The problem for Obama: his victory is being covered, not inaccurately, as relying on overwhelming black support.
Among white voters, Obama was trounced by Hillary and Edwards. But 81% of African-Americans voted for Obama.
This isn't really a problem except for the fact that the large black vote (50%, roughly) is an aberration, and he will now be portrayed as the candidate of choice among black voters. He'll be seen as a niche candidate who can't do well across the board. The large margin of victory almost reinforces this point; it's so out of step with the other primaries, and national polls, that it cries out for an explanation. And the explanation marginalizes Obama.
Another towering oratory from Obama, his sincerity and conviction are his greatest assets.
It's unfortunate that Hillary Rodham Clinton doesn't have the good graces to concede this defeat and congratulate the victor properly. She doesn't respect the people of South Carolina, she doesn't respect the American people, and she doesn't respect democracy.
Hillary is already busy trying to make people afraid in her stump speech, in front of a conspicuously high number of African-Americans sitting behind her who look rather disinterested. I get the feeling they'd rather be somewhere else, but you can't say that about any of the people who were attending Barack Obama's speech, you know there's nowhere else they'd rather be. Obama is for real, he's the real deal.
I feel sorry for people who can't see Barack Obama the why I do.
For once in modern history we are being presented with a presidential candidate of superior quality, a leader of uncommon talents, for once we don't have to settle for mediocrity or make distasteful compromises, for once we have a great man willing to lead this country. It's never happened in my lifetime, and I don't expect it'll ever happen again, and I'll tell you one thing, I'm going to do everything in my power, everything I can possibly think of to make sure that Barack Obama becomes the next president, because I love my country, and I want this nation to be great again, I want to be a part of a great America.
The American people aren't falling for the Clinton game. This was the biggest test yet, the clintons played the race card, and still 24% of the white folks in a three-way split, white folks in the old South, voted for Barack Obama .
This was a blow out, a Devastating blow to the Clinton campaign, there is no other way to characterize it.
Obama -- 55%
Simmer down, Aaron, if indeed you are actually a real person and not just a spam-bot.
He may be a good candidate, may even end up president. But Obama's not the 'real deal' because there is no real deal.
Obama is not Moses and there is no promised land. Jacqueline's reference to Santa Claus is unintentionally apt. The Obama you are talking about is a myth; the man himself is just another politician.
Hey Jason-
Hate to bust your cynicism but there are such things as transformative figures and moments in history. Obama certainly is a politician, and there was only one Moses. But Obama is unlike any candidate for president we've seen in generations. There is a real deal and his name is Barack Obama.
But Obama is unlike any candidate for president we've seen in generations.
Care to explain why? I've been asking Obama supporters this question for months, and I've never gotten an answer beyond vague platitudes.
There is one inspiring thing about Obama, and that's his race. I'll gladly admit that. It truly is a breakthrough for our country (though this, of course, holds true for Hillary too).
But this childish hero-worship has gone too far. It's not about cynicism, it's about being "reality based." Obama is just another politician, with a set of conventional Democratic positions, who hasn't even tried to end the Iraq war, and who isn't above a little gay-baiting. Sorry if I find that less than awe-inspiring.
Add to that, Jason C., Obama has the most right-facing economics team of any of the Dem candidates. It seems very unlikely he's going to transform the Reagan economic consensus, so much as reinforce it.
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COMMENTS (11)
It's a "rout", (Associated Press)
The forces of evil (the Clintons) vanquished. Truth and righteousness carry the day.
Obama 08 , the inevitability of hope
Posted by: Aaron B. Brown | January 26, 2008 7:45 PM
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: jacqueline | January 26, 2008 8:04 PM
Ezra,
Why is the networks covering live pressor of Clinton (the male one) before the pressor of other Clinton (the female one)?
Who is running?
Is it to prevent the pressor of Obama get a good coverage?
++++
Will McCain be able to run against the two Clintons?
Posted by: eorse | January 26, 2008 8:22 PM
The problem for Obama: his victory is being covered, not inaccurately, as relying on overwhelming black support.
