I have supported Obama since the beginning and am a democrat. But, there is honestly many republicans, the ones with a bit of realism and concern about the country, our policies, and the way Bush has totally messed up everything he touches that have sent many to rethink a democrat.

It is not normal but, it does happen.

Just like democrats who were fed up with the party in 1980 went to Reagan.

Alot of republicans are very upset over what's happened to their party in general and the loss of direction and focus and the utter foolishness of what they've become.

Many were the true believers in Reagan.

They see in Obama a practical side. A realistic side. Someone who is not so involved in identity politics and a change from the way democrats have been for the past 30 years.

Don't automatically assume because Mr. Smerconish is a republican that what he is writing here is BS or a 'trap'. No one could write a passionate 4 page article and it be only BS.

I take him at his word and the emotion he has put into this article.

People are all over the place in this election and old loyalties do not apply anymore.

While I thought those in rural America would not support Obama due to either race or the smear emails, or even generational but, it seems it hinges more on Obama's upper middle class standing.

I don't know what these people think others who run for office are like but, you'd think they would automatically figure if you are a senator, governor, in the upper parts of government then you'd be pretty well educated and make a nice living.

Not even the 'down home girl' Palin lives simply. she is a governor.

Someone on CNN tonight said the way people seem to want a person just like them, and haven't seemed to figure out the guy you have a beer with ruined the country. Yet, our country would elect someone who never graduated high school over a University educated person.

And we wonder why our country is going down the tubes.....

what upsets me, galls me and frustrates me to no end is the stupidity and ignorance, sheer ignorance, of the american people!

You would think after the nightmare of the past 8 years and what Bush has wrought on us along with his henchmen and cronies that people would have smartened up a little.

But, no.

they are willfully staying ignorant and falling for the same old things again and again. Believing the most ridiculous and insane things and never questioning or using common sense.

Why? I keep asking myself this. Why? Why are people so stubborn in their determination to stay ignorant, keep voting the same rotten way for the same rotten people who will go on hurting the country and the people.

When are people going to finally have enough and stop being so stupid.

Obama may be intellectually gifted but, that is where it ends.

Obama is by far more personable and does connect with people. If he did not, then why after 2 years on the road, do tens of thousand still line up hours in advance in excitement to see him.

Is it because he does not bowl? Geez, political reporters are so stupid. Generation Xers are not exactly the bowling types and Obama is very much of his generation.

That is why reporters do not understand Obama.

They are by and far baby boomers who see the fakery of Bill Clinton as the way a politician is suppose to act and cannot understand Obama and his generation.

Obama is very much an Xer.

They are more basketball then bowling. More wine coolers then beer. And they are not ashamed of having brains.

They are also more authentic and less fake or smoozy. They connect without being slobbery.

I think the boomers need to learn about and understand the next generation to understand Obama.

I don't want Bill 2.0.

I like obama the way he is. Pleasant and personable without the phoniness and not ashamed to be smart.