POZ Community Forums
Off Topic Forums => Off Topic Forum => Topic started by: woodshere on October 15, 2008, 09:01:41 am
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During tonight's debate all the networks will be bantering around thoughts concerning undecided voters. I have a question and thought I would turn to the political astute minds here for some answers. Obama has been running for office for 1 1/2 years or more and McCain has been running basically since 2000, a little respite in 2004. Three weeks before the election could someone explain how there are voters who haven't made their minds up yet? For me once the primary is over I know exactly who I will vote for, of course I know many people are not as party loyal as me. However, less that 3 weeks and one still doesn't know, could someone explain.....
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During tonight's debate all the networks will be bantering around thoughts concerning undecided voters. I have a question and thought I would turn to the political astute minds here for some answers. Obama has been running for office for 1 1/2 years or more and McCain has been running basically since 2000, a little respite in 2004. Three weeks before the election could someone explain how there are voters who haven't made their minds up yet? For me once the primary is over I know exactly who I will vote for, of course I know many people are not as party loyal as me. However, less that 3 weeks and one still doesn't know, could someone explain.....
Let daddy try to explain it to you baby, because in reality, it's pretty much a myth. Once my coffee kicks in I'll dig up all the historical research that proves it. In past elections the supposed "independents" have had very little effect on the outcome of elections. Maybe the election of Reagan in 80, but they weren't really independents, but rather conservative, white southern democrats, that found their natural home. This a narrative the media likes to perpetuate because it keeps you tuned in. People HAVE made up their minds, but if it will make sleep better, all polling indicates Obama is way ahead among independents.
What really counts is voter turnout. We have a big advantage in registered voters, but they got to vote!
So your assignment grasshopper is to check in with fivethirtyeight.com everyday and sleep peacefully. Check out the data on early polling results. ;D
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/
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It is beyond me Woodman.... Perhaps they are morons?..... I am being semi-serious, you are either pro-choice or not; pro universal healthcare or not; for the Iraq War or not; in favor of maintaining the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy or not; for federal investment to create jobs and prime the economic pump or not; for ENDA or not; for civil unions and the federal benefits they would entail or not;.....if after looking at that list, you can say "well, guess I'll have to flip a coin.."......maybe some critical mental facility is missing.....just sayin'
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Actually, I think there are some who haven't decided. By this, I mean that they KNOW who they want to vote for, but aren't sure if they can 'bring themselves' to vote for a (1) non-white - Obama or (2) non-male - in the case of Hilary or Palin as VP.
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One thing I DETEST about CNN is their "room full of independent undecideds" that they interview on debate nights. Why would ANYONE want to hear what these morons have to say? You're an idiot if you haven't made up your mind yet. Period. The choices are VERY CLEAR.
Personally, I think they are 'milking' the system, probably being paid some kind of participation fee by CNN for doing the polls, etc. I change the channel when they come on.
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Auntie I am sleeping much better these days and have become a frequent visitor to fivethirtyeight and check it daily to help calm my nerves.
It is beyond me Woodman.... Perhaps they are morons?..... I am being semi-serious, you are either pro-choice or not; pro universal healthcare or not; for the Iraq War or not; in favor of maintaining the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy or not; for federal investment to create jobs and prime the economic pump or not; for ENDA or not; for civil unions and the federal benefits they would entail or not;.....if after looking at that list, you can say "well, guess I'll have to flip a coin.."......maybe some critical mental facility is missing.....just sayin'
Exactly, to me the choice and decision making is in the primary. I can understand someone supporting certain things from the Democratic platform and certain things from the Republican platform, being pro-life, anti gay, however still want universal healthcare and to end the occupation of Iraq. If you support things from both parties I guess it can be difficult to decide. However less than 3 weeks out and they haven't decided with all that is out there. If you listen to the talking heads about 1/3 of the ballots will already be cast before the polls open and when the polls do open some voters will be standing in line trying to decide. I suppose these people are like the ones that spend 10 minutes at the McDonald's counter trying to decide what they want.
