Obama campaign volunteers Florence Starks and Jeff Jamison chatted with undecided voter Jacques Elmaleh, with his son Andre, in Arvada, Colo., last week. (Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff)
Obama strong in long-red Colorado
Demographic shifts may help turn the state blue.
By Amanda Paulson | Staff writer/ October 26, 2008 edition
Reporter Amanda Paulson talks with CSMonitor.com's Pat Murphy about why Colorado, which usually votes Republican in presidential elections, is swinging toward Democrat Barack Obama this year.
Littleton, Colo.
Jamie Guetz has always voted Republican – until now.“I guess we’re Obama supporters,” says Ms. Guetz, with a wry smile, as she heads into a Gap store in Littleton, Colo., with her daughter.
Women’s rights and the war in Iraq have pushed her in a different direction. The woeful economy, she says, “is just icing on the cake.” Guetz’s parents, lifelong Republicans as well, will also be voting for Democrat Barack Obama.
Voters like Guetz are one reason Colorado, long a safe bet for Republican candidates, is moving into the Obama column.
Although the last Democratic presidential candidate to win more than 50 percent of the vote here was Lyndon Johnson, the state has been trending more liberal for years – a result of in-migration, demographic changes, and a rising sense among some moderate Republicans that the state and national party have moved too far to the right.
The latest polls give Obama a lead of six percentage points over John McCain.
“The new Colorado is just not that congenial to Republican politics at this point,” says Ruy Teixeira, a visiting scholar at the Brookings Institution in Washington and a coauthor of a recent report on the region. The state is still most friendly to its own version of moderate Rocky Mountain Democrats, but Obama’s lack of experience may have actually helped him with some voters here.
“Obama has done a good job of seeming like he’s not just another Democrat from Washington, and he’s done well on issues that people in Colorado are sensitive about,” says Mr. Teixeira. “He doesn’t seem like an ‘I’m going to take your guns away’ kind of Democrat.”
Colorado’s shift to the purple or blue column has been gradual. In 2004, President Bush won here by 5 percent, but Coloradans at the same time handed a GOP Senate seat to Democrat Ken Salazar. In 2006, the state elected a Democratic governor and put a majority of Democrats in both legislative houses for the first time in nearly a half century. In part, voters blamed the Republicans in power for a state fiscal crisis.
“The larger sweep of recent history [in Colorado] has been on the Democratic side,” says political scientist John Straayer at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
Still, Senator McCain is a fellow Westerner, cultivates a maverick image that can play well here, and through July and August seemed to hold the edge in Colorado. Then came the Democratic National Convention in Denver, the economic crisis, and rising disenchantment with Mr. Bush and the Republicans.
A Senate race here has had Democrat Mark Udall comfortably ahead for months, but Obama has begun to show a similar lead only in recent weeks, says Floyd Ciruli, a nonpartisan Colorado pollster. State voters have become more comfortable with Obama, he suggests, and he credits the Democrats with running a smart campaign. Unaffiliated voters – typically about one-third of Colorado’s electorate – have started to swing to Obama.
Some voters here are not happy about their choices. Guetz, for one, says she feels as though “I have to decide if we want to pay more taxes or lose more rights.” She doesn’t want either but is more worried about the threat she sees to women’s rights from a McCain-Palin ticket.
With just nine electoral votes, Colorado is getting an unusual degree of attention. Obama has been here at least eight times during the campaign. Last week, Sarah Palin, Joseph Biden, and McCain all swung through on multistop visits.
But in an election in which McCain needs to hold onto all the states Bush won in 2004, those nine votes may prove crucial. It’s hard to imagine a McCain victory in which he loses Colorado.
Both demographic shifts – new, educated, younger residents pouring in from the East and West coasts – and strategy have helped Obama’s prospects. His campaign targeted this state early and has established more than 40 field offices, compared with a dozen or so for McCain.
It has also been wooing Hispanic voters as they’ve never been wooed. Making up 12 percent of eligible voters, Hispanics are a key group to tap, says Federico Peña, a former mayor of Denver and a national cochair of Obama’s campaign. Mr. Peña helped lead a massive “Viva el voto” rally Saturday aimed at getting out the early vote among Latinos.
Local Republicans, however, aren’t ready to cede the state, saying they see Obama as too liberal for Western voters.
“He has so many offices, but our get-out-the-vote operation is probably the best in the nation,” says Dick Wadham, chair of the state Republican Party.
When Sarah Palin came through the state Oct. 20, backers waited in line for hours in Loveland, north of Denver, to get into a packed rally.
McCain and Governor Palin have been drumming in the themes of “Joe the Plumber” and Obama as socialist, which resonate with some voters here.
“I’m not a socialist. I believe in helping others help themselves,” says JoAnn Belk, a Fort Collins resident at the rally. Still, Ms. Belk was surprised to find that at the church where she works only she and one other colleague back McCain. “I thought this was a really conservative county 15 years ago when I moved here,” she says.
McCain is expected to win in some rural areas of Colorado and in the socially conservative Colorado Springs area. But swing counties around Denver – including Arapahoe, Jefferson, and Garfield – and even traditionally conservative ones like Larimer County to the north seem to be moving to the left.
