On the way back from lunch I ran into a trio of Obama supporters handing out literature for their man. I’ve been curious about how much people know about Barack Obama the man compared to Barack Obama the hype. So I conducted a purely unscientific survey.
Q1: What is Barack Obama’s current job?
A1: All three – Senator
Q2: Senator from which state?
A2: One had no idea, one said Chicago, the third agreed with Chicago.
Q3: Who is his running mate?
A3: All three – Biden
Q4: What is Joe Biden’s current job?
A4: All three – Senator
Q5: Senator from which state?
A5: All three – No answer
Admittedly, these are not policy questions. Nor do I assume that these three individuals represent every Barack Obama supporter. But this does display how Obama’s appeal transcends politics and knowledge of who Barack Obama is. Why they are voting for Obama – Change? Hope? His health care proposals? A nice smile? – I do not know. I do hope that they know, though. And that they’re more informed in that opinion than they are of the candidates themselves.
