Why Are Obama Supporters So Angry?

Sharon, Reagan hadn't had four bouts with cancer when he was elected either.

Sharon, Obama has said that he will surround himself with the best and brightest minds as president and he will listen. Bush, over the last eight years, has fired all the people who disagreed with him. McCain represents more of the same. He has proven it on his voting record.

As for us being angry...well when you see the lies being put out by the McCain campaign--bold-faced lies, without a blink--and you see how many lobbyists are running the McCain campaign, many of which worked for oil companies, and when you think about what could happen in this country if he were to get elected...well yes, it is easy to get angry.

I've been wondering about the vitriol that's been aimed at Sarah Palin, almost as if it is an Obama vs Palin contest, instead of Obama vs. McCain. I think it's because she stole the show from Obama and Biden, which is what McCain needed to do. He needed to make a bold statement about his vp pick, instead of picking someone like Mitt Romney, or Fred Thompson, among others, to really excite the Republican base. I'm thinking Obama is sort of floundering with the undecideds, and people prefer to know what people are standing for than not. I'm still waiting for Obama to define himself as a candidate, and define what that change that he promises is coming will be.

I think that the anger you hear from Obama supporters is years of frustration at Bush politics and bringing our country to an all time low in the eyes of both ourselves and the rest of the world. I have argued that McCain is too old. He is. Today's US economy depends on significant understanding of high tech developments, as well as a traditional manufacturing base. McCain doesn't have a clue about the Internet, even how to write an email. A man like that cannot lead us into the future. He also mistakenly thinks the US can "win" a war it started itself in Iraq. Those on the ground in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East will tell you that this war has damaged US standing in the global community, as well as in that area. Even our European allies have been disgusted with our rationalizations and phony intelligence.

Now I will address your question as to what Obama will do. Being from Illinois, I know that he will rearrange the priorities. First, he has promised on his first day in office to end the war. While Americans have (rightly) been distracted by our own worsening economic conditions domestically, I fail to hear mention of the huge deficit caused by the Iraq War and our overreliance on the Chinese to lend us money.

Obama will also focus energy on education and health care. He did in the state of Illinois, and I have heard him speak of these issues on the campaign trail as well. Admittedly his health care position is not as strong as Clinton's was, but it is far and away a better stance than McCain's.

I trust him to lead on foreign policy. Obviously the Europeans have more faith in him as well, to judge by the British press anyway and to see the record crowds that turned out in Germany to hear him.

He has better positions on the environment, clean energy, and looking ahead to where we should be and not shoring up the past.

I could go on and on, but you see, there are plenty of policies where he leads America in the right direction.

One final note: Reagan suffered from early Alzheimer's while in office although this is not largely reported on. I lived in DC during the Reagan years, and it was well known that he would fall asleep in meetings, lose his place during speeches, and depended heavily on the support of advisors and handlers.

I do not see McCain as another Bush at all. And I don't see him getting into office and suddenly dropping dead. And I am very dismayed at the amount of hatred aimed at Gov. Palin.

Yeah, I'm worried that other countries don't like our president. I mean how dare we elect a president that europe don't like. Because after all it's most important that europe like our choice.

I'm in Illinois and I don't think Obama's done anything positive for us.

Having looked at all the top three's issues, and yes there is a third the media and Democrats, and Republican's don't want you to know about.
Obama has the least amount of executive of all running, plus the fact he has a long record of leaving things half done or less (something we cannot have as a President). What Obama does have, is a very charismatic personality, and when he has things writen out for him, he can present them beautifully. Just like the 9/11 forum, where the prompter had all his answers for him. As a President, Obama will have to work without the chance to walk-a-way, but have to be there 24/7.
Palin right now has the most executive experience of all the candidates running, which is why Obama is so afraid of her, she presents a strong challenge to his ego.
As far as differences between Obama's and McCain's ideas, there is actually very little, and both are to be honest very close to each other on views. So in saying McCain is another Bush, is to say basically the same thing about Obama, which both statements are false.
The only person that has strong points on dealing with the issues that need dealing with, is Barr, he out does both Obama and McCain easily. I know many of the Liberals, and a lot of the Democrats and Republicans do not like him, but that is because he actually faces the issues head on. There are also others that fear voting for him, because he is a third party, and after Perot, many are afraid to vote for a third party again.
But to your question again, neither Obama nor McCain are facing the issues head on, and both of their platforms are very weak. Neither group of Supporters for either of the two platforms have much to be angery about, as neither one of these two front runners will do much for the situation of the country.