Comments
2. Julie Alton | 10.26.08
Obama seems to have a Teflon quality because the American public is hesitant to criticize an African American. If Obama were white, he would have been crucified a long time ago.
All Obama says in his speech is empty hyperbole. And like a Gumby without integrity, he bends his words to fit what the public wants to hear, prostituting his words for a vote.
We know nothing about Obama, the only thing we know is that it is politically correct to vote for a black man and not ask questions.
But his past actions and associations clearly demonstrate a hatred for this country and extreme bad judgment.
I have never given credence to the idea of an Anti-Christ, until now.
3. Real Daddy | 10.26.08
Why are they leaning Obama way? Perhaps America is getting tired of the ‘fight, fight, fight’ mantra.
In every rally, the Republican mantra is “We’re going to fight” for this, ‘fight’ for that; now John McCain is claiming he’s ‘going to test the enemy’(and Palin is no different). Every speech is loaded with the term ‘fight’. On the converse side , I’ve noticed no references to ‘fight’ - but have noticed the word ‘compete’, and or ‘engage’ other gentler, not so pointed terms.
This ‘fight’ attitude, rallying the troops for battle so to speak, may just well work in wakening that ‘warrior’ instinct in us all, and I’d be willing to bet that this is no slip of the tongue. I listen Obama/Biden and hear the words ‘engage’ and ‘compete’, and I wonder if these words of respect are designed to waken the intellectual, reasoning side of us all. Now I’m no psychologist, but I think Freud and his contemporaries would have a field day with this. And if no psychoanalyst has noticed, maybe it’s high time they did.
4. Lee Anderson | 10.26.08
Julie, Would you care to share with us what it is in your background or experience that cause you not only to feel so strongly about this. Bringing up the Anti-Christ suggests some deep-felt fears or pain. Can you share with us your experiences that have caused you to feel so strongly about Obama? Your comments are very intriguing.
5. Concerned Citizen | 10.26.08
It is frustrating to see comments such as the one from Julie Alton. If you don’t know who Obama is, then you aren’t trying to know. He has been campaigning for two years, has two books, and lays out his positions in tons of documentation that can be found on his web site.
The people who are bending their words to fit what the public wants to hear are McCain & Palin. There is tons of footage out there that demonstrates this (for example, McCain used to support a tax plan similar to Obama’s but has changed his mind, bending to the will of those in his party).
6. JW | 10.26.08
Senator Obama has been a paragon of civility that has been so lacking in politics for so long. He has maintained his focus on the issues and what he proposes to do to address those issues. Obama seems to be much better qualified by his temperament, judgment, and rational faculties.
7. Leila | 10.26.08
Since when is the American public hesitant to criticize an African-American? Which country are you living in? Do you have any memory of the civil rights movement? Firehoses, anyone? Have you noticed the over-abundance of African-Americans locked away in prisons in this country? Or are you one of those that believe that statistic is due to African-Americans being more violent? Mmmm… better not agree to that, or you’ll be part of the critical American public you don’t think exists.
You also just called him the Anti-Christ. You’re not the first person to come up with that one. Been done before. Not creative. He’s got more stupendous insults flying at him than any candidate I’ve even seen run for office.
Read Obama’s book “Dreams from my Father” if you want to know something about Obama. Read any of his books. The guy’s got several autobiographies out there. None of them, in my opinion, demonstrate the hate you claim that he feels for his country or anything else.
Your statement is non-researched and makes you sound racist. Sorry to say. Stop demonizing him and do some research. Then if you disagree with his policies, say so, and talk about which ones you disagree with and why. Then we (this country) can have a civil discourse and a healthy debate.
From an exasperated white woman. I’m fed up with this kind of talk.
8. Mave | 10.26.08
I’m encouraged at the thought that Colorado voters may support Mr. Obama. I’ve had the opportunity to visit the state several times, and I’d hate to see the tourism industry there be severely impacted because people like me can no longer afford to come visit . . . It seems to me that the so-called “conservative” areas which support McCain may also be those areas less to be impacted by this kind of revenue loss.
9. aqualuna | 10.26.08
Oh, I see. The only reason someone might be voting for Barack Obama is because he’s black? How insulting.
10. flinter | 10.26.08
Being a native Coloradan it isn’t that the people from Colorado are changing- it’s that the Colorado demographics are being changed by the people fleeing the west coast and moving here. What’s ironic is that they are bringing the desire to expand the failed California policies, which they had just fled, to Colorado and to a national level with the help of Obama and a Democratic Congress. It’s a virus, maybe incurable.
11. Steve | 10.26.08
Andy2 talks about listening to what the candidate says, but with Obama what he says keeps changing. Tracking over the past two years while he has been running for president (instead of his job), he continues to adjust what he says by what the people want to here. He is a very good politician, but a totally unproven leader and executive. He says he can work across party lines, but has never shown he can do that both in the State and US Senate. He is a great Monday morning guarterback. He never takes a position on Saturday, but jumps up on Monday to talk. That is what you are hearing and why the McCain?Palin ticket must expose him.
