How is it that some folks still don't "get it"???

[arbusto_baboso]

Last Friday I was having lunch with a friend/former co-worker. She is a fairly intelligent woman, but not overly political.

Over lunch our conversation turned toward politics (as it tends to do with me). While this friend admitted that McCain would be an incredibly bad choice for the country she then said, "But I don't want Obama to get in." This friend is not a conservative idealogue by any stretch of the imagination, so to say I was surprised would be an understatement.

Trying to stay as calm as I could under the circumstances, I asked her why she feels this way. "Well, I can't vote for a Muslim." I calmly, expertly debunked the religion thing, pointing out that his "preacher problems" were from a CHRISTIAN church he belonged to, something a Muslim couldn't do. My friend then continued by saying, "Well, isn't he a flip-flopper?"

<SIGH>

Now, I'm in California, a safely blue state, so I wouldn't ordinarily be concerned by the adult-onset idiocy shown by this friend, but what does concern me is that she's originally from Ohio. I worry that her attitude might be somewhat representative of the state.

I also sense, somewhere deep down, she just can't bring herself to vote for a black man, but that she won't ever admit it.

This is what we're up against. Please someone help me feel more optimistic!

[Starbucks Anarchist]

1. Some people are just beyond stupid.

And I don't think we should "reach out" to them.

[Arugula Latte]

2. I'm originally from Ohio.

You'd think a very industrialized state that has been hit hard again and again would know better than to vote for a Republican this year (the majority DID vote for Kerry in '04). I guess racism is rearing its ugly, ugly head there perhaps more than in most other states.

[lukasahero]

18. I have relatives in Ohio who are campaigning for Obama

These are my husband's cousins and have never sent us any political emails in the past. This year they are inundating us (hello, we live in Massachusetts - we're already bluer than blue!) with anti-Palin/McCain emails and pro-Obama stories.

On the other hand, his dingbat brother in Maryland "doesn't know" who he'll be voting for yet. (I have never heard my husband tell his brother off like he did after hearing that! It's entirely possible we just got another Obama voter based on the big brother scolding effect!)

My family's all in RI so they hardly need recruiting but on the bright side even my painfully conservative Republican mother (by RI standards) is probably going to vote for Obama. :wow:

Anyway, my point was Ohio is definitely in play.

[Avalux]

3. Authoritarian personality; has nothing to do with intelligence or education. Read:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Authoritarian_Personality

These people want to be told what to do, are rigid in their beliefs and are fearful of change.

I know otherwise intelligent, decent people who fit this mold. They will deny the truth if it challenges how they think.

[redqueen]

4. I have no idea what it could be besides out and out racism.

I've talked to FAR too many people like that to think otherwise. They have nothing...

One of them tried to use the 'inexperienced' thing, I showed him the evidence that Obama has done plenty as an IL state senator and inthe US senate, and the guy actually got pissed with me.

:wtf:

[RethugAssKicker]

5. She's lying...it's because he's black

[renie408]

9. I hate to say it, I think you are right.

People don't want to feel racist, so they will latch onto whatever bullshit excuse they can.

[uponit7771]

12. great minds think alike :-)

[uponit7771]

6. Sounds like someone FINDING a reason not to vote for Obama, it's not his policies or anything else

...it usually ends up with an aspect of him she doesn't like.

Not representative of America though IMHO, people are hurting in mulitple areas and those who have time to be concerened about "aspects" of a person vs. policies are usually pretty comfortable or thing they are.

[uponit7771]

7. Sounds like someone FINDING a reason not to vote for Obama, it's not his policies or anything else

...it usually ends up with an aspect of him she doesn't like.

Not representative of America though IMHO, people are hurting in mulitple areas and those who have time to be concerened about "aspects" of a person vs. policies are usually pretty comfortable or thing they are.

[uponit7771]

8. Sounds like someone FINDING a reason not to vote for Obama, it's not his policies or anything else

...it usually ends up with an aspect of him she doesn't like.

Not representative of America though IMHO, people are hurting in mulitple areas and those who have time to be concerened about "aspects" of a person vs. policies are usually pretty comfortable or thing they are.

[azmouse]

10. So you'll let ONE person persuade you that Obama won't win

because you think they are 'representative of the state' when there are MILLIONS of us that will vote for him?
Don't we all represent a state too?

[arbusto_baboso]

13. Wow. Did you actually READ my post?

Or do you just like attacking people you think are are properly optimistic?

[azmouse]

17. Yes... Why do you need people to convince you to be optimistic?

I'm not here to babysit all the nervous nellies.

[arbusto_baboso]

21. Oh, and you NEVER get discouraged, right?

You don't like my post, then stay off the g*******d thread.

And for the record, I'm registering voters, writing letters to the editors of local publications, and generally already doing what I can for an Obama victory, so don't give me the "stop handwringing and start working" crap, either.

I ask for a little spirit-lifter, and you tell me you can't baby sit "nervous nellies"? Screw you.

[azmouse]

22. Seems like you have a temper problem...

No, I don't get discouraged. And your little temper tantrum doesn't do you proud.

You started this post, I responded. Grow up.

[SeaLyons]

11. It's the gist of the GOP's stance on this campaign...

that crap about "personalities" vs "issues" is All about - are you voting for the pretty white woman or do you want the black guy. That's it!!!

[GreenEyedLefty]

16. Didn't McCain's campaign manager say they're not campaigning on issues?

That says it all right there.

[SeaLyons]

19. Yes, that's exactly what he said....

they are not hiding it at all.

[GreenEyedLefty]

14. I believe there is a significant portion of the electorate

Which would welcome a dictatorship. There isn't a scintilla of doubt in my mind.

I've said this time and again... it is critical to the future of this country for Obama supporters to help get out the vote.

[Skidmore]

15. When I'm at that point, I tell the person I sure hope they've been satisfied with the last

eight years because a McCain presidency will get them 4 more like them...and McCain is being brought to them by the same people who brought them Bush/Cheney. If they think the last administration was a disaster, it is their duty as a citizen to do something about it. I've actually told a couple friends that I don't want to hear complaints later if their votes would contribute to another 4 years of * policies.

[maui9002]

20. I've sensed it too

More than once, I've heard the comment "I'm not for McCain, but I don't know, there's something about Obama that makes me uncomfortable" or some version of that argument. I always ask "what makes you uncomfortable about him?" and then launch into my own sell job re Obama--"Wouldn't it be great if we could elect someone who is intelligent, thoughtful, and inspirational, and who represents what this country is all about? Someone who, despite certain obstacles, used education to advance himself? Who became the first African American to be elected by his peers as editor in chief of the Harvard Law Review? Who passed up a lucrative career with a Wall Street law firm to work with the poor on the South Side of Chicago? Someone who has not been cozy with the defense establishment and large corporations? Don't know if it will work, but at least in some cases, I think I've made them think.