Well, that’s certainly the big dig on Obama. And no, he hasn’t been “blown away” yet. But there might be more to him than fluff or, as David Ehrenstein put it, “Magic Negro” syndrome. Obama has less political experience than most of the other contenders. But he has a broader vision that none of the others seem to have. Is that enough? Only time will tell. My guess is that as long as he doesn’t implode, and he keeps building up supporters and raising money from new contributors, he’ll be comfortably in first place by winter.

Remember, at this point in the 2004 election, Joe Lieberman was in first place for the Democratic nomination.

This can’t just be nuttier anti-war sentiment (that last word being an understatement). Does Hillary Clinton repel that many Democratic voters? (There is no question that the GOP field repels many voters.)

Lynx said,

June 20, 2007 at 12:11 pm:

If it is, I’m sure that they’d much rather have Obama than Hillary, if it HAS to be a dem.

Not sure yet on that choice, Lynx, but since you’re in the mood to appease, I’d prefer Richardson.

Doesn’t necessarily know how to campaign well, but does have some useful experience.

Even if Hillary became president (and face it, she energizes the Republican base more than the Democratic base) the chances for bitter partisanship are astronomical. Partisanship is not only very irritating, it’s harmful. When two sides are pitted against one another two things happen:

– The extremes on either side dominate the debate, rendering it almost useless. Example: No useful information is going to come out of a conversation between a person who thinks America can do no wrong, that Iraq is hunky-dory and that the people of Baghdad are going to name some street after Bush any minute now, and a person who thinks life with Saddam was Eden and that Iraqis aren’t killing one another, it’s just us messing things up, and with a few hugs and a bong it’ll all be better.

2. Hardening positions makes it much more likely that no agreement can ever be reached, which means issues remain untouched. Better some progress than none.

The country really needs to work on itself for a time. It needs to rally behind things we can ALL support, like helping the poor, reducing deficit, providing health care (even if we disagree on how) to all who need it etc.

There is one more thing. Many Republicans are possibly thinking that with their current candidate pool, a democratic presidency is likely. If it is, I’m sure that they’d much rather have Obama than Hillary, if it HAS to be a dem.

It will be very interesting to say the least.
Bloomberg is not beholden to PACS, special interests et al- he is one!