How and why did Barack Obama lose tonight?

[Adlai Stevenson]

You may have guessed I am not an Obama supporter (which may be the understatement of the week), but I generally feel sorry for the good man this morning, as I do the good old country. He ran an honest and clean campaign, with no mudslinging or lie-mongering, and lost to a person who did all that, and infinitely more. That is a very sad reflection on American politics. All I can say for the GOP is that at least an honorable man defeated a sleazy flip flopper who distorted the facts. It is a shame the Democrats couldn’t do the same thing. I think New Hampshire is a beautiful state and a great one at that, but yesterday I liked it a little less.

On a lighter note, I still am sure Senator Obama will be the Democratic nominee. I cite his speech last night. He lost a primary he was expected to win, but gave one of the most uplifting addresses I have heard in a long while. It was better than his Iowan address, and I know oratory, I did Original Oratory in high school for four years. Obama has the oratorical skills of Daniel Webster, and no man who can speak that well and convey a message so great will lose, no matter how strong the machine against him.

Yesterday was not a bright spot for American political history, but as Obama’s supporters will always tell you, “Hope springs eternal.” I still feel that this nation will choose the politics of hope over the politics of fear. I respect and like Senator Obama, because he talks straight to the American people, and it is always from his heart. He sends out an aura of sincerity (like JFK and Reagan) that no one can fake. Senator Clinton can cry until she fills a river, and it will never match the sincerity of Senator Obama.

All I can hope for is that New Hampshire 2008 can be dispelled to the ash heap of history, and the politics of joy and uplifting hope be embraced by our nation. I fervently pray that, and I fervently hope that. 

I respect you a lot for this post and agree with you in general.  I really do hope that hope can triumph can over fear, and that Barack Obama will be the nominee of the Democratic Party for President. 

[opebo]

You may have guessed I am not an Obama supporter (which may be the understatement of the week), but I generally feel sorry for the good man this morning, as I do the good old country. He ran an honest and clean campaign, with no mudslinging or lie-mongering, and lost to a person who did all that, and infinitely more. That is a very sad reflection on American politics. All I can say for the GOP is that at least an honorable man defeated a sleazy flip flopper who distorted the facts. It is a shame the Democrats couldn’t do the same thing. I think New Hampshire is a beautiful state and a great one at that, but yesterday I liked it a little less.

On a lighter note, I still am sure Senator Obama will be the Democratic nominee. I cite his speech last night. He lost a primary he was expected to win, but gave one of the most uplifting addresses I have heard in a long while. It was better than his Iowan address, and I know oratory, I did Original Oratory in high school for four years. Obama has the oratorical skills of Daniel Webster, and no man who can speak that well and convey a message so great will lose, no matter how strong the machine against him.

Yesterday was not a bright spot for American political history, but as Obama’s supporters will always tell you, “Hope springs eternal.” I still feel that this nation will choose the politics of hope over the politics of fear. I respect and like Senator Obama, because he talks straight to the American people, and it is always from his heart. He sends out an aura of sincerity (like JFK and Reagan) that no one can fake. Senator Clinton can cry until she fills a river, and it will never match the sincerity of Senator Obama.

All I can hope for is that New Hampshire 2008 can be dispelled to the ash heap of history, and the politics of joy and uplifting hope be embraced by our nation. I fervently pray that, and I fervently hope that.  

Beautiful post!

[Bay Ridge, Bklyn! Born and Bred]

Obama has also got to knock off the Martin Luther King-type speeches, where his voice does that weird, extremeley annoying reverb after every word.   

From now on, Obama should give speeches that adopt the voice he gives in the debates.  No more "I have a Dream" theatrics, or else he risks being seen as nothing but a novelty candidate.

[JSojourner]

You may have guessed I am not an Obama supporter (which may be the understatement of the week), but I generally feel sorry for the good man this morning, as I do the good old country. He ran an honest and clean campaign, with no mudslinging or lie-mongering, and lost to a person who did all that, and infinitely more. That is a very sad reflection on American politics. All I can say for the GOP is that at least an honorable man defeated a sleazy flip flopper who distorted the facts. It is a shame the Democrats couldn’t do the same thing. I think New Hampshire is a beautiful state and a great one at that, but yesterday I liked it a little less.

On a lighter note, I still am sure Senator Obama will be the Democratic nominee. I cite his speech last night. He lost a primary he was expected to win, but gave one of the most uplifting addresses I have heard in a long while. It was better than his Iowan address, and I know oratory, I did Original Oratory in high school for four years. Obama has the oratorical skills of Daniel Webster, and no man who can speak that well and convey a message so great will lose, no matter how strong the machine against him.

Yesterday was not a bright spot for American political history, but as Obama’s supporters will always tell you, “Hope springs eternal.” I still feel that this nation will choose the politics of hope over the politics of fear. I respect and like Senator Obama, because he talks straight to the American people, and it is always from his heart. He sends out an aura of sincerity (like JFK and Reagan) that no one can fake. Senator Clinton can cry until she fills a river, and it will never match the sincerity of Senator Obama.

All I can hope for is that New Hampshire 2008 can be dispelled to the ash heap of history, and the politics of joy and uplifting hope be embraced by our nation. I fervently pray that, and I fervently hope that.  

Beautiful post!

Seconded!  Thanks PB

[Sam Spade]

Any candidate who relies on the "youth" vote is ultimately doomed.

Obama = McGovern, Howard Dean rolled into one.

J. J.'s Second Rule.

I'm starting to wonder if most of the Obama supporters on this forum are even registered to vote.  Something strongly tells me they are not.

Of course most of them aren't.  But I never put that into any equation of judging New Hampshire performance.

[Silent Hunter]

I think it's appropriate to quote the late Alastair Cooke at this point:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Sorry, PBrunsel, but Obama is not the next FDR.

[exopolitician]

Just thought id point out that the lady who asked Clinton the question "How do you do it?" that made her cry....actually turned around and voted for Obama in the Primary. I thought that was lol-worthy.