Letters to the Editor
MaddieP
Published Letters: 706 Editor's Choice: 9
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A couple of points by one of those INDIES everybody seems to want to get to
[Read the article: How will Barack Obama get to 270?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Fine article.
I don't purport to be as sure of November's outcome as some people here. I'm a FL independent who actually voted for Bush last election. I voted from Bill Clinton twice and Bush twice. I TEND toward the right since originally I espoused a LIbertarian politics, so maybe i can add something to the mix. Oh, BTW I am Black and Female and probably would be considered upper middle class.
There are a couple things I've read really stick in my craw and I do have a couple of questions I'd like to see addressed:
1) where did this idea that the voters of FL and MI are pissed off come from? And why do people think we're so stupid that we are blaming either candidate for not hanging out here or for the debacle that the primaries have become? I am continually insulted by the assertion and by the suggestion that if somehow the votes aren't appropriated properly (whatever that means) we'll vote for McCain in protest. HOGWASH. The next time someone wants to make that assertion or claim that we're really angry about the primary, please include the LINK to the poll that was conducted that shows that we'd do such a thing.
2) I have never thought that the general election would be a sweep for either democratic candidate. But people keep mentioning that 20% of Democrats are the AA vote. I want to remind you also that the 20% figure you are using DOES NOT include the vast majority OF African Americans who, heretofore, have not been politically active. I can tell you (although it is empirical only) that MOST of the blacks in my community (as well as the ones I've lived in or near in the past) have NOT been involved in politics at all. The reason why voter registrations are UP is because THOSE people (not the ones included in the current percentage estimates) are registering for the first time. I think this is not insignificant.
3) We talk about the swing states. Some people talk about McCain's weak turnout. I am not confident that he will have weak turnout in the general. Has anyone actually crunched the numbers as to registered republicans and estimating maximum turnout as opposed to the democrat turnout given our recent new registrations? I think this would be extremely interesting to see.
4) Has anyone done an analysis of the impact of a Hillary candidacy in the GE or even an Obama/Hillary ticket? Again, I think this would be interesting given the turnout numbers that would result on BOTH sides.
THANKS for a really meaty article.
I wish people could be clear minded about it. I think using these analyses to try to predict outcomes is likely the only thing we can reasonably do. I think people who emphatically say they know what will happen (Obama will win, or Obama will lose) are truly the ones drinking kool-aid. There are just too many unknowable variables and no matter how it comes out, it will be a white knuckle affair. And would be with Hillary as well.
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When oh when
[Read the article: California's marriage ruling -- what it means and what it doesn't mean]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]When oh when will the U.S. join the rest of the civilized world?
I mean here we are in 2008, 2008!!, with a vast number of people who actually believe marriage should mean only between a man and a woman. No other relationships can rise to the level of marriage.
WTF?
And God forbid a black guy with a name other than Mike or John run for President. Or a WOMAN?
Geez. Sometimes I feel like the only thing good to do here in America is make enough money to escape.
The Netherland looks nice.
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Xantrho
[Read the article: How will Barack Obama get to 270?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I voted for Bush in 2004. I'm a registered independent (as i was then) and I am voting Democratic this election. I've supported Obama's campaign strongly with money and time but would have voted for either Democrat. Bush made a believer out of me. It would take an extraordinary candidate to sway me back in my lifetime. And McCain ain't that candidate.
The worst thing the repubs have going for them is - themselves.
I've repented of my sins and I'm ready to try something new. Besides, as an Independent, I can look at the world around me and IMO it seems that the policies of the Republicans may not work in this century. I think they might have worked well in more the 'disparate' world, and during the 1900's, but into the 21st century, I am of the strong belief that in order to remain a superpower, we must have equal education, comprehensive health care and sensible trade and a strong military. The other countries are entering the world stage with these advantages PLUS huge populations (India and China specifically) and in order to stay "in the race" we need to have some of the basic things also.
Make no mistake, 10 years ago I was politically Libertarian (although still a registered indie). But the advantage of not being hemmed in by one political dogma is the flexibility to change as world conditions change.
The republicans are still in the 20th century.
I can say that your argument that no one who voted from Bush in 2004 would vote Dem is wrong. I am some 'one'.