Several Republicans I've talked to in Ohio are in a funk. Few have much enthusiasm for McCain, who will be their party's nominee. They don't much care for him, though they may vote for him in the GE. They don't know much about Obama, but they do know one thing, it's likely that a Democrat will win in November, and they abhor the thought of a President Hillary Clinton. So much so, that many intend to request Democratic ballots in the open primary, and cast their anti-Hillary vote for Obama, to prevent this nightmare-to-them from happening.
While I wished their support for Obama was more genuine, it was interesting to hear that many thought that between McCain, Obama, and Clinton, there was no one that they actually wanted, but that they would settle for Obama.
It was interesting to me how many negatives McCain has within his own party--almost as many as Hillary amongst Repubs. And yes, I know that the Republican smear machine will do its best to up Obama's negatives, but I was also amazed at how few folks I spoke to--of either party--had actually heard a full Obama speech. Seeing is believing.
In that regard, I renew my urging of Obama strategists to mass burn DVDs for bulk mail distribution to voters without cable and high-speed internet (millions of rural and middle Americans). This strategy
allows those non-cable-connected, non-youtube-watching, non-political junkies out there in the voting nation a chance to view him in their own homes at a time of their choosing. Once people have had their hope ignited by Obama, I think they will be able to withstand the smearing. Particularly if McCain is their only alternative.
And for those Republicans that gave him their primary vote it will allow them to actually transform an anyone-but-Hillary vote, to an Obama-positive position by November. They are unlikely to ignite any heart-felt support for McCain, who they already know well, and are willing at this point to give Barack the benefit of the doubt. Let's seize this amazing window of opportunity.
In psychology they talk about a concept called "cognitive dissonance." It seems to be a human truth that if a person takes a position (like voting) for something they thought they were against, that the very act of supporting the new position, created a shift in opinion towards it. What this means is that these anti-Hillary Obama primary votes could be converted into solid pro-Obama voting by disheartened Republicans in the GE in November.
Do you agree?