Here's A Guy Who Should Not Vote For McCain
I know a lifelong Democrat who will be voting for McCain. And, it bothers me.
This man is a 75-year-old retiree and strong Union supporter. He and I have had many discussions in the past about politics, and always of a good-natured variety. He would find a way to blast George Bush and the Republicans, and I would find a way to counter. With this election he was a strong Hilliary Clinton supporter. And so I was a bit surprised when he told me he would be voting Republican with his November ballot. I asked why?
He’s got some reasoning behind his selection. I think it is faulted, ignorant, and racist. I’ll pass it along as best I can remember:
Republicans put Obama on the ballot by crossing over to vote for him. So, my friend is just going to be returning the favor by voting for Obama’s opponent.
I’m a Republican voter. And I think I am speaking for at least the majority of us when I say that I would much rather face Clinton than Obama. Surely polls would prove that the majority of underhanded crossover votes were scored for Clinton?
Blacks have violent blood. Just look at the crime and violence in America that is mostly fomented by blacks. The last thing we need to do is encourage them.
I heard this, and was shocked to the point I could not immediately respond. So I asked him to repeat it, which he did verbatim, while I considered a response. I told him I was not sure that was a good reason for his voting decision. I said that I, too, was voting for McCain but not because of the color of his opponent. I have policy and philosophical differences. And I said that, while crime statistics tend to point toward minorities, there are reasons other than skin color for this to be true. But, I was not very convincing.
I feel angry and ashamed that anyone would choose to cast his vote because of color of skin. And especially do I consider this to be true when I see it displayed by someone I have considered to be a friend and a Christian. Finally, I’m a bit upset with my tepid response to this man. I’ve dealt with this type of person many times. I know there to be little room for reason and almost no room for change, and if this man were pushed, he could become a vicious enemy. And that is why I did not respond with clenched jaw and fiery words.
Perhaps I should have?
The old adage: Sometimes you can tell more about a man by his enemies than his friends.
09.06.08 (9:06 pm) [
edit]
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
09.06.08 (6:26 pm)
All I can tell you, Dave, is that your friend is far from alone. Just this week, here in Iowa - the place that gave Obama his boost, if I'm not mistaken - I've had at least a dozen people give me racist reasons for not voting for the guy. The tamest was "America isn't ready for a black man as president." The worst was, and I think I'm quoting directly, "That boof won't live long enough to be sworn in even if he wins."
posted by:
pineapples (
reply)
post date:
09.06.08 (7:20 pm)
Thanks for the post...
You know its so sad people are so damn racist.. it's not a reason for not voting for him..
Believe or not a lot of Democrats who would have voted for Clinton are now either voting for McCain or not voting..
It sad ppl base their votes on person's skin rather than the issues at hand
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
09.06.08 (7:54 pm)
PD? I think ya did blow that one.
Me, probably would have stood, and said, in mah best southern drawl...
Sir? I can categorically state that for those reasons you just stated, Senator McCain would not want your vote, and would not accept your vote, were he given a choice!! Senator McCain gave 22 years of his life to protect our ideals, five years of that in a POW camp under torture, and while you are free to think as you will because of sacrifices made by the Senators and others, your ideas are unAmerican and bigoted, not to mention ridiculous.
I would have then left the room.
But then, that's just me. And y'all know how damn opinionated and bitchy I am.
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
09.06.08 (8:56 pm)
Well ~ I would have been dumfounded and not known what to say at the time ~ in retrospect we can come up with some 'right thing to say' to the doofus, but at the time ~ I'm not so sure ~ and to still keep some decorum in the conversation. Sheesh ~ I'll stop now before I put my big foot in my mouth!
Thanks PD ~ for the post!!!
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
09.07.08 (11:53 am)
As ignorant as their logic may be, everyone has a right to vote as they please. Scary, considering all the ignorance evident in the world.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
09.08.08 (10:36 am)
Reply to: bawdy
So true, that everyone has the right to vote. Perhaps we should return to the old standards- be a tax-paying citizen. At least exhibit some kind of knowledge of the issues?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
09.08.08 (10:39 am)
Reply to: auntconi
I converse much better "in retrospect". I'm more logical, witty, and convincing. But, as soon as I open the mouth, retrospective conversation is no longer an option. The lesson? Spend more time with my ears open and mouth shut. But, then, blogging would not be nearly as fun.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
09.08.08 (10:40 am)
Reply to: fractalmom
And then.... the guy would have simmered, and stewed, and plotted his revenge. And somewhere down the line he would have struck with venom. That's the nature of the beast.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
09.08.08 (10:42 am)
Reply to: pineapples
This voting on the basis of skin color, sadly, runs along both sides of the political aisle.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
09.08.08 (10:45 am)
Reply to: surrogate
How very sad.
Here's a judgment I have about political polls. A lot of people lie. Not the majority, but a significant percentage- I'll guess 5 or 6%. I believe at least 2 or 3 % of those who say they are voting for Obama will find it impossible to pull the lever because of reasons of race. Oh, they will make other excuses, but in their hearts this will be the reason.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
09.08.08 (10:48 am)
Reply to: kurtmaddox
I am fascinated, baffled, and also sickened by the brand of racism I see. This man is not consistent. He has a relative who is married to a black person. He fellowships, with a big smile, with several different nationalities. Our church gives a big chunk of it's money to missions and ministry efforts to people of other colors. He has worked alongside blacks for most of his adult life. And, then, this spiehl comes out of his mouth and heart. He's a nice guy, who is a racist. The two just do not mix.
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
09.08.08 (12:56 pm)
Reply to: kurtmaddox
I'm not even sure it matters who votes after the Florida debacle in 2000 and inconsistancies at other polling stations.
posted by:
intricategirl (
reply)
post date:
09.09.08 (11:37 am)
I know what you mean, but from the other side. I know some people voting for Obama, and I kind of wish they weren't. They are very, ummm, fervent in their beliefs. To the point of being abusive towards those who support Obama, but not as rabidly as they do. Now, you've got a candidate who they believe wants to bring about a change in the way government operates, and all they can talk about is whether McCain called his wife a very naughty word that I won't repeat here.
Apart from that, I find that the more fervent the belief, the quicker it falls away when that person disappoints you. When Obama does not vote the way they want on something (and that time WILL come), they'll feel like he turned on them, when in reality, he was never like them to begin with. It's enough to make me sheepish about saying I support Obama, lest I be lumped in with the jackasses.
