Who Can Win in November?

Newsweek Web Exclusive

« Return to Article

Discuss

Member Comments

  • Posted By: StraightForeword1 @ 01/03/2008 12:07:03 AM

    Catch phrase... you kidding me? Am I going to vote for someone because someone wrote a nifty slogan for them? No. The Issues -- look at THEM. Also... As a general observation: Democrats do what makes them feel good while republicans do what work.

  • Posted By: Show Me @ 01/02/2008 9:06:59 PM

    A couple of points on Obama. One is don't be so sure that people who won't vote for Obama wouldn't vote democratic anyway. I live in Missouri and was surprised recently when an old Democratic operative in my county which is a solid Democratic rural county told me no way would rural MO. vote for a black person. The other point is that if Obama keeps courting the independents by bashing Democratic favorites like Gore or using Rebuplican talking points on subject like social security he will take the steam out of the Democratic surge of energy. Democrats want a progressive President

  • Posted By: deep thinker @ 01/02/2008 6:11:49 PM

    PS to my comment on the importance of the likeability factor: It occurs to me that George W. Bush has spoled the "likeability factor. He has succeded in giving "likeability" a bad name when it comes to presidential politics. Post GWB, the guideword is: BEWARE OF THE LIKEABILITY FACTOR IN A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE.

  • Posted By: deep thinker @ 01/02/2008 5:38:29 PM

    How important is the "likeability" factor in assessing who has the best chance of winning in November? Some here have argued that it trumps all other factors. Obama has it, they proclaim, and that's why he has the best chance of winning, they insist. Does Obama have the kind of likeability that propelled a Reagan or George W. Bush, or Kennedy, or, for that matter, Bill Clinton, to victory? Personally, I don't see that Obama has it.. I sense something "phony" almost Elmer Gantry like, in him which puts me off. But then, I never responded to George W. Bush's much heralded "likeability" either. So, what do I know. My question to other commentators here is: What is it that is it about Obama that makes him to most voters eyes so generally "likeable" that he will win the election? (Note, I see "fresh and inspiring" as attributes that are too studied, momentary and fleeting to be counted in the likeability sphere.)

    • Posted By: deep thinker @ 01/02/2008 6:11:30 PM

      PS to my comment on the importance of the likeability factor: It occurs to me that George W. Bush has spoled the "likeability factor. He has succeded in giving "likeability" a bad name when it comes to presidential politics. Post GWB, the guideword is: BEWARE OF THE LIKEABILITY FACTOR IN A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE.

  • Posted By: Saul Tanner @ 01/02/2008 3:55:41 PM

    Ron Paul's support only continues to grow and expand, if you doubt it, do your own research. In fact, check out what his positions are and chances are good you'll find something you'll be passionate about. Have a Happy New Year!

  • Posted By: eddiewhere @ 01/02/2008 12:30:22 AM

    Limbaugh is the only American that I caterogize as crazier than Al Queda and their Jihad ways. This man is looney in every sense of the word. He just makes money for his station because he is a clown always entertaining people with his opinions.

    Race is always a major factor in American politics. Obama is both black and white, his unique race is an advantage in this case. White people, old, young are comfortable with OBAMA. They like him. What is ironic is a lot of black people do not think Obama is black enough. There is a section of the black community that is racist against "light skinned" blacks. Dark skinned blacks often distinguish themselves from light skinned blacks. There is actually animosities between the two groups, it is the new American PHENEMONON. IF OBAMA was pure Nigerian, then I think it would be a different ball game. The fact that his grandmother and your grandmother are both white, makes the White Community feel comfortable.

    • Posted By: dewcooper @ 01/02/2008 2:59:58 PM

      Obama appeals to two groups, Black and young, neither of which bothers to vote. Look at the numbers in the last election. Sean Combs couldn't even be bothered to 'rock the vote'...

  • Posted By: eddiewhere @ 01/02/2008 8:04:08 AM

    Remember when Jesse the "Body" Ventura won in Minnesota. I think that is the first time that the media realized that voter's have a mind of their own. What people do not understand is that Obama represents a movement. They like him. Voters like Regan, they did not care about what the media said, they just liked the man. Obama has something the other politicians do not have. And it is that something that will bring victory to Obama. political pundits with their phd's don't get it. If Americans do not like you, they are not going to vote for you. Although a lot of people like Clinton many other do not , for reasons that i think are frivilous. However these are the facts. Did Regan have more experience than Carter in the eighties. No. Regan just had a likeability factor that is beyond an analyst's realm. You either have it or you don't. Obama has it.

