Some of what you said has merit. Unfortunately I think some hate Obama because he is black which is sad. I think there are alot who don’t like his policies and you seem to take that as a personal attack against him.

I would say Ron Paul very much is in competition with Obama. He wants to be president doesn’t he? I don’t believe that Ron Paul would support the massive federal spending that Obama supports. As you stated, Obama is endearing to you because he represents your ideals, I feel that Ron Paul is a heck of alot closer to representing my ideals then Obama. In that same breath I would agree that he’s to simplistic and yes I think some of his ideas are a bit kooky.

I believe Obama is very likeable for the reasons you pointed out however I don’t believe his rise to power is remotely based on his talents. You refer to him as a constitutional scholar and I would disagree with that. Someone like Ron Paul who has toiled through years of congressional service to me is much more talented then Obama and has worked much harder to achieve what he really believes in, albeit with little success. Obamas term of service prior to being the president was akin to a cup of coffee in the big leagues. I would refer to Obama as being very gifted and smart and his party quickly realized that and then threw every ounce of support behind him. He is tall, he is good looking, he is very well spoken, he has charisma and he has the ability to make people believe in him and like him almost regardless of his policies.

There is no other candidate like that and there probably will not be for a long long time. Regardless of any polls or public opinion, or whether any of his programs have worked, will work, or will simply add more debt, he will most likely win. He will convince people his policies have worked and that more policies will follow that will help them even more. I may not agree with that, and certainly you will agree with that, but in the end, more people will buy in as will their unions, and other organizations.

Not the same for Paul or for anyone else in the GOP for that matter.