Originally posted by JohnnyElohim
reply to post by avingard
Most of them just have no idea why they're voting for him.
This hasn't really been my experience, though. I know a lot of people who voted for Obama for many different reasons. Some better than others, mind
you, but still: reasons. Perhaps this isn't the case with you, but I do sometimes wonder when I hear this whether that's code speak for "they are
not voting for him for any reasons I agree with/empathize with/relate to." Which is a fair thing to say, but has quite a different meaning.
Ah, that's a good point. I should clarify. I know a lot of people who voted for him and have no reason why. I.E., when asked why, their standard
response is that he seems like the best candidate, he seems like a better person, etc. etc. Which would be fine, but they can't explain why, or for
what reasons, they think that he is the better person, or whatever. I suppose you could still say that they have reasons.
Another good deal of the people I know (this group being larger than the previous) are voting for him and will commonly site the propaganda tag lines.
In other words, that he'll bring change, that he's young and fresh and new, that anything is better than Bush. Like the previous, these also
can't back up their claims with anything close to convincing evidence. In other words, they don't know his voting records and don't know where he
stands or what he wants to do.
And then there is a small (but still substantial) group that votes for him based entirely on race (and I know people of several races who fall into
this category). This is entirely unjustifiable based on anything resembling a belief in equality between races. This is, simply, racism. I say this
not to inflame, but simply because it's something I see. It's a real social issue that.
And of course I do know plenty of people who voted for Obama, knew his record, his plans, etc. and thought he was the better candidate. I have
nothing but respect and tolerance for these people, as they aren't the majority (in society as a whole, not just in Obama supporters).
So I guess you could say that I just don't approve of some supporters reasons for voting for Obama, but at some point you have to decide for yourself
what is a good reason and what is, essentially, empty propaganda.
Like I said before. From where I stand, Obama turned himself into a product, and I feel that in a lot of cases, people weren't electing a president,
they were buying the newest, shinnest gadget (metaphorically speaking, of course).