    • Posted By: dewcooper @ 01/02/2008 2:57:15 PM

      What Reagan had was a staunch belief system, one which he demonstrated in his decisions. He easily and elloquently expressed his views in detail and supported these views with his actions. that is why he got elected. Obama is no Reagan, has no disernable belief system, and generally only appeals to those looking for symbolism, lacking in substance. That is what most reasonable people just don't get...

  • Posted By: dewcooper @ 01/02/2008 2:48:12 PM

    Gotta love how Alter reminds us that if we DON'T vote for Obama, we must be racists and Republican. Or if we don't vote for Billary, we are too masogynist. How about neither one of them is qualified for the job. He is also wrong in assuming that woman are so simple-minded that they will vote for Billary just because she is a woman (or so she appears). If I was a Black woman, I would be highly offended!

  • Posted By: user1222 @ 01/02/2008 2:18:42 PM

    When are we going to stop trying to elect the President of the Republicans or the President of the Democrats, and instead try to elect a President of the US. The two-party system exists to maintain it's own power and is harmful to the United States.

    Ron Paul!

  • Posted By: Biden08 @ 01/01/2008 1:33:16 PM

    Joe Biden is by far the candidate most ready to be president. Unfortunately he does not have millions of dollars to buy the election, and the media is only interested in sound bites and hair cuts....nothing substantive. It takes a serious nation to elect a serious candidate. You would think that we all would learned from the mistakes of the last 2 elections.

    • Posted By: user1222 @ 01/02/2008 2:04:09 PM

      He's also a gun-banning, rights restricting elitist who thinks he has the authority to push his agenda on the Iraqi people.

  • Posted By: bobcat4424 @ 01/01/2008 1:32:21 PM

    The lack of mention of Ron Paul is noteworthy in that it is probably the most accurate. While almost everyone has a warm place in their heart for a politician who appears to speak the truth and match his words with some careful thought and matching actions, Ron Paul's agenda itself just does not warrant much comment since it is pretty much a century out of date. The bottom line on Dr. Paul is that we wish him well and hope he continues to soldier on, whether we agree with him or not.

    • Posted By: averagejoe @ 01/01/2008 1:47:20 PM

      A century out of date? His agenda has never been more urgent and contemporary. He alone speaks for the little guy, he alone won't be a paid for mouth peice for monied interests. Any other choice is more of the same, decline of thr middle class, deteriorating economic conditions, prolonged war, deteriorating civili liberties. If these points seem "out of date" to you, then I can't imagine what points might seem important to you.

      • Posted By: SeattleGuy @ 01/02/2008 11:36:05 AM

        Ron Paul is very unrealistic. He wants to abolish the IRS and most of our Federal government. That is pure nonsense. He is part of the "market economy solves everything and government is ALWAYS the problem not the solution crowd". We've seen how Greenspan's Subprime mortgage solution to affordable housing has helped the middle class get ahead. All of these simple solutions for complex problems must be seen for what they are, campaign spin. Ron Paul also believed in Term Limits before he was elected. He now says he is for "Voluntary Term Limits" which means he chose not to leave because as an incumbent, he can get more votes than a newcomer who aspires for office. I call that lying. How about you?

        • Posted By: user1222 @ 01/02/2008 2:00:59 PM

          SeattleGuy, you clearly do not know what RP believes or proposes. If you did you would know that he believes the Fed and it's control of the fiat money system is one of the worst things for the American people, especially poor and middle class.
          He also IS for mandatory term limits. He is NOT for voluntary term limits, in which some people would leave and others not.

  • Posted By: rescueyou @ 01/02/2008 1:13:48 PM

    Are you tired of this being a country for the rich, by the rich - with the rest of us just paying rent to bask in thier presence? Are you tired of no money for wounded vets, but billions for new high tech geegaws? Tired yet of our politicians dividing our country into groups that are easier to control while they laugh at our foolishness in believing the lies? If so, please vote a third party. Any third party. Those who say you are wasting your vote are the brainwashed. Can you see beyond the surface differences to the sameness underneath both republicans and democrats? Until we have the strenght of character to truly change this great country we will veer further down this bizarre rabbit hole in which we find ourselves.

