Question of honest curiosity: why do so many self-identified Republicans who...

[libbygurl]

...say they'll cross the party line this time, choose Obama more often than the other two? It's just what I've gathered in my browsing of comments from various websites on the 'net.

I am really curious about what DUers think of this, as I see it, interesting trend.

[dogman]

1. I talked to one.

He just said he felt it was time for a black President. He is disappointed with bushco and hates Hillary. I don't know if the time came to vote in the booth if he would do it for sure or not.

[libbygurl]

2. Thanks for your reply.

So this fellow you spoke to does feel comfortable with the idea of choosing Obama, then? He didn't give any specifics as to why, exactly? Just his skin colour?

[dogman]

4. That seemed basically it but my impression was he felt a Dem might be elected.

He does not like the Clintons, so I don't know how sincere he was.

[OneGrassRoot]

3. Good question. There are so many interesting elements coming up...

that I never considered before.

For instance, so many saying that a lot of people (primarily in NH) said they were going to vote for Obama but never intended to because they were too ashamed (as they should be) to say they couldn't actually vote for a black man...whether it's because of their own latent racism or fear of others' racism, thinking he wouldn't actually get very far even though there is a phenomenon now.

Obviously, we'll never know whether or not that's true, but several African-American journalists were saying that's what happened in a matter-of-fact way.

I don't think anyone expected republicans to cross over for Hillary, so it certainly is between Obama and Edwards.

And, yes, I definitely expected Edwards to get the crossovers, so it's very, very interesting as to what's happening.

I actually think this race is fascinating, and I think it's going to get even more interesting as things perhaps many never considered arise...good and bad. That's why I'm sad Bill Richardson dropped out already. More than three at this stage, to me, would be a good thing to flesh out the issues more.

EDITED FOR HUGE BOO-BOO that would give the wrong impression about what I meant. Hopefully it says what I intend now.

[libbygurl]

5. Indeed, there are unexpected things happening...

...and I'd really like to know the reasons behind these phenomena.

Like you, I would have liked Richardson still in the race, and Biden as well, just to bring more threshing of the issues. But the media (especially those hosting those so-called 'debates') don't seem interested in really analysing the candidates' platforms. All are covering the campaign as a horse race. Sad, since I've read more meaty discussion of real issues facing voters during the more sane campaign and election seasons held in, say, the UK.