Obama lost my vote with his “Reagan” comments. I lived, barely, through the Reagan years both when he was a govenor and the President. It was nighmarish for America. However the “Guns, God, Steak, and Potato” generation has now turned him into some kind of “religious icon” and they worship his shrine in Ventura County, California.

What is even worse, now Obama tries to do the “diddlely do dance” and tell us that the quote he made was misconstrued. America, this man is not fit to lead our nation.

As for me, I have no idea, now, who I will vote for. Back to the drawing board. Onward through the fog.

For people who can turn on a dime about any quotations misconstrued by the other contenders…can I question your intelligence? Also, look at the big picture. This election is not about women, religion or race. WAKE UP AMERICA…this is about the survival of AMERICA and it’s no longer about selfish interests…
any president will have to consult the best minds in the country to put this country on the right track for all! We need a person that we can all get behind and rebuild this country to greater heights. Look to the young people of America who have been moved to care for AMERICA without an agenda.

I see Obama reaching out to Republicans from day one as president and passing his Healthcare Bill, bring out troops home, reform Social Security. I see Clinton fighting with Republicans from day one for four years. Vote wisely vot OBAMA.

Yeah, fighting with the people, voting with the (G.O.)party.

If he lost you over one comment than you were never a supporter to begin with. Why can’t we give a decent man a chance in this country? Are people so fearful of change and something new that they look for any little thing to justify their support of the Clinton’s? Stop it, just stop it…Research him on the issues–educate yourself based on facts not on spin from the Clinton’s and the media, please.

You want gridlock, then Hillary Roadbolck Clinton is your candidate. You want Progress and Change then vote for Barak.

Democrats have some good ideas, Independents have some good ideas, and yes, even Republicans can have some good ideas. Obama is not trying to become the president of just one party, he wants to be the president of the United States. And we need the best ideas from all Americans to resolve the major problems that we face in this country.

If Hillary wants to try to govern the US by simply hating Republicans and Independents and the rest of her enemies then she pretty much won’t be an effective president at all.

Barack Obama simply illustrated that he will give “props” where they are due. He respects people , regardless of race, party, gender , or orientation. Ronald Reagan was a very real President. You may have disagreed with some of his policies, however, you still liked the man. Why do you think the big question this year (among the republican party) is what candidate will bring back “Reaganism” ? They are not asking who will bring back the policies and approach of any other republican leader. Barack Obama is only saying that Ron deserves some respect.
Barack Obama is not a phony, he is not scripted, he is not rehearsed, he speaks his mind and his heart. His ability to identify great qualities among leaders of various parties and persuasions is a vital quality of a President. We need real, we don`t need a phony, we need optimism and hope, we need honesty . After Bush we do not need more carefully crafted schemes that attempt to manipulate us. We need a candidate that will unite us, not fan the flames of political intolerance. I have faith in our country and the American people . I believe they can see through the drama and spin . Barack Obama is the candidate most uniquely qualified to take us into the future.

Well, now Obama is running as a Reagan Democrat and wants Republicans instead of Democrats now. Isn’t that lovely? Oh happy day! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Better to learn Obama’s true colors now, than later. Seriously, sometimes I wonder if Obama is still under the influence of something when he pops off some of his remarks. Obama was serious when he said that Republicans were the party of ideas the last 10-15 years. That is scary!

Why didn’t Obama tell this to the Nevada unions who supported him that he loves Reagan the biggest union buster in history. OH obama did not even thank the people of Nevada for the support they gave him. Obama just left the state.

Then why does Hillary Clinton have Ronald Reagan and H. W. Bush on her website under favorite presidents?

From reading the comments on Obama’s remarks about Reagan, I am convinced people hear what they want to hear, despite what is being said.

To the person who said, “why didn’t Obama tell the Nevada unions. . .that he loves Reagan,” Obama never said this. Read his comments — HE NEVER SAID IT.

To the person who said Obama lost his support with his statement about Reagan, I agree that this person was obviously never a supporter in the first place. Any one who is honest has to admit that Reagan, whom I never voted for, did change the course of politics in America. Obama did not say he agreed with all or any of Reagan’s policies. He was simply stating a fact that Reagan did bring optimism to a lot of the American public and was able to win votes across party lines, winning 49 states in his landslide victory against Walter Mondale. Any Democrat who gets the nomination will have to appeal across party lines to defeat the Republicans, since Democrats are only 40% of the population.

I see more and more the polorizing affect of a polerized person. Reading the comments above tell me that the clinton supporters are just like her, they don’t carea bout working together as a country, they carea bout beating the republicans. Some of them are even acusing him of switching sides as if though the republicans are the enemy or something. Listen people, Democrat, Republican… we are ALL americans! Why is it so bad to want to bring everyone together as a country and stop this stupid political civil war that has help our contry in deadlock since after JFK? Seriously, what has happened since then? NOTHING! Why, becaouse we forgot that we are ONE country, ONE nation, ONE people. It’s not red and blue. Black or white. Chrristian or other. It’s AMERICAN! Half of you make me sick.

It’s really annoying to see folks critisizing Obama for these remarks.
please move out of your partisan induced haze…think bigger and beyond your own political prejeduce for a moment….
in ‘84 reagan won 48 of fifty states for goodness sake.
In their response, Hillary and Edwards look small and pithy compared to Obama.
The fact is your discomfort with Obama’s statements are evidence that many old -school 80’s-90’s era democrats don’t like being told hard truths about our past political failures.
Please think a little harder about what Obama was getting at.
IT IS TIME FOR US DEMOCRATS TO SUCK IT UP AND BE PART OF A GENIUNE PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT. CHALLLENGE THYSELVES!!!

OBAMA 08!

John Hylas Smith, it is a sad day in America when voters are so blind that they are unable to read a quote and take it into context. Perhaps we need to learn some reading comprehension.

Although I am a registered Democrat and a black woman, I am at this time leaning toward a Republican candidate because of social and economic differences with the Democratic party. I say that to state that in spite of my issues with the Dems, I salute and have gained the utmost respect for Senator Obama. I believe throughout the campaign he has been the Democratic candidate that has shown the best and consistent character–honesty, truthfulness, passion, concern for others, strong family values, love for all people, love for these united states, integrity, ethics, etc. This campaign has shown the Clinton machine at their best with deceit, distortion and dirty politicking and America at its worst with just accepting and believing the lies because they heard it or Bill told them. I have become a campaign junkie because of this year’s interesting and history-making primary. I constantly read newspapers and magazines, listen to talk radio, watch CNN, MSNBC, and Fox, and check out the internet so believe me when I say I know who says what and when they say it, who is accusing others with twisted distortions and who is defending one’s character. I applaud Senator Obama’s comments and honesty about Ronald Reagan. This speaks volume to Obama and his character because he can look at history without biases and look across the aisle. You don’t have to agree with someone’s policies but you can recognize those who take advantage of opportunity and time lining up together. I find it a disgrace that the Clintons and Edwards campaign are so full of hatred, that they stoop to lying, distortions and are incapable of recognizing an important time for change in our political history. Unfortunately, many (including Clintons and Edwards, CNN, Fox News, Brit Hume, Roland Martin and liberal radio, Mark Thompson, etc) distorted, mischaracterized, lied about, and took Obama’s comments out of context. Senator Obama, please continue to be a man of honor and integrity and continue to state your beliefs and knowledge of political history…not just saying someting to appease others…but to be true to yourself. YOU ARE A GREAT LEADER and I hope enough people recognize this in you and are willing to see that this is another time in our history for such a political change.

Do we want to experience another 4 yrs of Red and Blue States politics from the Clintons? This is so typical of the Bush experience we do not want. Don’t let HRC lead us down her experience of distortion and politics of division.

Only Obama can bring all Americans together. His overwhelming support from the independents and Reagan Democrats will give us votes to solve the crisis of recession and an unending war.

As yourself if you want to experience more frustration and hopelessness like the past 10+ years because no side has enough votes to do anything. That is what will happen with a HRC presidencey because that is the only experience she knows. We must say no more to her experience of distortion and hopelessness.

