So I sat down with my Right Wingnut brother-in-law last night....

[Pacifist Patriot]

We're in one another's company once a year so it's tolerable. I was hardly surprised when he asked me about the candidates for president (he loves to talk politics), but totally shocked when he sat down beside me and allowed me to evaluate both the Dems and the Repubs one by one.

He actually took the time to listen (without interrupting) to what I had to say about each individual. I showed him a diagram that demonstrated graphically how close most of the candidates are philosophically. The quadrant graphic that appeared on the greatest page yesterday. He was stunned to discover that left-right is relative and all but two candidates fell in the same quadrant.

When I showed him the republican candidates his face fell. "That's some pitifully slim pickings," he said. Then he asked me if I thought the Republicans had a realistic chance of holding on to the White House. I told him they had very little chance of that short of rigging the ballot box. I damned near fell out of my chair when he responded, "you're probably right."

He added, "we really need a third or fourth party. I can't bring myself to vote Democrat, but I'll be damned if any of those idiots (the old fart Repubs) are going to get my vote. They're a disgraceful joke."

I am starting to wonder if GOTV is going to be a challenge to the Republicans come November 2008.

[annabanana]

1. What a heart-lifting post!

I rather suspect that these conversations are occurring at many kitchen tables around the country.

[shireen]

2. do you have a link to that graphic? I missed it nt.

[SeattleGirl]

3. That's great, PP.

I'm glad your BIL was willing to listen to you, and to have a real conversation about the candidates. I have a feeling more and more Republicans (the Jane and Joe Citizen type) will be doing the same, as things get worse for the everyday person.

[Pacifist Patriot]

4. Here's the bizarre part.

He's been laid off like four times since Bush took office. He only just this past week secured a good full-time job he is looking forward to enjoying. You'd think he'd have figured it out a few layoffs ago.

[Maggie_May]

5. I notice a lot of Republicans changing their minds

My husband once a hard core Republican no long will or support the Republican party last election he voted independent. Married 20 years and I always been call that crazy left wing lib wife. No longer is he or his family calling me that. I sat on the side lines last year with his family as I watched this administration destroy his family in jobs and paying more for gas more for health care college and of course the Iraq war. I sat on the side lines and said nothing because I knew they could no longer blame the Democrats for any of it. All I do say now is has this administration or any of the Republicans in office made your life and better any easier. They have answered NO so why do you vote for them.

[DemReadingDU]

6. could you post the link to that quadrant graphic?

[Mojorabbit]

7. I;d like to see the graphic too! eom

[Swamp Rat]

8. k&r

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. My dear Pacifist Patriot!

That is good news, and as other posters here have observed, hopefully conversations like yours are going on all over the country...

I'll bet GOTV will be a big problem!

At least, I'm hoping so!

K&R

:patriot:

[alfredo]

10. A lot might sit on their hands next Nov, even if it is Hillary. Many may

not like her but understand that much said about here was false propaganda.

[salin]

11. per the GOTV challenges for the GOP in 2008

it is an ironic twist. Their MO has been to depress turn out - while exciting the base in order to get more of their base to the polls.

But their base has dramatically shrunk and even "excited" (over what candidate?!) and even if they could depress other voter turnout - their base will be nowhere near enough to win elections.

In 2006, 3 GOP districts flipped to Dem in this red state - moving from a 6-2 to republican advantage in the congressional delegation to a 4-3 dem advantage.

I think the chickens are coming home to roost for the GOP.

[satya]

12. Here's the link to SkyIsGrey's post with that graphic:

Who Is Your Candidate?

[Pacifist Patriot]

13. Thank you, that's the one.

[DemReadingDU]

15. Thank you, very interesting

[quiet.american]

14. Why is it that a typical Repub "can't" bring themselves to "vote Democrat."

My BIL is the same as the guy in this story -- he uses every excuse in the book not to vote Democrat -- even though it certainly wasn't Republicans who've marched in the streets for things that have directly and favorably impacted his life.

[Pacifist Patriot]

16. In this case...

he's from/in Massachusetts. The Dems have controlled local politics for eons so all ills are attributed to that party. Kinda makes sense to me because I'm in an area totally dominated by the Repubs for eons....and I blame them for everything.

[tsuki]

18. I'm a Dem, and I'll never pull a Republican lever. n/t

[eridani]

17. Many years ago my husband said--

--"The Greens are what Democrats should be, and the Libertarians are what Republicans should be." Interesting insight, I thought.

[Perry Logan]

19. Don't waste your time talking with and debating degenerates. We're at war with these people.

[The Vinyl Ripper]

20. Some yes...

But certainly not all.

There's a big proportion that are simply misguided.

Those are the ones that need to have a hand extended to them.

[dipsydoodle]

21. Top quadrant reminds me of

Animal Farm. Bit difficult to tell the pigs from the humans.

[TheFarseer]

22. I was talking politics with my Dad last night

he always votes Repug because they'll stop gays from having abortions. He's still clinging to the hope that Fred Thompson will turn out to be something worth voting for. I told him Fred Thompson's a dumbass and the only reason anyone likes him is because no one knows anything about him" He said, "You might be right." No one seems to like their candidates.

[sendero]

23. Anyone that has not noticed the EXTREME

anti-incumbent mood that has swept the country should stay out of political analysis. Congress's historically low approval rating is NOT JUST THE REPUBLICAN's doing, WE WON THE CONGRESS.

The presidency, which SHOULD BE OURS TO LOSE, is going to be tough sledding, you can count on that. It's pathetic.

Democrats had a chance to stand for something, the country can see that's not working out at all.