With the way Obama "enthralls" people, I just can't see him losing

[milhouse24]

Who exactly, other than pbrower, does Obama enthrall?

Most of the world?

This is not to say Americans are still fascinated by him, but you just cannot discount his appeal. He leaves people enthralled wherever he goes and speaks.

If only the rest of the world could vote in American elections! or vice versa, I'm throwing my vote to Kate middleton.

[DS0816]

The Mitt Romneys of the Rs … can lose for the 2012 Republicans how Bob Dole did it in 1996: flip Indiana and Nebraska #02 (redrawn district, correct?); lose three of the following four: Arizona, Georgia, Missouri, and Montana. (Except Ariz., Obama won female vote in all.) Give Obama net gain of electoral votes into the 370s (with all four it would be past 380).

The Michele Bachmanns of the Rs … can give Obama a massive, 40-plus-state landslide.

As for Rs winning back the White House? A serious candidate who restores respect and identification to the platform of the party, as well as taking a refreshing departure from that of the Rs' previous president of the United States.

[milhouse24]

The Mitt Romneys of the Rs … can lose for the 2012 Republicans how Bob Dole did it in 1996: flip Indiana and Nebraska #02 (redrawn district, correct?); lose three of the following four: Arizona, Georgia, Missouri, and Montana. (Except Ariz., Obama won female vote in all.) Give Obama net gain of electoral votes into the 370s (with all four it would be past 380).

The Michele Bachmanns of the Rs … can give Obama a massive, 40-plus-state landslide.

As for Rs winning back the White House? A serious candidate who restores respect and identification to the platform of the party, as well as taking a refreshing departure from that of the Rs' previous president of the United States.

I think Dole lost it based on the fact that he was 70 more than any other factor.

[Sbane]

Who exactly, other than pbrower, does Obama enthrall?

Most of the world?

This is not to say Americans are still fascinated by him, but you just cannot discount his appeal. He leaves people enthralled wherever he goes and speaks.

If only the rest of the world could vote in American elections! or vice versa, I'm throwing my vote to Kate middleton.

Uh..I was just pointing out that Obama "enthralls" plenty of folks. Obviously in America where Obama's actual positions are under scrutiny, the country divides about evenly. But abroad, where they don't care or know about what policies he is implementing, you can see the appeal he still has to people. And that sort of appeal does matter. A person who is divided on whether to support Democratic or Republican policies might just stick with Obama because he will be able to sell his ideas in a more eloquent, and considering the shape of the Republican party, in a more sane manner.

[Jacobtm]

He's more charismatic than any GOP candidate. Look back at every election in living memory. The charismatic candidate has always won. It's that simple.

[Meeker]

Maybe Obama will win. Maybe he won't. It's a long ways off and we're not really going to have a good idea for another year or so.

[DS0816]

Maybe Obama will win. Maybe he won't. It's a long ways off and we're not really going to have a good idea for another year or so.

I understand your statement, but it's not like we should have these threads be mute until the arrival of 2012.

[Meeker]

Maybe Obama will win. Maybe he won't. It's a long ways off and we're not really going to have a good idea for another year or so.

I understand your statement, but it's not like we should have these threads be mute until the arrival of 2012.

I guess if if floats your fancy then sure, but most of the chatter on this board about the general election is really quite meaningless.

[Vosem]

As for Rs winning back the White House? A serious candidate who restores respect and identification to the platform of the party, as well as taking a refreshing departure from that of the Rs' previous president of the United States.

RICK PERRY

[Heimdal]

We are talking about the president with the 46,3 approval rate (RCP average), right? His disapprovals are actually higher as of now, so he is at -0,5.

This isn't 2008 and Obama is far from undefeatable.

[Paul Kemp]

Yea that was certainly a huge distraction from the economy .  .  .

Ah, so you're using the 'It's different if you're a Democrat' argument. You could have just said that from the start.

What . . .

[milhouse24]

Maybe Obama will win. Maybe he won't. It's a long ways off and we're not really going to have a good idea for another year or so.

Well there are certain trending factors that make his re-election less likely.  Sure some things can change, but right now, with unemployment and approval ratings low, Obama is a weakened candidate and if the GOP can put a solid ticket, they can beat him.

[TheGlobalizer]

I think a lot of people turn off Obama before they give him a chance to work his terrible magic on them.

I haven't listened to a word out of that f***tard's mouth in over a year.

[The Mikado]

ITT:  OP comes out of timewarp from 2007.  Seriously, I czn't remember the last time people talked about poor ol' Barry as captivating, enthralling, etc.

[memphis]

We certainly basked in his wonder in 2010, now didn't we?

You also proved that your party wasn't that smart in 2010 as they threw three gimme Senate seats away (DE, CO and NV) by running ridiculous candidates.  Like the Democrats couldn't seem to get out of their own way from 1980 until 1992, that's the Republicans' problem now.  I still cannot believe they lost those seats and Obama is smart.  He knows the GOP has to run someone who is going to make the anti-gay, anti-abortion rhetoric a big part of the campaign.  He's not stupid.

Sure but that really isn't relevant since we won't be nominating people like Angle, Buck or O'Donnell for President.

Have you seen the GOP field? They're just like them.

[Mechaman]

I will say that Obama is more charismatic than the average politician, but have you heard the average politician now days?  I mean really?
Just because he's better than the average in the generation where good "ole humble pie!" southern boys are considered to be great candidates doesn't mean he's as charismatic as a Kennedy, a Reagan, or even a Richard GD Nixon.
Can't say the current GOP field is the most promising either.

I mean really people, don't abuse the scope of things here.

[specific_name]

When Obama has a serious moment to address the nation, rather than the day to day stuff, he's pretty damn good. The low info voters will likely be swayed by his charisma, which definitely still exists. More experienced people, like on this board, are liable to underestimate the likability factor or assume his unfavorables are harder than they really are.

When the Bin Laden bump came along, you could see some of the soft disapprovers move towards approve. I don't think it takes too much to influence the middle of the road, low info people. They care about style over substance and Obama has the style to do well even in a fairly hostile environment. He is one of the few politicians I could see pulling out a win even under bad economic circumstances. Still he's very far from unbeatable. Romney could certainly win.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

At least Reagan was a weathered and wise old man

Very debatable.

[Badger]

At least Reagan was a weathered and wise old man

Very debatable. Out and out crap.

Corrected