Cross Over and Independent Votes, Saving America, Elevating the Democratic Party to Victory

[mikekohr]

Senator Obama Is Attracting Up To 7% of Republican Voters To His Campaign:

Those numbers reflect what I see on the ground in my heavily Republican County. I am hearing from many life-long Republicans that are disgusted with their party and the dip shit currently in the White House. They are expressing support and even enthusiasm for Senator Obama and are professing to vote for a Democrat for the first time in their lives.

This IS a "change election," and Senator Obama personifies change. There will be institutional, cultural and demographic obstacles to overcome. Independents, crossover Republicans, and the "youth/first time" voters will be the key to Obama's victory in November and the Democratic party's landslide victory that we are poised to take.

Obama's victory in November and subsequent success as president will be the stake that is finally driven into the black heart of Jim Crow, and mark the passing of the torch to a younger generation of Americans. Our ability to successfully govern will be the catalyst that forces a civil war for the heart of the Republican party.

But if we somehow manage to lose this, and no one is better than snatching defeat from the jaws of victory than us, then we will face the very real possibility of the splintering of our "big tent," party.

Our nation, our party, and even the necessary reform and remaking of the Republican Party depend on our success. "This is our time. We are the people we have been waiting for,"

mike kohr

[polichick]

1. If Dem leaders don't get off their asses and send the Clintons packing...

...they won't deserve the support of such a coalition.

[mikekohr]

2. Watch the Super Delegates Over the Next Two Weeks

I expect an increased flow of Super's to Senator Obama's camp and even a number of Pledged Delegates to switch their commitment to endorse Senator Obama for our party's nomination for president.

mike kohr

[polichick]

4. Haven't people predicted that for a while now??

[mikekohr]

9. It's Not So Much A Prediction As An Observation

Since 2/%/2008 the movement of SD's has been overwhelmingly in Senator Obama's direction. If you take away Senator Clinton's SDs that she secured before the voting even began in Iowa, then she would have only a handful of Super Delegates in her camp.

Senator Clinton based her campaign on inevitability. Thats been in serious doubt since "Day One," the day of the Iowa caucus.

mike kohr

[mikekohr]

11. Here's Another SD Declaring For Senator Obama

Hit on the link to view the post about another SD, former governor of Alaska declaring for Senator Obama:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6121727

mike kohr

[polichick]

12. Yes, trickle, trickle...

[mikekohr]

14. The Immovable Object -Versus the Irresistible Force- us

The establishment candidate, the candidate of inevitability, the immovable object is yielding to the movement candidate. The rocks of the Grand Canyon were not carved overnight.

WE are the movement. We will not be denied. "Not this time."

Have faith.


mike kohr


Obama '08
-believe-

[polichick]

15. The only thing I question is whether the inevitable change will come through...

...the Democratic Party. As a party activist for 30+ years, I think we're at a critical turning point. Our movement will happen with or without the party ~ just waiting to see if leaders are up to the challenge.

[mikekohr]

16. If the People Will Lead The Leaders Will Follow

Senator Obama has it exactly correct when he states that the change he projects and personifies will come from the grassroots, through us. Without that upwelling of support, without our combined voice for change and reform he is but an imperfect vessel.

We are as vested in this race as is he. And more so.

Read the link to a related post:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6120191&mesg_id=6120191

Former President Carter has all but declared for Senator Obama and predicts that shortly after 6/3/2008 this will be put to rest by the remaining uncommitted SD's.

mike kohr

[polichick]

18. Yes, change comes from the bottom up...

And Carter and Gore (my personal favs) are part of the movement ~ but there are plenty of DLC Dems who are totally invested in the status quo. I think the Clintons would rather see us lose in Nov. than to see Obama win ~ and they still have their support within the party. imo it truly is a battle for the soul of the party. Either way, the grassroots movement will ultimately prevail. My faith is in us - not the party.

[Benhurst]

3. Our party leaders will save us.

You can depend on Pelosi and Reid, unless, of course, Nancy decides to take it off the table.

[polichick]

5. Could be the end of the party - and the rise of the INDIE REVOLUTION.

[BlooInBloo]

6. Yup - Obama does FAR better with independents that Clinton ever could have.

[ruby slippers]

7. I'm proud to be one of those Independents saving your party.

[polichick]

8. Got my form all ready to switch from Dem to Indie - waiting to see if the party finds its balls.

[mikekohr]

10. I hope you meant "Our Party,"

and if not, then I hope we Democrats produce the results that America needs and deserves and earns your respect.

mike kohr

[Malidictus Maximus]

17. It's at a tipping point.

At least amongst those I know. Disgust at an all time high with the most incompetent president we've ever had, an unnecessary war we can't win and an economy on 'suck'.

No one is saying throw the GLBT's under the bus or completely yeild to the NRA, but if Senator Obama will promise to respect the RKBA and NOT piss off the cultural conservatives we can win. More and more states will come around of gay marriage, the hard truth is that it is THE issue that can get people who otherwise would vote the best candidate to vote for McCain.

And I honestly think that a candidate form the big city, where only cops and thugs have guns can eventually realize that shooting is an important recreation and right to folks who DON'T live in a metropolis where ANY round is going to hit someone.

It is ours to lose but beware the ideologues they can tip those in the middle.

It's easy to lose sight here on DU, as it must be to the Freepers, that the vast majority of America is in the middle. They vote for who they hate least, distrust the least. They are not partisan ideologues but vote their pocketbooks and their sense of right and wrong. The phenomena of American politics for the last century is that candidates of both sides run to the true believers in the primaries and then run to the middle in the general.

[mikekohr]

19. Outstanding Post

It is the "Great American Middle," that wins the White House. That's a fact that is only denied by those willing to lose the White House, over and over and over again.

Self identification by the American public breaks down as follows: Independent, 37% Democrat 36%, Republican 32%. This reflects a historic low for both political parties, however when "leaner's," are figured in, we Democrats enjoy a historic high of 54% support of the American electorate.

This election is ours to lose. Shame on us if we do.

mike kohr

[ruby slippers]

21. yes, when I took a political party preference poll, I actually turned

up Libertarian, but I won't vote for Barr and also that is why I am not registered with that party, either.

I find myself "Pro-Life with exceptions" since by religion I am Catholic although I do believe in individual rights and that is what lands me again in the middle. I also understand the "gun issue" despite owning several today. I grew up in rural "hunting" PA but I do live near a large city in FL now where gun violence is fairly widespread, though, so yes that is a sticky wicket and again one that conflicts my mind every now and then. I have a gay cousin and friends so I understand the Progressive idea, too. And, I am a borderline Senior Citizen so yes I am voting my pocketbook.

But, I do believe that Obama can bring us all together. Don't worry about the Independents. I think we are ALL disgusted with the war and that will have a major impact in our decisions, too.

Like you say, just don't "P**S us off by attacking what we believe, either. Embrace us instead. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

[ruby slippers]

20. Well, they will if they get Hillary out of the picture. If not, that is why

I remain Independent. But, I will vote for Obama in a heartbeat.

[PFunk]

13. I hope so. It's starting to look like our only hope of winning the GE now.

After this mess the dems will need those crossover votes to cancel out the ones lost by defecting Clinton supporters. Then afterwards use them to help rebuild hopefully a stronger party without them and the DLC. Otherwise I'm going indie after this also if the dems lose this one.