Some Republicans like Obama, and Obama likes some Republicans
This is interesting. It's been clear for some time that Barack Obama (D-IL) can appeal to some on the other side of the aisle, and is willing to work with Republicans, too. Yet, he is one of the most liberal members of the Senate - based on not only his rhetoric, but also on his voting record.
Well, Salon is reporting that some Republicans in Iowa would vote for Obama, given the opportunity:
In late July and early August, Iowa Republican voters were asked to name their choice for president in a University of Iowa poll. Mitt Romney, who leads most Iowa surveys, got 22 percent of the total. Rudy Giuliani came in second with 10 percent. But third place went to a Democrat, Barack Obama, who got nearly 7 percent -- more than Mike Huckabee, John McCain and Sam Brownback combined.
Not to bad for a Democrat, eh? I've seen this appeal personally - a number of Republicans I know say they'd consider voting for Obama, but wouldn't consider Clinton for a moment - and we've seen it talked about in the media occasionally over the past few months. In an interview today in Florida, Obama mentioned a few Republican senators he'd reach out to if elected President:
"There are some very capable Republicans who I have a great deal of respect for,'' Obama said in an interview with The Associated Press. "The opportunities are there to create a more effective relationship between parties.''Among the Republicans he would seek help from are Sens. Richard Lugar of Indiana, John Warner of Virginia and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, Obama said.
"On foreign policy I've worked very closely with Dick Lugar,'' Obama said. "I consider him one of my best friends in the Senate. He's someone I would actively seek counsel and advice from when it came to foreign policy.''
I really hope he gets the nomination. If he does, he'll be able to practically waltz into the White House. He'll crush Giuliani, Romney, or whatever antediluvian Republican gets the nomination.
Comments
This is why I worry for the democrat's current trajectory. 1) If its Hillary-Obama...I'm not sure how much Obama can't mute the anti-hillary camp of the GOP. 2) As a policy matter Obama can't be quite as much of a uniter, if he stands for an administration thats ultimately strident.
Will Hillary make a change to go after the ideologically middle ground? Will there be more of a move to maintain her strong womanhood, but in a way that captures her husbands ability to heal divides? I'm skeptical. Very skeptical.
Posted by: Nathan Ketsdever | August 26, 2007 5:01 PM