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Arlen Specter believes Obama would be tougher to defeat
PA GOP senator Arlen Specter said candidly on Bill Maher's show Friday night that Obama would be a tougher general election candidate than Hillary. Also, Specter described Obama as a "phenomenon".
This coming from a GOP senator I think is generally regarded as a straight shooter. Watch the interview, I don't think you can interpret this as anything other than an honest answer by Specter. Certainly he isn't buying any of this "unelectable" nonsense.
The question comes at about 1:44 into the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghbTxHctFwQ
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Comments (5)
Is anyone outside the Hillary Clinton campaign and a few dumb conservatives buying this unelectable nonsense? I haven't found any.
April 6, 2008 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Specter isn't my favorite Republican nor is he my least liked. He's always seemed a bit above dogma and I think his words should carry some weight. It's clear that Republicans believe they have ammunition against either democrat, but it's Obama that worries them most. He has an unpredictable quality that could sweep voters. His charisma can top his negatives. Hillary has no charisma. Her negatives will always be high.
April 6, 2008 12:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have to agree somewhat with donnerpass; Specter is enough of a maverick that he's impressed a lot of people, but it's sort of "my enemy's enemy" kind of thing and then there's other issues where he folds like a cheap suit.
I'm one of those who believes that both Dems are probably equally electable, but as donnerpass implied, Obama hasn't been defined.
Though, I will also caution (as I've done before) that there will be some elements who aren't going to vote for Obama and others who be swinged or wore down, but perhaps the biggest threat to him among more mainstream voters are going to be his vocal supporters and how what they say is carried into the media.
April 6, 2008 3:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think both Democrats can easily beat McCain.
I don't think it'll matter how much folks might like McCain, it will become increasingly, glaringly obvious during the general election race that the Republicans and McCain have nothing, nothing, nothing new to offer voters right now. Voters aren't going to be willing to go along with more Bush-like years.
April 6, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think a critical difference between Obama and Hillary is what might happen after - if it is he that wins - the elections.
If he wins the primaries - I think he'll ignite a whole 'nother segment and multiply the enthusiasm among the groups that tend to support him now. I little sort of contagion thing.
If he then - as I think would be very likely - goes on to win the BIGGEST BENEFIT might be realized if he effectively utilizes the bully pulpit to excite a greater level of participation and interaction by voters with their legislators. If he does, the legislators will have constant reminders that heavy turnover of incumbents like that which happened in 2006, can easily be accomplished again.
And that - is what I have been telling people for years - regular contact with your legislators and by sufficient numbers of people can effect change, It is in fact, the only way to effect change short of bloody coup - and that would not be an easy trick these days.
Remember - a little rebellion every now and then is a necessary medicine for the continued good health of government. Possibly not verbatim - but Jefferson thought I should bring that back up.
April 6, 2008 11:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
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