12. flintstone | 10.26.08
Good post “Real Daddy”….and I agree. McCain wanting to jump right in to his “going to test the enemy” mode, is scary (that is “not” what I wanted to hear)….. We need someone with his mind on the home front….Obama
13. steve | 10.26.08
Leila,
Stop demonizing Palin. She also does not deserve that kind of treatment.
14. Geese | 10.26.08
“We know nothing about Obama”
-You- know nothing about Obama. The rest of us have bothered to do research. Nearly every aspect of his life, in some way or another, is a matter of public record at this point. All of his Senate votes, both in the state and national senates are public. Every bill he wrote, sponsored or co-sponsored can be viewed by anyone curious enough to look. Even if you don’t believe his speeches (which is a fair reaction), you can extrapolate from that information roughly what he’s for and against.
His associations have been examined, then reexamined, then looked at some more, then explained, dealt with or debunked, then reported on for a month afterward anyway. His plans for the Presidency are posted in loving detail on his website (whether or not they’ll work is another matter). His opponent has been more than kind enough to bring up anything in his history that seems suspect.
Seriously, what more do you want?
15. Ann | 10.26.08
Julie, your “anti-Christ” comment about Obama is quite offensive to me, an evangelical Christian. When Sarah Palin says she is a Christian, no one questions her faith, but when Barack says he is one, there are some uninformed or simply dumb people who keep insisting he is a muslim. Barack’s father was from Kenya and his mother from Kansas. He was brought up by his white mother and white grandparents. His journey to his Christian faith has been fully examined and talked and written about. Obama has been fully vetted and has been under the microscope for 20 months, where as the country has seen Palin for little less than 2 months. His policies have been criticized, his character and his faith has been attacked viciously, and his patriotism questioned over and over again. Maybe you have not been paying attention!
Obama-Biden ‘08
16. Steve | 10.26.08
So true about liberal California moving to the rockies. I live in Northern California (grew up in Glenwood Springs) and we are screwed. We have so much debt over the years from the Democratic controlled legislature. They are doing the same thing to Colorado.
17. Spike | 10.26.08
I have a fear, not of the “Bradley Effect”, and not so much of a stolen election, but a fear of a new unique dynamic of this election. I fear that there are too many Americans who are basically conservative, subtly racist, who cannot imagine, much less tolerate, a black president. Especially a president named Obama.
Now obviously those people are nestled well within the republican demographic of 40% voting McCain, so why worry?
I worry because past voter turnouts are so low. I worry that these people have always been there, always been republican, but many of them did not vote. I worry this time is different. They are appalled that a black man could actually be their president in one week, and they are angry.
I am worried about a reactionary, subtly racist, usually voter passive, gigantic voter turnout.
Previously grumbling but non-voting republicans are disturbed this could even be a possibility, surprised because they live in a bubble of like minded racist views, are so angry now they will turn up at the polls for the first time ever.
I fear this because of my experience phone canvassing for Obama in Wisconsin. The reactions of non supporters on the phone is disgust, anger, and hatred.
Previous election voter turnouts are low for both sides. The republicans will vote this year, out of indignation and “over my dead body” anger, many for the first time ever.
All of this points to crucial get-out-the-vote efforts. It means nothing that Obama is popular. The only thing that matters is how many Obama supporters actually show up and vote. Answering a phone poll is warm, comfy, and easy. Standing in line in the cold for hours is the only way to get Obama elected.
Get out the vote. Every single vote.
18. Watching Colorado | 10.26.08
I’m shocked and saddened that people still make comments like Julie Alton. For one, when has anyone been easy on Barack Obama because of his skin color?
He has been accused of everything in the book by republicans. They have attacked his birth certificate, his experience, his policies, his choice to a civil campaign etc. To me that looks like criticized over and over again.
I can’t wait for the day when his race doesn’t matter. For me, his race doesn’t have anything to do with my decision to vote for him. I am voting for Barack Obama and Jospeh Biden because they have brought a perspective and attitude to politics that has long been missing. I’m 23 years old and have never seen people so energized and excited to vote for someone. The fact that Obama, and his public supporters, seem far less intent on attacked republicans and more intent on talking about the issues and worrying about the people of this country….. this is why Obama will win in November.
Everyone, remember to vote. This is a historic election and will take every single person to make the dream come true!
19. NotYourBlog | 10.26.08
This is the second time in an hour I’ve seen the ‘Gumby’ comment made about Obama on an recently online article.
This is either return a particularly repugnant Republican meme, or a troll making the rounds.
Also, bringing concepts like ‘anti-christ’ into a political discussion isn’t doing much for your party’s reputation except chasing away the reasonable, level-headed folk in droves. Oh, and fear-mongering. As usual.
This is real life, not a SciFi channel Saturday night movie.
20. bob | 10.26.08
well, … too bad flinter. There is already too many of us here. Obama or Not. You think you could move somewhere higher in the mountains?
21. Lenovo | 10.26.08
Hey Flinter,
What failed California policies might Colorado immigrants be brining in. The main flawed polices here are a result of Republican inititiatives.
1) We don’t tax enough for the best possible schools.
2) We put way too many non-violent law offenders into prison/parole system and have a huge, pricey all consuming prison system.
