My only problem with your comments, Zen, are that as of now...Obama has NOT proven that he can reach across party lines. In fact, he is one of the most polarizing figures in the Democratic party. Republicans do not seem to like him because he is extremely liberal and noting in his senate tenure implies that he can cross lines. In other words, even though Obama says he can cross lines and unite, his actions do not back up those words.
Hes fostered bills with Lugar, worked with coburn on ethics bill, Senator dillard (R) says republicans respected him and his negotiation skills. worked with McCain on the secure america and immigration act.
hes stated publicly that he plans on puttin republicans in his cabinet such as Hagel and lugar.
his tone helps to, if it stays the way it is... he does not disenfranchize republican law makers...
"You know, very rarely do you hear me talking about my opponents without giving them some credit for having good intentions and being decent people," he said. "I think that I would explicitly reach out to disaffected Republicans and remind them of some of their traditions. I mean, there's nothing uniquely Democratic about a respect for civil liberties. There's nothing uniquely Democratic about believing in a foreign policy of restraint. You know, a lot of the virtues I talk about are virtues that are deeply embedded in the Republican Party.... The Democrats don't have the monopoly on wisdom, but we have to make some sharp breaks from the failed administration policies of the past."
no one else is talking like this. i understand it is just that... talk, but this perception helps.
theres articles about him organizing basketball games and poker games with republicans and democrats in the state senate. all of his colleagues praise him as someone who is easy to work with.
and then i think a case can be made that he is a transformational figure. i think he is not nearly as divisive as clinton, the history his election would make would foster an atmosphere of cooperation in my opinion.
i think republicans do like him. there certainly are alot of republican voters who do, and i do not remember seeing specific instances of republicans disliking him for valid reasons besides his candiacy. everything i've seen is positive.
I can see it Matt, perhaps i am blinded a bit by a bias that has slowly crept over me since last november... Perhaps. but i do not think it is accurate to say he has no experience in reaching across party lines, or that there is no perception that he can.
granted it is said he has an extremely liberal voting record, im not going to balk at reality here... but i see him working with everyone. hes not tied to special interests and hes a unique character the likes we may have never seen. change can be fostered in such an arena.
Any nominee can promise it, and they do... i think his cantor in this campaign, his history of working well with others and his historic candiacy will force change if he will, and i think he will.
And what does Hillary ever being called a ****** have to do with anything? Has Obama ever been called a ****?
