CNN.com - Anderson Cooper 360° Blog

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Believe... But who do you believe?

Tom Foreman
360 Correspondent

Democrats in South Carolina, especially black Democrats, are facing a test of their beliefs: Do they believe Barack Obama can actuallly become president or not?

That's all it really comes down to. Many African-Americans have made it clear for months that they would like to vote for Obama, but they fear he can not win.

In Iowa and New Hampshire, he attracted more than enough white votes to ease those fears. Hillary Clinton, however, directly and indirectly keeps raising them, saying Obama is the wrong man, with the wrong experience, at the wrong time to be president now.

In other words, in every way, at every stop she is telling voters: do not believe that this man can win....and he is saying just the opposite. So who do you believe?

Posted By CNN: 2:56 PM ET
8 Comments

Tom,
Honestly I think Hillary is right. Obama is just not seasoned enough. Yeah he may be a great speech giver that can attract many people but when it comes down to the nitty gritty of getting things done I just don't see him being able to do what he promises. Change is just a word! If you don't know people and know how to work the system you can't do anything.

Give Obama 10 or so more years and then let him come back. Then maybe he'll be better apt to do something. Right now he isn't!

Cynthia, Covington, Ga.

Posted By

Cindy : 3:16 PM ET

I would vote for Hillary OR Obama but believe them?
Nah, politics is acting out a game.
We just have to select the best game player.~

Posted By

Betty Ann : 3:25 PM ET

We should all cast our vote for the person who we feel is the best possible person to become President. It shouldn't matter that we feel this "best person" might not win.

All the candidates need to articulate their detailed plans for the future of this nation, and then, it's up to the voters to make a decision about who is best able to lead us into the immediate future,

We should vote our conscience, and not worry about picking the winner.

Posted By

Joseph Kowalski, North Huntingdon, PA : 3:34 PM ET

Tom/AC360:
It is great strategy for Hillary Clinton to bring up in the campaign right now. It is very clever. She has voters doubting if Barak Obama could win in the general election.

I believe Americans are so frightened of non-change; they may be manipulated into voting for Hillary. Isn't that as bad as George W. Bush manipulating the American people into votes because the security of the country would be at risk if he was not president?

I may not like it, but the primaries are about putting my party into the White House. It is just getting very dirty. I expected it. Obama and Clinton may announce a truce, but it won't last long.

Posted By

Sharon from Indy : 3:34 PM ET

Your whole premise is that people will vote based on promises. Why don't we just look at what these people have already done that's successful or difficult or what they've accomplished that shows leadership, instead of voting on what they would do.

If we vote according to what each candidate promises, we're bound to be disappointed, but if we look at what they've achieved that comes close to what they're promising, then that's a better bet.

Posted By

xtina - chicago IL : 5:44 PM ET

Being I am a (black) American, I am surprised that after years of wondering if it is time for a black president, and then one coming to the plate during a Bush war....... I too feel this isn't the right time for a Black president. Leaving the question? when is the right time for a Black president? I do not have faith in Obama at this time of Americas' need for change. An even though I do not fully back Hillary, I will be voting for her.

Posted By

Tuni from California : 8:53 PM ET

Clinton may not be electable either so I'm not sure I would put much significance in what she says of Obama's electability.

If a person truly wants Obama as their next President and feel that he is the best candidate, then they need to vote for him. If they don't then he truly won't be able to be elected.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

Posted By

Annie Kate : 9:45 PM ET

vote your heart. who will lead this country with a proven, sure hand. i think the world might benefit from a woman who won't rush to war but instead will evaluate options and track down the root of this war and "combat" these terrorists on the right level. clearly mass bombing and warfare haven't worked. let's try a more informed, intelligent approach. let's hope so for our country and the world.

Posted By

diane and susan : 12:47 AM ET

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