Some Democrats Prefer McCain
Filed under: 2008 elections — Michael van der Galien, Editor-in-Chief on May 12, 2008 @ 12:18 pm CEST
The Financial Times has an article up about Democrats living in West Virginia. At this point in time it seems that many of them will not vote for Barack Obama if he were to be the Democratic nominee. If the choice is between Obama and John McCain, some life-long Democrats will, for the first time in their lives, vote Republican.
Now, there are some very good reasons for some Democrats to prefer McCain over Obama. For instance, I believe that Obama is quite far to the left. I also believe that his foreign policy will be disastrous for Israel and many of America’s Western allies, whereas he will give the West’s enemies everything they want. And possibly then some.
His views on the role of the government aren’t all that either. When he talks about the role of the government it is crystal clear that if it were up to him, the government would try to reform society on a massive scale.
He often uses religion and seems to believe that the government should not merely govern, but actively help people and play an almost religious and spiritual role. I object to that and, if I were American, it would cause me to vote for McCain, even though I am not a big fan of the Senator from Arizona either.
So, there are valid reasons not to vote for Obama.
But there are also invalid, even prejudiced reasons some people have not to vote for the Senator from Illinois. Quoted from the FT article:
“I heard that Obama is a Muslim and his wife’s an atheist,” said Mr Simpson, drawing on a cigarette outside the fire station in Williamson, a coalmining town of 3,400 people surrounded by lush wooded hillsides…
Josh Fry, a 24-year-old ambulance driver from Williamson, insisted he was not racist but said he would feel more comfortable with Mr McCain, the 71-year-old Vietnam war hero, in the White House. “I want someone who is a full-blooded American as president,” he said.
That’s just freaking sad. What the hell does his religion have to do with it? He is not a Muslim, but what if he was? It is safe to call this person a bigot, possibly a racist. As far as I am concerned people like that should not even be allowed to vote, but that’s probably because I am an elitist snob.
And a full-blooded American? What does that even mean? Does that mean he wants a Native American for president? Last time I checked there is no such thing as a full-blooded American (genetically I mean). America reminds me, in many ways, of Turkey: darker people, whiter people, Muslims, Christians… but all Turk / American. What’s full-blooded to this man? Blond hair, blue eyes? That’s not American as such, that’s Germanic. Does he mean Anglo-Saxon, then? But don’t many Americans have ancestors who were not from Ireland or England? Would that not disqualify just about everyone?
Whether the racist mentioned above likes it or not, Obama is a real American. There are reasons not to vote for him, but those are policy issues. Not the color of his skin or his suspected religion (by the by, why would a Muslim go to a church in which it is preached that Jesus is the Son of God for over 20 years, moron?).
The FT article also quotes other people, who say they dislike Obama because some of the things he has said (sneer at small town people), some things his wife said, his elitism, and so on. Those are, in my opinion, valid concerns. But race or religion are not.
And McCain should do everything in his power to insult these people as much as he can, as to make sure that they won’t vote for him in the fall.
1 C Stanley
May 12, 2008 @ 2:14 pm CESTLOL, truthinobaman. Maybe you could enlighten us as to what could possibly constitute a defense for those statements? And if you want to know what Wright’s church preaches, there’s no shortage of opportunity to do so; look at the TUCC website, view the YouTube clips which are excerpts from DVD’s made by the church, and I believe the church even broadcasts one of the Sunday services so it’s probably available over the internet. You can also read about the black liberation theology of James Cone which was formative to Wright’s own beliefs and what he preaches. There are elements of this that I feel are very racist and divisive, and worthy of criticism- there’s no need to make up some vague scary sounding stuff about how it might actually be a "Christian/Islam/Voodoo" hybrid religion (you only make yourself look foolish and make it obvious that you’re the one who needs to do your research.) And um, isn’t the man’s comment about Michelle Obama being a closet atheist a bit odd since she’s attended TUCC for many years and had her marriage and children’s baptisms performed by Rev. Wright?
BTW, while you are doing your research, you might review the spelling of the blogpost author’s name as well.
2 Jules Crittenden » Heart of Darkness
May 12, 2008 @ 3:26 pm CEST[…] Van der Galien is impressed by the FT expedition report and outraged to learn that Andrew Ward encountered an ignoramus in West Virginia. […]
3 Pug
May 12, 2008 @ 3:35 pm CESTMcCain will not insult these people, he will welcome them with open arms.
West Virginia voted Republican in 2000 and 2004. It will do so again in 2008 no matter the nominee the Democrats put forward. This is not so much about Obama as it is about West Virginians. I’m sure the views expressed in the article by the good people of that state are widespread there.
This is a state with high poverty rates, low educational achievement and high levels of resentment toward those big city know-it-alls. In other words, a perfect state for the modern Republican Party.
4 Tully
May 12, 2008 @ 5:11 pm CESTAs far as I am concerned people like that should not even be allowed to vote, but that’s probably because I am an elitist snob.
Well, yeah, maybe, but more crucially we’re so open-minded and pluralistic in America that we don’t take away constitutional rights from people just because they’re bigoted jerks. No matter how annoying and idiotic we find them.
Whether the racist mentioned above likes it or not, Obama is a real American.
As real as me and…oops, sorry, Michael! As real an American as any other, born on US soil to an American citizen parent. We are a very diverse nation.
You or I may not find race or religion to be valid reasons to vote for or against someone, but the heart of democratic pluralism is that everyone votes for or against for their own reasons. It’s their vote, and they assign it as they please, even if you or I might find their reasoning (or utter lack thereof) extremely questionable.
5 Nancy Coppock
May 13, 2008 @ 2:14 am CESTSo what’s up with the Democrat (sic) Party being the party of ignorant hayseeds? Are they considered ignorant because of what they think or because they don’t trust Obama?
