Is anyone else getting depressed about this?

[Jakes Progress]

How in the hell can mccain be anywhere near in contention?

I know, I know. The polls don't really mean anything. The media is playing games. Political strategies are at work.

But honestly. Down inside, doesn't it make you sick to your stomach that there is even any question? How can even 20% be so stupid, so ignorant, or so greedy that they would actually prefer a mccain presidency.

In Bush/Gore and in Bush/Kerry, we know the republicans controlled voter rolls, rigged machines, and hauled in an unconstitutional vote from the SC to win. But they could only get away with it because the vote was close enough to make it work.

After 8 years of war, torture, economic disaster, venal greed, and just plain stupid, how can we have citizens that would vote republican? Who are these people? Is Obama the second coming? No. Is mccain hell come to earth? Yes.

Do you know any smart republican voters? If you do, are they decent people? I don't think you can be decent and smart and vote republican. If half of us are this stupid or mean, maybe we get what we deserve.

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. There is no accounting for bad taste.

[hisownpetard]

2. Y E S !!!!

I just don't see how it can be true.

[Bullet1987]

3. There are some people who will ALWAYS vote for their Party candidate

No matter what. In both the Dem and Rethug Party's there are loyalists. IMHO, I think the daily tracking polls aren't worth shit right now. Even the state polls can be misleading this early, even though Obama is in a very strong position there.

[Barack_America]

4. Why would I let fabricated polls depress me?

:shrug:

[Jakes Progress]

13. As I said

I know the polls are crap. My irritation with my fellow citizens is that it is even a question. What possible argument could a decent, thinking person give for voting republican? How and even 10% be that stupid and venal?

[ClassWarrior]

18. If you really want answers, please read these three books.

"Conservatives Without Conscience" by John Dean

"Don't Think of an Elephant" by George Lakoff

"The Emerging Democratic Majority" by Ruy Teixeira

Lots of insight on mindsets, worldviews, and political manipulation.

NGU.

[C_U_L8R]

5. one thing about the polls...

they only count landline users (who may tend to be older).

Besides, it's in the media's interest to paint this as a close race.

[Ron Green]

6. It's Fear. We love it, we need it, we find it in every dark corner.

A fear-based institution, whether State, Church or Market, speaks so directly to our lower chakras that we don't bother to do the hard work of finding our "higher selves" or relating to other people as our brothers.

Republicans know this, and they use it.

[Jakes Progress]

34. Fear and Hatred

are the drawing cards for republicans. They will always bring their rabbits back to the den by scaring them with the "terrists" and giving them cover for their hatred of gays. They win by appealing to the lowest part of man's nature.

[Soul Creature Media]

7. Moral Amnesia

The people don't know who to vote for. The TV tells them and it obviously favors McCain. Well this TV is the people's TV and it is saying Go Obama!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-6yf2iVaWo I'm telling you this video exposes the Moral Amnesia of the TV and politicians of our day. We all have it and it is up to us to get rid of it and see the truth.

[gateley]

8. My beautiful nephew, Sean, will probably vote for McCain -

and he's even mentioned joining the reserves.

This boy - he's eighteen - buys into the line that McCain wants to protect us from terrorists. He would (if he does) enlist to 'do his part'.

His intentions are pure - but he is misguided.

I only know of this because my niece told me. When I mentioned it to my brother, he said he didn't know - the election is so far away. :grr:

This breaks my heart.

I only speak with him a couple of times a year. I am getting my thoughts together about how I will approach him on this. I don't want to be accusatory, I don't want to make him feel stupid for buying into this crap (I hold my brother and sister-in-law responsible - although my brother would never vote for a Repub.)

I want to gently explain why McCain is not good for our country's future.

He's not stupid and he's one of the most gentle, loving people I've ever known.

[ChazII]

15. Sean is blessed

to have you in his life. Good luck.

