and see that it has leveled out and is now on a straight horizontal line (meanwhile, Clinton's numbers among blacks continue on an extreme downward precipice). The greater context is that even including Obama's slight dip, he's more popular today among white voters than he ever was prior to February.
Not since Ronald Reagan has an American presidential candidate withstood such an assault in the media and seen his popularity not hurt by it, but, rather, galvanized by it. That's what is meant, in politics, by the term "Teflon."
Those facts won't stop many media (and Internet) talking heads from continuing - whether out of gullibility or intentional dishonesty - to prop up the "white voters" narrative, but it ought to inoculate you, kind reader, from believing it.


"In the primary you should vote with your heart, but in the general, you should vote with your head" Hillary's husband
by venician on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:56:46 PM EST

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

Obama's support in several demographics increased in PA over Ohio. Plus, in Nov there will be no Hillary distraction to prevent him from getting those votes.


by applecrispbetty on Sat May 03, 2008 at 06:10:04 PM EST

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

They aren't going to vote for him. They've already said so. Obama doesn't appeal to them due to his economic stances and his national security weakness.


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Sat May 03, 2008 at 08:14:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

And blacks aren't going to vote for Hillary. They've already said so.

So what now?


by Angry White Democrat on Sat May 03, 2008 at 09:17:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Appeal to working Class Faltering (none / 0)

If Hillary gets 50% of the AA votes she can win. Obama has to get way more demographics than he currently is. He only wins two demographics. Two demographics are what Dukakis got in 1988. Obama vs. McCain is the repeat of Bush I vs. Dukakis. The ads are already running in NC and crickets from the Obama campaign.


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Sun May 04, 2008 at 04:58:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]


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