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Will They Still Love Him When He's Prez?

Trusting activists may be weapons for President Obama, or betrayed by him

By Gabriel Winant, Newser User

Posted Oct 26, 2008 4:58 PM CDT

(Newser) – What will happen to Barack Obama’s fan base if he wins? The devoted followers, who wield unusual power in the campaign and feel close to their candidate, won’t vanish after November and could be a powerful weapon for his agenda, Howard Fineman writes in Newsweek. But if Obama governs more conservatively than they like, they may turn their power against him.

“His supporters have sky-high expectations and expect to be involved,” one analyst said. But a President Obama who wages more war in Afghanistan or disses Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad could upset the faithful. "At that point, the names on those voter and e-mail lists may start talking to each other," Fineman writes. "That's when we'll know how 'trusting' an organization it really is."

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (2)]

Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, shakes hands with supporters at a rally in Albuquerque, N.M., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., greets supporters Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008, at a rally in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Tim Dunn)

A young supporter listens as Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at a rally at the Univ. of New Mexico in Albuquerque , N.M.Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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These people feel a close, personal tie to Obama, just as conservatives did to Reagan. But if and when he starts governing, he is going to start disappointing them. - Will Marshall, researcher of the Obama organization

These are people who are responsive. They want to be respected and to continue to be involved in what we do. - David Plouffe, Obama campaign manager

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Will They Still Love Him When He's Prez?