22. steve | 10.26.08
many Ideas propagate within any population. They all can be compared to viruses and, in fact, there is a term for ideas that propagate within the collective psyche. They are called “memes” The question is whether the ideas will lead to a greater good for a greater # of people. To compare the position of roughly half of the American population to the spread of a virus is not helpful.
23. Mark B | 10.26.08
McCain seems to have a Teflon quality because most of his Conservative base is still too hesitant to criticize a Republican War Hero. If McCain wasn’t a POW, his out-of-touch perspectives like his belief that “the fundamentals of our economy are strong” would have finished him a long time ago.
All McCain says in his speech is angry, divisive hyperbole. And like a Gumby without integrity, he bends his words to fit what the conservative base wants to hear, prostituting his words for their unquestioning votes.
Where is the “Straight Talking” McCain we used to know? The only thing we know these days is that it’s “anti-American” to ask questions of Palin’s qualifications to be second-in-command.
Despite his heroic past, his extreme negativity and erratic behavior clearly demonstrate a divisive strategy for this country and extremely bad judgment for our future.
Although the warlike aggressions of Bush may give credence to the idea of an Anti-Christ, McCain/Palin seem to be taking this idea to a whole new level.
Hopefully someone else can appreciate how easy it is to be blindly-critical towards the things we disagree with, without seeing how these concepts can apply to our own perspectives and points of view. We’d probably be a stronger nation if we could avoid such intensely-polarizing terms like “Axis of Evil” “Anti-American” and “Anti-Christ” to define perspectives that we disagree with. Despite their differences in belief, I believe each of these candidates truly does care about their visions for America, and hopefully even for a united world.
Julie: I wonder if you truly do see Obama as a country-hating, Anti-Christ. To me, “empty hyperbole” is quite different than a person who represents the epitome of evil who has come to earth to usher in the Apocalypse (and of course destroy America in the process with his all-encompassing hatred of everything that exists). Perhaps we’re witnessing some hyperbole from you as well?
May we all find the clarity to see through the extreme lens of judgment towards our fellow people and give pause before so carelessly casting stones at one another. This essence is sorely needed in our world today.
24. ChrisMarks | 10.26.08
Lets not forget what all the candidates are - just politicians. None of them are going to have a very positive effect on the economy or your life, yet the republic will probably survive. Loving them too much or hating them too much is just a delusion.
25. keithnewman | 10.26.08
As a former resident of Colorado I know the residents there are too intelligent to fall for McCains lies about Socialism.
26. Steve | 10.26.08
Lenovo is wacked to say it was Republican initiatives in California. The Democrates have controlled the legislatture for many many years. They continue to spend like drunken sailors. However, he is correct that the transplants from California will slowly put Colorado in the same situation.
27. Bill Stewart | 10.26.08
As a Libertarian, I get to be unbiased in this race, so the tradeoff between paying more taxes and losing more rights that Ms. Guetz complained about affects me as well. But not only are rights always more important, it’s the Democrats who have become the Party of Fiscal Responsibility over the last couple of decades. It’s not that they want to spend less money than they used to, but the Republicans have been spending money like drunken sailors, and the “taxes are bad” rhetoric has meant that instead of taking responsibility for their radical increases in military spending, the Bush Administration has run up $5 trillion in new debt, not even counting the recent bailouts. McCain was in the majority party during most of those years, and I don’t see him acknowledging even now that government debt is just hidden taxation, or that borrowing that much money might affect the rest of the credit market, which is now suffering problems in both housing and business credit.
Bill Clinton was the closest we’ve had to a fiscally responsible president since Nixon. That’s partly because he got lucky and had a technology boom happen, and partly because the Republicans were constantly hounding him about his personal ethics so he didn’t get to do his own big-spending projects, but he had the sense to let people like Alan Greenspan manage the money carefully. Ronald Reagan, on the other hand, talked a good game, but tripled the national debt and inflated much of it away, and McCain’s still talking the same voodoo economics without a clue about why it failed Reagan and failed both Bushes.
I’m not thrilled with Obama’s economics, but **** at least understand what he’s doing when he’s doing it. I’m not thrilled with the ex-Republicans who’ve moved into my own Libertarian Party, but since I live in California where Obama’s going to win solidly, I can vote for Bob Barr or decide I’m fed up and vote for Nader, both of whom are really strong on civil liberties and on undoing the damage Bush and Cheney have done to America’s heritage as a free country. If I were in Colorado, I’d seriously consider voting for Obama.
28. Victoria Abernathy | 10.26.08
Americans should wake up, leave their prejudices, and the subscribing to the last eight years of GOP scare tactics behind, reaching out for the renewed promise of abundance for all without the current greed, mad ambition, and self-aggrandizement which greatly contributed to the current financial and other serious problems of America. We will actually find the honor, justice, and compassion that we abandoned for the worship of money, power and position which in the long run are anything but truly satisfying. Try it. You’ll find the God-driven peace you always looked for.
29. larry | 10.26.08
Julie Alton, I’m a high school student and currently overseas with my parents at a US military base(my dad is in the US Army). I would like to point out that you and people like you are the reason why people around the world HATE America —backwards, ignorant, selfish and out for your own self interests. I am so sad that the country my dad is fighting for and my family has sacrificed so much for(my brother died in Iraq) has people like you in it. If McCain wins, I’am going to college in Canada and staying there permanently because the USA will not be one I can call home anymore, one that used to say “…of freedeom and justice for all.”
