Diplomat

Obama just comes alive in the interactive discussions and Q&A.

He has the uncanny ability to represent both sides of seemingly intractable impasses – from gun control to racism to criminal justice– thereby evoking a depolarizing empathy and newfound hope for change.

I wondered if my perception was somehow limited to those who affiliate with Obama’s personal perspective on the issues. I recognized a couple lifelong Republicans at this Silicon Valley gathering, and was surprised that through this encounter, they are going to vote for a Democrat for the first time.

(more Obama photos & quotes)

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Comments

TheAlieness GiselaGiardino²³ says:

He is a very handsome man. And so is his wife for what I saw. I know this is completely superfluous for a comment, but it´s an added value that they are pleasing for the eye (imo, of course).

And as Voltaire said: "The superfluous, a very necessary thing."
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

Josh Thompson says:

I am heartened to hear that Obama is so convincing in person, but I also wonder if the qualities you describe (an "uncanny ability to represent both sides" of an issue) appeal to highly educated, intellectual voters but fall flat with working class Republicans (and Democrats). Will he be susceptible to the "waffling" charge like Kerry was? I like him and I voted for him, but I worry about these things....
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

jared says:

I am a highly educated, intellectual voter and this man has my vote.
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

nels1 says:

if i could vote, he would also have earned mine:)

however, this Democratic Representative from Illinois wouldn't...
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

jurvetson says:

awesome video link nels1

Josh... these waffling, flip-flop stereotypes are hard to shake... Quoting from the LA TImes, summarizing a story from Nature Neuroscience:

Exploring the neurobiology of politics, scientists have found that liberals tolerate ambiguity and conflict better than conservatives because of how their brains work.

Psychological studies have found that conservatives tend to be more structured and persistent in their judgments whereas liberals are more open to new experiences.

liberals were ... 2.2 times as likely to score in the top half of the distribution for accuracy.

Sulloway said the results could explain why President Bush demonstrated a single-minded commitment to the Iraq war and why some people perceived Sen. John F. Kerry, the liberal Massachusetts Democrat who opposed Bush in the 2004 presidential race, as a "flip-flopper" for changing his mind about the conflict.

Based on the results, he said, liberals could be expected to more readily accept new social, scientific or religious ideas.

"There is ample data from the history of science showing that social and political liberals indeed do tend to support major revolutions in science,"
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

PhOtOnQuAnTiQuE says:

Following the comments. Here is a little more to explore for some of you : )

TED just uploaded this year talk from Al Gore: New thinking on the climate crisis . At the end Chris asked him a question : "When you look at what the leading candidats in your party are doing now...Are you existed by their plans on global warming ? His answer is very interesting. Following on an inspiring, "pleine d' energie" , passionate talk.

@Nels : Marrant =)
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

mantruc says:

connotations apart, that's a great smile, good portrait!

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Seen on your photo stream. (?)
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

~Reshma~ says:

Exciting times ahead!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

JC Couto says:

Please add your beautiful picture to Sorria / Smile or visit our group for more information.
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

Today is a good day says:

he is the man

From a non-US persons viewpoint, I think we could do a lot to restore the damage done over the last few years.

--
Seen on your photo stream. (?)
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

Olive Ndungutse says:

Excellent Portrait of Obama - he has a wonderful smile.
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

Callocephalon Photography says:

A+++ Grade Photo
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

♥siebe © says:

A+++ Grade Photo
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

funade says:

A+++ Grade Photo
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

sandra.harris10 says:

I like the man. Remains to be seen if he can do the job. Great portrait though.

A+++ Grade Photo
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )