Obama people...how are you doing? (support group)

[CoffeeCat]

Hey, as a big Obama supporter I thought we could all use a virtual
support group--to discuss last night, process this and move forward.

:hi:

How did last night go for you?

What's your take on all of this?

How are you feeling now?

Ok, I'll go first.

I was in complete shock, as was my husband. I flipped between CNBC, CNN and Fox News--
in an attempt to better understand what happened. I didn't get any answers. The media
seemed to be as discombobulated as the people out in the cheap seats. I did get a giggle
out of the media though. They had two days of Hillary bashing that they really seemed to
enjoy. Now, they're back to kow towing. Amazing to watch these bozos.

My take is based on being in Iowa and understanding that the polls don't always jive with
reality. The Iowa polls had O, H and E running even, on caucus day. Things were happening
in the minds of many New Hampshire-ites--that were off the grid. Many decided last-minute.
Hillary was able to "humanize" herself better as each day passed, and I think she was viewed
as more authentic. Conversely, I think Obama's superstar status caused some backlash with the
fiercely independent New Hampshire voters. They are notorious for rejecting trends.

Also, it seemed as if Obama and Hillary reversed campaigning trends. In Iowa, Hillary hid behind
the velvet ropes, but came out and took many questions in NH. Obama was open in Iowa, but seemed
to rely on big speeches in NH. Obama needed to connect better with the people of NH and micro target.
Those big speeches somewhat solidify Hillary's negative messaging about Obama--that he's all inspiration
and no experience. And you don't want to campaign in a way that's going to make that negative stick.

I think this will be a learning opportunity for Obama. I love Obama and I believe that he is
the best candidate (on issues and on electability). However, I think his message needs re-tooling.
The first wave of his campaign was about his personality and his ability to inspire. Now, he
needs to leverage his experience and market his policy stances. He also needs some messaging on
the economy. He must hammer home that he's the most electable (garnering Indies, some Reps and
a large contingent of Dems). This is a remarkable selling point that's true, but I think this truth
evades some Dems.

I'm feeling good. This is a punch in the gut, but I'd rather that we iron out the wrinkles and improve
the campaign early on--and go into these next states (and ultimately, Super Tuesday) with a fine-tuned
and improved campaign strategy.

I'm interested in hearing other Obama supporters chime in.

Chin up, everyone and it's on to SC! :hi:

[HeraldSquare212]

1. Chagrined, I would say, but it's still a great place to be relative to expectations a month ago nt

[kstewart33]

2. Obama's going to have to earn the nomination.

The defeat will be good for him. Now we'll see what he's made of.

[CoffeeCat]

5. I think that's very true...

I think Obama has to make his case.

We've all seen that he can inspire. The man is a walking Dale Carnegie seminar. He's
got the personality and the intelligence to broker world peace, as far as I'm concerned.

However, he needs to market his policy stances and his experience.

Do most people know that he's a Constitutional Scholar and that he's very concerned about
how our Constitution is being disrespected? That's just one issue.

He needs to leverage the ideas, policies and experience behind his leadership skills.

[TomClash]

3. You can read my take here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4008961&mesg_id=4008961

[Neecy]

4. my take...

New Hampshire voters are famously contrary and when they saw the media funeral for Hillary's campaign - and it really was a frenzy on Monday - they decided to give her a second chance. I think it's really that simple.

[rox63]

6. I agree on NH voters being contrary

I live fairly close to the NH border. The state is full of what I refer to as "Cranky Yankees", who refuse to be told what to do. The media gave them a certain message, and they did everything they could to disprove that message.

[CoffeeCat]

7. I agree...

You said it so well...a "media funeral", that's exactly what it was.

That "funeral" combined with her emotion and more-personal style of campaigning, turned it for her.

I'm not shy about saying when I think the vote was stolen. I don't think that was the case, at all, this time.

[rox63]

8. Disappointed

:(

But there are 48 states still to go. Barack needs to retool his campaign message a bit, and get back out on the campaign trail.

[Blarch]

9. Last night was confusing.

But all is good. Obama will win SC and NV ..and the national polls will reflect these wins.

[Meldread]

10. I am disappointed to say the least.

I was hoping for a debate between Edwards and Obama. I believe that this will only make Obama a stronger candidate, but at the same time... I am fearful that this helps Hillary get the nomination. I really cannot express how I feel about that. Everyone seems to have such a rosy glow when it comes to the Clinton's that they were all good and did no wrong. I don't feel we are pushing our party to be all that we NEED to be.

It was my hope that after 8 years of Bush we'd be able to finally throw off the shackles of the DLC and the Clinton's. I wanted a clean break and a fresh start. Something for the new century. Maybe it is because I am younger, being 25 going on 26. I just feel like the Clinton's are dragging the party back to the 90's instead of leading us to the future. I do not feel that they represent (or even understand) me at all.

