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Post by DamieQue™ on Feb 21, 2008 14:58:37 GMT -5
That seems to be the knock that most people are going with right now on Obama. That people like him so they'll vote for him, not because of his policy or stance, but because they like him.
So my question is - who was the last president that didn't enjoy an Emotionalism Block Vote? I'm not asking this to say it's alright for Obama, but the more I'm thinking about it, the more I have to concede that there have been very FEW presidents who haven't received an Emotionalism Block Vote. Most people don't know ANY of the candidates positions. They vote on what they like.
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Post by No Screen Name on Feb 21, 2008 15:18:16 GMT -5
I kind of agree--they talked about this on the radio today. People want a likeable president that they can connect with.
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Post by DamieQue™ on Feb 21, 2008 15:29:10 GMT -5
Reagan beat the tar out of Dukakis in part because people liked Reagan. He really wasn't that great of a leader, in fact he was inept in many areas. He still won 2 terms.
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Post by Cambist on Feb 22, 2008 8:37:18 GMT -5
Emotionalism is the term used to degrade Obama and his supporters. IT's often used to describe black folks and usually is a back-handed way of saying "Non-intellectual" or without intellectual basis.
Good point, Damie. G.W. Bush and the entire Republican party ran on emotion in the last 2 elections. Bill Clinton ran on emotion and "feeling others pain" in the '02 and '06 elections.
Leaders must inspire.
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Post by DamieQue™ on Feb 22, 2008 11:18:16 GMT -5
I agree. It just seems now all of sudden, inspiring people is a bad thing or if you haven't memorized the entire dossier of your candidates work in politics that somehow you support isn't justified.
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Post by Sista08 on Feb 22, 2008 11:22:59 GMT -5
<---nodding in agreement
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Post by Southie on Feb 22, 2008 11:24:18 GMT -5
With this argument, you could say that Kennedy, Roosevelt, and Carter rode the emotional bandwagaon.
I think with this election, more people are taking the time to become aware of the specific issues and the strategies that each candidate has mentioned. With all of the various media outlets, blogs, and water cooler talk, its hard to not have an idea what issues are important and how each candidate is responding.
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Post by DamieQue™ on Feb 22, 2008 12:01:30 GMT -5
I agree Southie, but on more than one occasion now I've seen people ask Obama supporters what Legislation he has passed. As though it was some sort of Litmus test.
Obama is running principally on change and what he wants to do. That's what attract most people to his campaign. How is it therefore a fair to question your support for a man based on your memorization of his legislative work, when you what caught your attention was his plans.
And also they don't seem to be asking ANY other candidates supporters that same question
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Post by Southie on Feb 22, 2008 12:05:42 GMT -5
Well then it comes down to how well each candidate articulates his/her specific plan. When did we start hearing about Universal Healthcare? When did we start discussing in detail NAFTA? Yes, every candidate wants to improve the economy, provide tax breaks, etc. but its really comes down to what is actually said in terms of a strategy.
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