The reason’s simple:

The more voters get to know Obama, the more presidential he looks, and the more voters like him.

Conversely, the more voters get to “really” know Hillary, the less presidentail she looks, and the less voters like her.

Sorry, Jack, but the truth is simply the truth.

Easy Question Jack: The better people get to know Obama, the more they want to see him win the nomination and the more they see of Hillary, the less they want her in the White House.

Jack,
To quote Bill Clinton ” You better vote for the candidate that tells you to think and hope” That would be Barack Obama.

They cannot stand hearing Hillary anymore. Her time was up long ago.

Democrats have changed their minds because we are independent minded. We are not sheep to be led around by the nose and we don’t like candidates that take us for granted. If you want my vote,earn it!

Jack I believe the biggest reason for so many democrats changing their minds was the slash and burn tactics of the Clinton campaign. I want to vote for a candidate who is running with high minded goals of helping the citizenry of this country. The tactics of the Clinton campaign have revealed her to be more concerned with her and her husbands legacy than the well being of her fellow citizens.

Jack it’s really pretty simple. People don’t like someone they can’t trust and the polls taken over the last month paint the same picture your numbers suggest.

Jack,

I think it is all about time. In the beginning of all of this I was very happy with the three Democrats, Clinton, Obama and Edwards. As time went on John Edwards moved on and his supporters had to go some where. Now that things have gone further we have seen many different sides of the candidates and for me the more I watch Hillary the less I like her.

Dave P.
Iowa City, Iowa

It started in South Carolina and hasn’t stopped since. Everytime Bill Clinton opens his mouth, Hillary’s support sinks.

I think Democrats were willing to put Hillary in the White House. But when they were reminded that included Bill Clinton, they started looking for an alternative.

I don’t think most Democrats knew much about Obama a few months ago and now they do. Also, some people are followers and if they see something or someone gain popularity they follow like sheep. I think before this is all over, the undecided will flip back and forth a few times.

I don’t think it’s because Obama has better plans or a stronger message or anything like that. (He does, but that’s not why people are switching)

What’s going on is that there’s an increasing acceptance of two important ideas:

1) That there is a sense of urgency, real or imagined, that the Democrats must have a nominee as soon as possible to compete with McCain in the fall, certainly no later than the end of June.

2) That since Hillary Clinton cannot have a legitimate win against Obama in the primary she cannot legitimately win against McCain in November.

Remember: There aren’t any superdelegates in the General Election. That means there’s noone Hillary can make a case to about electability when she comes up short in the Electoral College.

Because they are not focused on the issues. They are after the character, charisma and external appearance. That kind of thinking is the pitfall of any democracy. It is sad that people have lost focus on the real issues and going after useless negetive campaign and change their minds. This whole country will loose again with that kind of an attitude.

Nuwan from Houston, TX

Obama started winning the hearts and minds! The hearts with the call for change, his desire to bring the sides together, etc. Once they started using their minds, and started actually thinking, Hillary was sunk. Politicians are traditionally beholden to those who are big donors, like Hillary would be. Look at the numbers of donors, and the amounts of donations Obama would owe fielty to– the average american!! Isn’t that who he should be beholden to?? The Clintons have displayed gross mismanagement of their campaign and its finances, have typically resorted to dirty politics, introduced race, lied, and otherwise performed like a typical politician who will preserve the status quo.

Clinton has been in so much hot water Jack that she can’t even tread it so how do you expect the American people to? The last thing we need in this political climate, the economy mess and the onging never ending war is someone we can’t trust and can’t even run her campaign without drama. Most remember the drama we had to live through with this family once already…the new Obama cry needs to be “NO SHE CAN’T, NOT THIS TIME”

As one learns more about HRC and begins to know the real person, the more one tends to vote for Obama. Or anyone else. Except McSame.

The American voters have realized that people do not change with the times; they have to change the times….. And a wise voter changes his mind, where a foolish voter never will.

In the beginning, Hillary was ahead because people were familiar with her name. Then we met Obama and everything changed.

We found out that politics doesn’t have to be the way it has always been–the lesser of two bad choices. We don’t have to take the nasty tasting medicine—”hold our nose and vote for Hillary”. We can have a candidate who we like, one who we trust, one who gives us hope for what can happen next, one who invites us to be involved in our government and in what happens next in this nation that we love. Barack Obama is a whole new kind of candidate and I believe he is exactly what we need for this time.

It never made sense to me that Senator Clinton had support a year ago, so for people to switch to Obama seems easy enough.

I suspect that people supported her primarily because of name recognition. Her positions are pretty mainstream for a democrat, so people saw her as inevitable. When Senator Obama came along, he offered the same policies only with a much more exciting leadership style that makes the race fascinating. The bottom line, though, is that we really want this guy to be our president.

Jack
Hillary keeps having these memory lapses about her past conquests no wonder voters are changing their minds. Listening to stories and not having these stories confirmed before using them is a dangerous game, do you think this could be a reason ?

Hello Jack,
it`s simple: nobody likes realizing that all those speeches from a candidate were, actually, April fool`s ones! Everybody`s tired of a soap opera with Mrs. Clinton as a main star, Mr.Clinton as a producer and Chelsea as a guest star. People are craving for change, and this trio from the last century does not exactly look like it.

Gee, could it be the daily Obama worship services that certain networks conduct? Perhaps the fact that the networks thrash Hillary every day while giving Obama a pass?? Or could it also be the endorsements Obama gets from Dem bigwigs, who know he is unelectable, but want to be seen on his bandwagon for political purposes??

Otherwise, I just can’t imagine…

Jack,
I guess Congress has infected us with the “can’t make up our minds” disease. Why don’t we all just not vote for any of these do nothing special interest puppets?
Beth
Richmond, Virginia

This Democrat changed her mind about Hillary when she became so negative. Her husband started it in South Carolina and she soon joined him.

My husband and I were planning to vote for Clinton but we have had too much negativity in the last 7 years. It looked like she was going to cause the country a lot of hate and discontent; plus, Bush, Clinton, Bush and ——Please, no more Clintons. I hope they can go out gracefully and not hurt the party or take away from every good thing they did during their presidency.

