Do you have Republican parents, siblings, coworkers, or neighbors? What are you hearing from them? What’s their level of commitment to McCain-Palin? Are they voting early? Are they volunteering? Are they undecided or ready to cross-over?
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BooMan
Martin Longman a contributing editor at the Washington Monthly. He is also the founder of Booman Tribune and Progress Pond. He has a degree in philosophy from Western Michigan University.
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Just came from town where the hunters are gathered around the coffee shop blowing off steam. It seems the consensus among them is that they never liked McCain, Palin is hot, Obama isn’t trustworthy so what the hell, they’re just not going to vote! The new Bradley effect? When in doubt stay home.
My father is passing along dubious GOP emails accusing Obama of associating with “terrorists” to all his friends but privately he tells me he’s known for a long time Obama was going to be the next President.
so what’s the point of passing on the e-mails – does he enjoy jerking people’s chain or making them fearful for their futures?
Good question. I think it’s more of a preaching to the choir thing. Older conservatives don’t blog, but they do do email.
YES, they do email. Unfortunately they don’t Google the tubes. And why are their emails always so outdated, the ones I see are still talking about the flag pin fiasco.
I spend a lot of time on FriendFeed and it’s the most diverse internet community I have ever been a part of in my 20 years online. There are Republicans on there who are voting for Obama. A lot of them. There are a few Republicans on there who are voting against Obama. In the past 4 months, trying to get a Republican to admit they support McCain has been like pinning down clouds. Any question on why you support your candidate often has Obama supporters touching on his policies, with a few people mentioning the bad of the last 8 years. Meanwhile, the Republicans just bash Obama, mostly with lies.
I live in MN-06 and ever since Bachmann unmasked herself, those co-workers of mine who are Republicans are curiously absent. Must be an awfully busy time of year.
ARE YOU AN ANTI-AMERICAN?
The biggest commitment I have seen from ANY Republican I know is a McCain/Palin bumper sticker or a yard sign. That’s about it. Generally there is an across the board distaste for McCain but lots and lots of love for Palin. When they appeared here in town a while back, the overwhelming majority were there to see Palin. Kind of like Rich Lowry, they have all seen “the starbursts” when they watch the Saracudda. It is really comical to hear grown ups talk about her like she is some GOP Mega-MILF Xena-Warrior Princess. It borders on juvenile.
I do know of several Republicans who have voted early. I don’t personally really know of any Republicans who are likely to vote for Obama. If their apathy gets the better of them, some are likely to just not vote, which would be fine. But around here, Republicans don’t vote for Democrats, EVER!!! Even if they have to close their eyes and hold their noses, they pull the levers for the GOP.
I suspect that the local fear amongst the GOP faithful surrounding any potential Obama win will likely turn them out in their usual numbers, which creates a fairly sizable majority. I suspect that, other than Montgomery and Hamilton counties in this area, that this corner of the state will go for McCain/Palin. It is very deeply red.
The Republicans that I encounter, a rather extreme variety, are still nuts for Palin, somewhat less so for McCain. But they will vote for him.
The independents are unhappy with the choices and may not vote.
and so are top uber-hawk Republicans…they’re abandoning McCain
I think it would add a touch of interest if people (as MikeinOhio did) would give an idea what part of the country they are in.
Western NY, but my family is all out west for the most part (Arizona – parents, Colorado – 1 brother, 1 sister, Nevada – 1 brother, and Arkansas – 1 brother). All are, in varying degrees more conservative/libertarian than I am. I was born in N. Carolina, but grew up and went to school, worked in Colorado from age 7 to age 32. We moved to our present locale in 1988.
Family left PA in 1866 and headed west. Didn’t stop until the Great Pacific welcomed us and for the past 30 years have gradually moved north up the coast until some of us are now waving at the Canadians. And damn fine neighbors they are!
Speaking of locales – I have avoided visiting the US during the Bush years – a bit like I never visited South Africa during Apartheid. If Obama wins I will feel somewhat more comfortable with the Homeland security guys Googling by blogging record and not putting me on the next flight home. Let me know when its safe to visit again – I have a friend who has hit hard times in Chicago who I would very much like to visit.
My mom is a moderate Republican, but she sometimes has a tendency to ignore information that does not fit into her worldview. She has been somewhat open to Obama all year. Recently, as she was trying to ignore a lot of information about McCain and Palin (lack of judgment or qualifications, erratic handling of the economic issues, etc) she seemed to be moving more towards McCain.
However, she watched Colin Powell’s endorsement and found his reasoning persuasive – she was able to listen when he as a Republican said these things even though she was not able to listen when her (very liberal) Democratic daughters said the same things. For that alone, I have to thank Powell (also, I thank him for speaking up as he did against Islamophobia).
My dad is pretty far right, watches Fox all the time. I am holding out hope that he might decide to vote for Barr but I am not really sure where he stands right now. He is not likely to be swayed by much.
Powell’s reasoning was VERY persuasive, and I am especially pleased that he made such a powerful statement against isalmophobia (though I could have done without the “touching story” of the Muslim soldier, but that’s just me).
What a shame Powell’s character is not as persuasive as his statement was!
This northern area of Oakland Co., MI, is so Republican that most of the township offices don’t even have a Democratic candidate running. Still, the Obama signs in town are outnumbering the McCain ones around 3:1.. I’ve noticed that some neighbors who had Bush signs out the last couple elections have bare yards this year. It makes me hopeful.
My Republican son-in-law (he’s a good person, really!) voted for Bush the first time around, and was so disgusted that he re-registered as “decline to state” after the 2004 election (as I did after the 2006 election – but then I don’t care for political parties anyway). As for this election, he was on the fence until McCain introduced Palin. That pushed him over the edge.
And speaking of Palin, my daughter was actively uninterested in politics. She used to roll her eyes and march out of the room whenever her husband and I started talking about it. Ever since Sarah Palin came along you can’t shut her up about it. So, Sarah Palin has done one good thing in her life.