What would it take for me to vote for a democrat for POTUS?
December 23rd, 2007 at 03:26pm Leo Pusateri
That’s the interesting question I heard yesterday from a nondescript liberal-leaning fill-in host on a rerun of an October talk radio show. The host, who admitted that the democrat party has lost its once prominent base of white male voters, acknowledged that the democrat party wrote off the voting bloc 30 years ago, and hasn’t courted it since.
A quick google search suggests that the concept is not lost on many a democrat mind; some saying that the white male vote is a bloc forever lost in the democrat vest pocket; a prodigal son never to return to the fold. Others say that the white male voter is still a yet-untapped bloc of voters that if accessed, would assure a democrat juggernaut for years, if not decades to come.
The radio host went on to observe that all is not well in republican-land; that white male voters were becoming disaffected with the Republican party; and went on to cite the war in Iraq as the major factor in white male disaffection within the GOP.
I would submit that there may indeed be a growing disaffection with the GOP among white males, but the war in Iraq would be the least, if not nearly the least of the reasons. If anything, the disaffection of the white male voting bloc with the Republican party is due to the fact that the Republican Party, rather than governing under the principles that swept it into a decade-long majority, actually forgot who it was that brought them to the dance; and instead started acting like the two-bit tart that flirts with all the other guys while her frustrated date looks on.
The white male voting bloc signed on first with Ronald Reagan, then with Newt Gingrich’s Contract With America; and not for democrat lite. President Bush received a hefty majority vote among the white male voting bloc, not because we were ecstatic over his expansion of Medicare into prescription drugs for seniors; not because of his endorsement of No Child Left Behind; but rather because between him and Jean Francois Kerrie, he was the only one that could be trusted to be a stalwart against the terrorists, and the one who actually gave a damn about protecting this nation.
So, back to the original question, what would it take for me, a white, middle class male, to be able to vote for a democrat as President of the United States?
Here is a non-inclusive, though important list of the top four traits that would make it so:
- 1. First and foremost: The democrat must put America first, not blame America first.
If your rhetoric panders to the European intelligentsia, go and run for German Chancellor or President of France.
If you put the "rights" of terrorists above the safety of the United States, its citizens, and its defenders in harm’s way, just so you can beat your chest atop your soapbox and claim that you’re a morally-superior, caring, sensitive, feeling metrosexual, forget about leading the U.S.
Go and apply as a houseboy for OBL, sing kumbaya with Kalid Sheikh Muhammed; but get the hell out of my face and leave the leading of the Free World to the big boys, okay?
You want to know a secret? If the presidential race were between Ron Paul on the Republican side, and Joe Lieberman on the Democrat side, I’d vote for Joe Lieberman in a heartbeat, based on the above principle alone.
- 2. National security is serious business. Quit screwing with it.
The notion of National Security embodies the very fight for our survival as a nation and as a people. It is not a political-point vending machine placed there for your convenience.
When you go and treat Iraq as a political football game to be won, rather than what should and must be a critical strategic victory over a deadly geopolitical enemy; going so far as to actually lay obstacles in the way of our victory, and putting those who put their lives on the line in additional and unnecessary risk as a result, that tells me you don’t give a rat’s posterior about the security of our nation, and that as such you have no business leading it.
There really are people and even nations out there who mean to do us harm.
9/11 should have given you a clue.
- 3. The democrat must quit showing contempt for America and that for which it stands!
Trust me on this. You may get a pat on the back from your fellow limousine liberals over at the Yacht club, but you won’t score a single vote among the "Joe Sixpack" crowd if you refuse to wear a flag on your lapel because you have contempt for the nation for which you are asking for the privilege and honor of leading.
It’s OK to say you love America, that it is the greatest nation on earth, and that Americans have spilled more blood and have given more treasure to help the downtrodden than any nation in the history of the planet.
It’s OK. Really, it is.
- 4. Don’t tell us what our problems are. We know what they are.
Running a grocery-styled bitchlist of everything that’s wrong, and portraying everyone under the sun as a victim isn’t going to make any white guy run through a wall to get you elected.
Here’s a novel idea: Present a vision of what is right about America, and an accompanying vision of how to work with what’s right so as to become an even greater nation (and–this is important– believe in it!).
Ronald Reagan’s Shining City on the Hill vision eventually garnered him two landslide terms as President. Jimmy Carter’s "malaise" speech, along with his inability to proffer a positive vision of America’s future is arguably what lost him his second term, and what sealed his fate as one of the most ineffectual presidents in history.
Again, this list is far from inclusive as to what it would take for me to vote for a democrat as President, but it’s a start. I offer this in the knowledge that the suggestions put forth in this screed will be summarily dismissed as hogwash, and also in the knowledge that some leftwinger will no doubt leave some "clever" comments about how wrong I am. But it was a democrat that asked the question, and since I am the world’s leading authority on what I think and feel, I answered it to the best of my ability.
Fire away.