[gateley]

23. Thank you --

It's not something I can just let slide. I think Obama will win anyway, but I want Sean to feel good about his vote, and experience the 'hope'.

And really, I'm the one who is blessed. Both my niece and nephew are exceptional people -- I'm truly humbled by their compassion and depth.

[Jakes Progress]

16. Yes. These are the ones who break you heart.

Stupid is a hard word. We need something else for people who just don't know when they are so manipulated. Gullible?

[CTyankee]

17. Oh, gately, I'm so sorry about your situation!

But if your nephew is kind and nice otherwise you could probably reason with him. There must be plenty of arguments on national security that favor the Democrats (probably right on Obama's website listing resources). You could reference Richard Clarke and Wes Clark. Both of them are very persuasive. Also the pro-Obama veterans (I think they're called Votevets).

Don't give up...

[gateley]

47. Aw, thanks, CTyankee --

nope I won't give up. I know he wants to do what's RIGHT -- I just want him to see McCain's "right" compared to Obama's. A world of difference.

[stray cat]

20. Half of my relatives will vote for McCain - think dems are elitist , effeminate, and out of touch

[PatSeg]

40. That is so sad

Republican operatives have achieved their goals about changing the image of the Democratic party. Now the Dems have to change the party back to the party of the people. I think this horrible economy might do it. People became much too complacent and comfortable over the years.

[PatSeg]

41. Oh that is so sad Gateley

There is still plenty of time for him to see both sides more clearly though and day-by-day McCain has been showing his true colors. Young people are very flexible and open. Unless he is living in a cave, he can't be impervious to what is going on around him.

[treestar]

9. No. The MSM's desperation to make it out as "close" is so obvious

and it's only July. They're trying to squeeze out as much controversy as they can, to get the attention, already.

Then there are those generally ignorant people who just don't know anything. They barely know what they support and what party they belong to. In 2004, they fell for all the "security" memes about not changing horses in midstream, but by now they think terra is defeated and have forgotten all about it. When the candidates come to the forefront, they are going to like Obama more than they like McLame. They won't even be able to describe why.

Shallow though it is, the "rock star" qualities will win with these people.

[CTyankee]

10. I can SO sympathize with you, Jakes!

I feel the same way. Particularly with regard to Pukes in my family (well, husband's sister and her husband really). Usually, we see them once a year in Wisconsin, but I'll miss themthis year and I am just as glad. Idon't think I could stand being in the same room with them. The b.i.l. is a snark and the s.i.l. just mewls right along. I truly question their decency now. In the past this s.i.l. has been kind to me personally and I don't take that away from her. She has acquiesed to her husband's politics and his is really gutter stuff.

I really feel like throwing up a little in my mouth when I think of them...

[Jakes Progress]

19. I know.

I have to stay away from people like your bii because they are toxic, and I avoid people like the sii because I start to feel sorry for them.

[mucifer]

11. Letterman who is VERY antibush on his show did a poll of his audience

by applause asking who is pro mcstupid and who is pro Obama. It seemed almost equal, a little bit stronger for Obama. It is VERY disturbing how people are going to vote. Letterman does his best to challenge power with videos like this 1 minute commercial for dick cheney:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5W01mMDwqT8

[karynnj]

44. That is disturbing as Letterman is in Manhattan which went 80 plus percent for Kerry

It's true that some are from CT and NJ, but they went for Kerry too. There can't be that many out of state people from areas that were for Bush - don't they tend to hate NYC.

[mucifer]

46. I think they get a lot of out of towners in the audience

[ClassWarrior]

12. Nope. Never Give Up.

But thank you for your concern.

NGU.

[AndyTiedye]

26. Who Said Anything About Giving Up?

Nobody in this thread said anything about giving up.

It is starting to become clear just what we are up against and how difficult a race this will be.

Shedding all this "we can't lose" euphoria is a good thing.

We can't lose if the press actually gives us an even break and the votes are all counted,
but neither of these conditions are anywhere close to being satisfied.