30. Appreciative American | 10.26.08
It has been interesting.. and informative to observe the Comments threads become more viable and the posts more intelligent over the course of this election season. Oh, I know there are still some angry people who spout off but I really do appreciate those who share their knowledge of the issues the elections are really about. Many news articles are written by reporters who may be good reporters but do not have the background to illuminate some of the critical issues.
31. Karen | 10.26.08
You Obama-bots are SO misled and delusional. Never before have I seen in this country such mass hypnotizing and brainwashing by a Presidential candidate.
The man has ZERO national security experience. ZERO economic experience. ZERO executive experience.
He came right out and said he believes the country does better when you “spread the wealth around”. THIS IS MARXISM, PEOPLE. This is classic Socialism.
32. jacksmith | 10.26.08
I see you all have not lost your fight :
GOOD! Because we have a lot to do. You! (the American people) are going to have to take back control of your elected government at every level, and set your government back on the right path of service to you, and the greater good of the World.
Barack Obama and the democrats are your best hope of doing that now. Tell your family, friends, and everyone you know to support them as best they can. Because the Bush McCain vote fraud, vote cheating, vote buying, vote manipulation machine is already hard at work to cheat you again. And we all know what a disaster that has been the past 8 years of Bush McCain.
Barack Obama and the democrats will need all the power you can give them at every level of government (Federal, State, County, and local City elected governments). Obama and the democrats will have an enormous mess to fix for the American people, and the rest of the World. A mess caused by the corrupt Bush McCain administration.
33. Curious Orange | 10.26.08
Why vote for another spoiled rich guy who grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth and now thinks he is entitled to be POTUS? “Life`s not fair”
McCain cooperated with the North Vietnamese, He talked and talked. He wrecked 4 planes and pulled strings to get ahead. The guy is another bush
34. ted | 10.26.08
In response to Julie Alton’s post: As for being politically correct, we have a secret ballot and those that vote for racial reasons have only to answer to themselves. As for knowing nothing about candidates, there are volumes of information about presidential candidates readily available to those that want it. As for bending the messages, it seems that in order to win elections candidates attempt to tune their message to appeal to the majority of the electorate. Then when their message has limited appeal then they may attempt to excite fear, prejudice, confusion, and bigotry to recruit votes. As for judging a person by association, we need to be knowledgeable about goals and reasons for the association. Historically there is a good example of condemning someone by their associates in the treatment that Jesus suffered. Many of his closest associates were not the pillars of society but his goal was the betterment of mankind and not the reverse. As for the Anti-Christ, if the message and actions are not about loving one anther and universal peace, I can’t imagine it being a message from Christ.
35. Chris Swanson | 10.26.08
Mark - That was a seriously thought out response and I am glad that you posted it. I just wanted to respond to Spikes concern about racism in the election. I feel that this will be a landslide election because the polling is flawed. Most of my friends to not have house phones but just have cell phones. If the polling would be conducted taking into the consideration that most young people do not own a house phone I think that this would not be a close race. I liked McCain 10 years ago, but I agree with the statement that the John McCain of 10 years ago would not vote for the John McCain of present. Go Obama we need someone that inspires us! Peace, Love and Respect!
36. VeryConcerned | 10.26.08
Spike, I agree with your views; it is a real concern. And when you consider that McCain is not exactly young and healthy, looking at the next person in line, it becomes a scary prospect.
The fight, fight, fight policy has ruined our economy and literally put us in the brink of a depression. I shudder to think where we would be in 4 years if this continues.
37. VeryConcerned | 10.26.08
Karen, I am totally disagree that the Democrat policies are socialistic. So when money is redistributed to people, it is socialist, but when you give it corporations such as airline companies, farm sector, etc. etc. it is not? Can you explain how corporate handouts are not socialism?
38. Cindy | 10.26.08
Just returned from Civic Center Park in Denver on Sunday October 26th. I was there with over 100,000 others who turned up on a beautiful Sunday afternoon to support Obama. There were people of all ages and races there. There were familys, grandparents and lots of young people. My thought as I stood there and watched the crowd was that I was witnessing thousands of people who believed that the political process was alive and well in the US. They gave up their afternoon to be in the presence of man who inspired them, who has given them hope for a better future and were confirming that a positive outlook was what they wanted to hear about. I have not heard the comment that I have heard in previous elections that “it doesn’t matter if I vote or not, they are all crooks”. Obama has ignited an electorate like few candidates in recent memory.
39. BJ | 10.26.08
Any one dividing the country is not good.When Blacks or Asians or Jews or Catholics or Hispanics fight in war they are all Americans. Republicans divide by race and religion.That is more dangerous than class division because class can change.
Change republicans to republicans of Lincoln not of Carl Rowe.
40. ash | 10.26.08
And just what is so great about executive experience??? Former president and General Dwight David Eisenhower cautioned Americans to beware of the military/industrial complex. Hmmmm….
He was a Republican. And I doubt he would be supporting McCain/Palin. I have read the rationale of granddaughter Susan Eisenhower for leaving the Republican party at this time.