Always good to see someone thinking outside of the boxed, prettily wrapped packages tied with bows of satiny deceit from the major parties, Sharon.

While I have not made my decision as of yet, I am so inspired by Palin and think she is a wonderful woman. She may be a little too conservative, though...

Palin wasn't fully vetted. The media will vet her in public, what you are seeing is Nothing compared to the weeks to come. It's seems Palin has "endeared" herself to the NY Times and they aren't exactly a small town newspaper. Let's see how she does.

A little too conservative, Vicki? Way too conservative. She also is vindictive and in the pocket of big oil, although the Republican party does not want you to know that. She lives in a state where 72% of the revenue comes from one huge oil company, BP Oil. Which, of course, her husband just happens to work for.

Carla says "Sharon, Obama has said that he will surround himself with the best and brightest minds as president and he will listen"

Would that be Rezko, Ayers and Wright or Manning, Khalidi and Meeks. We already know the kind of people Obama surrounds himself with.

And Obama supporters are angry with anyone who has the unmidigated gall to not support Obama.

To those touting Obama's tax increase on the wealthy. You need to do some research on the matter. His plan has been tried and it failed. As a matter of fact it is in place in several states right now - Michigan and Ohio. Ask those people if they are better off because of it. They lost jobs and wages went down.

Carla - Thank you for your comment. I was just wondering how Obama plans to do all of this. He says he will surround himself with the best minds but don't all candidates say the same thing? Talk is cheap and I would like to know how he plans on doing everything he wants to do. As for Bush, well, I never cared for him anyway. I'm not going to defend McCain but I will defend his right to run for office no matter what his age and even with his bouts with cancer.

Beth - I totally agree with you. By picking Palin as his VP McCain did exactly what he wanted to do, draw attention away from Obama.

Christine - I think that 70 might be too old too, the way Regan was acting towards his last years of president showed that age can be a factor. But McCain seems to be very clear minded and young people die just like older people. As for McCain not being able to send an email, I have heard that but I don't think that's really true. When McCain said that he might have been joking around. But, how many emails do presidents send anyway? Don't they have "people"to do that stuff for them? Yeah, I too think it's crazy that McCain feels that we can win the war. We should never have gotten involved but most Republicans feel that "victory is ours."

I really want to believe that Obama will end the war but how will he do it? There is so much involved now that I can't see any President just pulling out the troops and waving Iraq good-bye. Obama talks big but I need to know his plans on how is going to do all of this? And I have big doubts on what Obama feels about Israel. Many Jews, not all but enough, are suspicious of Obama. There is a huge amount of anti-semitism in this world even here in NYC which Jessie Jackson so eloquently called "Hymietown" in 1984. I'm not saying that Obama is against Israel or the Jews but he has made contradicting remarks in the past about Israel.

And about Regan, I didn't think he was such a great president even before his Alzheimer's. It was obvious that towards the end of his presidency that he couldn't run the country and others were doing it for him.

Thank you so much for all the great comments.

Lera - I too think that there is a lot of hatred against her. It's one thing to disagree with her politics but I don't know where all the hate comes from.

Charles - Good point - why does Europe need to like our choice for president?

Dan - I agree with you. Neither candidate is dealing with the issues and I need to hear what their plans are. You made some valid points in your post.

Maryanna - How is Obama going to do all of that? Cut taxes for 95% of us? I would love for that to happen but I find it hard to believe. Where is he going to get the money to give $4,000 to students to attend college even if they do volunteer work? And as for healthcare, I'm a big advocate of making sure that every American has healthcare but this battle has been going on for years. How is Obama going to do that? Where is the money coming to reward teachers? I really need to know how Obama is going to do all of this.

Sue - Thank you.

Vicki - I do like Palin but she is way too conservative to me but I think she would be great just to talk to.

Brian - Palin has done a good job in getting the media and the public on her side. Should I dare say that she is like a female version of Obama?

