Guilt and Fear Combo

[kentuck]

Many of the opponents of President Obama are dealing with complex personal feelings. For many of them, it is more than just "hate", as Frank Rich pointed out in his editorial today. They voted for and supported much of this mess we find ourselves in today. They cannot accept responsibility and are looking for someone to blame.

One cannot help but think there is just a dab of guilt thrown into the equation, also. Perhaps what they most fear is that Obama cannot fix the problem. As a longtime liberal, I am beginning to have those same doubts and fears. But I don't feel as guilty as they.

[polichick]

1. I WISH they felt guilt, but don't believe they do. nt

[Ineeda]

2. agree that there's little or no guilt and...

their real fear is that if they stand against their cohorts for true morality and common sense, they'll lose the lunatic base. Big loss.

[kentuck]

3. I agree with Frank Rich...

I don't think many of these folks are automatic Republican votes.

[MajorChode]

6. I think the overwealming majority of them are

And the only reason some of them wouldn't vote Republican is if there's a libertarian candidate with half a chance(which will never happen in my lifetime). In other words, they believe the Republican party is not batshit crazy enough, but it's the best they have. I know quite a few teabaggers and I have yet to see one who I thought was a political moderate but just decided to join in on all the vitriol.

The reason why these people are mad is because they are increasingly being marginalized politically, and the reason they are being marginalized politically is because their bigoted ideas are increasingly falling out of the mainstream. It's not 1950 anymore and it never will be again, and they can't accept that.

[Louisiana1976]

7. Well said!

[babylonsister]

4. I think a lot of them fear that Obama CAN fix the problems

and that is worrisome to them. A 'successful' black president? A successful Democratic party? Oh, noes!

What would that say about their own party and 'ideals'?

[kentuck]

5. I would agree that a lot of them fear that also...

But I think it is much more complex than that. And I do not believe the Republicans are going to benefit as much as they think from these marchers and protesters. They will benefit from the birthers and deathers and all the other "ers". But I do not believe we can put them all under the same category? Just my opinion.

[Louisiana1976]

8. Right--they want to see Obama fail.