tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10113687.post6950727047886903743..comments2023-11-30T02:30:42.825-08:00Comments on E a r t h G o a t: Single-issue votersGrendelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664099783685963708noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10113687.post-61408639435309945482008-09-18T06:42:00.000-07:002008-09-18T06:42:00.000-07:00CJ's conversation reminds me of one I overheard at...CJ's conversation reminds me of one I overheard at the Illini game this weekend. This one is only mostly true.<BR/><BR/>Girl: I never saw Chief Illiniwek [the erstwhile and controversial mascot who used to do a war dance at halftime in a full regalia]<BR/><BR/>Boy: Yeah. Stupid indians, making it illegal!<BR/><BR/>Girl: look him up on youtube! I want to see it!<BR/><BR/>Boy: Whatever happened to free speech?<BR/><BR/>Girl: [shoving her phone in his hands] Look him up on youtube for me!<BR/><BR/>Boy: Fucking indians. I can't believe they are so much lamer than our fake indian. <BR/><BR/>Girl: YOUTUBE!<BR/><BR/>Boy: Don't get me wrong. I'm not racist. It's that authenticity is less than meaningful in my generation's worldview. That, and I must be amused above all else--and instantaneously. Why should I put up with real minorities when the fake ones are so much more willing to dance for me?<BR/><BR/>Girl: [chanting with the rest of the student section] I-N-I!<BR/><BR/>Boy:[thumbs at the cell phone and then stares at the screen in total stillness for 43 seconds. Then thumbs at it again.]<BR/><BR/>Girl: [leans in over his shoulder] Dance, Chief, Dance!cfphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13229011285921460494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10113687.post-2591768498045436662008-09-18T06:12:00.000-07:002008-09-18T06:12:00.000-07:00It's corn subsidies, right?It's corn subsidies, right?cfphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13229011285921460494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10113687.post-19266512502971503642008-09-18T01:57:00.000-07:002008-09-18T01:57:00.000-07:00A close relative of mine likes Obama and agrees wi...A close relative of mine likes Obama and agrees with him on almost everything, but because of one issue -- I won't say which -- s/he will not be voting for him, I'm pretty sure.Grendelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06664099783685963708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10113687.post-30970989688784455152008-09-17T21:35:00.000-07:002008-09-17T21:35:00.000-07:00Unfortunately, a voter who knows about one issue i...Unfortunately, a voter who knows about one issue is probably ahead of a large chunk of the electorate.<BR/><BR/>Overheard today (yes, *today*, 48 days before the election, in *Iowa City*):<BR/><BR/>Person A: So, who are you voting for?<BR/><BR/>Person B: McCain.<BR/><BR/>Person A: How come?<BR/><BR/>Person B: I don't like that Obama didn't choose Hillary as his VP.<BR/><BR/>Person A: What did you like about Hillary?<BR/><BR/>Person B: I think she's really smart and would be a good leader. Anyway I'd feel a lot better about Obama if he wasn't a Muslim.cjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06037832907654311079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10113687.post-11879415456246957942008-09-17T12:34:00.000-07:002008-09-17T12:34:00.000-07:00Absolutely- and just to echo your point about it "...Absolutely- and just to echo your point about it "not just being conservatives," I would say that this problem has been a greater detriment on our side than theirs over the years. The trick is getting single-issue people on a matter of pure symbolism that will not actually come to bear on how you govern. The GOP is a lot better on that than we are.<BR/><BR/>Rather than go the "moral obligation" route, I prefer the "Obama is actually your guy on that" approach." Pro-life? Obama's policies will do more to reduce the number of abortions in this country than McCain's hollow and likely disingenuous position on the matter. Worried about Israel? McCain's bellicosity is a far bigger threat to their security than Obama's temperamental caution, and really, that's the biggest difference on Israel you'll find between them- they're both "pro-Israel" (as if any mainstream American political figure isn't). Don't want your taxes raised? Well, actually, unless you're making more than $250K, you'll do as well under Obama as McCain, if not better- go check out that calculator online to see for yourself. But even if you are among the few who will see an increase- you like bridges, don't you? Having a strong military? McCain's tax plan is magical- it doesn't even come close to adding up.<BR/><BR/>And so on. Of course a lot of people are just unpersuadable, in which case it's best to ascertain that as early as possible in the conversation, so you can change the topic of how good the mashed potatoes are and whether or not they can be passed in your direction. <BR/><BR/>That's my take anyway. <BR/><BR/>Also, once they bring up the bell curve, it's best to go watch football in the other room.cfphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13229011285921460494noreply@blogger.com