Carla - good point.

Don - Very good points. These are some of the things that I worry about if Obama becomes President. I know where McCain stands but Obama is still a mystery to me.

I've been laughing at these angry libs for the last 8 years... looking forward to do again for another 4 and more ;)

McCain is up in the polls and Palin is bringing in the female and independent vote. I smell victory!

The Libs and Dems are angry anytime a Republican gets into office..... I have never emailed or pinged someone who supported Obama on here unless those supporters did it to me first... I have never threatened anyone on here who did support McCain, but they have done this to me and a couple of my connections... I have even been emailed and told who to connect to, and threatened for speaking out about Obama...I was even told that I had no right to speak against Obama as I had not been in the military....
You are right, they are angry and the harder they try and silence free speech the louder I will yell.....

You can indeed know a man by the people he surrounds himself with. McCain is surrounded by lobbyists and oil company people. The same people that literally ran the George W. Bush campaign that smeared him in South Carolina. McCain has no pride.

Palin is attractive and vivacious only at first glance. Check her out a little more and you will find out how she has lied about the bridge to nowhere, used per diems while living at home, is under investigation for abuse of power and has lied about it, did indeed ask the local librarian about how one went about banning books, appointed cronies to positions as governors who are not qualified and has stated amazingly that her ability to see Russia from Alaska somehow gives her 'foreign affairs' experience. The campaign lied about her visit to Iraq, claimed that a refueling of her plane on the tarmac constituted a visit to Ireland.

Obama has oil money as well....

FACTCHECK.org time...

Obama: I don’t take money from oil companies or Washington lobbyists, and I won’t let them block change anymore.

It's true that Obama doesn't take money directly from oil companies, but then, no presidential, House or Senate candidate does. They can't: Corporations have been prohibited from contributing directly to federal candidates since the Tillman Act became law in 1907.

Obama has, however, accepted more than $213,000 in contributions from individuals who work for, or whose spouses work for, companies in the oil and gas industry, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Two of Obama's bundlers are top executives at oil companies and are listed on his Web site as raising between $50,000 and $100,000 for the presidential hopeful.

Obama says he doesn't take money from oil companies. We say that's a little too slick.

Gotta love the Obama supporters who try to pretend his boy doesn't get greased by the oil money ;) LOL

that said, the reason McCain gets more money is simple. You all know Obama is for the Windfall Profits Tax... enough said. Silly policy.

"If cash equals friendship, then John McCain and the oil industry are best friends.

The Arizona Republican has taken $1.4 million from oil industry employees in the 2007-2008 election cycle, more than any other politician, according to CRP.

That's over three times as much as Barack Obama, who ranks just below Hillary Clinton as the highest Democrat recipient.

Those numbers are consistent with how employees in the oil sector give overall - nearly three quarters of their money usually goes to Republicans, although they have been leaning a bit more Democratic in the recent election, according to CRP."

http://money.cnn.com/2008/08/19/news/economy/oil_money/index.htm?eref=rss_topstories

Enough said.

The right thinks questioning their LIES about Obama, equals anger. Obama is doing what most Dems don't seem to do, FIGHT BACK!
They don't know how to react.
Calling it anger is one way.
Did you hear Rove, of all people, saying McSame is TOO SLEAZY in his attacks on Obama?
WOW!!!!
New voters?The Dems have out registered Repukes, Obama has out raised McSame in contributions.
One thing I have noticed, my 18 year old son and his friends are jazzed about voting for the first time, for Obama.
I have never seen the young electrified about an election before.

Sharon--
Why am I angry?

1. McCain insulted me, and a lot of women that look up to Hillary, by selected Palin as his VP. Palin is against everything Hillary supports, and yet she was put on the ticket for the sole reason that she has breasts.
2. For months McCain has preached how he wants to discuss the issues: the war, the economy, gas prices, social security. And when he started to realize he wasn't winning on those issues, he jumped in bed with the far-right, brought in Palin, and suddenly abortion and sex education are on the agenda. He went from wanting to discuss issues to playing "divide and conquer" politics.
3. Since selecting Palin as VP, McCain has turned into a Karl Rove lying machine. Every major newspaper and news outlet has pointed out the countless outright lies in his ads, and yet he continues to repeat them.