I have to say I really don’t understand the what Black people see in the Clintons. They have shown time and time again they will lie every time if it will get what they want. I don’t understand how anyone can trust them. Obama has taken attacts from everyone, blacks. whites, repulicans, democrats, since his 1st speach. People have made fun of his name, miss quoted him, and just out right lied about him. If Hillary wins I know at least 2000 democrats that will not vote for her.

Here’s the problem…and this is why Obama is getting the support of the higher educated and informed voters:

When Obama speaks, he really needs at least 5-10 minutes of your undivided attention to truly understand what he is saying. Unfortunately, he only gets 5-10 seconds.

Uneducated people, hear soundbites of politicians and make their decisions based on that.

Educated people, take time to understand what you are trying to say beyond the context of the media. This story is a great example

And uneducated democrate hears “Reagan” and automatically thinks negative of Obama for saying that he transformed politics.

And educated democrate realizes that Reagain did change the trajectory of politics…why do you think all republicans treat him like the second coming. Doesnt mean he was good for blacks but he did have a significant influence on politics. Obama is saying that he want to have that same kindof influence on the democratic side.

After this election if Obama doesnt win, I will never complain about another politician again, just how stupid voters have become.

I am glad that Obama finally responded to the opponents’ attacks, criticism, and fact-distortions. If he had done this since Iowa, Hillary would have been sent home by now. Obama has been too nice to his opponents and has defended himself too lightly and too late. This failure has encouraged the Clintons to throw more mud to him, because people seemed to have been fooled and the Clintons’ dirty tricks seemed to have worked.

A “positive campaign” does not mean that you do not defend yourself swiftly and forcefully. Obama’s campaign is carrying so many people’s hopes. Obama, please get some fighting spirit for the sake of so many people who care about this country and are marching with you.

Another lie from Sir Edmund Hillary Clinton*

“My leading opponent the other day said that he thought the Republicans had better ideas than Democrats the last 10 to 15 years.”

Obama didn’t say BETTER. and she lied about being named after Sir Edmund Hillary Clinton.

Anyone who is offended by Obama’s remarks totally misunderstands American political history. Whether you agree or disagree with Reagan’s policies (and I disagreed with them) only someone completely ignorant on history wouldn’t admit that Reagan was so successful because he was able to build a broad coalition of Democrats and Republicans. Reagan stole away Democrats the way Barack is stealing away Republicans and Independents (like me). If the Democrats wish to stay the party of irrelevance they will believe what they want about the quote. But if they want to become winners for once (as opposed to whiners) they will heed Barack’s advice and similarly build a working coalition instead of the loose, hanging by a thread victories they’ve attained with Bill Clinton.

This is who Obama loves Reagan????? how offensive!!!!!!Reagan who let 35,000 americans alot of them were african americans die of aids and not lift a finger because Reagan was a biggot!!!Reagan who DIVIDED the rich and poor!!!!Obamas is dividing democrats not uniting them!!!!!btw Republicans LOVE Reagan not the democrats this is insulting to democrats,Reagan brought about the wrong change!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=larrysinclair0926

John Hylas,

May I recommend, if you can be bothered, that you listen to exactly what he said in his Reno interview and then decide again whether he has actually said things the way the Clinton’s have characterized them.

Reagan was able to rally support from both sides towards his causes - but that is the extent to which Obama makes his comparison.

Obama did say the Republicans were a party of ideas - but he NEVER said they were good ideas. New ideas change trajectories - he wasn’t saying those trajectories ended up in a good place, but he was saying new ideas lead to change.

Anything that is tacked onto the above is just spin by the others. If you would rather believe their spin than look at what the man actually said and apply some brain think to it, that’s your call.

First off… the first thing I thought when I heard these Reagan comments was — uh oh, why is he mentioning Reagan, although I had a very clear understanding of what he meant and he was exactly right — Then I thought, what a thoughtful man, what a thoughtful president Obama would make — to look at history with such clarity, without partisan eyes and realize with no bias the circumstances of the time -

I was six when Reagan was elected, I remember the reaction of my parents — I remember those not being great years, I remember how happy everyone was, when Bill Clinton was elected to office - So, I’m naturally hard wired to dislike Reagan and think nothing good came of those years, even though I don’t recall the specifics of Reagan’s presidency –but it’s so evident what he was saying and it’s so clear what his frame of mind is and how he was thinking… then how can you mistake that for malice toward democrats…

The very sad bit about this is Hillary/Bill and Edwards, how they took his words, twisted and distorted them to make it look like he was in love with Reagan — they have taken advantage of the weaknesses of the democratic base, the ones that don’t read or listen and decide for themselves, the ones that react with a mention of trigger words ‘Reagan’… ‘Muslim’ …’Drugs’ without any comprehension of the surrounding circumstances, how sad is that… it’s the equivalent of those slimy real estate guys that claim you can make 1,000,000– just buy our 1500.00 course with all the secrets… it just makes you want to take a shower.

Frankly, I’m so happy he’s reaching across to the Republicans, after all these years of being bitterly divided it’s time, I see nothing wrong with it… come on Republicans let’s go do this, that’s what I say, let’s go– and there’s one thing I know, if Hillary Clinton becomes the nominee, that all ends and that should make a lot of people very sad -

I see Obama as leading a quiet campaign of hope, peace and forward thinking…so I hope and pray for him to be able to hang in there as long as he can, and hopefully he’ll go on to victory… but if he doesn’t, I have no doubt that he will most likely become more powerful than the person that does eventually end up occupying the highest office in the land, I already see that — when this is all over, people are going to realize win or lose what a gracious and respectful campaign that this guy ran… and you can’t be ashamed of that, even if you came out on the losing in……. if just for a brief moment.

John Hylas Smith,

You say, “Obama lost my vote with his “Reagan” comments”.

I thought that if anyone didn’t really clearly understand what he meant then, this article put the record straight. But if, even after this article, you still seethe over your misconceived interpretation of what he meant then GOD SAVE AMERICA!

I can see the likes of you mourn silently with pain and frustration just barely a year after the flop queen has assumed office! But THANK GOD that will never happen because there are far more intelligent American out there who look beyond the petty confines of their little worlds.

Everyone that see the bigger picture - Democrat, Republican, Independent, man, woman, youth, mature, name it, will embrace Barack.

Obama has been against Reagan’s policies from the start of his political career. Any research will show how progressive Obama’s career has been. This is just Hillary distorting Obama’s words. The key point Obama is making is that Democrats need independents and Republicans to support the type of progressive legislation that will change the country. Whether it’s health care, a clean energy policy, ethics reform, these are common sense proposals that can get a working majority on board–provided the messenger can speak honestly, and straight to the american people. That person is Barack Obama.

Barrack Obama all the way! People should realise that he is trying to reach out to Republicans who lets face it really dont have a credible candidate as at the moment. kudos to HIm

As far as I’m concerned the Reagan years, both in his governorship of California and in his presidency, were disastrous for the US. I watched to Obama clip several times and he was either speaking with great admiration for Reagan and the “conventional wisdom” challenging ideas of the Republican Party over the last fifteen years or he was pandering to prospective crossover Republican voters. Now he’s calling the reaction of people like me a “distortion” of his own words. I was undecided in choosing between Obama and Clinton, if I have to, until this. It is a demonstration of why Obama might make a good vice presidential candidate in this cycle but I am not ready to vote for his to be Commander in Chief.

Seems to me that the Bush presidency has been in place for half of the last fifteen years he referred to. A lot of great ideas came up during that period of time, real conventional wisdom challengers, e.g., “Lets bankrupt the US by lying to the American people and starting an immoral war.”

Bottom line: I’m voting for John Edwards, who is a lot clearer in where he wants to go and how he’s going to get us there than either of his opponents.

Obama is trying to make the electability argument — and is correct.

There is tremendous evidence that says Obama can draw independents and disaffected Republicans in the general election. Hillary does the opposite — she repels everyone, has terrible negative ratings and is so reviled by the Right that here merely being the nominee will do more to turn out GOP voters than anything the GOP could do on its own in a million years.

Dems need to look beyond the primaries. Right now Dem caucersers/primary voters are voting for Hillary because Bill is basically running in her place and they are having a Bill love-fest. That’s not going to work in a general election.

Obama is the smartest choice. Hillary can’t win.

The Clintons are shameless. They’ll do anything to win and I can’t believe such an educated electorate doesn’t see through their tricks.

Here’s a 2 minute video clip of Obama himself so you can hear first hand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SjC6nnCvXM&feature=user

With Obama’s Reagan comments, you are seeing the same tactics the Clinton white house used for 8 years. They are now being perpetrated against the American public and opposing candidates yet again. When will we tire of the Clinton’s entrenched approach to the political debate and vote for true change. The problem with the Reagan comments isn’t with Obama, it is with the Clintons.

To have an open mind and truly change society, don’t we have to consider ALL of our history (Republican and Democrat), make an honest assessment of things that worked or didn’t work and move forward adapting the effective approaches of the past along with our fresh ideas for the future? The Executive branch, while having tremendous power, cannot act on its own whim - checks and balances. I’m not saying Obama is the right solution, but don’t make the Reagan comments something they are not - that’s what both Clintons want you to do. Think about their message to you- Obama is an inexperienced, Muslim, republican-lover who dares to challenge the only candidate who can truly lead this nation into it’s golden age.

Former president Clinton is sensitive about Obama’s comments because they imply he was not innovative. His goal was, and is, his legacy - it’s his only way to escape his personal demons. Hillary has obvious political motives.

Is anyone ready for another 4 years of Clinton scandal, deceit, and division. I just can’t do it.

I would like to know why Obama shut down this website http://www.islamichope.com
It was up and running yesterday, clearly showing Obama as a member of the organization, and now it is gone-shutdown! What I found interesting was the fact that that website talked about uniting people of all color and religion but yet there was not one white or latino person/picture on the website.

Now, you tell me, what’s wrong with that picture?

Obama doesn’t have the power to shut down a website. Maybe it was flooded with idiots like yourself. Obama is not a Muslim! Seriously people who state he is some kind of undercover Muslim terrorist have way to much time on their hands. Its just plain ridiculous!

Oh COME ON Florida Gal! Why is it that conspiracy theorists come out in droves like this the moment someone looks honest? Is it because they are so invested in the notion of all politicians being corrupt that they are not willing to look at the facts and see a truly Honest man?

The comments on this article are pretty typical of what I am seeing across the web. about 30% operatives and misinformed and 70% pro Obama. We keep this up, and they won’t be able to drown out our cheers of victory

I am an Obama supporter and I can’t believe people have taken this statement out of context and lost sight of the real issues. Regan was a relatively good president. Do I agree with everything he did? No! But, admit it people: Regan inherited an economy and country that was in shambles (horrible inflation and high unemployment) and instituted policies that fixed certain problems…even i can give him some credit. He did this with a democratic congress–again, we should give him credit for this.

Obama recognizes this and gives credit where it is due. Why do voters make it so difficult for candidates to speak their mind? We are crippling our candidates by not allowing them to speak freely for fear of being misunderstood…this is driving me nuts.

Here’s a person that does not and will not support Obama, or Clinton. You need to be educated on the candidates and history to make a good informed decision. I’ve seen quite a few election cycles now and the one thing I can tell you is Obama is just another savvy politician that is also a great panderer. This man promises to take care of your babies with health care, yet Mom and Dad are going to get to deal with the insurance co.’s for theirs and he assures us it will be real affordable! Both Clinton and Obama are members of the DLC (read status quo). Just where do you think those $100 million war chests come from? You? Me? John Edwards is the only candidate who might bring back some of the glory years for our young people, starting with health care and including campaign reforms. If we don’t get campaign reforms soon, I’m afraid this great experiment will become a failure. This is why if John Edwards does’nt get in as Pres or VP nomination, I’ll be voting for McCain who strongly supports campaign reform and I will patiently wait another four years.