Disheartening conversation with "undecided voter"
I work remotely and consequently have co-workers all over - esp in the N. Carolina Research Triangle. (I am in S. FL)
I was speaking today to a woman who claimed to be undecided. Figuring that I could sway her, I started talking about the Pres. race.
I could not believe it! This woman is over 50 and works as a contractor for a large telecom co. The company is in the process of sending jobs to India and WILL NOT hire full-time workers in the US. Just contractors. Several times she has expressed concern about how long the co. would keep her.
Yet, she is voting McCain because of Sarah Palin!! Compared Sarah Palin to Teddy Roosevelt, whom she erroneously claimed had also been the Gov. of small state for a short time.
Says she has marked the VP debates in her calendar because she wants to see how Sarah will do. (Expects her to do well!)
I tried to explain to her Republican policies have created our current economic climate - but she saw no connection! I tried to explain that the financial interests in our country exploit social divisions to further their aims. But, she just didn't see how electing a Democrat would make any difference.
She's relatively well-educated.
Yes, I've had these sad experiences too. But, don't feel bad. I think that people like this usually aren't telling you everything. They have other reasons...maybe pre-conceived notions, or prejudices that they are not going to admit. No, I'm not just talking about racism. It could be she always leans Republican anyway. Or Palin reminds her of someone she likes. Who knows. We are all human. Fortunately, I believe a lot of people will make logical choices, but not everyone.
September 9, 2008 9:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hope so seahawk, because today the new NC 20 point lead came out.
BTW, I totally believe it. This woman was not going to vote at all until Sarah Palin was picked.
September 9, 2008 9:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Character is a funny thing. We figure McCain and Palin don't have much. Other people think the same of Obama and Biden. Problem is, we're running out of time to win the character debate.
September 9, 2008 9:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Your co-worker will become a victim of natural selection. As we learned back in grade school, in nature, any creature without the necessary skills to to survive it's environment, doesn't. I believe this will also be true for your co-worker, and the other newly excited McCain/Palin midddle class voters.
Actually, for voters, I think it may be worse than in nature. In nature, species either do or don't have the needed tools for survival. In politics voters have the tools to find the truth, but I believe they don't WANT to find it.
They instead want to told whatever it is they want to believe. All that's required is a politician to feed them their lie of preference. Seems a lot like an addict and pusher relationship, doesn't it?
September 9, 2008 10:04 PM | Reply | Permalink