And even though, as Mulder would say "The truth is out there" and a simple Google search can find the facts, people are actually BELIEVING THIS CRAP.

And that is why I am angry.

People still think Obama will raise their taxes. Not because there is any truth to it (GO READ HIS PLAN!) but because McCain says he will. People think Obama tried to pass a law to teach elementary school kids about sex, even though the ACTUAL bill was to help protect children from pedofiles. No, people don't bother to go read the truth, they just accept it because McCain said so in an ad.

Palin' interveiw is enough to scare the crap out of anybody.

We've already suffered through 8 years of profound stupidity!

We are angry because instead of talking about the important issues facing our country -- the energy crisis; the economy; the fact that 46 million Americans do not have health insurance; that we have seen record job losses in recent months and an unemployment rate that is at its highest in 5 years (6.1%); that just today the financial markets are in a tailspin; that our kids are not getting the kind of education that will make them and our country more competitive; the war in Iraq; our tarnished reputation throughout the world; the erosion of the rule of law here in our dealings with other countries -- we are talking about lipstick on a pig.

We are angry that the American people are falling for a woman without bothering to check her record because she is physically attractive, has a square chin and doesn't blink.

Please read these stories published in yesterday's NYT, and then you tell me -- why aren't YOU angry?

And for the record, I am not an "angry lib" -- I have been a republican for 30 years.

Can't speak for everyone but I'm not angry. I prefer Obama to McCain. I do find Palin madness confusing. She seems dull and one dimensional to me.

People McCain is not too old out of touch and too full of lobbyst, he is the old school and this a new century.
Obama preference with our allies and other countries all over the world is 60% to 20% for mCCain...
For one on foreing policy look at the impact it will have with the governments, if their citizen like our president and have confidence in him they will be more likely to go along with their country support of the US and better relations.
A study done regarding this showed that our standing in the world will rise with Obama and fall with McCain because he is seen as another BUSH...
Africa and the increae in muslim fanaticism will be affected, they will see a black president with his background and their view of America will shift dramatically.

Most people do not realize how much Obama presidency will have on the entire world and how much the world looks on us to show we mean what we say as of values.

Look up the gloabl affect of an Obama presidency and you will hear studies done by unbiased non partisan entities of the benfits.

I can see this because I was not born here and do not carry all this baggage most of
you carry about ideologies and past alliances...I am an independent thinker.

I cannot understand the shallow view of people who do not see this presidency as ground breaking away from all of that..that once was and have a fresh start.

Fortunately we have a brilliant individual of good character that fits the bill.

Obama will bridge the divide between all classes and races and party lines because that is what he represents at this time in the history of our nation....
This is not just about him personally, it is about what he represents....you have to look at things from the world view to uderstand and I am able and I have.

I am voting for the country's best not a party.

Have you gone to his website and tried to educate yourself on the issues and what he is planning on doing and how he's planning on doing it?

Or.... Are you, like many Americans, relying on other people to inform you?

That's the problem with the current situation. Too many people are willing to believe what they are told by other people rather than trying to find out on their own. Quit asking me (and others) what Obama will do for you and find the information for yourself.

It's there. You just have to want to find it.

Carla et al,

Re Carla's first comment herein: .... exchange the political parties references to the opposite pole and a Republican could have written the same exact thing. I can see your point of view and understand your ire. When you can see the same point of view from a conservatives vantage and understand their ire then you will be well on your way to solving issues and problems on which the course of action to attain the same goal is what is in difference. And that covers probably 90% of the issues Americans are concerned with today. However a bigger battle will ensue if you truly want want to change America into a socialistic state. America was not conceived as such and will not be alter to that degree and still be referred to as America.

Hi Sharon,

I'm a Republican but have friends who normally vote Democratic that are more like you--normal people who want real answers to issues instead of all this mess of trying to get Obama to win not by flat out stating what he believes but by attempts of turning people against McCain/Palin. To me, it seems like that's 95% of the technique right now, and through history negative ads in general aren't that effective. Both sides do it to a certain extent, but as a voter I at least know McCain's overall plan and stances on national issues.

You should vote for someone, but let it be for the right reasons. Check out their sites directly if that will help, so at least you know it's coming from them.

Take care,

Tricia

Lainie - The problem is that I have gone to Obama's website and I still haven't read anything new. Also, as a voter, I have every right to ask Obama what he will do for me in order to get my vote. Also, I'm asking Obama supporters why they are supporting him when he is saying absolutely nothing. If you did not want to answer the question you didn't have to.

And, I should not have to run around looking for Obama's plans, it is up to him to make sure that all of voting America is very clear on his intentions.

As for "Too many people are willing to believe what they are told by other people rather than trying to find out on their own" isn't that how Obama became the Democratic candidate? The media told people what to think about him and everyone jumped on the Obama bandwagon.

It is my right and my duty to ask questions of him and others if I need to. Obama isn't giving me any answers

If you plan to vote for Obama that's fine but he still hasn't earned my vote and I will continue to ask questions.

Sharon,

An informed voter is not condusive to the Democratic Parties agenda.

Great post by a lady who knows how to express herself on her post and on her thread. Just my kind of lady. ;)

I saw an ad the other day that has me voting for McCain. It said that Obama's going to raise my taxes. Since Obama's going to raise taxes on people making more than $250,000/year, I'm obviously going to be getting a SWEET raise next year. So, go McCain!

Apparently, you've never read any of my articles, Sharon. I recommend starting here.
I do agree that many Obama supporters are angry, but I believe their passion is a reflection of the hope they have in their candidate. Many of us are desperate for a change in leadership that can jump start Our nation in the right direction. I think an Obama loss will be devastating for many, and that fear is expressed as anger towards those who are either too uninformed or too conservative to do the right thing.

Even if you're not Jewish, Bill???

I have enjoyed reading all the responses and, for the most part, have found them to be reasoned, even if I think they are wrong. However, when someone states that you will "burn in hell" by voting for Obama, I have to wonder if there can be any hope for this country.

People do get passionate when discussing politics, but statements like that have no place on Gather or anywhere else.

I support Obama because after checking out the facts, I believe he is our nations best chance, best hope, to change the crap going on in our nation.
Politics has always been nasty.. but it's time to change it and do what's best for us.. the people of this great nation rather than just big business and politicians.
We are in a mess and more of the same thinking that got us into this mess will most likely NOT get us out.
I'm not angry.. I am saddened by the trash the McCain people are throwing out right now. Mrs. McCain talks about how upset she was when Obama didn't sign support for the troops.. she doesn't talk about the fact that her husband also voted again it..
Both Obama and McCains records are online.. check them out.
Also McCain talks about how he supports the VETS... lololol They just gave him a D and Obama and Biden got B.
It's public record.
I vote for hope, for change, not fear and slander.

Happy voting,
Donna

Carla,

I'm always happy to get the truth out there. But, Obama has not yet gone 8 years as President. Like G.W. he promises to be a uniter and not a divider. Like Obama, G.W. promised to surround himself with good people and run things like a CEO.

Also, you might remember Obama's attempts to discredit his opponents when he lost a race for the House of Representatives. I'm sure you've been listening to your local NPR station that ran over Obama's early political career as I did.

Also, when you think of the bold face lies of the Obama campaign that Obama spouted, you know that he is as capable of misleading you. He suggested that voting for John McCain is voting for 4 more years of Bush. Since John McCain is not the same person as G.W. Obama's statement is false. As you wish to be literal, one can use the same techniques to discredit Obama as you attempt to discredit Republicans. (My argument parallels your arguments. Hence, you need to provide distinguishable facts to move beyond shouting to create a debate.)


Oh, what really scares me are those that fly a Confederate -- not a Georgia -- flag and think it's a mark of individual independence and justified rebellion. Like the argument you pose, it lacks details to support it. (I'm not equating the merits of the arguments, I'm scoring debating points.)

Donna,
Excellent! You used details instead of generalizing that "the right thing" is to support Obama. Another poster, Fernando denies others a chance to know the argument and declares that their opposition is wrong as it is not "the right thing."

Hon, a lot of us are disenchanted with both parties. Repubs are Obama bashing pretty loudly too.
I hate politics AND politicians and have been voting for 'the lessor of the two evils' for many more years thank I care to count. Sigh........