Obama is very liberal compared to the conservative right. Thank goodness we have a so many moderate voices in the Democratic Party.
Obama/Biden ‘08.
41. freelyb | 10.26.08
Thank you, Larry…
…for sharing, and for the sacrifice your family has made. It’s unbelievable to me that there are people calling Obama the anti-Christ. How audacious and spiritually immature.
42. Charlie H. | 10.26.08
Frankly, I’m not voting for him. Because this guy has so many connections to radicals and terrorist, I wouldn’t trust him with the safe-guarding of this country. I really don’t believe the public, thanks in large part to the main stream press know about his other linkage to other more extreme radical friends. So, there is an article on this website that pertains exactly to what I’m talking about. Its titled, Barack Obama & Raila Odinga - Just Another Terrorist From The Hood - the website link is: http://www.thexreport.com/
43. Shelley Price | 10.26.08
With all of the issues to discuss, all of the rhetoric–both sincere and contrived–and with all of the concerns that are felt here and around the world and which will affect all of us, I am still amazed that there are people who think this is about race. As though any of us would vote for someone we thought would make our dire situations worse, would take food out of our children’s mouths, and money away from their futures.
You want straight talk? The only people still talking about race are the ones for whom THAT is more important than how to move forward.
One more: Jesus Christ was an Arab liberal.
44. Californian | 10.26.08
It’s interesting that you try to blame Democrats in California for “spending.” Do you people really need to be reminded that George W Bush inherited a budget surplus, but we are now trillions in debt? Do you know that when Palin became Mayor the city of Wasilla had a surplus, and she left it with $22 million in debt?
If you want to see something about taxes and government spending, go to the website below. You will see that Californians and the other blue states pay more $ into the federal budget than they take, unlike the lovely RED states. For people who hate “redistribution of wealth” you guys sure do like to take take take. Maybe the new mantra should be “NO MORE WELFARE TO THE RED STATES! GET A JOB! SOCIALISTS!!”
http://psweb.sbs.ohio-state.edu/faculty/hweisberg/conference/Lacy-OSUConf.PDF
45. captbilly | 10.26.08
It’s always interesting to see how willing we are to imagine the faults in a candidate we have already decided we are against, while seeing none of the faults of the one we have already decided we will support. The notion that Obama has some advatange because he had a black father is simply rediculous. I would imagine that if a white man as smart and level headed as Obama was running in his place, he would be ahead by 25 points right now rather than only 10.
We have just lived through the worst period of governancein the history of America. During that time period Republicans were in control of either the Congress or Whitehouse or both, for most of the time. Everyone knew that it was extremely unlikely that a Republican would be elected President in 2008, that’s why so many Democrats were willing to fight so hard through the primary. This year it was almost guarranteed that whichever Democrat won the primary was going to win the Presidency.
If we put McCain or Palin throught he same scrutiny as Obama we would be hearing and seeing a never ending stream of videos and stories about the crazy things each of them has said and done. If Obama had some of the things in his past that Palin has in her’s he wouldn’t have made it to the first primary. McCain has a history that is extremely sorted and inconsistent. His butt was saved so many times by his family (Admiral dad and grandfather) that nobody can even keep count. McCain has no real history of having ever behaved in a way that would be considered acceptable to any of his Cristian right supporters. He had a never ending series of affairs, even while he had a crippled wife who waited 5 years for him to return from Vietnam. I could go on and on, but the point is many of the McCain Palin supporters have to twist the facts into a pretzel to find a way to justify their support.
I was a big fan of McCain in 2000, but ever since then he has behaved almost like a crazy man. His behavior is so inconsistent with his past beliefs, and so erratic that I no longer know what it is he does believe in. He talked about rinning a clean campaign and then was the overwhelmingly more negative of the two. He complained about Obama’s relatively short political career and then picked the least qualified VP candidate in US history. He says he does everything for his country but doesn’t seem to care that he is a very sick old man who is unlikely to make it trough his Presidency. THat’s not patriotic, that’s selfish and egotistical. Can McCain seriously not think of anyone more qualified than himself to lead this country, or better still can he not think of anyone more mainstream and qualified than Palin?
I am sure that anyone running for President has a a big ego and I don’t imagine Obama is any exception, but Obama can look at himself and say he has proven that he has the intelect, education, stable personality, health and work ethic to do the job. I don’t see how either McCain or Palin can say the same about themselves.
46. markjsunz | 10.26.08
Julie: I am so sorry you would call any one the antichrist. I am a christian and my pastor has not taught this type of teaching.Are you fearful of blacks?
Did your pastor teach you this?to quote ghandi:” I like your Christ, but not your christians, they are so unlike your christ”
47. markjsunz | 10.26.08
Julie: I am so sorry you would call any one the antichrist. I am a christian and my pastor has not taught this type of teaching.Are you fearful of blacks?
Did your pastor teach you this?to quote ghandi:” I like your Christ, but not your christians, they are so unlike your christ”
48. RThomas | 10.26.08
@ Karen - Senator Obama serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Here is a description, from the Committee’s own bipartisan website, of their mission: ” {The committee] plays a vital role in shaping U.S. policy around the world. The
committee has oversight over the foreign policy agencies of the U.S. government, including the State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and the Peace Corps. The Committee reviews and considers all diplomatic nominations and international treaties, as well as legislation relating to U.S. foreign policy.”