  • Posted By: simplenothing @ 01/02/2008 12:45:39 PM

    Ron Paul is very practical. He knows that the growing pace of US debt cannot be sustained, and the only way to prevent a crisis is drastically reduce spending and size of government. He understands that productivity is directly related the taxation of income, and therefore wants to eliminate the Income tax and hence the IRS. Ron Paul is about the only true statesman left in the political arena.

    His

  • Posted By: simplenothing @ 01/02/2008 12:44:43 PM

    Ron Paul is very practical. He knows that the growing pace of US debt cannot be sustained, and the only way to prevent a crisis is drastically reduce spending and size of government. He understands that productivity is directly related the taxation of income, and therefore wants to eliminate the Income tax and hence the IRS. Ron Paul is about the only true statesman left in the political arena.

    His

  • Posted By: d50siegel @ 01/02/2008 11:23:31 AM

    ""Only one with a chance of a landslide is Obama...just what this embattled democratic party needs. Senator Obama could change history and bring the Democrats out of the cold. I am excited about the nod from Kucinich too. Obama has a very interesting span of support and appeal.

  • Posted By: drlbjl @ 01/02/2008 10:57:20 AM

    Please God, Will somebody else please run?

  • Posted By: Jack3213 @ 01/02/2008 8:35:57 AM

    If you fall for Clinton's line of BS you are naive. If you recall all the irrational promises she has made and the illogical course of changes she is promoting it is wise to re-read them, she is not able to do any of them or should she. She is an emabarressment to the country and to women. She has no foreign policy experiance and no self respect, a delusional actor who makes false claims.

    • Posted By: SeattleGuy @ 01/02/2008 10:47:01 AM

      Jack3213-Name one candidate in either party who isn't making false claims and couching their statements? If you think Clinton is the only one, you are very naive. She is just trying to maintain a central position to run in the general election. Edwards who is my fav and Obama are spinning. Anyone who understands how politics work in this country, knows that.

  • Posted By: dj2645m @ 01/02/2008 10:32:26 AM

    Very good article, Thank you. One thing that strikes me is the press saying the Republicans cannot decide. It seems like there is nither a good republican or dem out there!!

    By the way, Ron paul scares the heck out of me and he is not electable. What scares me most is the fact that he may go indipendant and then he will give the election to hillary. Allmy RP supporter freinds say he will not go indipenant but I cannot believe him. Also, the Libritarians need to realize that if they wat to play, they need to play by the established rules. Ron can never win with his stance on legal drugs and prostitution.

  • Posted By: Freedom4AmericaGroup @ 01/02/2008 10:15:44 AM

    Here is the page that has 329 Current and Military Vets on it all ENDORSING Dr. Ron Paul. Dr. Paul is also being ENDORSED by 9 House Representatives and 3 Senators plus Barry Goldwater,Jr. of which NONE of this is being reported on by the LSM. NewsWeak, you and the rest of the LSM are becoming COMPLETELY OBSOLETE and being REPLACED by the INTERNET.

    We just checked and your stock is already FALLING and we have NOT even sent out our SELL recommendations as of yet.

    http://www.ronpaul2008.com/veterans/

    The Endorsement below is from the Drag Racing Hall of Famer Big Daddy Don Garlits.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NapSLjheTo4


    Check out some of the other Celebrities that have ENDORSED Dr. Ron Paul.

    http://www.ronpaul2008.com/endorsements

    ONLY A Doctor WILL HEAL Our Country,
    Freedom4America Group

  • Posted By: funkadelic212 @ 01/02/2008 9:38:18 AM

    Why do you exclude Ron Paul from your story? He raises more money, has more enthusiastic supporters, has better poll numbers than Guiliani, yet you don't mention him. 70% of Americans are opposed to the Iraq war. If anyone thinks a Pro-war republican will win in november they are fooling themselves. The media is trying to obfuscate the issues from the public. Who tells you to not write about Ron Paul. That is a story that we are all waiting to hear.

Reply

Report Abuse

Enter comments if any for reporting abuse