Incredulous "undecided" voter on CNN just now

[elkston]

An older white guy in Florida. Rich Sanchez doing the interview. He is "leaning" McCain. He says he wants McCain to talk about exactly what he would do with the war and the economy in order to seal the deal.

Does anyone really believe this guy could change his mind and vote for Obama? After all the specific plans Obama has outlined and the countless number of times he's said he will end the war, this guy is still giving McCain the benefit of the doubt?

Oh just go ahead and say it. You're not "leaning" McCain, you are going to vote for him no matter what. You won't even consider Obama so spare me your undecided bullshit.

The other lady they talked to (white, about the same age) was more abstract. She didn't think either candidate had expressed how they would "make her life like it was before". Before G.W. Bush that is.
So somehow Obama's talk about tax cuts, better health care, and ending the war fell on deaf ears.

You know what this looks like to me? This is textbook Bradley Effect in the sense that you can count on voters who are still undecided this late in the game to break for the white candidate.

It is simply beyond me why ANYONE would still be giving McCain a look after all we have seen in this campaign. I mean, if you have baought into the Republican mindtrick, then just SAY IT. Say you'll vote for McCain no matter what. Don't try to fool us into thinking you are really "undecided".

Ugh.

I know the Obama folks are always looking at worse case scenarios where most of the undecides go for McCain. That's why its important that we are at or above 50% in the polls.

[babylonsister]

1. I just wonder why that first 'specimen' isn't going bonkers over the

fact that McBush is NOT talking about the economy or foreign policy, but is using character assassinations as his platform. You're right, it may not be the Bradley effect, it just might be that he's a dyed-in-the-wool rethug. He probably still supports the dim son, too.

[Two Sheds]

2. most of the national polls tell me that ...

we have a very small # of undecided voters for two weeks (now less) before the election. So that doesn't worry me much.
Also, "undecided voters" like your old man in FL are IMO props for the networks. They are treated like the most important prizes to be won. It's garbage. Who gives two hoots for someone who can't make up their mind now (after the last 8 years, between the two candidates, between the two VP candidates...).

[BeyondGeography]

3. That's NOT the Bradley Effect

The Bradley Effect is when people lie about their affiliation, not about why they are still undecided.

[BlooInBloo]

6. I think the OP's point is that the jackass is lying about being undecided....

And the OP is probably right about that.

You're still right, it's not literally an instance of the Bradley Effect. But it's a close cousin, though.

[BeyondGeography]

12. I know...just don't like how that term is thrown around

especially since it has become an irrelevancy to begin with.

[elkston]

10. Actually the other assertion of Bradley is that voters who are undecided

will invariably break for the white candidate.

So it is two parts:

1. A (small?) percentage of voters when asked by a HUMAN at the exit polls will lie about voting for the black candidate

2. Most voters who are still undecided on election day will vote for the white candidate.

[PaDem]

4. I tend to agree............

I think "undecided" voters will break to McCain by a 2-1 margin or more. So, it's important for Obama to be in that 50% range come Nov. 4th. I do think that first-time/younger voters and newly registered voters will push Obama through, but the undecideds will not be breaking his way. The undecided is the person who isn't thrilled about McCain but is "uncomfortable" with Obama. They'll go with who they're more comfortable with.

[WI_DEM]

5. I think most people who say they are undecided at this point are attention seekers.

[CrispyQ]

7. This weekend a friend of mine told me she was undecided.

I almost throttled her. How could I possibly be friends with someone who is undecided at this late date?

[CakeGrrl]

11. Did she say why? n/t

[CrispyQ]

21. She's worried she & her husband will have to pay more taxes on their business.

They make very decent money - over $250k. I told her that many people on Wall St. think Obama will handle the economic crisis better than McCain & she should be more worried about that. I reminded her that if the economy tanks, their business will suffer & that loss of income will be more than any additional taxes they may incur. "I hadn't thought of it that way," she said. :eyes:

[Virginia Dare]

24. It's been explained time and time again that small business income.

is different from personal income, I don't understand how people can still remain so ignorant on this issue. I think these people are just too lazy to go out and get the information for themselves.

[yellerpup]

8. They probably won't vote at all.

Especially when they get to the polls and see the long, long line they'll have to stand in. If they do stand in that long, long pro-Obama line, they'll more than likely want to join the crowd and go with the winner. If the weather is at all inclement on the day, if they aren't committed, they won't be hauling ass out of bed.

[iiibbb]

9. I don't think leaners who only mention what one candidate must do... are undecided.

A true undecided will equivocate both sides.


...although if you're still undecided at this point, you haven't been paying attention IMHO no matter which way you're going to vote.

[nc4bo]

13. This is going to sound really weird but I ran into a woman while phone banking yesterday and she was

"undecided" after much prompting (she actually said, "Do I really have to say?") :wtf:

I asked her about issues that concern her and her family. She said the economy, the war, etc. and I let loose on the Obama positions on these issues. She said she was aware of Obama's positions but was still undecided :wtf:

I asked her to please visit Barack's website for more details on any issue she could possibly have a concern about and invited her to the Vote n Eat event the O campaign's holding this Saturday.

Let's just say when I turned in my call list, she was still listed as a big fat U.

:wtf:


Oh, she was a black, middle-aged, Democratic, sporadic voter :wtf:.

[chitty]

14. Undecided Voter = Attention Whore

[graywarrior]

22. Exactly.

And leaning McCain means he's voting for McCain...period.

[alison]

15. Sounds like he interviewed a "Joe Six-Pack" or Joe the Plumber wannabe

instead of an actual undecided voter.

It really amazes me that there are still people out there that are truly undecided.

[elkston]

18. Nah. They both looked like Florida retirees. In their late 50s to mid 60s. (n/t)

[xxqqqzme]

16. do these 'older' white relics

know that mclame wants to get rid of Medicare?

[zulchzulu]

17. He is a classic low information voter with racist tendencies

If he was truly looking at both candidates, he wouldn't say he was "leaning McCain" unless he is racist. It's that simple. I guarantee you that if you pinned him down further on issues, he would probably agree with what Obama stands...but would still "lean McCain".

Hopefully, the old sot doesn't vote.

[Nydari]

19. Sounds like my In-Laws

We got into a heated political discussion this weekend and every single point they felt was important was in agreement with Obama but they were insisting it that he was wrong about everything and would raise their taxes. My mil finally said she would research it more, but I know she won't. Frankly, even if she did she would refuse to believe it.

Its sooo frustrating to try and have a conversation with people that absolutely refuse to even hear what you say. Its like talking to a freaking brick wall.

[Ganja Ninja]

20. Anyone that's undecided at this point must have spent the last 8 years

in a coma or they're a lying right wing sack of shit.

[Virginia Dare]

23. These people are drive-thru window voters..

plus they are ashamed to admit they're republicons.

[bcoylepa]

25. David Sedaris on undecideds

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/2008/10/27/081027sh_shouts_sedaris

" I look at these people and can’t quite believe that they exist. Are they professional actors? I wonder. Or are they simply laymen who want a lot of attention?

To put them in perspective, I think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle with her food cart and, eventually, parks it beside my seat. “Can I interest you in the chicken?” she asks. “Or would you prefer the platter of shit with bits of broken glass in it?”

[TexasObserver]

26. Unfortunately, some people are stupid, some are indecisive, and some are BOTH.

Such people should do us all a favor and NOT VOTE!!

People who can't glean the difference between these two candidates in clear terms simply do not KNOW what they want or need in a candidate. They're idiots, highly functioning in some cases, but still idiots.