If you doubt Obama's crossover appeal, check out the reader comments on the Fox News website following the transcript of his SC victory speech. The first fifteen are below. Two of the first three are what you might expect -- and then, a rapturous outpouring. If you think this is a run of Montagues crashing the Capulet party, read all 55 comments. The proportions hold, and there are lots of self-identified Republicans.
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Sunday, January 27, 2008
6 comments:
AnonymousJanuary 27, 2008 at 8:30 PMFirst: Wow. Oh. My. God.
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Second: Barry? WTF?
As for your question: I've also read similar accounts in other (progressive blog) comment threads; also in a report by a reporter who followed Obama around in SC on polling day. Obama was shaking hands in a bar when a guy came up to him, introduced himself as a Republican and said he'd voted for him.
It's all anecdotal so far, but the anecdotes are powerful. And has anyone ever said they were a "Clinton Republican"? Will they?
I am worried, though, about progressives who refuse to vote for him because he's not "pure" enough (the Reagan remarks), but apparently he's going to secure Ted Kennedy's endorsement tomorrow. That's good.
Am I missing something? Are Fox News website visitors a different crowd from Fox News viewers? Or are we looking at a landslide if Obama can get past Hillary?
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I am not a supporter of either, but I do think we are looking at a landslide if Obama can get past Hillary. As fascinating as it is to watch what effect Obama has on some on the left, it's doubly so to see that same (or even more) effect on some on the right.
I don't watch Fox in general but I happened to see Fox News Sunday yesterday and almost choked on my coffee when Juan Williams (who is a pretty much a fool anyway) said something dismissive of Obama and being black and was instantly rounded on by Bill Kristol and Brit Hume (and Mara Liasson(sp) to a lesser extent), with them strongly and loudly (and on the record) pushing back and defending Obama.
How Bizarro World is that?
Oh, and hello. Sorry to just drop in and start yapping. Came here through an Andrew Sullivan link.
I imagine that at least some of the people who commented on that FOX News page just found it through a Google search, and were probably looking for terms like "Barack Obama" in the first place. So I'd be careful about using this as anecdotal evidence of Republican support for Barack Obama.
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That being said, I've also noticed plenty of kind words coming from Republicans who either like, or at least respect, Obama. Very, very different from the way they talk about Edwards of Clinton.- AnonymousJanuary 28, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Samuel Brainsample: your point occurred to me too (belatedly), since I myself got the Fox News site on a google search for the speech text. But I also thought: how many Dems would be comfortable picking it up at Fox, and how many would be looking for the transcript as opposed to the video? Then there were the substantial number of commenters who identified themselves as Republicans. And even if lots of liberals came to that page via web search, you would normally expect fierce pushback from regulars on praise of a Democrat.
ReplyDelete - AnonymousJanuary 29, 2008 at 12:32 AM
YES - I, too, traditionally vote Republican, because I favor lower-taxes, more private enterprise, less-government waste, spending, etc., but I am SOOOOO rooting for Obama! I REALLY like him, because he comes across as a GENUINE person, a SINCERE change-the-tone, elevate the argument, LEADER, not a PANDERER. At this point I don't even care how liberal his positions are, because I believe he is willing to do what is REASONABLE, not just what is politically expedient (eh hem, HILLARY). If he can motivate ALL people to pay attention to government, the way he has motivated me to follow his campaign, he will be GREAT for this country.
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And I'll be cheering for Bobby Jindal (Governor of LA) in 2016 for all of the same reasons! (Not that he will be running!)
- White, female, conservative stay-at-home-mom in Indiana 
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January 26th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Another preacher speech and I can guarantee you that he will not fullfill half the promises he is making. He is just saying what we want to hear, until he gets in office and then the people will see him for who he really is!!
January 26th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Hands down one of the best live speeches Ive heard in quite some time. I got goosebumps.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
What Democrat milk toast. God bless Obama for pandering… but oh, my gosh… can no one see the pandering… and the fact that his “plans” will kill us in the future??? We cannot afford this “change” as all anyone will be left with (if at all) will be chump change!
January 26th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
This is powerful!. This is a change we can believe and this is a change that we must fight for and this is the change we will have.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Awesome! Thanks for standing up to the pressure. I will be working for you here in my home state of Pennslyvania, and I am a republican!
January 26th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Yes. We. Will.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
I am 62 years old and follow politics very closely. I do not recall a better, more moving, more relvant, more intelligent speech in my life than Obama’s victory speech in SC tonight. Wow! I am off the fence and into the Obama camp with my tent, sleeping bag and money. For the first time since John Kennedy, I am ready to get truly excited about the potential to change our misguided, poorly led country. Go Barry, go!
January 26th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
There is no longer any question who will be the leader who can actually change America. Washington is broken. No one else , either republican , democrat , or independant can bring us together to solve the problems that face us as a Nation.
The speech Obama delivered just recently in SC was one of the best I’ve ever heard ! Come on America ! We can do better ! Vote for Obama.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Yes we can! We can overcome the tragedy of the Bush administration by electing a visionary and inspirational man - Barack Obama!
Yes we can! We can finally put to rest the negative, depressing and divisive Bush-Clinton wars by electing Barack Obama!
January 26th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Fabulous speech! I missed it on CNN (no cable), but WOW! What powerful words. He does give us HOPE. GO Obama!
January 26th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Simply amazing, energetic politician that can cross party lines. Anyone but Hillery.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Barak Obama, we need you as a breath of fresh air. This is more than a run for President. It is a run for our future.