Barak Obama = Howard Dean in '04

SpicyMcVoodoo · 09-04-2007, 12:05 PM

He popped up out of nowhere, has relatively little political experience, is the "outsider" candidate and is popular with the grass roots. Just like happened to Dean, he'll excel in the early stages that are dominated by political junkies, and then as the reality of the general election approaches, he'll fall from grace. Look for John Edwards to take his place in rivaling Hillary.

motivez · 09-04-2007, 12:09 PM

I think actually that Edwards is more popular with the netroots crowd than Obama isn't he?

Stylerod · 09-04-2007, 12:24 PM

Wow. Edwards and Obama. I'm at a loss. The Democrats can not be excited about these two. I realize they aren't Bush, so that is a good thing, but what have either of them done that people would think they would make a good president?

Honest to God I think Democrats so want another JFK (young and good looking) that they don't give a damn what qualifications they have/don't have.

SpicyMcVoodoo · 09-04-2007, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

I think actually that Edwards is more popular with the netroots crowd than Obama isn't he?

Well, as far as hardcore liberals on the net go, yes, Edwards is more popular, but among general, internet-using young people, I'd say Obama is more popular.

At any rate, I don't think that these distinctions among the netroots existed in '04...at the time the idea that the internet was relevant to politics was pretty novel in itself.

SpicyMcVoodoo · 09-04-2007, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

Wow. Edwards and Obama. I'm at a loss. The Democrats can not be excited about these two. I realize they aren't Bush, so that is a good thing, but what have either of them done that people would think they would make a good president?

Honest to God I think Democrats so want another JFK (young and good looking) that they don't give a damn what qualifications they have/don't have.

Edwards is the only viable candidate, Democrat or Republican, who is talking about the great taboo of class, and people are starting to like it. I'm not quite sure WTF makes Obama unique, which is partially why I'm predicting his cult of personality will soon die.

Stylerod · 09-04-2007, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by SpicyMcVoodoo

Edwards is the only viable candidate, Democrat or Republican, who is talking about the great taboo of class, and people are starting to like it. I'm not quite sure WTF makes Obama unique, which is partially why I'm predicting his cult of personality will soon die.

He's black, duh!

Honest to God. If Edwards is nominated and I was a Democrat I would NOT be confident in him winning.

Phantom · 09-04-2007, 12:41 PM

Didn't Dean have a huge lead nationally and Kerry came out of nowhere?

SpicyMcVoodoo · 09-04-2007, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

He's black, duh!

Honest to God. If Edwards is nominated and I was a Democrat I would NOT be confident in him winning.

It completely depends on the economy.

SpicyMcVoodoo · 09-04-2007, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by Phantom

Didn't Dean have a huge lead nationally and Kerry came out of nowhere?

More like Dean disappeared out of no where...something about a scream...

garbagemanlb · 09-04-2007, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

He's black, duh!

Honest to God. If Edwards is nominated and I was a Democrat I would NOT be confident in him winning.

Considering what the GOP has to offer, I'd say it is a good bet Dems don't have to worry about who they put up.

DosEquis · 09-04-2007, 12:57 PM

I am really not fond of any of the 'top three'. If i was forced to pick i'd say obama. Otherwise i am pretty stuck on joe biden at the moment. Unfortunately he doesn't have as much money or name recognition.

Edwards and Clinton both strike me as kind of sleazey, making promises they won't keep and just talking the talk.

Stylerod · 09-04-2007, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by garbagemanlb

Considering what the GOP has to offer, I'd say it is a good bet Dems don't have to worry about who they put up.

Yeah, I remember hearing that the last two elections

It's never a sure thing, you have to be smart enough to know that.

Publius · 09-04-2007, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by garbagemanlb

Considering what the GOP has to offer, I'd say it is a good bet Dems don't have to worry about who they put up.

The Democrats thought that in 2004 as well, and yet here we are in Bush's second term.

