A good sign: My step-father is voting for Kerry.

[Skinner]

My real father passed away when I was six years old, and my mother re-married when I was eleven. My step-father is a life-long Republican. He's not a particularly conservative guy. He's not ideological. He's a soft-spoken, loving family man who worked hard and played by the rules. He was able to retire comfortably with my mother after about forty years with the same company. He has two daughters of his own (my step-sisters), and he's been a wonderful step-father to me and my brother, raising us as if we were his own sons.

My step-father is one of the most decent human beings I know. Somewhat ironically, the values this life-long Republican instilled in me led me to become a Democrat in adulthood: Honoring work, respecting other people, treating people with fairness and honesty, valuing education, helping those less-fortunate than myself, living within your means, striving to be a responsible citizen of the community and the world.

For as long as I have known him, he has voted Republican. I guess he just felt that the Republican party and its candidates were a better fit. As recently as a week ago, I thought he was voting for Bush. In fact, even my mother (who generally votes Democratic) thought so. She told me that on election day they were going to split their votes again, like they always do.

But I saw my step-father this weekend, and he just decided that he is voting for Kerry. It's kinda difficult to explain my reaction. I was stunned to learn that he was actually voting for a Democrat. But on the other hand I was not surprised at all, because I know that Bush does not govern this nation with the values that my step-father lives by. Still, given all the possible explanations, I was curious what finally made him switch his vote to Kerry.

He listed three reasons, in this order: 1) He felt that the Bush Administration did not care about the environment. 2) He was concerned about the international reputation of the United States in the rest of the world. 3) He was concerned that the Bush Administration was too close with large corporations, especially the oil industry.

He said that he was not confident that John Kerry would be any better, but at least he knew that Kerry would try a different approach. There was, at least, the possibility of improvement with a Kerry administration. He also said that if the Republicans nominated John McCain in 2008, he was going to vote for McCain.

I follow the election closely, and I can list dozens of reasons why I think we're going to win on Tuesday. But the fact that my step-father is voting for Kerry is probably the most compelling evidence I've heard yet that we're going to win this thing.

[Maddy McCall]

1. What about your step-sisters?

Have they decided how they will vote?

Your step-dad sounds like a good guy. I know many decent Republicans...sometimes I think the broadbrush insults hurled their way are inappropriate.

Good story, Skinner! :-)

[Skinner]

5. I believe my step-sisters are going to split their votes.

Just like I'm pretty sure my brother and I are going to split our votes.

My family is usually pretty evenly divided in the way we vote:

Democrats:
My mother
My step-sister (the older of the two)
Me

Republicans:
My step-father
My other step-sister (the younger of the two)
My brother

[Maddy McCall]

9. Sounds like my family.

They are all going Kerry this year, though. Now, my extended family--that's a different story...many Bush supporters in the extended family.

[da_chimperor]

2. A very good sign indeed

Congrats on the good news! :toast:

[July]

3. I hope that good people like your stepfather will give JK a chance.

It's going to be crazy after the election, but I really hope that enough people are willing to let Kerry at least try to govern effectively that he will be able to show his worth.

[madmax]

4. Thanks for sharing that Skinner

Your step-father is an old fashioned Republican. The bush cabal is not by any stretch of the imagination a reflection of the GOP.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

6. The REAL reason he's voting Kerry

HE READS DU ! :thumbsup:

(tell him to stop posting all those sex threads in the lounge!) :evilgrin:

[Skinner]

10. You figured it out.

My step-father is actually matcom. /sarcasm

Actually, DU is too extreme for my step-father. I have no doubt that he is impressed with the work that I do, and he is proud of me. But DU is not really his cup of tea.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

12. Yeah and let's keep him away from the computer between now and Tuesday

we can be a bit hardcore at times, eh? ;-)

[meganmonkey]

7. Happy anecdotes are just making my day!!!!

Thanks for sharing, Skinner! And for running this excellent site!

[Lex]

8. What a touching story, Skinner.

Thank you for sharing it with us.

Your stepfather sounds like a kind and decent man. I think Kerry will ultimately end up impressing him with his ability to lead the country, if he wins.

[spooky3]

11. Thanks for sharing this story. Your stepdad sounds like my dad

personally, but unfortunately, my dad hasn't evolved politically.

[shance]

13. Somethings in the water. Both my friend's father and her step-father

are voting for Kerry, and they've never voted for a Democratic candidate EVER.

Speaks volumes I think.

[shelley806]

14. What good news Skinner...I enjoy the few of your posts that I've had the

pleasure of reading, and this one in particular. Your name will forever be emblazoned in my mind because that is all I knew about when I was frantically voting in the post debates...that's when I thankfully found DU, and kept following the name Skinner!

Your step father and many Republicans will be voting for Kerry, because good values are independent of political affiliation. And when lies are presented as truth, enslavement as freedom, Un-Christianity as Christianity, evil as good....enough!

"Honoring work, respecting other people, treating people with fairness and honesty, valuing education, helping those less-fortunate than myself, living within your means, striving to be a responsible citizen of the community and the world."

[babylonsister]

15. Thanks for sharing, Skinner.

Your love for your step-dad is apparent; I'm sure this made your day.

