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Douglas Carpenter

(20,226 posts)

14. I think the committed activist on any side misses the likability element in their opponents

Mon May 20, 2013, 05:44 PM

May 2013

I could never really fathom that most Americans actually personally liked Ronald Reagan or George W. Bush for that matter. Their deeply offensive policies had me convinced that they were arrogant, ignorant and simply not very bright and of morally and ethically flawed character. But the fact is most Americans personally liked and still do like Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. Objectively, like with Clinton and Obama they were personally charming to most people - the vast overwhelming majority of people. I will say that once they left office, I discovered that I didn't hate them anymore. Which I guess means that I never really hated them in the first place. I simply hated them being in the position to determine public policy.

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CNN Poll: Likability helps Obama survive brutal weEK [View all] brooklynite May 2013 OP

Sadly, the teaklan has seen it's numbers improve. Dawson Leery May 2013 #1

It wasn't his worst week because the media bigdarryl May 2013 #2

wait wait wait. likeability and approval are positively correlated? unblock May 2013 #3

There's also the possibility that some of us are reacting to the 100% negative characterizations patrice May 2013 #4

WHOOP, THERE IT IS!!! Brilliant, my friend. Simply brilliant!! Liberal_Stalwart71 May 2013 #7

Well said. Thanks for posting this emulatorloo May 2013 #11

The Republicans have done everything they can to demonize this man. Grammy23 May 2013 #5

& They can't make themselves look any better by saying something relatively positive, because patrice May 2013 #6

This is also why we never see any vision stuff from that cohort; you know, solution ideas & timeline patrice May 2013 #9

Republicans with the help of many Democrats, too! Liberal_Stalwart71 May 2013 #8

Authentic centrism is actually more of a threat to more people than some of us are patrice May 2013 #12

I agree with you. I didn't distinguish between liberal or moderate Democrats. I think there are Liberal_Stalwart71 May 2013 #17

That's one of the frustrating things about this experience; I actually agree with lots of patrice May 2013 #18

You articulate very well what's on my mind but can't put into words. Thank you so much! Liberal_Stalwart71 May 2013 #19

Thank you. I've been interested in this stuff all of my life. I watch and read. patrice May 2013 #21

Me, too! Politics has been a lifelong passion. Liberal_Stalwart71 May 2013 #30

re:CNN Poll: Likability helps Obama survive brutal weEK allan01 May 2013 #10

K&R Cha May 2013 #13

I think the committed activist on any side misses the likability element in their opponents Douglas Carpenter May 2013 #14

How about the "truth" helps Obama survive? nt kelliekat44 May 2013 #15

Or people know better than to fall for pseudo-scandal-mania daleo May 2013 #16

Thank you! n/t markpkessinger May 2013 #20

Republicans never learn. Beacool May 2013 #22

This thread is about Obama. Liberal_Stalwart71 May 2013 #23

So? Beacool May 2013 #25

Come on, Bea. You admit you never liked Obama Liberal_Stalwart71 May 2013 #28

Oh, please......... Beacool May 2013 #31

Gore had problems, that's for sure. But those problems were compounded because he Liberal_Stalwart71 May 2013 #32

the way todays republicans have crazy-hate, I'm very worried about Pres.O & USA peoples safety. Sunlei May 2013 #24

The OK Tornadoes are horrible with multiple fatalities. But Obama needs to hit this one hard BanTheGOP May 2013 #26

The president knows what he has to do... Liberal_Stalwart71 May 2013 #29

+1 ucrdem May 2013 #35

i think most people also know the "scandals" are BS , even though some try to be fair JI7 May 2013 #27

CNN Poll: Likability helps Obama survive another fatuous media "attack". bemildred May 2013 #33

It's also possible that the public saw a side of the BO admin they weren't aware of. ucrdem May 2013 #34

Nate Silver - Is the Economy Saving Obama�s Approval Ratings? ucrdem May 2013 #36