Your last-ditch pitch to disgruntled progressives???

My crystal ball is on the fritz.

Half the time I get the reading that Obama will win in a landslide, with 300+ electoral votes. But then it tells me that McCain is closing in. The repair shop says they can't fix it until Wednesday. (The crystal ball, that is; no doubt the Repubs are giving the college try to fixing the election).

In case the latter reading has the potential to be true (and because it would be great if progressives could, in good conscience, get on the same page), I ask you this: what can you say that just might get Obama the votes of PUMAs and other skeptical progressives?

They've heard the Supreme Court / Roe v. Wade argument ad infinitum, ad nauseum. This isn't the ultimate convincer that some might imagine, as Obama had to be swayed by an aide not to vote for John Roberts, for political "optics" reasons, and he posted on Daily Kos to defend Dems who did. Also, his short-list for his own nominees likely includes Roe-critic Cass Sunstein and other "centrists."

If their eyes and ears are still working, progressives know that John McCain is -- despite his endlessly irritating tagline -- not our friend. (Neither, for that matter, are the media scumbags who manufactured the myth of the moderate maverick, even if some are leaning Democrat this time. They lied to us then, so why trust them now?)

Obama-skeptics who would go so far as to vote for McCain (and that's a subset of the PUMAs) are probably long past convincing.

But there are others who would vote for Obama if they saw reason to believe this: that he can be influenced by the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party. (Endorsements from party regulars are nice and all, but a lot of party regulars haven't exactly distinguished themselves in the 110th Congress, doncha think?)

I believe this is what it comes down to. Since the primary that Obama termed a "death march" ended, they've seen Obama cave on FISA/warrantless wiretapping, become a champion of Hank Paulson's giveaway to his buddies, and promise to expand the Faith-based Initiatives program and to make Colin Powell an advisor.

Whether or not you find these moves great policy or brilliant/appropriate/necessary concessions to garner support from swing voters, it may not charm those who are tempted to vote for a McKinney, a Nader, or a write-in candidate. IIRC, such voters turned out to be pretty important in 2000.

Seriously: do you want to try to win over such voters now?

If so, I ask you this: please share the best evidence you have that Obama will be responsive to progressive voters, and not just "centrist"/corporate influences, once he's in the White House.

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Please rec if you think this is a discussion worth having, that reaching out to the unconvinced part of the liberal base is worth doing as election day draws so near.

I can see the potential for this to turn into a flame fest. Let's not, OK?

I post this because I am a lifelong Dem who knows many such Dems who are struggling with this decision. Maybe it's hard for you to believe that a real Democrat isn't convinced, and maybe it's infuriating to you. But so much has been done to reach out to independent, "Obamacan" voters. Can you spare a little courtesy, thoughtful rhetoric, and substantive information-sharing to dignify -- and maybe even satisfy -- the concerns of loyal Democrats who are searching their souls about Tuesday's vote?

4 more years of Bush policies

Bader-Ginsburg and Stevens get replaced with younger versions of Scalia

If that's what you want, go right ahead and vote McKinney.

i keep up with all the left criticism of him that is out there that DOESN'T get posted here so I know what is what. there is even a new book out criticizing him from the left that I am about to read. That being said, I will vote for him NO PROBLEM on Nov 4th. I would NEVER waste my vote on a third party when there is no chance of a third party candidate ever winning.

I know there are people who want to screech at me even though I plan to vote for Obama just because I don't worship him like they do. it's not enough that i will vote for him, I must LOVE him , too, or I am racist or something. :crazy:

like Obama politically. I can't understand why anyone would. You're voting for him, what else could anyone ask? And frankly, though I don't agree with you completely, Obama has to demonstrate his commitment to certain issues when he's in office, to convince me that he really will push for liberal causes and issues.

Obama is a politiican and he is not my dream progressive candidate. I am still pissed that he squandered his opportunity to stand up and fight for a real bailout instead of allowing the Bush people to rob our treasury. There is legitimate reason for progressives to be angry.

However, reality is reality. And, the reality is that one of two candidates will win on Tuesday. The choices are simple: Do you want a President who stands against everything you believe in OR do you want a President who stands for SOME of what you believe? Do you want a President who has the intelligence to lead a broken nation OR do you want a President so ill-fit for the job that he may completely destroy any chance for the rescuing of this nation & the globe? Do you want a President who will listen to Al Gore or do you want a President who is completely owned by big oil?

When reviewed in that light, Obama is clearly the only choice...

I am a default Obama supporter. But, I am a Obama supporter. He has my time, my money, and my vote. And, if you want the progressives to feel maybe even a little happy about a Obama Presidency, tell them to watch his speech on race on youtube. You can't watch that speech and not believe that this man, just maybe, will be able to do the job...

Many legendary progressives and activists have endorsed Obama, either tepidly or whole-heartedly

Most think to NOT vote AGAINST McCain by voting FOR Obama, is an act of madness

Obama's announcement speech, before anyone hated anyone, http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7719885

and Hillary's Oped in yesterday's New York Daily News: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2008/11/02/2008-11-02_the_man_for_the_moment_hillary_clinton_m-3.html

And McCain's real story from the Rolling Stones Article: http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain

And anyone who's so blinded by ideology that they can't see that a centrist who's going to take small steps in a more progressive direction is far better than a conservative whose agenda is more aptly described as regressive is probably too fucking stupid to live, let alone vote. Some times call for pragmatism in the ultimate service of idealism; this is one of those times.