Can Obama win the reddest of Red States, Utah? In this land of conservative Mormon voters, it seems quite unlikely. Still, it looks like the candidate is sending volunteers to woo these unlikely voters…
This on top of the fact that even some Democrats feel that they’re too conservative for Mr. Obama.
And, having their cake and eating it, too, the Dems have also started touting Obama’s popularity as a tool by which they may gain new Congressmen…
According to Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen:
The Obama factor is this sense that people now are participating this political process who didn’t participate before. People who are thinking now they are going to make a difference in coming out to the polls and casting their votes. I think young people see in Obama an opportunity to really make a break with this past logjam in Washington, a break with the status quo, and move into a new era in American politics.
McCain has his own share of problems, though, as well.
According to The Hill:
At least 14 Republican members of Congress have refused to endorse or publicly support Sen. John McCain for president, and more than a dozen others declined to answer whether they back the Arizona senator.
Republican members who have not endorsed or publicly backed McCain include Sens. Chuck Hagel (Neb.) and Jeff Sessions (Ala.) and Reps. Jones, Peterson, John Doolittle (Calif.), Randy Forbes (Va.), Wayne Gilchrest (Md.), Virgil Goode (Va.), Tim Murphy (Pa.), Ron Paul (Texas), Ted Poe (Texas), Todd Tiahrt (Kan.), Dave Weldon (Fla.) and Frank Wolf (Va.).
Of course, this is no surprise. McCain is unpopular as much as he is popular. By sitting so close to the middle, he naturally alienates those further to the right. Then, by shifting to the right and wooing the Evangelical vote, he naturally alienates those in the middle.
Obama has similar problems shifting from the left to the center and back again. Ironically, McCain is often lambasted for being too moderate and Obama too liberal, and both are seeking to move as far to the right as possible. This is ironic since, in my mind, it is quite likely the left will have its day in November, when Obama is elected. I’m a McCain supporter, but I just don’t think the old man stands a chance this time. Eight years ago, sure, but not this time, which is too bad because I rather like a good Centrist for President, which McCain undoubtedly is (no matter how he panders to the Christian Coalition) and which Obama certainly is not (no matter how he panders to everybody with his message of hope and change).
Obama is too far to the left to unite the country. And if McCain keeps drifting right, I fear he may have a similarly difficult time in bridging gaps. Then again, the War in Iraq may prove to be too divisive an issue for McCain. This is too bad. I like McCain’s stance on defense, his willingness to publicly support the War in Iraq, which is simply a necessity at this point. Unless Obama wants to be responsible for the ensuing Iraqi genocide, he had better keep troops at their current levels until the Generals advise him otherwise.
Leave war to the generals, and politics to the politicians, I say. Too much political involvement in Vietnam left us weak and vulnerable. We can’t half-ass this war either. The stakes are too high.
E.D. is a writer and the editor in chief at NeoConstant. He works and writes in Arizona where he lives with his wife and daughter. He also writes at 
on Jun 12th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Guess what? I am a 65 year old Mormon mother and grandmother who loves Obama!
My 67 year old 6th generation Mormon husband, who refers to himself as a recovering Republican, is an Obama supporter too!
Why are we supporting Obama? Because we believe he will move our country forward for all Americans, not just a few with big bucks. Go Obama!
on Jun 12th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Great. I think you should be able to vote for whoever you want, religion doesn’t even matter. But I wonder what you mean by “he will move our country forward for all Americans” — How? And speaking of “big bucks” have you noticed how much he’s raised? I think those with “big bucks” have their fingers in his pockets without a doubt.
on Jun 12th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Thanks for the comments. Obama does bring out an interesting mix of voters, doesn’t he?
on Jun 12th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Indeed…
on Jun 12th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Obama has actually been well received among a wide group of my Mormon friends. He doesn’t fit the conservative bill but has reached out to Mormon voters which sharply contrasts with the McCain camp which took several pot shots at the religion while campaigning. I don’t know that McCain did enough to lose Utah but possibly enough to lose swing states where Mormon voters are significant.
on Jun 12th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
That’s a good point, Robert. The McCain vs. Romney fight left some Mormons feeling pretty bitter. Still, I think that there is a difference between Utah Mormons and non-Utah Mormons in terms of how conservative they are. This has been my personal experience at least…
on Jun 12th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
How do I think Obama will move the country forward? By including as many positive view points and ideas as possible. That will be a mega leap forward. We the people can form a more perfect union but not in isolation or fear of one another.
We truly have come a long way but we have a lot further to go. One man can’t do it all. We the people can and must help if America is going to recover from the wounds of hypocritical leadership that have caused us to stumble so badly as a nation. Freedom requires effort, and vision. We will not fail if we work together at this critical time in history. It is up to us, and our vote.
Obama’s big bucks? Most of them have come from small donors such as my husband and I, at $100 or less at a time. How can this translate into being “owned ” by anyone except the voters?
on Jun 12th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Well, there is some truth to that. But Obama gets a lot of money from Big Business, too. Here is some proof of that.
on Jun 12th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
I’m from Utah, I’m a registered Republican and I’m voting for Obama. Why you ask? Because I am ashamed of how the Republican delegation, the President included, have conducted themselves in Washington. They have NOT represented mainstream America. They have only represented the elitist bankers, corporations and the interests of the CFR. They have been accomplices in the hijacking of American’s freedoms and liberties. Do I really like Obama? Hell no! But I don’t really feel McCain is any improvement either. So I think the GOP needs a mark in the L column this election cycle. When a football team loses to another team in what should have been an easy victory, they will change their strategy to be able to win again. Well I think the GOP needs to lose and feel the pain so they will realize most Americans no longer feel the party represents their interests and this will force the Republican party to get their act together and do what’s right for America again!
on Jun 13th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
I wonder what McCain will do re: the religious right if he wins…a new speculative article perhaps…
on Jun 13th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
I think Obama is a magician. How else would such a liberal democrat be appealing to Mormons and Evangelicals?
on Jun 13th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
That’s my two cents, anyways…
Joe Langleys last blog post..Natalie Portman vs. Keira Knightly
on Jun 13th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Obama will only take Utah if Huckabee is the VP pick.
on Aug 20th, 2008 at 4:50 pm