SpicyMcVoodoo · 09-04-2007, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by DosEquis

Edwards and Clinton both strike me as kind of sleazey, making promises they won't keep and just talking the talk.

That's interesting, cause I get that vibe from Clinton and Obama-- they both strike me as being very politically calculating in every word they say (e.g., notice both of their talking is peppered with long "uhhhh" pauses). Edwards strikes me as genuine for some reason...maybe it's the fact that Clinton and Obama obviously try to never say anything extreme, which looks fake, and Edwards is the only person speaking out about class issues (i.e., the elephant in the living room that no one else wants to talk about because it'll make them appear too liberal).

Donkey® · 09-04-2007, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

Wow. Edwards and Obama. I'm at a loss. The Democrats can not be excited about these two. I realize they aren't Bush, so that is a good thing, but what have either of them done that people would think they would make a good president?

Honest to God I think Democrats so want another JFK (young and good looking) that they don't give a damn what qualifications they have/don't have.

Have you seen what the Republicans have? The top 5 Democrats > all Republicans.

Stylerod · 09-04-2007, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by Donkey®

Have you seen what the Republicans have? The top 5 Democrats > all Republicans.

Amazing. And I think the opposite. Could it be because we support different parties?????

JaJae · 09-04-2007, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by DosEquis

I am really not fond of any of the 'top three'. If i was forced to pick i'd say obama. Otherwise i am pretty stuck on joe biden at the moment. Unfortunately he doesn't have as much money or name recognition.

Edwards and Clinton both strike me as kind of sleazey, making promises they won't keep and just talking the talk.

I agree with Edwards and Clinton and disagree on Obama. I like him, he's down to earth and seems like a normal guy who hasn't been corrupted by politics yet.

JaJae · 09-04-2007, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by SpicyMcVoodoo

That's interesting, cause I get that vibe from Clinton and Obama-- they both strike me as being very politically calculating in every word they say (e.g., notice both of their talking is peppered with long "uhhhh" pauses). Edwards strikes me as genuine for some reason...maybe it's the fact that Clinton and Obama obviously try to never say anything extreme, which looks fake, and Edwards is the only person speaking out about class issues (i.e., the elephant in the living room that no one else wants to talk about because it'll make them appear too liberal).

Edwards made his fortune by talking out of his ass and convincing people that what he was saying was geniune. I've read many reports that Edwards is an asshole in person and is an actor. When he gets invited to do interviews he's rude to every person below him and only puts on his happy face to people that matter. He's all for show.

SpicyMcVoodoo · 09-04-2007, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by JaJae

Edwards made his fortune by talking out of his ass and convincing people that what he was saying was geniune.

It's funny that out of all the times you could point to as examples of Edwards "talking out of his ass," you've chosen the one forum where everything he said had to be backed by evidence, proven by a preponderance, and a jury of regular people all took his side. Multiple times. If only every politician were held to such a high standard...

But your typical response is an example of why I'm saying that Edwards is going to be Hillary's rival-- he can't be touched... the best people can do is make fun of his hair and try to call him an ambulance chaser. That crap doesn't hold water, though.

Do you really think you're going to demonize a guy who made a fortune compensating babies who were made retarded by negligence, people who were given AIDS in blood transfusions and people who were prescribed overdoses by doctors? Sure, lawyer hating is a great American pass time, but how far does that type of rhetoric really get you?

But what about Hillary? Good Lord...she's got more baggage than all the other candidates combined. Lucky for her she's got the Clinton-cache and name recognition to carry her. But what about Obama? What does he have? Nothing, good or bad. No one knew who he was until very recently, and once his novelty wears off, no one will care.

Originally Posted by JaJae

I've read many reports that Edwards is an asshole in person and is an actor. When he gets invited to do interviews he's rude to every person below him and only puts on his happy face to people that matter. He's all for show.

I'm sure if you're open to low-level gossip like that, you can find it about every candidate.