The February 12th Beltway Trimary: DC, MD, VA (Webb/Military Families Flashback)

[CorpGovActivist]

On February 12th, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Party_%28United_States%29_presidential_primaries%2C_2008#February">the three Beltway jurisdictions hold their contests.

As a function of history, necessity, and convenience, many of the most vital command and control installations for both our military and Intelligence Community operations are located in these three jurisdictions.

Flashback to Election Night, 2006: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2616882&mesg_id=2616882">precincts with heavy concentrations of military families - typically GOP strongholds - delivered the margin of victory to Webb.

This is just one reason why http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4321211&mesg_id=4321211">ads touting Hillary's healthcare plans for TriCare and CHCS II will resonate in the Trimary.

- Dave

[my3boyz]

1. I would be absolutely

STUNNED if Hillary won here in Hampton Roads (area with a ton of military bases). Usually I would not think that the military would vote in the democratic primary anyway. However, so many are unhappy with the war (they were gung ho but now are unhappy) so I would not be surprised if they voted democrat. I would be shocked if they voted for Hillary. I'm not saying she can't take Virginia though. The democratic power in the party here is in Northern Virginia. I have no idea how they feel about the candidates up there. I actually posted on the Virginia boards to see if anyone knew who seemed to have the most support in northern Virginia but I have not received any replies.

[jasmine621]

2. If they are unhappy about the war, then they won't be voting for Repubs.

If they vote for Obama they will be voting for a person who does not support the military. What has he done for the military that is any different than Hillary or more? He never voted for the IWR and neither did over 130 million other Americans.

[CorpGovActivist]

3. The primaries are first. Read the calendar.

[my3boyz]

4. Well, they would prefer Obama to be the democratic

candidate to Hillary. I think it is mainly because they don't like Bill Clinton. They don't like the way he closed all of the military bases. My husband said some of the guys are leaning towards John McCain. There was never a split before. Before he would have to sit there and listen to Rush Limbaugh all day long. Those days are gone. Many are unhappy with the way Bush handled everything. In the past I could not see any of them voting Democrat. Now I really think some will vote for a Democrat. I think those that are still gung-ho Republicans or those that still believe the war was the right thing will vote for McCain. Most military people that vote Republican do so because they think they are stronger on defense. It is shocking to me(to see how their opinions have changed) because I can't begin to tell you have pro-Bush his co-workers were in the past.

[CorpGovActivist]

5. McCain is a "military man," and will provide problems in the General.

In the primary, we need to pick a candidate who will stem the tide of this loss, rather than add to it.

- Dave

[CorpGovActivist]

6. "The Potomac Primary"

That's what the local news stations in Beltway market are now calling it.

- Dave