Enjoy your comments. It is good to hear honesty.

Voters are tired of the same, old politics and Obama brings something fresh to the table. I assumed I would vote for Clinton, being she’s an older woman and I’m an older woman, but Senator Obama has managed to stir up something I haven’t seen in decades: optimism. He’s got my vote.

It’s easy – the more information people find out the more informed discussion they make. Being able to look at new information and update your position should not be suggested as something bad Jack. When people don’t do that we end up in an endless war b/c “stay the course” is seemingly positioned as better than changing ones mind.

Hi Jack,

Well let’s see why so many have changed their mind?

Apparently race always trumps gender…….That is why folks are changing their minds, plain and simple.

As for me, I am voting on the future of this country, and I hope the rest of America wakes up and does the same.

Maggie in SC

The longer the primary goes on more democrats change their minds from Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama because with the internet now in play as soon as you hear something you can check it out and unfortunately for Hillary more and more negatives are coming to light from her past and present and they can be validated on line. Her negatives just keep on popping up. For someone who is supposed to have 35 years of experience you would have thought that she would have learned how to cover her butt better. My feeling is Barack Obama is offering change he is new, a breath of fresh air. He will make mistakes and he will learn from them. I don’t think it will take him 35 years to learn either.
Judie
St. Augustine, Fl.

Its simply a numbers game. 12 months ago, Hillary was crowned Queen. Of course all the democrats initially supported her…The democrats know how important it is to correct the downward spiral America is taking. However, now there is a comparable candidate..without all the baggage…so, yes we are switching.

The best political team on television keeps telling us it occurs once the voters get to know Senator Obama. His campaign obviously sees it the same. They chop down Clinton’s lead state after state by rushing Obama from factory to barnyard. The merchandise sells itself.

The answer for me is the number of canidates that started this race. As they dropped out another choice had to be made. I am not sure the best stayed in, but a spotted dog named democrat would get my vote before a republician.

Over the course of the campaign, each candidate has shown his and her true colors. It was easy for Sen. Clinton to appear above the fray when she was considered the inevitable nominee. Iowa shook her from her lethargy and she transformed from Hillary the President To Be into Hillary the Assassin.

And during it all, Sen. Obama, in spite of the hits he took, continues to act presidential. Think of what he could throw at her is he didn’t respect her as a fellow democrat! That she had shown him the same respect when she endorsed Sen. McCain over him.

Greg
Oak Park, IL

Because for the first time we’ve decided to listen to our hearts and not our heads. Once our heart informs our mind that Hillary represents Lies and Obama represents Truth, changing our mind is inevitable.

They can read? To see more of her is to dislike, distrust her? They have observed her senate record? She has less experience than any other candidate? She lies when the truth would better serve? all of the above?

I believe that people have began to notice that Hype, Hubby and Hyperbole are not enough to make MRS Clinton experienced enough to be president.

Jack,
Words matter and lies have short legs!
They changed their minds to avoid Katrina (disater). I don’t recall the last time Hillary told the truth. Liars can only back liars. Democrats don’t want to be called liars. Just listen to what she said today about Obama (he is talker not a doer!, he can’t bring our troops home, “just words”…). Jack as you know, for “just words” Bill Clinton collected $52 millions, put food on the table and bought big house in New York. Words matter and lies have short legs.

Jack,
We have finally found a candidate who thinks before he speaks. He doesn’t have a “pat answer” to the question. You can see the wheels turning. When Hillary is asked a question, she starts speaking before the question is completed; and usually the response doesn’t have anything to do with the question asked. Do we really want four more years of lies?

I think it has to do with the media bias against Hillary. Bill might have said some shocking or displeasing things and Hillary has embellished the truth a few times. But her career would be finished for good if Bill said he was ashamed of America and she locked arms with Louis Farrakhan. Why isn’t it over for Barak “Ossama”? Are we condescending to him.
On top of that, people who have no experience (the youth) are voting for a guy with no clout. I will never vote for Barak Obama. There is nothing he can say that will make me agree with him. And if he is nominated, I will vote for Ralph Nader.

It appears from the poll that about 2.5 times more changed their mind to Obama’s favor than the other way around. That happens to coincide with the avarage of 2.5 times that Obama has outspent Hillary in this race. It also happens to coincide with the 2.5 times more favorable to Obama news media stories or commentaries.

Why don’t they try joint ticket with 3-1-4 option? meaining joint ticket 2008 with whoever is on top becomes president (if win) and resigns after 3 years and other person completes the term with 1 year remaining and also gets the nomination for 2012 and 4 years (if win). This way both gets chance to become president.

The “kitchen sink” strategy soured me on Clinton. Her comment that only she and McCain had crossed some mythical “threshold” for commander-in-chief was the final straw. I don’t know if she’s crossed the threshold, but she certainly crossed the line as far as I’m concerned.

Because the candidates themselves, both of them flawed and less than perfect, have made it easy for Americans, a Fickle people at the best of times, to change their minds. If either candidate was really THAT good, those minds would Not have changed, now would they?

Mike, From Staten Island, New York

I don’t know which democrats you’re talking about, I haven’t changed mine, it’s Hillary! Is this yet another setup question to push Obama? Are you trying to make us think that most or all new voters will vote for him? These young voters probably won’t even go to vote in November and we will end up with McCain! I am sick and tired of the media telling us to vote for Obama! Young people haven’t really studied the issues, they are just overwhelmed by his rhetorics! Did you see him questioning Gen. Petraeus? not very presidential, he looked nervous, sounded unsure and was even corrected by the General in the way he asked a question!
Mecca
Puerto Rico

Well, I’m independent – so I’ll comment from that standpoint. The truth in this case, is that Hillary is a liar – and she surrounds herself with liars, which only expedites her demise. Some dems are finally tuning in to truth, hence – they’re jumping ship. I’m a fan of Obama’s candor and willingness to confront conflict. Who cares about his former pastor; they’re all taught to scream controversy in harsh tones from the pulpit anyway. Obama is appealing because his approach is more acceptable than the brash, cocky arrogance of the Clinton Cluster. It’s only a matter of time before we find Hillary tucked back in a corner, curled up in the fetal position and foaming at the mouth. This is going to get ugly…….