[ahem]

16. That is good news...

He sounds like a great guy, too. I could really sense your love and respect for the man in your post.

[THUNDER HANDS]

17. where's he live?

great story BTW. I applaud him.

[Skinner]

20. Virginia

Which probably isn't in play. But you never know...

[WorseBeforeBetter]

47. Yes, Virginia is in play!

JK and W are polling only 4 points apart and I'm seeing more and more of Virginia being referred to as "weak Republican" or "vulnerable Republican." We're all hoping it will the "November Surprise." Please, if you know voters here, make sure they get out on 11/2. It's not a done deal and that would be 13 beautiful electoral votes for JK/JE!

http://www.electoral-vote.com/index.html

[venus]

49. Hey, Virginia is going blue this time around. It's in the air. If Virginia

goes Kerry, then nothing can stop the momentum.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

53. I'm in Alexandria too...

and agree! I want nothing more than to listen to the overpaid, blowhard pundits and pollsters sputter about how they got it wrong in Virginia. Except Zogby -- I like him!

[The Magistrate]

18. Congratulations, Sir!

And my felicitations to the gentleman in question; he sounds like a decent fella....

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[flpoljunkie]

19. Thanks for sharing, Skinner. Your step-father will not be the only life

long Republican voting for John Kerry. They see that Bush does not embody their conservative values, but rather is an right wing ideologue molded by the neocons.

[Longhorn]

21. I was raised by good Republicans, too, and their party has left them.

But they have too much pride to ever admit it to me if they were to vote for Kerry. I admire your step-father for telling you. It's a testament to your relationship that he could trust you enough to tell you, knowing you wouldn't gloat or throw it back in his face.

When I read posts from people on this board who plan to "rub it in," after Kerry wins, I'll remember you and your step-dad and what comes from understanding and respect. My hat's off to you! :yourock:

[misterphelps]

22. Great post

I don't have any scientific number for this phenomenon, republicans voting against shrub, but I believe it's widespread. I have respected the views of traditional republicans for most of my life. I saw things differently, but could understand how someone might come to a different conclusion.

This time around, those level headed republicans are having a hard time rationalizing their support of the current administration. This is not your daddy's party anymore. To me, the current W suporters fall into two categories; those who simply have their facts wrong (on the war, terrorism, the accomplishments and failings of the chimp), and those who know the facts, but stubornly support in spite of it on the basis of fear.

Of the repubs that I know, I'd say 1/3 to a half are voting Kerry this time.

[hecate77]

23. My republican brothers are also voting Kerry

I have two life-long republican brothers, one in Wisconin, one in Iowa (among other siblings, that is). One was a John Bircher when younger and has always been a super strong republican. Not this time. The other brother is an insurance company VP in Iowa, and always a staunch republican. Not this time.

Every one else in my family, to my knowledge (mother, 3 sisters, another brother, and myself, of course) have been Democrat all our lives.

Change is in the air.

By the way, I have never voted for a Republican for any office, and I never will. I missed one election in all my years (I am 61), the 1968 election (for which I am ashamed) because I just couldn't support HH and I certainly wasn't going to vote for Nixon. I think the murder of our leaders (Kennedy and King) by the right wing disheartened me too much at that time. But that is still no excuse to not vote. I will never make that mistake again!

[DemExpat]

24. My die-hard Repub father would be spinning in his grave

at this crowd now in office, I do believe.

Great to hear of your experience with your step-Dad.

Wonderful news!

:kick:

DemEx

[AussieDave]

25. I'm sure this is being repeated time and again

across the country - not all Republican voters and supporters are ogres. It sounds like your stepfather is in the mold of John Eisenhower - lifelong Republicans who are genuinely horrified at the hijacking of their party by the neocon crazies and religious fundamentalists.

Your stepfather is a THINKING voter - unlike those who can't see the woods for the trees. Good for him.

[Claire Beth]

26. that's great and I hear stories similiar to yours....

all the time. This is why I think Kerry will win, too!

[Lancer]

27. Dear Skinner,

Your stepfather is the sort of thoughtful, principled man whom I respect, even though we disagree politically.

It's so refreshing to hear someone give three concrete reasons why they cannot in good conscience vote for President Bush again.

I know many Americans who are fiercely proud of their loyalty to and admiration for Bush, but they cannot give one explicit reason for voting for him. They get angry when you ask them politely why they identify with and support the President.

Clearly these voters traffic in labels and symbols, not principles.

Thank you for telling us your stepfather's story.

[Skinner]

32. Yes, it is refreshing.

When he told me the reasons, my immediate reaction (to myself) was, first, that they were not the reasons I was expecting, and second, that they were all exactly right.

I thought it was really cool that he mentioned the environment. If you listen to the way the media is covering this campaign, you'd think that nobody cared about the environment anymore. But there are obviously lots of people out there who do still care, and they aren't just the stereotypical tree-huggers in Birkenstocks. (Please, nobody take offense. I wear Birkenstocks for at least six months out of the year.)

[Blue Gardener]

51. I hear a lot about the environment from voters

I think all the sportsmen voting for Kerry is a big plus for our side. They want habitat protected, not destroyed. I wish this was getting more attention, it might sway a few more to our side.

