Maybe I'm too cynical, but when Obama quipped that Republicans were whispering their support to him, I thought, "Yeah, sure. Maybe one or two. But is it a movement?"
This morning, though, one of my patients made me realize that perhaps it really is a movement.
"I noticed you took down your Edwards sign," he said. "Who are you supporting now?"
"Obama."
That earned a big grin. "Me, too." He told me that he'd supported Edwards, too, because he thought Edwards was the most pro-labor candidate and the closest to his own position on health care. Like me, my patient would like to see a Canada-style single payer system here in the States.
Then he dropped the bombshell. "I've always voted Republican."
He didn't say anything negative about the Republican candidates; he was more focused on issues, and in each case, the Democratic candidate (Edwards or Obama) was more in line with his thinking than the Republican options. He also felt the Democrats would be more fiscally conservative. But the thing he liked the most about Obama was Obama's message of "reaching out across the aisle." He's convinced Obama can bring Democrats and Republicans together to get the work done.
So: not your average Kool-Aid drinker.
Personally, I'm uncomfortable with Obama's "reaching out across the aisle" message of unity. I think the only time President Obama should reach out across the aisle is when he needs to slap some Republican congressman silly. That's one of the things I liked best about John Edwards: I felt he was most likely to kick a few asses come January '09.
But if "reaching out across the aisle" is what it takes to sweep November, I'll live with my discomfort.
I'll be in and out of here all day . . . still have lots of wax and boogers to deal with before my day is over (I'm an ENT). But I wanted to share this with y'all. (If anyone has suggestion on tags, I'd be grateful!)