Bev H.
Ft. Worth, TX

Jack,
Remember the 60’s Dylan tune “The Times They are A-changin’?” Some of its lyrics hint at the vacillation phenomenon your question addresses.
…………………………
For the loser now
Will later win
For the times they are a-changin.

The internet and its instant blogging has changed the political scene. Hillary exaggerates and You Tube puts it in perspective in a nanno second. Rev. Wright delivers fire and damnation and it’s out there in an endless loop. The body politic is overwhelmed by the information deluge and it hasn’t learned to adjust. Perhaps it never will.
Jack, The order is rapidly fadin’–we need you!

Probably for the same reason I changed my mind. I was a Clinton supporter who began to lose faith when she decided that Florida and Michigan don’t have to play by the rules. I lost faith completely after her strange stories about being under attack (I guess by the flowers) at the airport and later by the hospital story.

I want to vote for someone who believes that a law is a law, a rule is a rule, and then sticks to it. That’s not Clinton.

I voted for Obama.

Anne
Texas

Two reasons in my opinion:

1) Most people don’t watch cable news, so many more people knew Hillary Clinton from her White House days, while few knew who Barack Obama was. So she started with a lot of support because of that time. As he became more well known people switched because they liked him.

2) People started remembering what the Clintons were like, and switched because they didn’t like her.

Like the story goes – Hillary seemed to have it handled. She had the famous, or infamous name, and all the previous limelight. But then Obama introduced himself to the constituency and they appreciate option of change offered and someone who seems real. Yes, he’s a politician, who of us isn’t. We all negotiate and we all have someone in our life that we love and admire even if they bring us controversy.

Obama also has to screw up bad, Hillary already has been part of scandalSSS, and continues to create more on her own. We tired of it, a fresh start and face to scrutinize would be a change of pace. In walks Obama.

I haven’t. I have been going to vote for Hillary since she entered the race on January 20th and I am still going to vote for her on May 6th in NC. My twin 18 year old sons and husband are going to vote for Obama. In November we are going to vote for the Democratic Nominee. So there is no mind changing here at the Brooks’ house in NC. We know what we want and it is out with the Republicans plain and simple.

Colleen Brooks

At the beginning of the Primary season, Barack Obama was sort of the “blind date” for Democratic voters – they didn’t know him. Now they’ve met him, ate at diners with him, even gone bowling with him. The voters are falling in love with a politician for the first time and they’re bringing him home to the approval of their parents.

Because he keeps saying “change and Yes we can” and they fall for it, as meaningless as it is. What are his positions on anything. Even his spoksperson can not name any bills he has sponsored. In fact he did not vote on most. Present is not a vote. He is an empty suit.
Hillarry has co-sponsored over 50 bills with Republican support, she can work with both sides.
Hillary in 08.

Jack,

At first Hillary Cinton had name recognition, people were going to vote for what they knew, but as the people grew to know Barack Obama his popularity grew. Hillary could only go so far on the name “Clinton”.
As The Clinton campaign goes on, everyone is remembering the distrust they had for the Clintons.

Well, I am one of those 25% who changed their support. I had throw in with Hillary thinking she had the best bet of beating the Republicans in the Fall. I liked Obama and found he more closely fit my values than Clinton but I regarded him as a lightweight. His dynamic, intelligent campaign and overwhelming charisma forced me to realize he was a serious and viable candidate. I came to the conclusion he is the superior campaigner and changed my support. Nothing succeeds like success and Barack is succeeding.

Ray Kinserlow
Lubbock, Texas

COMMON GOOD BEFORE INDIVIDUAL GOOD and boy can Obama sell it.

I haven’t changed my mind Jack. I am & have always been for John Edwards & I wish he had never left the race. Why? Because as much as I like Sen. Obama, he can’t debate worth spit. Sen. Clinton should have never ran for President because she has too much baggage attached to her name. John Edwads has out debated some of the very same corporate lawyers that John McCain has helping him in his campaign. Bring back John Edwards & put Sen. Obama as the VP on the ticket & we’ll have a winner.

Hi Jack – Your blog entry today cracked me up… I think democrats realize they have some of the best choices they’ve had in decades for presidential candidates.

While the pundits are quick to say that African Americans are voting for Obama because he’s African American, Obama may appeal to African Americans because of his race, but many were taking a “wait and see” approach. Once Obama’s qualifications were on tap and his message was clear – many democrats (regardless of his race) embraced him as their candidate. Because the messge of change echoes loudly for people of color, the youth, the educated and the affluent.

Hillary has been embraced by blue-collar workers because they find it hard to believe the system can be changed. And they want to return to the 90’s when the economy was working for them.

I think such great choices will make even the most commited voter change their mind. And because both candidates’ platform on the issues are quite similar, it now boils down to character, likability, and electability.

As long as the democratic nomination race remains undecided, democratic voters would continue to change their minds in concordance with prevailing political circumstances. I happen to be an Obama man but the only reason why it appears to be that more democratic voters are turning to him has to do with the timing of the polls. It simply shows how much Hillary Clinton has been hurt by Bosnian sniper fire and Colombiagate.

The pro Obama press have been guiding the stories and positive-negative coverage to sway public opinion so often that people are swayed into changing their mind. CNN and MSNBC have have worked as hard as possible to make people change their mind to their candidate of choice. Jack, you are the Grand Marshal of this circus parade. You probably assured John McWar the presidency

How could anyone trust one word out of the mouth of Senator Clinton? The longer this campaign goes on, the more she proves herself to be untrustworthy, polarizing, desperate and deceiptful. The Clintons even donated $10 million to themselves for a charitable write-off. How could she ever be trusted to run this country when she clearly cannot even manage her own campaign. I wish even more voters in PA would switch to Obama so she could just go back to New York!!!!

I guiess they are unpledged, and fell free to tell polls anything…

Because they are two of the best Democratic candidates to run at the same time – ever.