Among white voters, Obama was trounced by Hillary and Edwards. But 81% of African-Americans voted for Obama.
This isn't really a problem except for the fact that the large black vote (50%, roughly) is an aberration, and he will now be portrayed as the candidate of choice among black voters. He'll be seen as a niche candidate who can't do well across the board. The large margin of victory almost reinforces this point; it's so out of step with the other primaries, and national polls, that it cries out for an explanation. And the explanation marginalizes Obama.
Posted by: Jason C. | January 26, 2008 10:49 PM
Another towering oratory from Obama, his sincerity and conviction are his greatest assets.
It's unfortunate that Hillary Rodham Clinton doesn't have the good graces to concede this defeat and congratulate the victor properly. She doesn't respect the people of South Carolina, she doesn't respect the American people, and she doesn't respect democracy.
Hillary is already busy trying to make people afraid in her stump speech, in front of a conspicuously high number of African-Americans sitting behind her who look rather disinterested. I get the feeling they'd rather be somewhere else, but you can't say that about any of the people who were attending Barack Obama's speech, you know there's nowhere else they'd rather be. Obama is for real, he's the real deal.
I feel sorry for people who can't see Barack Obama the why I do.
For once in modern history we are being presented with a presidential candidate of superior quality, a leader of uncommon talents, for once we don't have to settle for mediocrity or make distasteful compromises, for once we have a great man willing to lead this country. It's never happened in my lifetime, and I don't expect it'll ever happen again, and I'll tell you one thing, I'm going to do everything in my power, everything I can possibly think of to make sure that Barack Obama becomes the next president, because I love my country, and I want this nation to be great again, I want to be a part of a great America.
The American people aren't falling for the Clinton game. This was the biggest test yet, the clintons played the race card, and still 24% of the white folks in a three-way split, white folks in the old South, voted for Barack Obama .
This was a blow out, a Devastating blow to the Clinton campaign, there is no other way to characterize it.
Obama -- 55%
Clinton -- 27%
Edwards -- 18%
Obama 08
Posted by: Aaron B. Brown | January 26, 2008 10:58 PM
Simmer down, Aaron, if indeed you are actually a real person and not just a spam-bot.
He may be a good candidate, may even end up president. But Obama's not the 'real deal' because there is no real deal.
Obama is not Moses and there is no promised land. Jacqueline's reference to Santa Claus is unintentionally apt. The Obama you are talking about is a myth; the man himself is just another politician.
Posted by: Jason C. | January 26, 2008 11:43 PM
Hey Jason-
Hate to bust your cynicism but there are such things as transformative figures and moments in history. Obama certainly is a politician, and there was only one Moses. But Obama is unlike any candidate for president we've seen in generations. There is a real deal and his name is Barack Obama.
Posted by: Bob Fulkerson | January 27, 2008 12:03 AM
But Obama is unlike any candidate for president we've seen in generations.
Care to explain why? I've been asking Obama supporters this question for months, and I've never gotten an answer beyond vague platitudes.
There is one inspiring thing about Obama, and that's his race. I'll gladly admit that. It truly is a breakthrough for our country (though this, of course, holds true for Hillary too).
But this childish hero-worship has gone too far. It's not about cynicism, it's about being "reality based." Obama is just another politician, with a set of conventional Democratic positions, who hasn't even tried to end the Iraq war, and who isn't above a little gay-baiting. Sorry if I find that less than awe-inspiring.
Posted by: Jason C. | January 27, 2008 2:08 AM
Add to that, Jason C., Obama has the most right-facing economics team of any of the Dem candidates. It seems very unlikely he's going to transform the Reagan economic consensus, so much as reinforce it.
Posted by: Meh | January 27, 2008 4:21 AM
John Kerry revisited
Posted by: meh as well | January 27, 2008 4:57 AM
be the change
you wish to see.
do the work.
www.barackobama.com
volunteers/donations/precinct captains/phone banks/events/rallies/canvassing
Posted by: jacqueline | January 27, 2008 6:03 AM