[forkinsocket]

History provides a precedent of sorts: In 1960, John F. Kennedy, a dashing, almost aristocratic figure who defied many nasty stereotypes of Irish Catholics, made Protestants feel not just safe in voting for him but downright virtuous. They could flatter themselves that they were not prejudiced while still choosing a candidate as cultivated as any Brahmin. Similarly, Obama -- whose strongest appeal has thus far been to upscale white liberals -- allows those whites to feel good about themselves and their country. He lets them imagine that a nation founded for freedom yet built on slavery can be redeemed by pulling a lever.

[dforest]

Come on, I just ate.

[Spok]

The sun is surely setting on the evil Clinton empire. Finally.

[scrabblehack]

Although Jackson did win a few primaries in ‘88, he did not have a realistic shot at winning the nomination — his support was upwardly rigid — as it became a 2-candidate race, his level of support didn’t rise.
Obama does have a shot though.

[Candor7]

The key to his seduction, though, resides not just in what he says but in what remains unsaid.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Obama's backgroud is one of hatred of whites, and black nationalist power. Obama hates the America that I love. Obam hates the America that lets me accumulate wealth. The facts support it.

The Obama File

Many nations in the past have elected leaders based on such emotional appeal. Remembering the faces of our WWII fathers, we should not.

[samtheman]

The most obvious explanation is Obama's stirring oratory, with its notes of generational change and unity. The key to his seduction, though, resides not just in what he says but in what remains unsaid.

in what he says = nothing

in what remains unsaid = everything

[redpoll]

Let’s put this as succinctly as possible:

Obama allows guilty whites the chance to feel redeemed. Therefore it’s no surprise that his support comes from well-educated white people with a liberal outlook. They feel guilty for the sins of white people and this is their chance to show that they really aren’t racists. Obama plays into that guilt by showing himself as articulate, measured, and calm in his speech.

Of course, those of us who already know we’re not racist are concentrating on policy and character, but the issue of white guilt is, in my opinion, a powerful force propelling Obama.

[COgamer]

“Jesse Jackson won 13 primaries and caucuses in 1988”

Very interesting. This is the first time I have ever seen this pointed out ANYWHERE.

[The Electrician]

David Greenberg is a historian at Rutgers University. He is at work on a history of spin in American politics.

Wrong. Actually, David Greenberg is a leftist professor who is so deeply in thrall to leftist "spin" and talking points and propaganda that he can't even recognize how much it has distorted his own world view. The leftist dogma that he spews in the penultimate paragraph of his essay is all the evidence that any unbiased observer would need to understand exactly where Greenberg is coming from. For just one glaring example, Katrina was "a disgraceful racial scandal" only in the fevered minds of deliberately lying leftist race pimps and agitators...

[texson66]

The Big Empty O is only about running for power...President. He has nothing but words. He has not accomplished anything! He is an empty suit!Oh, he wants to give 170 Billion to those that “deserve” it; the poor huddled masses (legal and illegal who will sure vote for that!)

2008 - The Year of the Democratic Empty Shells

- The Year of the Republican RINOs (except for Hunter)

[what's up]

Obama's allure differs from the infatuations of past election cycles because it can't be traced to what he has done or will do.

God forbid the voters would care about what he has done or what he will do!