If the election were held today they could steal it again.
That is depressing!

[OmahaBlueDog]

14. Many people subscribe to Ronald Reagan's theory that government can do no right

They don't want national health care, they don't want to pay taxes, and (if you get them talking privately) they believe that "welfare" (some ill defined melange of medicaid,food stamps, rental assistance, WIC, etc) are subsidizing the lazy. These people take as an article of faith that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme doomed to fail. The mortgage crisis is the fault of people who took loans they couldn't afford, and the Clinton administration for encouraging the banks to make these loans.

Dig further, and you'll meet your neighbors who oppose abortion and oppose same-sex marriage. Moreover, a sizable percentage of this crowd home schools their kids -- further insulating themselves from so-called mainstream society. These people will only vote for candidates favoring their social agenda.

Then you can go to the gun counter at the sporting goods store. Invoke Bill Clinton's name, and people will froth at the mouth about the stupidity of the Brady Bill and the AWB. These people vote "Freedom First"; their gun values determine their vote.

I could go on, but I will, instead close with this cautionary note. Many pollsters thought John Kerry would win because a majority had answered "no" to the "Is the country headed in the right direction question." What they did not take into account were the people who answered "no" not because the opposed the Bush Administration, but because it wasn't moving far enough or fast enough to the right. Now, people look at Bush's 22% approval rating, and assume this should be a walkover for us. Few are taking into account that some of that 22% are angry not because of the war, or lost jobs, or Enron -- they're angry because legal abortion hasn't ended, same-sex couples are marrying in California, and that every illegal alien hasn't been rounded up and shipped back over the border.

[Ron Green]

22. Many of those people think the government is "someone else." They don't have a sense

of being themselves part of the government, and that's exactly the way free-market operators want it. If we define ourselves only as consumers or producers (economic beings) and not as citizens (political beings), we are easily controlled by corporate propaganda.

[avaistheone1]

25. The Bush Admin has proven Reagan true.

The Bushies inept handling of our government clearly has lead to all this war and economic devastationl. Thank you Bushies.

[Jakes Progress]

31. This is why I am "concerned"

about the number of replies that keep saying not to worry, that Obama has it sewn up. I believe they live in a world just as isolated as the beltway groups. All their friends are for Obama, sot they think it's a done deal. The republicans are going to cheat. We are going to have to beat them by a lot. That is why it is depressing to think about the number of dim wits and meanies out there.

[OmahaBlueDog]

37. One way to look at it

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6543204

Divide and conquer. When you meet righties, smile, nod, and ask them if they ever considered someone like Ron Paul .. or this exciting Bob Barr!

[PatSeg]

39. Brilliant idea!

You've made my day.

[kenny blankenship]

21. Obama isn't running against McCain yet (but McCain attacks Obama 24x7)

Obama is running against a corporate media that would dearly love to continue to portray him as an unqualified uppity black man, inexperienced and unfit for the job of President. (If only they could get back to suggesting that Obama's hidden character and beliefs were exemplified by Rev. Wright and Angela Davis - but they need a fresh excuse and aren't getting one.) This is in line with the Republican rhetoric of the past 30 odd years which relies on a "disqualifying" strategy. In this style of politics you march to power by claiming that your opponent isn't just not-the-better-candidate, but there's something about him that rules him out of consideration completely. This strategy has become familiar to us as the scorched earth of Nixonland: the opponent is a closet communist, the opponent is not all-man in the pants department if you get my drift, the opponent wants to release thugs from prison so they can rape and murder your wife, the opponent isn't really American and hates everything about America. The opponent shouldn't even be running and is disqualified. The opponent should not merely be prevented from being elected, the opponent is the point man of a sinister plot to destroy America and ought to be in prison awaiting execution of sentence.

Obama's recent moves have been about forcing the media to follow him and show him in Presidential settings, behaving Presidential and keeping up his inspirational oratory. The goal is a build up of reassuring visuals. Not only is he qualified, he's ALREADY EXCELLENT at being President.