My entire life all I have seen as a President are Bush's and Clinton's. MY ENTIRE LIFE. I only have vague wispy memories of Reagan. Bill Clinton became President when I was in the 4th Grade. I remember the first Gulf War - that happened when I was in the 3rd Grade. These people, when I look at the Candidates (ESPECIALLY the Republicans) I see old Cold War hang overs. These are people that I feel really need to be phased out and let a new generation take their place. They need to go on and retire.

Not to be harsh, but let's face it. What type of vision for the future can someone have when they're going to be dead in 30 years max? McCain has what - 25 years if he is lucky? He acts like he is still fighting in Vietnam. It's like I'm living in a bizarre world where everything is turned upside down and inside out. It makes me want to support term limits for Senators and members of the House more than ever.

[CoffeeCat]

12. I share your views on Hillary...

...and I want you to know that many others do as well.

It's evident that the majority of Edwards and Obama supporters are
united in finding great dissatisfaction with her.

Like you, I find it difficult to put into words, my complete disdain
for her policies, views and the thought of her being in the WH.

I think Obama will do very well in Nevada and in SC as well.

I agree, this will make Obama a stronger candidate. He's never
ran for President before, and this is a learning experience for
him. He's never been one to shrink back from a challenge and I
expect him to emerge only smarter and better.

This is an opportunity.

[Meldread]

13. I agree.

I think this may make him stronger for the General Election. If he has to fight hard then that will only prepare him for what is to come in the General.

It's just... sigh. The defeat was such a shock. I really did believe we were going to win by double digits. I would have bet on it. I felt it in my bones. Then all night long I watched the returns. I felt a slight sinking feeling in the beginning, when Hillary came out in the lead in the first 10% or so. Then I saw the lead begin to evaporate and sighed with relief. Then she regained it and my heart began to sink. Then it started to slowly erode again, and I felt a little hopeful. By that time, I had given up the hope of a double digit lead but was confident that it would be at least six points. Then she began to gain again, and I started to worry. By the time we had 40% in I had conceded to the fact that it was going to be a squeaker but was still slightly hopeful. After all... Obama was leading by double digits, right? How could his lead evaporate over night? He didn't do anything wrong, no major gaffes. He was spot on - perfect. Then by the time we made it to 55% I had a sinking feeling that we might lose. Then by the time we had 60% or so in... they began to call it for Hillary. Ugh. I almost wanted to cry.

As a younger voter, it just feels like it should be OUR time. I resent the idea of dynasties and "turns" for the White House, but if they want to talk about turns... what about OUR turn? The Bush's and Clinton's had the 90's, and the Bush's ruined the first decade of the new century. What now?

I am ready to fight more than ever now, but it isn't out of inspiration and hope - it's out of desperation to end the Clinton stranglehold on the Democratic Party. I really do not know what people see in her. I do not think she is a bad person or anything, but really... I just don't see what they see at all. I can only assume that it is a generational thing.

[CoffeeCat]

14. I am right there with you...

It's been hard on people, that's for sure.

I think many young people pinned their hopes on Obama, when he won in Iowa. You could feel
the younger generation, and those who had felt so disenfranchised---perking up and participating
in democracy.

I think this is a temporary setback. However, it's no reason to give up hope or to assume that
Hillary's going to win. If anything, this just means that we dig in our heels and work that
much harder to win. Obama is remarkable. He can get the Indies, some Reps who are sick of Bush
and most of the Dems. He's so electable, it hurts.

The more I think about New Hampshire, the more I'm hopeful. It was a loss by a narrow margin.
Furthermore, NH is so unique. They really are notorious for bucking the system. National polls
show Hillary trending downward and Obama trending upward. Obama is in a wonderful position to
battle it out with Hillary.

I really think this is good that this happened. Obama has done a lot in his life. He has
EXPERIENCE, and he has some amazing ideas and stances on issues. This is a wake-up call, that
he needs to tout those things and make them central to his message. He must get in front of
Hillary's assertions that he's the one with the nice speeches and she's the one with all of
the experience. He has to define himself, or she will. I'm sure her people are working hard
on that right now.

This is a time to re-tool and emerge a better candidate. On to NV and SC with a more refined message
and a fire in our bellies!

[tabatha]

11. Sad, good, educating.

Sad - He should have won.

Good - Despite that, he has done extremely well.

Education - I think a lot of people learned what would happen if Hillary lost her front-runner status. I am sure this will make Obama better prepared for the remainder of the primaries. He now knows the kind of smearing of which they are capable. His Nevada endorsement was an eye-opener - Mark Penn is a union buster? that is just so status quo. It is not what Edwards, Obama support. Union busting follows the same philosophy of free market crud that has hurt this country and others. She seems to be more right-wing than the other two.