Sounds like “national security experience” to me.
49. lin | 10.26.08
It is amazing how some continue to demonize Senator Obama even as he proves his humanity. Does that make these posters inhumane? Or merely dangerous to our democracy? The pressing danger facing us now is that of a Todd Palin WH. The parallels with Weimar Germany and the rise of the thuggish Nazis who essentially took over a civilized nation and opened the gates to its demons are scary. I am expecting a Republican victory, through voting machine cheating.
50. Joy Nakumer | 10.26.08
Obama got all the essential qualities to be the president. A calm and focused approach to resolve serious issues the country is facing, an intellectual brain with high IQ which is absolutely needed for a president to absorb and process a vast quantity of information an eloquent speaker who can sell the policies of US not only inside the country but also internationally.
McCain, a good soldier and dedicated serviceman and the country respect for his services. But he lacks the essential qualities that the modern day president should posses. And McCain’s training in the military probably a negative to effectively navigate through the complex diplomacy and negotiation process which is an essential characteristic to be the president. We all know how military work, there is only two things can happen, your subordinates will blindly follow your orders and you follow blindly your supervisors orders.
All Americans have now some idea, what can happen to a country if you select a negative IQ president like Gorge Bush.
51. Gavin | 10.26.08
I’m not an American - I don’t live in the states or anywhere near. I have no power in this election. But I say, the world wants Obama. That poll would read 80%-20% in favour of the man.
Think about it?
52. josephbbl | 10.26.08
Posts coming from the likes of Julie, Steve and Karen are scary. Extreme. Blow criticisms about Obama completely out of proportion. Keep it simple: Quick! Did Bush do a good job? Didn’t Bush have more “executive” experience than Obama does now? Now, let’s be practical here: Does Palin have the education or background of Bush or Obama? Have you seen the Katie Couric interview of Palin on youtube when asked about the economic bailout plan? You may believe McCain will live forever. I think he’ll only continue another Bush term. And if God forbid something happens to him, you can’t fool the American people into believing she would do a better job than Bush (or Obama). Don’t even try to argue that one without a quote from Palin herself about her “understanding” (or lack of it) of the issues.
53. Kali | 10.27.08
Hey Julie -
We Obamabots are not brainwashed. You must be to think McCain/Palin is the better ticket. McCain’s choice of VP is the biggest red flag any candidate could wave. She is not prepared to take office if McCain dies! You may not like Obama but you cannot deny her lack of experience. She is far too green, and has been found guilty of abusing her power in office already at he small level she’s at. Don’t vote for Obama if you think he’s the anti-christ for some delusional reason, but if you love your country do NOT vote for McCain/Palin. Sit this one out in protest!
54. DL13 | 10.27.08
The Seduction Is Working:
Ah yes, Obama and the Democrats and their well planned game of seduction; with nice, background music being played by Pelosi, Reid, Frank, Dodd, the Acorns, and the Main Stream Media, and fine, vintage wine (OK, actually it was really Kool-Aide), they broke down the resistance of the virgin in the wilderness so they could, by dis-honorable means, take from her what she cherished most, her sense of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
55. Jen | 10.27.08
In Iowa, Obama said, “When America gets a cold, Black America gets pneumonia”. He did not mention “poor” Americans. Obama has a bigoted, ambitious and self-serving agenda, along with Oprah, Jesse Jackson, Wright, and Al Sharpton who is not concerned about anyone who is not an African-American. I have a PhD in History, and history is repeating itself. T. The will set into further motion, more of political correctness, blame and isolating a group of persecute, Whites, “Dumb Blonde” jokes anyone? Blaming one group for all the woes of a country helped Hitler’s rise to power. With a past history of oppression, Blacks continue to be angry over slavery, and “discrimination”. In reality, with 12.8% of the population, they represent more than 33% of actors on TV, theater, print and commercials, where they are portrayed in a positive manner. Just observe and be aware. There are dangerous forebodings present just as in the French Revolution, the innocent were slaughtered also. The people who vote for Obama, will have their children and grandchildren paying a heavy price Good luck and God help us is Barak Hussein Obama is elected. Yes, the world wants him elected, they hate Americans, and Obama is just the man and Michele is just the woman to help them.
56. Dan | 10.27.08
McCain seems to be running an election 20-40years ago. His attacks seem to be based upon things that happened when obama was decades younger, from 7yrs old to his very birth. McCain’s own campaign constantly focuses on when he was a POW, and his years in college.
I’m worried about today and the future, not being led by someone who’s fighting a war against the past.
57. No liberal can ever answer the question | 10.27.08
Nobody seems to ever be able to answer the incredibly straightforward question: Why are all these people fleeing from the enlightened states such as California to Colorado ?
They cannot answer it because it would expose the “not in my backyard” hypocrisy so many liberals live by. After Colorado has been transformed, what is next, Alaska ???
