Comments on: Bonus Army

By: Kerim Friedman

Kerim Friedman — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:35:25 +0000

@KML,

I think we’ll see Obama get a surge of Edwards votes after NH. Hope so anyway…

By: K. M. Lawson

K. M. Lawson — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:12:17 +0000

I know you have long been an Edwards supporter and have had doubts about Obama. I was really impressed with the move Edwards made in NH, supporting Obama in the debate and making some very interesting comments in other contexts. While, given Edwards’ position in NH at the time it wasn’t a huge risk to him, it showed that he recognized clearly that Clinton cannot generate the kind of broad support among the American people at large that will be needed to face the big gunners once she is in power. She will most likely cut a few hard won back room deals, and hopefully some limited reforms – but is it wrong for those of us with ambitions well beyond the mainstream average American voter – to want to support candidates who actually make people give a shit about politics again?

I’m really depressed about the NH results…I can only hope that the Obama+Edwards contingent will not lose momentum completely and stand some chance of another upset in Feb.

By: Kerim Friedman

Kerim Friedman — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 08:12:43 +0000

@Ben,

Now if we can only get him to better understand Taiwan …

By: Benjamin Thompson

Benjamin Thompson — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 07:14:18 +0000

I’ll give you a perfect example Kerim: me. I’m a free-trader and free-market guy, and I don’t think I could vote for Edwards (however, my biggest issue is civil liberties, which means I want nothing to do with the Republicans either).

That said, I’ve already made my Obama banner, and I know I’m not alone. There is something important about rhetoric and leadership, and Obama has it in a way no candidate has since Reagan. I can see him winning with a huge mandate and accomplishing much more than Edwards or Clinton ever could. It’s exciting, and while I’m not entirely certain I’m on board with everything he’s proposing, I do know that I care a lot about American’s image in the world – actually, it’s more than that. I care about America’s image of itself. Obama message of hope and a better America really resonate with me. It’s almost embarassing – I used to work in politics, and consider myself hardened to all this stuff, but I’m totally smitten.

Oh, and the fact Krugman hates him? Seals the deal for me…

Ben
bent.tw