tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15780028.post7933657948883812195..comments2008-03-05T07:21:20.824-05:00benhoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03336028246820312233noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15780028.post-47069734524782265882008-03-05T07:21:00.000-05:002008-03-05T07:21:00.000-05:00I'm going to disagree again on your comments on the politics of change. ;-)<BR/><BR/>Generally speaking, I think Obama and McCain both have some roughly similar level of appeal to independents. The difference is that Obama's party likes him and only some segments of McCain's likes him. I don't think it is necessary for your party to hate you in order to bring about change.<BR/><BR/>I think Obama is the best "change politics" candidate. You're right, in that politicians cannot change politics on their own. The way you change politics is to get people to believe in change and then put pressure on their elected representatives to change.<BR/><BR/>So in order to be a politician of change, people have to believe that you are a politician of change. Virtually no one sees McCain this way - he ran as a maverick in 2000, but this time around, he's as closely associated with the current administration as anyone is. Plus, what new ideas is he bringing to the table? On the other hand, Obama is bringing whole new demographics to the political process - in particular, the young. THAT's how you change politics, to touch and inspire new people and to get them involved in the process, to put pressure on the system. Plus, as unfair as it is, just look at the two of them side by side... which one of them do you think people look at and think "he is a new and different type of president, and I believe that he can change politics for the better"?Riversnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15780028.post-5674123699645805142008-03-04T23:22:00.000-05:002008-03-04T23:22:00.000-05:00Whoops! I think I had a little typo in there. Unless I really meant "ash healthcare." Anyway...<BR/><BR/>It is fantastic that Obama is exciting people, and trying to change politics. However, if one party could change politics on their own, it would have happened long ago. The Clintons really thought they could change politics, and I really think they tried. They succeeded in so many things, but however optimistic the Clintons were, the Republicans were right there to pull them back down. I am afraid that Obama either doesn't realize that he won't be able to change politics just by hoping, or that he is actively packaging himself up to sell to the people.<BR/><BR/>Furthermore, I think honestly the best "change politics" candidate in the race is John McCain. I mean, the Republican party hates him, and he has a record of bucking the system. How's is that for changing politics?benhoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03336028246820312233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15780028.post-76222815174454428232008-03-04T20:54:00.000-05:002008-03-04T20:54:00.000-05:00Ben, I disagree completely with your assessment of why Obama is ahead and your comments like "I don't think he should be ahead simply because Hillary has made bold and public support of certain initiatives such ash healthcare for every American." I think Obama is ahead because he offers a positive message and alternative to politics as usual. He is truly inspirational, and I think that's exactly what the country is looking for in light of the current administration.Riversnoreply@blogger.com