Jack,
An easy one – as people have had an opportunity to learn more about Senator Obama they’ve liked what they’ve seen.
If there had been more time for him to campaign in all the states before Super Tuesday this would have been over 2 months ago. If folks actually take the time to learn about this candidate they will find he is a complete breath of fresh air…. the winds of change are blowing Jack!

the writing is on the war jack, we need to get outta iraq, like yesterday, we should not rebuild baghdad with our childrens futures, obama gets the core issues close to most democrats, and besides democrats are sick and tired of the republicans drumbeating for war against iran, and hillary voting for the iraq mess, is obviously costing her the nomination and much more! hillary doesnt stand a chance, mccain doesnt stand a chance!!! Americans are becoming increasingly impatient and out raged, and the hillary will pay a price for her support of this iraq war!!!

Jack, maybe it’s because Americans have realized that if they really want change instead of the status quo which they have had for decades the only choice is Barack Obama. It’s time that there is someone other than a Bush or a Clinton in the White House don’t you think.

Go Obama

It’s human nature, when something is about to explode or implode at this point, people tend to move away. In this case, the Clinton campaign is imploding like a sub sinking into the Mariana Trench in the Pacific ocean and there’s no rescue team on the way. Funny how “truth and dignity” always win out in the end. Obama ‘08.

This very long primary season has fully revealed the candidates and their attributes: their personalities and positions, their responses to various levels of inquiry and pressure, their strenghts and weaknesses, and their respective views about their GOP opponent. The voters have gotten to know a little known Illinois politician, and generally liked what they discovered about him as an individual; they then accepted or rejected his call to follow him in proposing change . Others have heard Hillary’s voice, after she found it in New Hampshire, and become more familiar with her solution-packed message; they have then either accepted or rejected the “policy wonk” approach. Once McCain locked up the GOP nomination, voters changed allegiance as they considered what it would take for the Democrats to win in November. The voters will continue to change as no dominant winner has emerged – no one set of attributes is the clear winner against McCain – and they may continue to change their minds for some time to come…at least through to the Convention.

The reason that so many democrats have decided to swith alliegance to Murak Obama is because they see in him a greater chance and stronger probability of him leading the ticket in the upcoming election due to the facts that they find him unique and also because heis a male. This is really quite unfortunate however as due to Hillary Clinton’s personal an political experienceshe has forgotten moreabout politics than he will ever know and her handling of the often revamped Monica Lewinsky affair have shown her to have a deeper and stroger strenth of character than he has ever been known to have. Frank in Sarasota.

Jack

There is a simple one word answer that likely swayed more people to Obama. Credibility.

Jack, that is the easiest answer of all the questions you have asked in your blog. It is Hillary’s personality, her blunders, her lies, he dirty tactics that have made people change their minds about her. Her plastic smile, her expression of happiness in front of her followers, all false, of course, does not fool anybody.
I will paraphrase the words of the one who introduced McCain yesterday in an outdoor speech: I have my Tiger Woods!!!!!
(Which, by the way, is a racist remark and nobody talks about it except Keith Olbermann)

300,000,000 people in this country and these candidates are the best we can find? Absolutely dreadful. Set your calendars for 4 or 8 more years of waste, losses, and embarrassment. It is ugly out there.

Jack, it’s all the lying from Hill, that is turning everybody off. How many more do we need to make our case? How is it that Clinton supporters can forgive the Lewinsky scandal, and all the blatant lies and fairy tales this woman has spoken, but not forgive Rev. Wright? How is it possible that she is trying to cow-tow to blue collar workers, when she has stayed silent on supporting labor unions during her Wal-Mart years? We’re tired of the contradiction and lies from Clinton. And people are finally accepting “no more Bushes, no more Clintons.” The Dynasty is over.

I don’t think it’s necessarily just Democratic voters, if the Republican nominating process awarded delegates via proportional representation John McCain might not be the presumptive nominee. He won a majority in few, if any, of the contested Republican primaries. Plenty of Republicans would be changing their minds, as well. I was initially pulling for Dennis Kucinich and John Edwards, but I’ve since resolved on Barack Obama. Almost one-third of the electorate changes their minds in a general election. It’s healthy in a democracy. I hope Bill Barr, Jesse Ventura and scores of others also seek the presidency.

Luke,
Harlem, NY

Jack the general public is tired of the same old politics, that the Clintons have engaged in. Bill has been up front and Hillary is in denial. THE COLUMBIA FREE TRADE

Jack,
To me race is not the issue. He could be green with yellow spots. He is a breath of fresh air when it comes to the same old song and dance in politics and I think that is what most people are beginning to hear. Hillary is still old school and Obama is new school. Maybe they finally are starting to really go for the change they have been screaming about…..Change!!!

Jack at first I voted for Joe Biden after yesterday’s hearings I’m convinced I was right. Now I’m hoping Barak Obama wins. Hillary has too many americans who just can’t stomach her personally. Republican economic policy only helps the people who have lots of money by sticking it too the rest of us….

They are finally seeing the light as far as Hilliary goes. Her integrity has become a major question mark in the minds of many especially since we’ve had a president who does not have any integrity at all and the American people are tired of it. Hilliary and Bill will lie and cheat to get back into the white house and that aspect of their campaign is not going to change one iota!

Jack,
As this primary campaign stretches out, we are seeing and hearing more of Hillary (and Bill) that we just do not like.

I believe that people are listening to their gut, to their instinct. Mine is telling me to vote for Obama.

Houston, TX

After yesterday’s poor performance, I seriously doubt it. The GOP will eat him alive on this issue. But listen, if the next president was in the room yesterday, and the next president is going to the only person who can bring the remaining 140000 troops home, can’t we now redirect some of the Petreaus questions to them? Under what specific conditions would you bring the troops home, or alternatively, Under what conditions would you be required leave them there? They all give similar caveats – as soon as possible (Dems), whenever the middle east looks like Western Europe (for McCain) – but presumably certain specific conditions must be met, some level of order acheived or chaos reduced. This isn’t an abstraction.

