”Too many Obama supporters can only hear an argument from the position of pathos”.

I think the reason you probably won’t get a good socratic debate on this subject is the “Too many…”. You probably would find many people who agree that there are “plenty”. You many even get some Obama people like me who agree with your “too many” but would apply it to Hillary’s supporters as well. I don’t know about you, but I can never really get behind either side’s supporters when they start getting psuedo-scientific about who’s supporters are nicer/smarter/cleaner/taller…..It always seems like the supporter always “knows” that his or her side has the positive qualities….and the kind of evidence used is mostly coming from population samples that consist of where one person hangs out in cyber space or in their town. It could true that there is a higher percentage of Obama supporters that can’t be objection, but I have no clue how we would know this; what I am certain of is that his “strong” supporters will definitely find evidence that Obamites are more objective, whereas Clintonites will certainily “know” that they are more objective…

It’s the kind of conversation that often feels great when you making your case. But…

Hi, I told my friends I'd write my prediction down in a place that could be cyberlly referred to, so excuse the slight change of subject...but, come on, I think this all relates...

On June 6th Hillary will make a powerful concession speech. It will be considered her greatest, most powerful and moving speech to date. It will, Ironically, cause more than a few Barack supporters to wish they had supported Hillary (They are very susceptible to powerful speeches). She will secretly hope to be offered the VP but not really expect it. Obama won’t make such an offer.

Due to the rather bitter divisiveness of the primary, the general election will lack the thrilling enthusiasm it could have had if Hillary had needed to withdraw earlier, but will nevertheless result in an Obama victory. For those Clintonites who’s main concern had been that Obama just wasn’t going to be able to win, it won’t take to long to get real darn happy. For the Clintonites who are concerned that Barack really won’t know how to be president assertively and pragmatically, it will take probably a year to see that he is not too much of a presidential anomaly. But there will be those who will see his mistakes (and, as a flawed human, there WILL be mistakes) and compare them to mental pictures of Hillary not making mistakes. Those people will be inclined to “know” that Hillary would have done better (but they will readily admit they didn’t really “know” that Barack could not win).

Obama will surive an assassination attempt in his first year. He will do a great job in his first 4 years but will not be re-elected.

I do think he is pragmatic; I don't think there is any evidence that Obama is a dreamy worker. I think his healthcare plan (warts and all) reflects that and from what I've read by republicans and democrats who work with him, he simply isn't the pie-in-the-sky dreamer that his opponents want us to believe.

I totally agree with you that there are definite circumstances in which Hillary or Barack would choose the other for VP.

I'm not convinced Hillary wants to be VP, but my best guess is that, even now, she could get really into the idea (for good reasons).

That's interesting: I also wasn't really in his corner until my highly scientific research led to believe that he is a highly pragmatic and skillful guy. I still don't find him to be a SUPER great speaker but I see why he can inspire. But I've read so many different descriptions of how he works that impress me. I'm NOT saying that I know he is a perfect politician with super powers; I just think he's got the best skills in that department in this race. I am certain that it is not difficult for Hillary supporters to see her advantage in this area.I found it interesting that you also moved towards Barack in the same direction as I did.