All the while though, McCain has nothing more effective in his repertoire than to snipe at Obama constantly. But Obama is not yet returning fire, concentrating on building himself up. When Obama pivots to attack McCain, he will crush him.

[L0oniX]

24. I know a KKK dude who is voting for McGaffe.

[awoke_in_2003]

30. Unfortunately

there is a good percentage of people in this country who would never vote for a black man.

[L0oniX]

33. I am caucasian and I won't have anything to do with those kinds of people.

I've gotten to the point where I even say it to their face.

[awoke_in_2003]

36. Neither will I. Unfortunately,

it is hard to avoid all of them, especially if you work for a living. Yep, Texas is chock full of good christian spirit :sarcasm:

[OwnedByFerrets]

27. Its party line politics, beneath the surface racism and

fear. I would love to use the "stupid" word, but I am trying not to do so.

[World Citizen]

28. smart or dumb, they are selfish

all the rest is an exercize in justifying selfishness

[bigwillq]

29. There's a long way to go.

The conventions, the debates, etc....

Plus, the average American is lazy and likes to be spoon-fed. I think these races will always be close unless people start to be more active in trying to learn about the candidates. Also, some are just very conservative and won't vote for any Democrat. We have a long way to go, still, in changing the habits and attitudes of the average American.

[27inCali]

32. The only people I know personally voting for McFucker

are either absolutely bigoted or are "business" conservatives who haven't figured out that they'd pay less taxes under Obama's code yet.

[DJ13]

35. No, not depressed. I expect the same MSM that helps the GOP falsify economic reports..

......to have no issues with helping them falsify poll numbers to try and keep their candidate in contention.

[Whisp]

38. As said in a phone call to Bill Richardson: He Can't Win.

having a little bit of a different meaning now.

but I'm still confident that they just can't do it this time, the steal.

Not This Time.

[GalleryGod]

42. Nope. MSM Manipulation 110%

Blowout=No viewers

[A-Schwarzenegger]

43. A black guy nobody ever heard of 8 months ago beating Mr War Hero Independent Maverick

by 6-7 points nationally? Depressed? You gots to be kidding.

[Jakes Progress]

49. It must be bluer where you live.

Polls don't affect me. Walked for the democrats yesterday. Over and over, kept running into twenty somethings with no education who are backing the "tough guy who won't back down from America's enemies" and out-of-work, broken-car, bare-footed-kids fifty somethings who don't want all their money going to the welfare cheats and foreigners and illegals.

MSM is doing a number on those who don't frequent the liberal blogs. We can't just assume that everyone is like our friends. It was a scary day. Frustrating.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

51. The OP was about the polls, which, nationally, are cheerful, considering.

Obviously, millions of numbskulls continue to sustain themselves
at the trough of media idiocy. :*

[phelangirl]

45. Is anyone else getting depressed about this?

Quote:
"In Bush/Gore and in Bush/Kerry, we know the republicans controlled voter rolls, rigged machines, and hauled in an unconstitutional vote from the SC to win. But they could only get away with it because the vote was close enough to make it work."

But, it can't and won't happen this time around. Too many of us are on top of ALL the bad stuff they pulled the last two times and Obama will see right through it as will everyone else.. there will be justice this time around, regardless of their lies and deceit.

[Zynx]

48. I'm getting depressed people don't know history. Even Hoover got 40% of the vote.

Carter finished within 10 of Reagan in the middle of disasterous economic and foreign policy conditions. Candidates always get 40% of the vote. Always.

[Drunken Irishman]

50. Thank you, Zynx

People forget that even Clinton beat Bush by only 4 percentage points in 1992. That was a very tight race, even though the economy was in the tank and Bush had really low approval ratings.

Rarely is there an election where a candidate wins in a blowout. It just doesn't happen much.