6 buck
May 18, 2008 @ 11:33 pm CESTConsider a bunch of statements.
I heard some people in West Virginia are inbred morons.
I heard John McCain has a temper problem.
I heard West Virginia is racist.
I heard John McCain made a fool of himself when touring Baghdad.
I heard he is 72.
I heard his foreign policy could only have been invented by a fool.
I heard he is selling himself as a second, third and fourth coming of George W. Bush.
Some of the statements above may or may not be true. Some are just outright prejudicial. Others are not. Some require some investigation to confirm them. Others are just ludicrous oversimplifications.
Shorter Josh Fry–I’m not a racist, I’m just a generic bigot. So is Kathleen Parker who picked up the "full-blooded American" theme and ran with it in her syndicated column. She has a right to her opinion and a right to express it–but she should not be able to utilize the pages of major newspapers to do it.
As for you own opinion that Obama’s foreign policy will be detrimental to Israel–and much else, apparently–the only evidence for it is coming from Republican operatives (and perhaps Clinton operatives as well, as it’s been more and more difficult to tell the difference lately). The statement about his foreign policy makes absolutely no sense. It must be eight-year conditioning by the jackasses that run the country that is making you say things like that.
Here’s the problem. It is generally believed in some Jewish circles, as well as among Evangelicals and assorted neo-cons, that Israel never had a better friend in the White House than it does right now. The latest twit to express this sentiment is none other than Dick Cheney who made the statement at the Israeli embassy 60th anniversary party. He may well be excused for saying so–his reputation rides on it. But considering that the administration policies over the last eight years have put Israel in more rather than less precarious situation with respect to its neighbors, and the fact that BushCo effectively put a stop to Israel-Syria negotiations, it should be obvious that it’s all a sham. These people are friends of Israel only in their own minds.
McCain wants more of the same. Not more of the sane, but more of the same. One letter makes huge difference. If you bought into McCain/Clinton propaganda, then you’re no better than Leonard Simpson–another character from the FT West Virginia story, who is going to vote for McCain because he "heard" that Obama is Muslim and his wife is an atheist. You just happen to believe a different piece of propaganda–the one that hits home, apparently. But the term describing both of you is the same–gullible.
7 FrankP
July 12, 2008 @ 2:18 pm CESTA new web site was launched on July 4th with the hope of having a significant impact on this year’s crucial Presidential election. The web site, http://www.DemocratsforMcCain.com, targets Democrats that find Senator Barrack Obama wanting and, more importantly, those Democrats that will be voting for Sen. John McCain come this November.
"We believe that our site will reach out to all of the Democrats for McCain – the Democrats that have the courage to acknowledge that they will cast their vote for John McCain in November," states Frank Pinizzotto, Director of Development, for http://www.DemocratsforMcCain.com. "Why Courage? How many Democrats have you spoken to that are willing to admit that their Party Candidate is not ready to take on the office of President of the United States? President Obama? I might vote for him in ‘16, but not now. Not today. Three years in the Senate makes not a good President of the Free World. I have spoken to a lot of Democrats for McCain, but they have been up until now unwilling to publicly speak out. A new silent majority. A middle class, hard working majority that cannot trust their future to someone so untested. No one can say that John McCain is not ready. He has been tested like no other Presidential candidate in the history of our country," continues Pinizzotto. "Many Democrats, and Independents alike, feel more comfortable with John McCain. His record of bi-partisanship. His military record. His record in the Senate. People know what they are getting with John McCain. Organizers of DemocratsforMcCain.com hope the site will free up the ’silent McCain majority’ and start a real discussion about the qualities that are needed for the next President of the United States." The site is hoping to reach supporters/volunteers nationwide to help spread the word that it is "okay to support McCain, not matter what you are registered as at the polls", claims Pinizzotto. "Joe Lieberman is just the start of this movement. Once Democrats learn more about John McCain, they will see that he is ready, and ready today, to be President. We think that http://www.DemocratsforMcCain.com will have an impact on who gets sworn in as the next President of the United States. And that person will be John McCain." Contact Information:
http://www.DemocratsforMcCain.comEmail: FrankP@DemocratsforMcCain.com
8 Juanita Brown
September 19, 2008 @ 12:09 pm CESTI feel anyone who wants to be president should at least know how many states there is Obama has said on numerous occasions that he has campaigned in 57 states and has 10 more to go.I don’t know where he is campaigning but it must not be the USA.To be 1st lady you should be proud of your country Michelle stated she had never been proud of her country she also has stated several times that the USA is mean.She has no class and Obama is in this for his good not for the USA good.He tells any lie he can to try to win.He says if we don’t vote for him we are racist he sat in a church and listened to hate and racism against whites 20 yrs now who is racist?Why are other countrys wanting him elected Iran’s president,Pakistan ’s leader all have gave 1000s of dollars to his campaign.He is friends with crimnals that have gave 1000sdollars to get him elected and got his house and property for 1/8 of what it was worth and what he paid for it.Biden talks about us giving money to our country but he don’t give money to anything check out what he has gave in the last 10 yrs.Obama is wanting the laws passed for gay marriages and partial birth abortions and does not want parents notified when their teens go for abortions.He needs to read the Bible he is not a christian and does not know what religion is plus he has no morals.McCain and Palin love their country check out their issues they are for the poor and middle class.We can identify with Palin we are like the voters in Pa we cling to our guns and religion.We hunt we love God and believe in our constution the 2nd amendment gives is the right to own guns.Lets elect people who are for us and what we believe in McCain and Palin is our only candiates.This WVian is not racist I love everyone and have always voted for Democrats for 40 yrs i voted for Hillary but I will be voting republican in Nov for the 1st time.Lets elect McCain—Palin.