Because Hillary’s true colors have come shining through as a person who’s self interest is more important than the party ? Because Hillary has been a very poor manager of her campaign and Obama has been effective? Because Hillary tends to lie and call it ‘mis speak’?
Because they worked with her in the first White House and can’t stand the thoughts of her viciousness operating again?
Pick one Jack.

I’m a switcher — although immediately after New Hampshire, I would have been happy with any of the Democrats running. My support was Hillary Clinton’s to lose — and she did so by condescending to voters who didn’t choose her, belittling caucus states like mine, and attempting to inflate credentials that she didn’t need to overstate.

When the inconsistencies grew louder than the points in her favor, it made me receptive to hearing the ways Obama is different, from his ability to respect opposing viewpoints to his refusal to take lobbyist or PAC money.

Hillary Clinton was the known quantity when this race began, and Barack Obama had to catch up. I think “getting to know him” is behind a lot of switches.

I think that as this race goes on, people are remembering what they didn’t like about Bill Clinton’s administration. It is appealing to many to see a “new kind of politics” which is less divisive and more about bringing people together to get things done. The more people get to know Barack Obama, the more they like him, whereas the more negative campaigning we hear from the Clinton campaign, the less people like Hillary. Her dishonesty on the Bosnia trip and her campaign’s connection to the Columbian Free Trade Agreement hasn’t helped.

Simple; Clinton’s a train wreck waiting to happen and people are realising that. Has there ever been a candidate who resorted to last-minute fear tactics and hyperbole to win temporary support and succeeded? In the past few weeks, everything she’s put out there has blown up in her face and the polls are showing that people are finally growing tired of her crash-and-burn strategy. She lost her wide lead in Pennsylvania because she kept feeding people these wild tales that were needlessly exxagerated in hopes that she’d win people over until the media found out she was full of it, which would hopefully be after people voted. She’s dug herself into a hole, and the only thing keeping her head visible is the hope of another eight years of prosperity that her husband brought.

This is the first election in which young people that were raised on the internet and not Sesame Street will vote. Big Brother is here and he is US. Up to date information allows voters to make up to date selections of their candidates.

Simple Jack, OBAMA represents a complete break form the Bush/Clinton dynasty. At least we have someone just like us representing us. We funded the Obama campaign, and will run his Whitehouse, not the special interests.

Jack,
It might have alot to do with finding out about her “misspoken”
words coming from the candidate herself versus the misspoken
words of Obama’s former pastor!!!

Margie
Queen Creek, AZ.

When this election began many felt that Senator Clinton was the Democratic party’s most likely candidate to succeed President Bush. Obama did not have a great deal of support from black voters because they did not believe he could win. But after his wins in predominantly white states black voters rallied behind Obama. Suddenly Obama appeared the stronger candidate causing some to switch allegiances. When it seemed that Clinton would lose her bid for the nomination many in Texas and Ohio gave their support to keep her in the race. The many controversies in this election have cost both Obama and Clinton some of their supporters. But now voters are more concerned with the positions of the candidates on the issues. Both Obama and Clinton will try to make inroads into each others supporters through their policies.

The Clinton machine worked until a skinny kid with a funny name stepped up to the plate. The country took notice and the rest is HISTORY. That’s all it took for people to remember who the Clintons really are. We cannot trust them Jack, we can’t. I will take an inexperienced Obama any day over HILL-LIARy.
Marjorie
Brentwood NY

America needs to approach our international and domestic affairs in a new way, with tolerance. Hillary Clinton had a chance to lead our country but she is not a person who will stand up for a cause unless everyone else is standing too. I would have respected her more if she stood up against the war in Iraq and had the only desenting vote in the senate because that would have taken true grit. Beating up on a young senator who is out politicking her in the primaries is not the kind of toughness I’m looking for.

Every time Hillary Clinton gets caught in a lie or an exageration or a ‘mis-speak’ people are reminded of the scandals and rancor of the Clinton years. Then they start thinking–do we really want Bush,Clinton, Bush, Clinton? Then they switch to Obama.

Jack,

I could have run the Clinton campaign better, and I’m just a housewife and mother from suburban Atlanta. After almost 8 years of dirty underhanded sleazy politics, we wanted something different, but sadly that’s all Clinton was able to offer in the end. So we switched.

Honestly, I feel that candidates in this year’s presidential election haven’t given voters an arm to cling to. It’s like teflon out there. The Republicans are afloat at sea with anchors at every shore. Meanwhile, Democrats are attempting and achieving mutiny. Clinton and Obama are now overboard, having abandoned the ship, floating in life vests.

Everyone wants to back a winner. No one wants to be the one that has to say that they voted for the loser.

Now, if we could just get people to vote for the ‘best” candidate instead of the popular one, we might actually make some progress in D.C.

Well, lets just wait and see. I don’t rely on the media or polls much anymore. I haven’t met a poll that turned out to be correct or a news program that didn’t worship Obama. So do we really know where the momentum is headed? This is what has been frustrating to me, seeing how much the media has bias these days. The race is so close and we don’t have a clear picture yet of who is the strongest candidate. I didn’t think it was fair to ask Hillary to quit over and over again…….that shouldn’t happen to a candidate and it made the Obama campaign look afraid. I think we will see a lot of what the country is really feeling after Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Indiana have their votes. I said this before……I just wish they would run together otherwise they won’t beat John McCain. What is wrong with being Vice President anyway?

I don’t know why some people are changing their minds. Some may be changing their party affiliation in the primary process. Most of my friends have been Hillary supporters all the way! I was considering Obama but Rev. Wright turned me off completely. I am one of those who will not vote an Obama ticket come this fall. You can vote in an election without casting a vote in the presidential race. I may just ignore that section on the Indiana ballot.

clinton has displayed she would be great at reading stories at the public library, because of her illustration of emotion and drama.
we have had enough sat. morning cowboy movie drama with george bush, and his rangers!
obama has stayed his cool thru all of the campains so far and that is hard to do with all the andy hardies (mccain) and nancy drews(clinton)! obama is black and young, but he has acted more responsable .

Hillary has done this to herself. Her credibility, ability to run a campaign or finances, and trustworthiness are shot. Penn and Bill Clinton just show she can’t control anyone or pick anyone to help that would actually stop our loss of jobs.

