I have recently been struck by many diaries and comments where people talk about having switched from being Sen. Clinton supporters, some very ardent supporters, to becoming Sen. Obama Supporters. That raised the question in my mind that it would be enlightening to poll how the events over this primary season have affected such changes or switches.
I am therefore putting together this poll that is intended to do just this and asks the question: If you were a Sen. Clinton supporter but now are an Obama supporter, what made you switch? What action or words on the part of Sen. Clinton's campaign turned you off?
I was won over to Obama as I became aware of the community organization he had done, and how he brought that experience to his approach and belief about bringing change coming from the bottom up that requires people to step up, become involved in bringing about the needed changes. This is an essential difference between the Obama and the Clinton campaigns that is reflected in the chants of supporters at campaign events - Obama's chant "Yes WE can!!" and Hillary's chants "Yes SHE will!"
Continued below the fold ...
I initially tilted towards Senator Edward for his passion on the question of poverty and fairness to sectors of the country that have been hurt over the past many years, but I was open to Senator Obama or Senator Clinton being my choice. I was turned off from Sen. Clinton by some of the things that she and her campaign did in Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada. That possibility was finally closed by President Clinton's Jesse Jackson comments in South Carolina which I saw as clear attempts to tap into racial stereotypes and sentiments.
I was won over to Obama as I became aware of the community organizing he had done, and how he brought that experience to his approach and belief about bringing change from the bottom up by getting people to step up and become involved in bringing about needed change. This is an essential difference between the Obama and the Clinton campaigns that is reflected in the chants at campaign rallies where Obama's supporters chant "Yes WE can!!" and Hillary's chant "Yes SHE will!"
Please take the following poll that asks what turned you from a Senator Clinton supporter to a Senator Obama supporter. I am choosing to focus on Sen. Clinton’s actions since the past two or so weeks have been one of throwing the kitchen sink at Obama that have turned off a lot of her supporters.
(POLL at Bottom of Page)
I have tried to capture the main events in the poll but understand that it is not comprehensive. Please leave comments if there were other events that should have been included and if appropriate I can incorporate them into a second poll. In addition if you were an Obama supporter but switched over and you are now a Clinton supporter because of something that Obama did, please leave your comments.
At the end of this campaign the shared goal as Democrats is to win the White House, elect strong majorities in the US Senate and House of Representatives, prevent the Supreme Court becoming over run with like minded members, and forge a working coalition that will be able to deliver on the many promises and challenges facing us!
POLL follows: