What do you say to someone who says, "I can't vote for Hillary?"

[MineralMan]

That person could be a Republican or even a Democrat. It doesn't matter, really. He or she is telling you something, and you need to have a response ready to answer that. You could just ignore the person and write him or her off, but that's probably not the best response, generally. You could call that person an idiot, but that trick never works.

Instead, just respond with a simple question: "But you can vote for Donald Trump? Really?"

Just leave it at that. Don't get into an argument about it. Just ask them that question. That's enough. Let them think about that. Walk away with a puzzled look on your face and leave them to think about that.

That's what I do. I'm not going to argue about Trump vs. Clinton. It's a waste of time. Just let them think about voting for Donald Trump. For any rational person, that's enough. For people who don't get it, nothing you could say will make a difference.

"But you can vote for Donald Trump? Really?"

[liberal N proud]

1. Just ask them why

Why do you want Trump to be President?

[MineralMan]

2. But that leads to some sort of argument most of the time.

I don't want an argument, frankly. I just want people to think about it on their own.

[NightWatcher]

7. If you can get people to think, be sure to let me know.

Most non-political types dislike Hillary because of the 20 year campaign of the rw hate machine.

I've been trying to remind a few people that multiple choices or party reform are great but first there's a decision to make with only two options this November. At the end of the day we'll get either trump (although less likely) or Hillary (way more likely).

I'm hoping this becomes such a blowout that when people pull the "I don't want trump but can't vote for Hillary" line, that I can say "alright you stay home, the rest of us adults got this shit under control ".

[Hortensis]

35. We know tons of conservatives, and it's happened a handful of times.

I mangled an early one by suggesting that voting Democratic could be a positive move in this situation. That just didn't go over. Of course around here, so I've gotten subversive.

I've been nodding sympathetically and soberly -- just as I do anyway for all the laments about politics and the world falling apart these days -- and saying something like, "A number of people have told me that. It's all become so awful, not the way it's supposed to be. ... Some have told me they can't vote for either ... probably going to sit this one out." Or whatever. When a couple said they'll vote except for president, I nodded and said, "Oh, of course."

What I want -- of course -- is for them to stay home on November 8. Conservatives will always need a party, and I do feel a full crash for the GOP with resulting profound changes is the best thing that could happen for them, so I really don't feel guilty.

I never try to change minds anymore. I'm not sure that's ever worked for more than a few minutes in 40 years. I don't offer the information in this reddest of red districts, but in the rare cases when someone's been so forward as to ask me if or why I'm voting for Hillary, or Democrat, I've had an answer ready. Experts say it's most effective to cast positions in moral terms, and so that's what I've been doing. I say briefly that I believe people who work full time should earn a living wage, that it's a moral issue for me. And smile and change the subject.

[Orrex]

15. That makes no sense to me.

You think that asking someone why they want Trump to be President will lead to "some sort of argument most of the time," but you're fine with asking "a simple question: "But you can vote for Donald Trump? Really?"

And you even throw the "Really?" on the end just to stoke their fires.

Are you sure you're not looking for an argument? Because your proposed response seems guaranteed to start one 100% of the time.

[MineralMan]

17. Ask the question and then walk away.

There is no argument unless both people participate.

[Orrex]

19. Well that's just being a loud-mouth.

Also, it makes you look weak as a Clinton supporter, if you can't do anything but stir the pot and run.

[FreakinDJ]

14. I think they are looking for a Better reason then "but Trump"

[backscatter712]

26. A better line of Socratic questioning: Why is Hillary so bad?

Be prepared with debunks of some of the right-wing demonization. Also provide links to, say, Hillary's DNC speech.

The general idea being that you want this person to realize that the demonization that he or she holds of Hillary is totally exaggerated. It's OK to disagree with this or that in Hillary's positions and platform planks, but let them come to the conclusion that Hillary is simply a politician, not Beelzebub.

[elfin]

3. I tell them to "woman up and grow some ovaries!"

Gets them every time. Can't remember where I heard it - Sam Bee? Amy Schumer? Sara Silverman? Anyway, it works.

A stunned silence ensues, long enough to change the subject if you wish.

[Vinca]

4. I would say Trump is the most unstable person to ever run for POTUS and

we have to save the country from him by voting for Hillary. It pains me to vote for her, too, but this is the choice.

[onecaliberal]

5. That is my exact response as well.

[IADEMO2004]

6. Keith Olberman:this is a choice between paper cuts and cancer

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512325995

[lindysalsagal]

8. 2 words; Supreme Court.

Presidents come and go the court stays and it effects our every day lives for decades.

And, she won't do anything really stupid internationally. Bill's got her back.

[Doodley]

9. First, agree with the person. Show you are on their side.

"I felt the same way as you. I told everyone there is no way I would vote for Hillary Clinton, but then I saw how Donald Trump (obliteration of Trump, his businesses scams, his policies that would cause a recession and destabilize world security, his temperament) and realized that he must be stopped, even if that means voting for Clinton."

[LynnTTT]

10. I Live in South Carolina

and I'm getting prepared to just say "lesser of two evils". It's impossible to get into the details of how 40 years (yes, 40) of political scrutiny on Hillary. For simple people, give a simple response.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

21. Good advice. Many of them don't have long attention spans anyway. n/t

[unc70]

11. Ones I know are not voting for Trump

There are two who are liberals in really red states who really dislike Clinton. They probably will not vote for anyone for president, straight Dem otherwise.

All the others are Repubs or "independents" who vote Repub who will not vote for Trump. But they can't bring themselves to vote for Clinton. Don't know if they will vote Johnson or not vote. Nothing I could say would get them to vote for Clinton. Nothing.

BTW Both Dems and many of the Repubs would have voted for Sanders. Honesty was the key word for them.

[cherokeeprogressive]

12. I don't respond at all.

[Squinch]

13. Ask why. They will tell you some right wing made up smear. Ask them if there are any

other reasons. They will tell you some other right wing made up smear.

Encourage them to check snopes to see whether their beliefs are true. They won't be.

[loyalsister]

16. Be sure to vote in down ticket races

There's no point in arguing. So, I just point out that there are candidates they might really like.

[stopbush]

18. I say I'm voting for the candidate who has decades of experience

doing the right thing for the little guy, the disadvantaged and the ignored. I tell them I no more want a novice politician sitting in the Oval Office than I want the kid at the car wash working on my car's transmission.

[HassleCat]

20. I don't think they will vote for Trump.

Most will probably not vote for president.

[DURHAM D]

23. Much of your reasoning is off but I have a question.

Your #6 - Do you think if Sen. Sanders was the President that would be different? or Do you like the idea of a Republican congress and Trump working together to screw you/us?

[Iggo]

24. The stock phrase I get from people at my office who don't want to talk about voting for Trump...

...and who act like they're doing something noble by voting against Clinton, is "Hillary scares me." Seriously. Five of 'em already. Like they had a meeting or something.

My answer to "Hillary scares me" is "Trump don't?"

(I really wanna go "Aw, poor baby. Don't be scared." But I gotta work with these people.)

[hughee99]

25. I usually say "Hi Mom". n/t

[frogmarch]

27. I call them a poxy boggard. nt

[MineralMan]

28. An apt insult, to be sure!

To wit, this video:

[Straw Man]

29. You give them a reason ...

... that doesn't use the word "Trump."

[Mme. Defarge]

30. Grow up and don't make the mistake I made

when I voted for John Anderson.

[pansypoo53219]

31. my aunt REALLY had a bugaboo about bill + monica, YOU ARE NOYT MARRIED TO HIM!

i swear. + she is not stupid. she said she was gonna vote RUMP!!!! but there is time. she has more of the rite on that side. + her hubby is mr NRA. but he is the sociologist. can they vote for idiot yam?

[Rex]

32. Idiot!!!

[Il_Coniglietto]

33. Can they live with four years of a Trump presidency?

Not would they want to, but CAN they? What damage to the entire planet can Trump do in four years?

That is the only alternative to Clinton winning. The only one.

[treestar]

34. I would say find a way to get

To know more about her. The average person who thinks they don't like her is likely considering a media created fiction. I believe a lot of people will get to know more as time goes on and realize this