[stevedeshazer]

28. Great anecdotal evidence

When an election is this close, I believe you have to ignore the polls and pundits and go with your gut. Stories like yours have been repeated here many times, and are very encouraging.

By the way, the three reasons your stepfather listed are really nicely done. He sounds like a great guy who has given a lot of thought to this election. That's nothing but good. Thanks for sharing that story.

I think there are a lot of people who are basically moderate and cannot bring themselves to vote for Bush. We are going to win.

[MockSwede]

29. Pats on the back and Share a Beer

Upstanding folks on all accounts. Thanks for sharing with us.

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

31. My mother converted my stepfather from the R to the D column

I was already an adult when they married 13 years ago, but my stepfather was an old-fashioned Nebraska Republican who voted R because his family had always done so.

However, my mother the CSPAN junkie kept pointing out how nasty the Congressional Republicans were, and by the time 2000 rolled around, the conversion was complete.

In fact, after my stepfather heard Republicans complaining (falsely) that the crowd at Paul Wellstone's memorial service had been instructed to boo Trent Lott, he retorted, "Well, if I had been there, I would have booed him."

The old-fashioned Republicans--like ex-Minnesota governor Elmer Anderson, who came right out and called Cheney "evil" in an op-ed for the Minneapolis paper--are amenable to change. It's the new breed, the Moonie-like Bush groupies, who are the hard cases.

[sallyseven]

33. bush an cheney and the rest of them are not really republicans

They are bandits. There are millions of good republicans. I just hope they jump the fence this time.

[Lindsey]

39. Great story Skinner and one that I've heard many times over...

One of my very best friend's father is a retired surgeon who's lived in Texas and has voted Republican his whole life- A good and decent man (sounds kind of like your dad). He told my friend that he's "disgusted" with Bush - expecially the war. He will cast his vote for Kerry.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

34. Your step-father sounds like a wonderful and enlightened individual

If there were more decent and compassionate people in this world like him, it would be a much better place.

[opihimoimoi]

36. Sending beer and pupus for the entire family. Skinner, your stepdad

is a good human being. Not too many around these days. You are a lucky dude.

Come, we go drink, smile, eat, laugh. Tuesday is upon us.

[muchacho]

35. hussah

just the tip of the iceberg for USS Bush/Cheney

[ScreamingMeemie]

37. The Packers winning did it for me.

:) :) :)

Seriously though, many many of the swing voters or those who have voted Republican before are saying this very same thing. Change is needed...therefore they are voting Kerry. I think when the 18-25 year olds who aren't polled show up...the table will tip crazily our way.:hi:

[newsguyatl]

38. i spoke with two republican

females at work today, both of whom voted for bush in 2000, voting for kerry this year.

i imagine they're not alone.

[prof_science]

40. Love it

I've heard several stories like this in the past weeks, and I think everyone's right, true old-school republicans aren't down with the tricks this current administration is pulling. And if they are, it's just because they can't bring themselves to vote for a democrat. I really respect those who have made the jump. I ask myself, if there were a democratic administration that was as inept as this one, could I vote for the GOP? I don't know. Hmmm. If it were McCain, probably, if it were Giuliani, ooh, probably not, if it were DeLay, yikes, run!

My dad made the jump last election. Voted for Gore-- first time voting democrat. I was so proud. I worked on him for years :)

[Steelangel]

41. dude, that's awesome. *kick*

[jwirr]

42. More good news

I spent the weekend out on the Reservation visiting my family. I used to live there permanently and there was never much excitement about elections unless they were their own. This time it is different. They had Indian people going door-to-door for Kerry and handing out a lot of good information on his stands re Native Americans. My daughters both said that they have never seen it like this. It is a good sign from the res. Thank God.

[demintheD]

43. sisters-in-law

Well, judging by the bumper-stickers today the vote on your wife's side will be 7-2 for Kerry.. that includes the parents-in-law and one voting niece.

[johnnie]

44. Thanks for sharing this

My family is Democrat for the most part so I never really had that "friction" with them. My mother says "I just vote Democrat" and my father will discuss politics with me and most of the time we are on the same page.
Unfortunately he is having a problem voting for Kerry, but he is going to. He has listened too much to my cousin who is in the Secret Service and he is pro-bush because he works with him.
I have heard so many Republicans who are switching their vote this election that it's hard to believe that bush has a chance.

[nedbal]

45. Great story , Yes We Will Win

I too have a few Republicans that just can't take any more of Bush et el.

[demigoddess]

46. your dad sounds like my dad

technically stepfather who adopted me. Good guy. fought in Korea and died young because of it. I cringe every time I hear of our soldiers being mistreated by *, and I think of him.

[venus]

48. Too friggin cool. Must have been somewhat mind-blowing

for you, in a positive way. I agree it's a good sign for us.

[Paradise]

50. Nice. Thanks for sharing. :) n/t

[StlMo]

52. That's great, Skinner.

Edited for punctuation

:)

Skinner, thank you for that good sign and for all you have done.
And: Thanks to all the other people that make this a great site.

:thumbsup:

:dem: