Sharpe's Opinion

I was never right-wing to begin with, so I can’t “leave”, but I agree

I have consistently “supported” Obama, as even with those of his actions I dislike, on those issues Republicans have been worse. It was their stance on Iran that really did it for me, with their ill thought out demands for Obama to DO SOMETHING & their utter disregard for the effect of lack thereof, or the harm this could have done, within Iran itself.

It was Larison who convinced me on this matter. So, while I am a liberal & a universalist (& hail Obama’s recent decision on Afghanistan) I have parted company with the hardcore hawks once & for all, after wondering whether they had a point for a time.

I cannot see Obama losing in 2012. But I think he might get a setback in 2010 as his voters are not so energised, whereas Republicans are as they are virtually always enraged. I think they have influence out of proportion to their numbers because they are better organised, so there should be worry at the DNC over this. As Obama’s actions have been polarising (he isn’t polarising by nature, but his policies are so inevitably) his hardcore foes will all be there.

Part of it is, furthermore, because too many Obama supporters are unthinkingly pro-government & think that once their man is in that’s it, campaign is over. Whereas we Britons know that residual loyalty kills. People on the left persist in defending Brown when they should be amongst his staunchest critics, & they always seem to pull their punches, but hopefully the Dem base will be vocal in lobbying, as you can be sure Republicans never give up.

What I will add. Charles Johnson should not be supported as he is & has always been a ***. He has gone from a right-wing *** to a left-wing ***. But the left should not embrace him. Converts are usually bad news for the sides they join. His motives are suspect in the extreme- a blogger called “Dennis the Peasant” has been on about this, as I would explain if I weren’t done in from working all the hours over Christmas.

I were talking about Republicans- I mean their anger at Obama is more likely to get them to the polls than Democrats, who are often apathetic/fatalistic especially in mid-terms.

They are fearing a low turnout as it will lead to losses for them. I also am troubled by this, as I have opposed just about everything the GOP leadership has come out with, so I’m obliged to stick with Dems really.

And I think you are overly optimistic about the Repubs getting the vote out.

I think (if they keep McCain as their front-runner shudder) they are facing just as much of a ‘Nah! Think I’ll stay at home’ backlash as the Dems…