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According to the Daily Show, the composition of the undecided voter is:
- Attention seekers
- Racist Democrats
- Chronically insecure
and 45% are just stupid
The Stupid Vote:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=187570&title=the-stupid-vote (http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=187570&title=the-stupid-vote)
(http://bartblog.bartcop.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/undecided.jpg)
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I can understand someone supporting certain things from the Democratic platform and certain things from the Republican platform, being pro-life, anti gay, however still want universal healthcare and to end the occupation of Iraq. If you support things from both parties I guess it can be difficult to decide. .......... I suppose these people are like the ones that spend 10 minutes at the McDonald's counter trying to decide what they want.
Yes, there are a number of voters that fall into that category (I guess I just don't know any)....my suspicion however, is that the vast majority of these folks give relatively little thought to issues and are voting irrationally (is he/she "more like me" or "is he/she winning?" etc).....for these folks elections are like ordering at McDonald's...they don't understand or care about the true cost of what they are ordering and it all tastes the same....isn't democracy grand?... :)
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According to the Daily Show, the composition of the undecided voter is:
- Attention seekers
- Racist Democrats
- Chronically insecure
and 45% are just stupid
The Stupid Vote:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=187570&title=the-stupid-vote (http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=187570&title=the-stupid-vote)
(http://bartblog.bartcop.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/undecided.jpg)
lol....lol....
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I would also add that voting, at one point and time, use to be a very private matter to some. Especially th older generation. Some of those alleged independents may not care to divulge to the public at large who they are voting for.
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Simply put. Independents don't swing elections, but voter turnout does. That's why Republicans use every trick in the book to foster voter suppression.
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Alas, a heavy air seems to be hanging over the hillsides in deepest red state Georgia. You can almost hear a collective deep sigh of resignation.
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Alas, a heavy air seems to be hanging over the hillsides in deepest red state Georgia. You can almost hear a collective deep sigh of resignation.
Nope....
http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/10/15/34124/652
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Nope....
http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/10/15/34124/652
Yep. I am not talking out of my ass here. I don't give a crap what yet another blogger, pundit or talking head weighs in with. I'm talking about what I see first-hand up here in the hills. However solidly Georgia may be as a red state (and do note that I tagged it above as "deepest red state Georgia"), there is a palpable sense that the race on the national scale is slipping away from them.
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And in the very deepest blue First Congressional District of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania where we voted for John Kerry at 80%, and I predict Obama will easily top, we are all pouring champagne already :)
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Yep. I am not talking out of my ass here. I don't give a crap what yet another blogger, pundit or talking head weighs in with. I'm talking about what I see first-hand up here in the hills. However solidly Georgia may be as a red state (and do note that I tagged it above as "deepest red state Georgia"), there is a palpable sense that the race on the national scale is slipping away from them.
Nope.....
http://www.pollster.com/blogs/insideradvantage_ga_oh_109.php
DSSC is pouring a few million in for Martin, over 18% of the electorate has voted early, around 39% African American......resignation? not so much......
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And in the very deepest blue First Congressional District of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania where we voted for John Kerry at 80%, and I predict Obama will easily top, we are all pouring champagne already :)
any excuse for a drink, eh?.... :)
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any excuse for a drink, eh?.... :)
Only when there's foreskin floating around.
Now, on to "eight years of pure, delicious crazy.' (http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1008/Voting_for_Obama_anyway.html)
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Nope.....
http://www.pollster.com/blogs/insideradvantage_ga_oh_109.php
DSSC is pouring a few million in for Martin, over 18% of the electorate has voted early, around 39% African American......resignation? not so much......
Uh...yep. Look: I already told you I don't give a rat's ass what poll or blog or talking point or pie chart you're ever-so-eager to whip out. I'm talking about what is being discussed here and now - in real time - among my neighbors and folks in my immediate community. I'm related what I am seeing with my very own eyeballs and hearing discussed with my very own ears up here in this neck of the woods, capiche?
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Uh...yep. Look: I already told you I don't give a rat's ass what poll or blog or talking point or pie chart you're ever-so-eager to whip out. I'm talking about what is being discussed here and now - in real time - among my neighbors and folks in my immediate community. I'm related what I am seeing with my very own eyeballs and hearing discussed with my very own ears up here in this neck of the woods, capiche?
Ummm... O.K. then... (quietly backing away and making no sudden movements)..... :)