And who cares about black, white, blue, purple…WHO CARES? Why must we over analyze the voting? I’ll guarantee you that I’m gonna paint myself green and wear my hair under a cap and wear baggy clothes so in November, anyone polling or watching can’t tell what race, gender, etc. I am! We’re A-M-E-R-I-C-A-N voters last time I checked. Isn’t the most important factor this season that we are voting in record numbers? Why is the media sooooooo bent on dividing the country?????

Good grief…I’m a white woman who voted and will vote again for Barack Obama! Geez…get real.

It was the corporate owned media who told us that Hilary was inevitable. Why do you guys still act so surprised when you get things so wrong. National polls boosted Hilary’s numbers because of her higher name recognition in places where polls are conducted, like malls in Paramus, New Jersey. When people got a chance to review the candidates and CAST THEIR VOTES they didn’t change their minds, they merely made them up. cy gardner, arlington, VA

I’m gonna take the cynical route here and say that neither of these candidates are all that great. For myself, when it came time to vote I picked Hillary but really didn’t have any great emotion behind it. I think others may feel the same and that’s why it is so easy to switch their allegiance. The longer this campaign drags on and the more information we get it seems that Obama is coming off as the better candidate. I think if I could vote again I would probably choose Obama but I’m still not very excited about either one.

No one likes to back a loser. Prior to the actual voting the narrative was that Clinton had it in the bag, a vote for anyone else was pointless. Once she came in third in Iowa everything changed.

Maybe the comments by the Clinton supporter who says that the blacks are being pressured to vote Obama has something to do with it. No one seems to think that the amount of money Obama has raised is unusual for a relatively political unknown. Just for the record, I am not anti-black. If Colin Powell ran as an Independent, I would vote for him in a heartbeat.

I don’t know why people have changed their minds so many times, there has been only one clear choice this entire time, and that is Barack Obama.

Obama Richardson 08!!

Jack, for me it was a no brainer. John Edwards dropped out and I was never going to vote for Hillary. But it makes me laugh to see the comments from her supporters that the reason Hillary is behind is because the press is tainted in favor of Obama. Perhaps Hillary has given them more fodder with all of her exaggerations and outright lies. I had enough of that from Bush and Cheney.

I think people have shifted to Obama for two main reasons: (i) they realized that he is a viable candidate with a good chance of winning, and (ii) they have been turned off by HRC’s mistruths and exaggerations.

The Clintonistas would have you believe this is all due to media bias. Give me a break – we heard about the “vast right wing conspiracy” in the 90’s. If this is now a “vast left wing conspiracy”, then I guess everyone is out to get poor Hillary.

Jack

When Hilary agreed with Elliot Spitzer on illeagle aleins receiving US driver license, then reversed and said she only agreed with what he is trying to do!!( after public outrage). Then reflected upon the sniper fire at the airport and later said she “misspoke” I concluded that she did not have the character traits neccesarry to be the Preisdent . I’ve had enough of what the meaning or definition of “Is” “Is”… To confusing I don’t have time to figure what the translation might be in plain English .The truth is if I don’t understand their statements the first time it’s likely I wasn’t supposed to understand them at all …

Because as a party they have never and will never get the big picture.Clinton got elected twice because he went against the Democrat grain,brought in many outsiders and that is why the Democrats hate the Clintons.Their successes in politics and personal endeavours continue to confound the Democrats,who keep trying the same old way to get their candidate elected,i.e.who is the most popular.The real issues never get consideration.And that is why they’ll get killed on November.

Michele from Colorado Springs — you just sound predjudice and racist and need to look within yourself. You have really said nothing of value that correlates with the conversation. Pay attention… all the things you are accussing Obama (yes, this is how a NON-RACIST spells his name, because it IS HIS NAME), Hillary has done a lot of the same. The truth is you wouldn’t vote for Obama regardless of what he says because of who YOU are. Thank god the youth, (with their open minds and free of the past prejudices and racisms this country holds but will NOT admit) is allowed to vote and change this nation for the BETTER!!!!

The more exposure to the spectacle that is the Clinton campaign, the more it reminds us of the drama that was the clinton white house years. We’re tired of the drama.

The more I watch and listen to Hillary the more I distrust her.How can anyone forget that someone didn’t shoot at them.That would be an event you would just remember.Convenient lying and spinning from the Clinton campaign machine at any cost.Lets let the new guy with the least amount of bad character traits have a go.

Jack your such a Hillary basher and wrong as usual I can’t understand why the wolf man an true journalist would keep you there you are an old school relic and a joke that still thinks he is in the fifties. I am still waiting for you to say “Hillary Iron my shirt”
OH by the way you have stated that did vote for that Tyrant George W Bush(Bad Judgement) why don’t you tell that to your viewers everytime you bash Hillary one of the smartest women in office that Bush was your man.

Jack,
Supporters of Clinton need to have a ‘willing suspension of disbelief’ to support her given the never ending steam of ‘misspeaks’. With Obama, since he has no experience, all he can be judged on are platitudes like ‘yes, we can’. The few times he’s been caught face-to-face with specifics (NAFTA, Rev. Wright), he’s gotten burned too. Maybe he’s a quicker study, as he seems to avoid specifics better than Clinton. It’s truly amazing that Clinton keeps making statements that can be disproved.

It’s time for a new face. We had all the Bush’s and Clinton’s I can stand.

Because the only thing they’ve made their minds up about, is that they haven’t made up their minds up on anything else.

Jack, Once in a lifetime a leader comes along that reaches into the mind and hearts of the voter. People always wanted to vote but many could let themselves believe, Barack Obama has been able to stand tall above all that has been thrown at him always taking of a better tomorrow. Many also see this as their last chance for their future and their children’s. America has a long history of looking forward, and for some time now they have not seen one through Bush/Chaney. Barack Obama represents hope which is greatest motivator known to mankind.

David
Dartmouth Nova Scotia

Clinton voters are switching to Obama because their children told them to. Obama is COOL. And mommy and daddy don’t want to disappoint the kiddies!

