My republican parents are voting for Obama....

[MonkeyFunk]

Mom called to tell me about the death of a beloved neighbor.

We had a long chat about things, and it turned to politics - which we rarely discuss because they're republican and I'm not, to say the least.

I mentioned something about Obama and my Mom cut me off right away with "Oooh... we like him. We're voting for him!"

Now this is a woman who voted for Nixon over Kennedy.

Just one data point.

[Bluedogvoter]

1. Will she vote for the Democrat candidate?

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Yes she will

and god bless her

[MonkeyFunk]

3. If it's Obama, yes.

When she said it, I didn't ask if she were voting in the Dem primary. I don't even know if they have open primaries where my folks live now.

But I thought it was fascinating that she loved Obama - and she said my father agreed with her. "We're voting for him" were her words.

Oh... I remember why his name came up. I made a joke that he was 3 months younger than me. We were talking about aging. I said, jokingly, that I can't vote for anyone younger than me to be prez... and she she literally cut me off at the mention of Obama's name to say that he was her candidate.

I don't know of any Dem presidential candidate she's ever voted for.

But recently, I've had an ongoing discussion with my folks about two issues - gay marriage and health-care. My folks adore my partner, and I've had some great exchanges with them on the issue. Turns out they can't think of a single reason why we shouldn't be able to marry.

On healthcare, they're 100% convinced that the system is fucked. So I've tried, very gently, to point them toward a position that requires some serious government support. It's a slow ride, but they're getting there.

But I was really really shocked at the response I got when I mentioned Obama. And I'll be honest and say they hate - really hate- Hillary Clinton. I like Senator Clinton a great deal, so we don't discuss her.

[Pushed To The Left]

15. My mom's the same way! Republican, really likes Obama, can't stand Hillary Clinton!

My dad is also a Republican, but it's a pretty safe bet he will vote for the Democratic candidate in 2008.

[ProudDad]

4. Interesting. My very elderly

(83 year old) white, born rich lost it in the stock market crash of '29, REPUBLICAN mother likes Obama too...

Maybe they ought to poll Dems and repubs about Barack...

[MonkeyFunk]

6. Yeah

my Dad's 79. Isn't it interesting that Obama appeals to such people?

[ProudDad]

14. I like his "style"

I just wish I knew what he'd actually DO...

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

9. My Irish football jock republican friend here in Chicago said the same thing. n/t

[Kurovski]

5. Obama got a lot of votes in Illinois,

including Republican downstate (southern) Illinois.

Congrats to us all! :-)

[obamian]

16. Illinois Numbers

I just looked up his Illinois numbers. I'm not sure how much of this is due to Alan Keyes being crazy, but...

About 40% of Republicans backed Obama, as did 75% of independents.

USA Today

Also, check out Republicans for Obama

[DFW]

17. How much?

It had PLENTY to do with Alan Keyes being crazy (and from Maryland).

[ourvoicescount]

7. Good for them! People who think for themselves!

[mmonk]

8. Fantastic

[Learn2Swim]

10. I had the same experience

but from my grandfather. Conservative for (far as I know) all of his life. Said he is voting for Obama, and switching party affiliation just to vote in the primaries. I was like WOW. Totally didn't see that coming.

[Dr Fate]

11. It's quite the phenom. I know 2 white, Southern Libertarian types who like him.

I think it has to do with something like this:

"If Obama is President, then 'they' cant complain about discrimination anymore"

Misguided motives there, if true- but I'm just guessing. Even still, they seem to really like the guy as a "straight talker" though.

I like Obama on the issues and I like his tone- I'll either support him or Edwards in the primaries.

[Cosmocat]

12. It is the tone ...

That is it in a nutshell ...

I am not in love with him, I like him ... But the "tone" is what gives him a real shot ... He has a natural sense, or the ability to measure his words and thoughts in a manner that do not touch the "partisan" nerve for most people ...

[CalebHayes]

13. Thats why I'm hosting a party for him at my home this Saturday.

[DFW]

18. I've met the guy, and:

While I am a LONG way from making up my mind about which Democrat
I want as my presidential candidate, I can tell you this much: Obama
has that rare personal magnetism that you come across once in a blue moon.
Bill Clinton has it. I have not met anyone else who does. Gore is impressive,
but doesn't quite have that aura that captures a room the second he enters it.
Obama does. He is aware, intelligent, and charismatic to a point that you
almost think it is contrived. It isn't. I want to hear a LOT more from him on
where he stands on things, but to be impressed by the man, you need all of
about ten seconds.