Anatomy of a Defection to Obama
In another sign that the Democratic establishment now views Barack Obama as the inevitable nominee, Hillary Clinton has been hit by two more major defections -- from key supporters in a state whose primary she won handily.
Dana Redd and Donald Norcross, two superdelegates from New Jersey, both announced this morning that they are switching their backing from Clinton to Obama. Redd is a freshman state senator from Camden County (across the river from Philadelphia) while Norcross is the co-chairman of the Camden County Democratic Party and the President of the South Jersey A.F.L.-C.I.O. A handful of other Democrats from South Jersey -- including three county chairs, two state senators, a state assemblyman and the mayor of Camden -- joined them in flipping to Obama.
This is all actually the handiwork of George E. Norcross III, a former executive with Commerce Bank and the pre-eminent political power-player in South Jersey. (Donald Norcross is his brother.) George Norcross has steadily consolidated his grip on South Jersey, grabbing de facto control of Democratic organizations in virtually every county south of I-195 and overseeing the election of loyalists to the state Legislature and county and municipal boards of government. It is said -- with much accuracy -- that no Democrat can win a significant election in South Jersey without his backing. (He also narrowly avoided a federal indictment three years ago.)
The Norcross organization's move to Obama can be read as a purely pragmatic move, based on the likelihood of Obama's nomination. But it is also tinged with state political motives: Governor Jon Corzine led most of the state's Democratic establishment to back Hillary Clinton. George Norcross and Corzine are not on the best of terms, so this can be read as an effort by Norcross to upstage Corzine and to be seen as leading a shift of establishment support to Obama.
- Poll
- Obama (D)
- McCain(R)
- Spread
- RCP Average
- 46.5
- 41.7
- Obama +4.8
- Candidate
- Favorable
- Unfavorable
- Spread
- Obama
- 55.7
- 32.7
- +23.0
- McCain
- 52.4
- 34.7
- +17.7
Anatomy? I prefer an equation: affluent white dilettantes + racist blacks + credulous college students beholden to their affluent, white-dilettante professors + flyover types in states that will go REPUBLICAN in the general election = Obama's base.
I have never voted Republican before but am looking forward to helping John McCain defeat this man in November.
We must send the message that the Democratic party base is now--and always has been--the white working- and middle-class, not rich Columbia kids; not racist blacks; not gays; and not illegal immigrants.
The problem is that whenever anyone suggests that white people need some help, too, they try to label him a "racist."
I've had it.
Anatomy? I prefer an equation: affluent white dilettantes + racist blacks + credulous college students beholden to their affluent, white-dilettante professors + flyover types in states that will go REPUBLICAN in the general election = Obama's base.
I have never voted Republican before but am looking forward to helping John McCain defeat this man in November.
We must send the message that the Democratic party base is now--and always has been--the white working- and middle-class, not rich Columbia kids; not racist blacks; not gays; and not illegal immigrants.
The problem is that whenever anyone suggests that white people need some help, too, they try to label him a "racist."
I've had it.
I totally agree with you Mr. Kornacki.
Baloney!! People are going for Obama because electing Hillary would mean another 8 years of the war between the left and the right. Lets face the facts. Regardless of how much "experience" Hillary has, she would face great difficulty getting anything done. Obama is as close to neutral as you can get.
I think its Unfair to imply that African Americans are voting for Obama because he is Black just like its unfair to say women are voting for Hillary because she is a woman.
Contrary to what some think people vote for who they think best represents their concerns. So rather than imply AA vote for Obama because of his race at least first try to rule out his track record. He was a civil rights attorney an area that speaks to African Americans. He has worked on bias in the criminal justice system and worked as a community organizer in low income neighborhoods. So if you are going to conclude that AA are voting for him because of his race you would need to show that he has done nothing to address the concerns of African Americans. Same goes for Hillary as it relates to gender.
As far as the young and college educated you need to look at his stance on issues that affect the young. The war in Iraq, the environment, college education. All of which are issues that he has addressed and worked on in the past.
Finally as far as Republicans and Independents we can simply look at his platform he is trying to bring people together so that half the country doesnt feel left out of the political process. Maybe they find that message appealing.
I think to accuse people of not looking deeply at the issues is counterproductive because for one thing I dont see evidence that support it.
Carol
I agree, Obama is neutral and fresh and that is what is needed in America right now. We don't need some one who is set in their ways and ignore the people who voted for them once they are in office. The current President Bush said when his popularity began to fade that he "doesn't pay attention to polls". He did when he was running for election. Ever since "911" this country has slipped into a deep depression and a lot of Ameicans are calming their fears with prescription drugs, pornography and violence. So now we have a potential leader who will inspire each of us to do better for ourselves and some of you old farts don't want that. Obama supporters aren't necessarily looking to see what Obama is going to do on "Day One" in office, they are already feeling his inspiration and feeling good about themselves and America. They are already starting to uplift their own family and that will spread to their neighbors, then to their community, the city, the county and so on. And if Obama becomes President, the inspiration will continue. We are inspired to ask not what Obama can do for us but what we can do for ourselves. As Obama said "change starts from the bottom up" If each family in America is inspired to become better family members and better neighbors and so on and so on, America will become a stronger nation because stength lies in the strength of each American family not in a few polititions or weapons of mass destructions.
I am a Republican and I have never voted for a democratic nominee. This year I will be voting for Barack Obama (assuming he wins the nomination). This country needs a new face and fresh perspective to show the rest of the world. I have a feeling that Obama will be bad for the domestic economy, especially those in the affluent classes. However, if we do not do something drastic in our foreign policy - like reaching out to our enemies and showing the rest of the world that we respect them - we are going to be in a far worse place years from now. McCain certainly does not have the capacity to do that and neither does Hilary. Right now, Barack has done little concrete, but that's ok with me. America needs something new and different. Starting with this rather than the miserable recent track record of the Republicans and Hillary is what this country needs right now. Better little track record from an inspiring, very able individual than poor ones from the alternatives.
LIBERAL SUPERDELEGATES FIGHT FOR OBAMA; NEO-LIB SUPERDELEGATES FIGHT FOR HILLARY. WHEN THE LIBERALS WIN, NEO-LIB PRINCESS HILLARY SHALL BURN AT THE STAKE; AND THE WORLD WILL BE CHEERING, WHILE AMERICA WILL BE SINGING “GOD BLESS AMERICA”.