58. josephbbl | 10.27.08
Notice that the only thing the Republican campaign can do is attack Obama. That’s all. Yeah, give up explaining how a McBush term is really what we need. You are the only ones who actually believe all the nonsense. Even the most sensible people in the GOP fear Palin more than anything else. Look in the mirror and explain why.
59. Kate | 10.27.08
What I am absolutely appalled at is that Kevin Costner will be standing with Michelle Obama in Colorado to support Obama’s campaign. Kevin Costner on his honeymonn (no less) exposed himself to a masseuse and had a happy ending in front of the masseuse, a request which she had said NO to when he asked. Kevin Costner held her wrist so she could not escape when he did the dirty deed. The masseuse complained and was fired from her job. She had to take the hotel to court and received an undisclosed settlement. In the meantime she was without income and Kevin Costner was making million dollar films. For Obama to have Kevin Costner stand up for him says Obama has a total disregard for women’s rights. We need to teach our young women that their rights do count and just because you are a big Hollywood celebrity doesn’t mean you can violate those rights without recourse.
60. Jason | 10.27.08
So, let me get this straight…
An Obama Presidency would be like the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution
Obama’s rise to power is comparative to Hitler’s
Obama makes you think maybe there is an Anti-Christ after all
And all of these night terrors you suffer are coupled to the concept that black people are the one’s who are the bigots and racists who have goody-good white folk terrorized into “political correctness” and are controlling the fate of the nation.
Surely God will destroy the world now because a Black man is going to be the President of the United States, huh.
Wow. That must be a miserable life to live. Good luck with that.
The rest of us will enjoy the next 8 years of prosperity instead. 
61. CKU | 10.27.08
When is the government going to quit scamming all of us Americans, and get rid of this Electoral vote?
I demand Popular vote! *winks
But honestly, if you live in a heavily populated Democratic or Republican state, and are for the other side… you vote isn’t worth anything!
But this article is sort of blah… I have heard accounts of this happening all over the place, Democrats for McCain, Republicans for Obama… this is no news. Plus, anyone with a sign like either of the above mentioned… really have no idea what they belive in, or stand for. You can’t be a Democrat and be for McCain, the policies and standards are entirely different, and same for Republicans for Obama.
Anyway, POPULAR VOTE FTW!! <– Let’s be honest and fair to all of America!
62. knitnpearl | 10.27.08
it is sad to see how hardening to the soul and blinding bigotry truly is - at the living level. but i must say that lately, i’ve been gratified to find so many more americans rising to the occasion and embracing what i believe will be a huge evolutionary step for our country and our world. those who can come with us - those who need an enemy to validate their lives because their day to day is so full of fear and rage - well, i’ll always keep a seat for them at the table.
note: obama’s a known coalition builder. ask his conservative colleagues and friends at harvard. he’s also not a race politician (i find that type hard to take). race pols in chicago found that out very quickly. he’s about working to divine the will of the people, engage them in finding their own solutions and working at the macro level to use the constitution in a way that opens up opportunities for all americans to work together for a better country. i can’t wait to start that work with many of you and hope that folks like Julie.
and Julie - where in the teachings of Christ do you find the hatred you’re preaching? look as I might to find a place where Jesus demonizes the poor, praises war and judges folks (like mary mag for example) - I just can’t find it? i know it’s trite, but where is the love Julie?!!
63. Mango | 10.28.08
Though I’m non -American citizen live in West Europe I closely follow the ongoing Election Campaign. I found that Character assassination and anti personality is the order of the day f rom the Republican side .For instance Obama is allegedly linked with “Muslim Faith” what is wrong if guy is Muslim? or what is the different if he is Catholic, Protestant Adventist or Jehovah witness…? Such narrow minded campaign would widened the rift bet wen innocent Americans and their Muslim neighbors .
In my opinion the key point should have been Is Americans really READY for change or trying again to wel come another failed Bush’s leadership?
No body expects such Racist and Anti-faith campaign that would damage the historical Americans Democratic election process.Fellow Americans please wake up and try to learn f from the rest of the world.
64. The Celt | 10.28.08
Karen,
You allege that Oboma is a socialist/Marxist because of his “share the wealth” comment. This discourages me for a couple of reasons. First of all, if spreading the wealth is socialism/Marxism, then the entire Republican party is socialist/Marxist. For almost a century we have had a graduated tax system that is supported by Democrats and Republicans. A graduated tax system is one in which we take from those who have to provide for (1) those who have not and (2) the common good (e.g., defense spending).
The second reason your comments discourage me is that you completely blur any distinction between socialism and Marxist. As historically practiced, the political polity of these two concepts are 180 degrees apart.
The discouragement I have with all this is the level of banal, uninformed, gossip-based discussion that results in a barbaric rather than civil and intelligent public discourse.
65. DigPicPhoto | 10.28.08
Your readers can view photos from Obama’s visit to Denver at: http://www.DigPicPhoto.com
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1. Andy2 | 10.26.08
It’s gratifying to hear so many voters in Colorado supporting Obama, and thinking about the issues and making up their own minds.
It is a little worrying still to hear that some voters are still listening to how McCain and Palin are characterizing Obama, which is to be expected is not the same as what Obama himself says. I mean, if you want to decide between the candidates, at least go by what each of them says, rather than what they say about each other.