Jack,
What a great question to pose! Thank you. People are changing their minds because they are getting to know Barak Obama and can see what a great president he will be. His vision of hope is just what we need at this time.

In the beginning it was Hillary Clinton vs. “Who?” Now that Obama has become better known to the American people, more people are liking what they’re seeing and supporting him.

I wa formerly a Hillary support but changed my mind after I got to know Obama. At one point I could have supported either but my support of Hillary has decreased with her increasing manipulation of the truth and display of multiple personalities. I am looking for a steady and strong leader. Obama has shown that he can fit the bill.

“It’s the candidates, stupid!”

I hate to twist a quote, again, but it’s the truth. The more Sen. Clinton campaigns, the more democrats are reminded of the 90’s – the good and the bad and her war vote, her most serious senate accomplishment to date. The more she plays the victim, the more voters bear witness to anything BUT a Margaret Thatcher archetype. Sen. Clinton, when faced with the realization that the voters were not buying her first lady experience, resorted to the ‘anything to win’ game. That is unattractive in an intra-Democratic race of this magnitude and THAT is why voters have run for the hills.

I wish they would pay me Penn’s salary.

The truth of the matter is simply that Hillary Clinton has never been electable. She’s too easy to caricature and she’s been an object of talk-show ridicule for too many decades to successfully turn it around now. If she were the candidate, right-wing mouthpieces like Limbaugh and O’Reilly would have a field day tearing her down. I’d vote for Hillary Clinton, but I’d rather vote for Barak Obama. He not only doesn’t come with years of PR baggage, Clinton’s weaknesses in charisma and public speaking are precisely his strengths.

Jack, really it was just a simple gut check. i asked myself, if the Democratic Party were King Soloman and said “cut the baby in half” Hillary would and Barack wouldn’t. Just like it proves the true mother, it proves the true leader. Hillary is willing to let us all lose, to keep herself from losing. She’s obviously forgotten that politicians are suppossed to be public SERVANTS, not self-serving.

Plain and simple, Hillary has a “likability” issue, but more importantly, once Obama hooked up with Oprah and he learned to speak the language of change, everyone fell in love with him. In spite of Hillary’s likability issue, I still plan to vote for her. If we get Obama, all I can say is, “Can you say Jimmy Carter”. Great person, great humanitarian, not such a great president.

No one wants to vote for a Negative Nancy. Most of those who changed their mind have switched because of negative campaigning from the Clinton camp.

Americans are sleeping, they’d better wake up Obama & his woman are trouble.

Thats pretty simple, there is no one else to vote for. Its win by default, why can’t the Democrats field any decent candidates this year.

I believe they realize that Barack Obama is the right candidate for the Democractic party. The one person who can unite the party and cross party lines to win in November.

Gonzales LA

I belive that Hilliary Clinton from the beginning thought, nobody is going to vote for this black guy. Intelligent or not…they wouldn’t dare. Well, I’m here to tell you that American is ready to move forward in a positive, effective & productive way. Whether the candidate is Native American, Black, Asian, White or Latin. We as a people need to move forward! Without the Slick Clinton’s & John McWarCain!

Jack, I think that after Obama gave his speech on race, a lot of Americans came to the realization that they themselves harbor built up feelings; some more severe than Rev. Wright’s. Obama made people take a closer look at themselves and made them face their own demons. No matter how many people try to lie or deny it, we all have people in our families or with whom we associate with, that have these feelings–whether Anti-Black or Anti-White. I’m originally from the Virgin Islands. I have white friends who have hang-ups where blacks are concerned, and I have black friends who have hang-ups where whites are concerned. I allow them the opportunity to dialogue with me about their issues…so that they might have a better understanding, that not because people are of the same race mean that they are all the same.
One Love, One Peace, One People!! Bob Marley had the right Idea!Much Love Jack!

It’s very simple. The more we see of Barack the better we like him.
The more we see of Hillary the less we like her.
In a contest based on integrity and honesty Obama comes out on top by a mile.

At the beginning of the race was fairly indifferent between the two since their policies are so close. I favored Obama because I don’t like the idea of a single family dominating politics, and because I felt Clinton’s mandate would not pass the the Senate. Since that time Senator Obama’s “gaffes” have shown his sincerity and leadership, while Senator Clinton has seemed less like the type of person I would want to lead our country. I’d support her over McCain any day, but that is because I dislike Senator McCain, not because she ispires me.

Jack, Americans are realizing the country needs a good house cleaning in both houses of congress as well as the white house. I think a lot of voters remember the scandals of the last Clinton administration and have come to realize that Hillary represents just more of the same.

Jack,
Barak Obama is intelligent, he’s articulate, he’s honest, he’s open, he’s young, and he promises believable CHANGE in our government. As the campaign progresses, it becomes clearer and clearer that Hillary just doesn’t come close in any way.
Art
Williamsburg, VA

Isn’t that is the way the primary season is supposed to work?

Why call the nominee after two contests, which is what most of the media seems to want?

Vet the candidates! See how they perform, find out what the achilles heel is. Better during the primary than during the general!!!

Maybe people have changed their mind because they are better informed about the candidates….

Jack, if Hillary wins the nomination I think you need to wear a jacket and congratulate her on air….I would LOVE to see that – I would stay home from work to watch it.

It’s simple Jack. The Originally Inevitable became the Authentically Unbelievable; and the New Kid on the street became the most likable. Besides, with stories like sniper fire all around her, Hillary’s unbudging supporters may still want to consider my offer of a bridge I have in Brooklyn that I’d like to sell them – real cheap!

The 19% figured out Hillary was a mis-speaker and lost trust with her.They researched their decision and realized that Obama was the better choice. The 7% were offended by Rev. Wright. If they looked at so many preachers in this country that are right wing religous saying the same things, I wonder if they would think that was offensive too. It seems a little ridiculous to change your vote because of a former pastors comments. I think more people will change their vote for Obama before the primary in PA.

I was originally supporting John Edwards, but when it became clear that Hillary was trying to buy her way back into the White House, that was when I started to support Barack Obama. I knew right from the start that if Hillary got the nomination, the 2008 election would be the same repeat of the 2004 and 2000 elections, with the same red states voting for McCain and the same blue states voting for Hillary. Even if you did the “electoral math” like Gov. Ed Rendell suggests, Hillary still could not win back any states the Democrats lost twice before and she could be in a position to shift some blue states away from her at to McCain.

Randolph
Lexington, Kentucky

I think that the Democrats have the best chance of getting us out.

I think that George Bush should oversee the process from the Green Zone in Bagdad in his retirement.

Karmic.

Hillary changed their minds Jack.
She tried running on Bill’s name…that failed. So she tried running on her….

‘Scuse me, what was the question?

Both Clinton and Obama have huge issues. Rezko and Wright for Obama, and Hillary being the victim of her own sniper fire and pathological lying. Neither one will be able to withstand the Republican fear and smear this fall. It is time for the super delegates to draft Al Gore, John Edwards, or Bill Richardson.

It must be hilarious to republicans as they watch this play out. Where is the good old-fashioned blind obedience to one candidate like they’ve had for 8 years? Once we choose something, we’re supposed to be so one-dimensional in our thinking that we would’nt dare look at options, right? Well call me crazy, but i prefer to think about consequences before i decide who will lead our nation. I know its a bother to some people when i exercise my civic rights like that, but hey, that’s why they call it a democracy.

Jack it’s a well known fact that democrats are idiots just look at who they have narrowed down their nominees to! A lady liar and muslim raised black man! Fools! Especially the idiots in Pennsylvania who have changed their party affilations to be able to vote for one of two even bigger idiots in the primary. And now I am really upset because Obama is going to be in my hometown next week! Now I am feeling sick to my stomach and I think I need a stiff drink and a cigarette. Maybe I’ll lead a anti idiot protest while he is here!

I am not a HIlary basher but when it comes down to the finish it’s Obama who takes the lead in every way, So when it comes to the final election we need to back him up, and stop this back and forth, maybe there might be a Obama/Hilary ticket or maybe if we all wish hard enough it will be Al Gore. !That would be a dream.

It is quite obvious what the answer is. Obama can do no wrong and Clinton can do no right. Well, that is according to the media.

He lies and you ignore it. She mis-speaks or tells a partial truth, and you are all over her.

It is alright to bash Hillary. She is a politician running for the greatest position in out country.

But bash Obama too. You always give him a pass on everything.However, I sensed a glimmer of hope. Yo did a little bash on him for his recent boast of experience. But at the same time you bashed Hillary again for the hospital story. And you still do not know for sure if it was fact or fiction. But bash her you did.

Just remember this. At the end of the day, the most important thing of all is the safety and security of our great nation. What if there is 1 chance in a 100 he can not be trusted with this?
Would you still be vashing Hillary. My guess is yes.

Hillary’s credibility is shot, in part because of sniper fire.

Jack, we’ve been over this. The more people know about Hillary the less they like her. It’s that simple.

Boise, Idaho

Jack,

That’s why they call it a campaign, Obama has gone out and earned votes just as much as Hilary has spent her time running voters to Obama and even Ralph Nader.

I think the switch has been because the oil companies and mortgage (9 Million donated) to back Obama/Clinton, their dirty little secret and Americans suffering. They will switch to MCCain before it is over. HA HA JACK you OBAMA BOY!!!!

Jack-

Why is everyone changing their minds? Weeeelll,. it’s like this. We would hope that it would be based on something they heard about a policy position, perhaps more information re. their candidates experience or some negative factor gleaned from all the BS in the media.

Nope, none of the above. We are being manipulated. It’s like the old song that said something like, “When I am not near the girl I love I love the girl I am near. ” Instead it’s I hate the candidate that last got smeared.

I remember clearly one of the Reagan elections. One of the local talking heads interviewed a guy on the street. This intellectual genius pointed out that he would have preferred to vote for Ted Kennedy but he wasn’t running. Sooooo, he was voting for Ronald Wilson Reagan. Makes sense to me!! He has the same vote you do Jack. Like that????

What am I saying? I think I understand why the founding fathers provided us with an electoral college. The theory runs that if we vote in Paris Hilton they can overide it. Hmmm, would Paris actually have done a worse job than the current occupant of the White House??

Ted,
Just an Ole Unemployed Guy in New Jersey

Because people keep getting woke up at 3 in the morning with a never ending ringing telephone and they’re literally tired of it! People are now realizing that with Obama they can finally get some peaceful sleep.

Jack, I think the change of mind is due to the fact that in the begining most of thought , OH it’s the same old thing. Here we are with the Clintons runing and being handed the keys to the white house. But we must remember Americans love to root for the under dog. And suddenly we had a fresh face some onen that we do not connect with the rich powerfull or the insiders. Alot of people includind the DNC took all of us voters for granted and made the desission for us, Bad very Bad mistake. None of us like to be told what to do.

Because there are still three Presidential candidates. It’s more than two-way flipping; it’s three-way flipping. Once we settle on who is running against who in the Presidential Election the flip-flopping will stop.

People have changed their minds because they are tired of the “same old Washington” and Sen Clinton represents the “same old Washington”

Thanks to the Bush Family …. Washington knows what’s it’s like to elect family members in the same position. Bush Sr and Bush Jr may have ended all hopes of Legacy Campaigns in Washington, DC

Hey Jack-

The blog is busted. I spent about a half hour typing up some really incitefull, clever, intellectually sound, fascinating comments. I hit submit and within a nanosecond I get a message that I already said that.

What’s up with that!

Now I won’t tell you what I said this time.

Next time I’ll tell you how damn dumb we all are to even think of voting for any of these idiots. John McCain, should be either rocking on the steps of the home or at least hiding out in the Senate with the other old guys. Obama and Hillary and John for that matter should all form a new singing group. Their first hit could be from that old social commentary of the 60’s. “the answer, my friend, is blowin in the wind, the answer is blowin in the wind.”

Ted
Still an Ole Guy in New Jersey
And this time I copied this thing. If it doesn’t upload I will send it via carrier pigeon.

Ever hear of Rush Limbaugh??? Operation Chaos???