(Cross-posted at The Ice Palace)
Entry Filed under: Campaign 2008, Democrats, Foreign Affairs, Kook Left, Patriotism, President Bush, Republicans, Social Issues, Talk Radio, War on Terror
38 Comments
1. Orion | December 23rd, 2007 at 3:47 pm
For me it’s knowing not just who I’m voting for but the crew in the background whom I’m voting for as well. Look at the crew of morons Bill Clinton brought on board with him in 1992; most of them were denied security clearances because of CURRENT drug usage. They were by and large incompetent to do the jobs given them and only got them because of their political connections to the Clinton campaign.
2. LiberalNitemare | December 23rd, 2007 at 3:59 pm
2. National security is serious business. Quit screwing with it.
This is the tipping point for me, after watching the dems treat the war and the soldiers fighting it as political footballs for YEARS now, I can never, ever vote democrat again.
Democrats simply cannot be trusted to put the welfare of our country and our troops ahead of their personal ambitions.
In some hypothetical situation where there was no republican candidate that I could stand to vote for, I would stay home, or, simply out of malice, vote for whomever had the best chance of sticking it to the dems.
3. kre8ive » What woul&hellip | December 23rd, 2007 at 4:08 pm
[…] Check it out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today.Here’s a quick excerptSo, back to the original question, what would it take for me, a white, middle class male, to be able to vote for a democrat as President of the United States? Here is a non-inclusive, though important list of the top four traits that … […]
4. NeoClown | December 23rd, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Based on Bill Clinton being elected to two terms, Al Gore winning the popular vote in 2000, and the massive republican defeat in 2006, it looks like women and minorities don’t really need the help of white male voters.
White republican men voting for Democratic candidates would signal that the Democratic Party had denigrated into something unworthy of votes.
5. Diana Powe | December 23rd, 2007 at 5:40 pm
Leo,
I absolutely bow to your authority as the only person who can be trusted to describe accurately how you feel. What strikes me as continually interesting are the feelings that you express, which are often expressed by others of your political orientation.
Most of your charges are premised around what you describe as inadequacy in how you claim Democrats feel and think about this nation. As you correctly noted, no one can authoritatively argue with how you feel and think as only inferences, colored by lack of information, self-deception, rationalization and projection, are available to others. However, you oddly (especially given your profession) feel free to authoritatively impute feelings to people who identify themselves as Democrats. I find that rather a peculiar stance, to say the least.
However, you do say this:
Tell me what plausible scenario there is in which the current world security situation ends up in the United States of America ceasing to exist? I can think of a single unlikely one. A Russian leader decides that a full-scale, no-holds-barred, first strike with their nuclear arsenal is the way to achieve something and our country is the target for the detonation of their approximately 8,400 thermonuclear warheads. For any practical purposes, the U.S. would no longer exist as a nation-state.
You cited the murderous attacks of 09/11/01. However, even if United Airlines Flight 93 had crashed either into the White House or the Capitol Building the nation would not have ceased to exist. Recovery would have been hampered in some ways, but the United States would have continued. So, what “the United States is no more” scenario are you, and the iconic white male voter that you are holding yourself as representing, in fear of?
6. Kahn | December 23rd, 2007 at 6:01 pm
Thanks Neo. I’ll just keep buying guns n’ ammo then.
Not that I’m advocating violence. It’s just that it works really well and I strongly recommend it.
Some will get it, to the rest, oh well.
7. Diana Powe | December 23rd, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Going to shoot the incoming ICBMs, Kahn?
8. Jeremiah | December 23rd, 2007 at 7:11 pm
Diana,
You and your ilk may choose to forget what happened on 9/11, but those of us who believe in America, will never forget that aweful tragedy on on the morning of September 11, 2001 at approximately 8:45 AM.
As the saying goes–
Those who choose to forget the past, are doomed to repeat it. Fortunately, real Americans aren’t going to allow that to happen.
Merry Christmas!
~ Jeremiah
9. Jeremiah | December 23rd, 2007 at 7:13 pm
Do you choose to forget This, Diana?
~ Jeremiah
10. Diana Powe | December 23rd, 2007 at 7:17 pm
Merry Christmas to you, Jeremiah! I’m sorry, but the questions I put to Leo and Kahn don’t have anything to do with the hijacking of commercial airliners as happened on 09/11/01. Those attacks, as horrendous as they were, could never have destroyed the United States, as feared by Leo and others. That’s just a fact.
11. NeoClown | December 23rd, 2007 at 7:19 pm
Jeremiah was a bullfrog
crazy deep in his mind,
I never understood a single word he said
But I helped him drink his wine.
12. Diana Powe | December 23rd, 2007 at 7:24 pm
I will also ignore your tangentially calling me someone who doesn’t “believe in America”. I do and have put myself in harm’s way for our way of life, as have all of my military veteran brothers (all Democrats). However, you were just reflexively making use of a garden-variety bit of slander from the playbook of so-called conservatives and you probably weren’t even really thinking when you typed the words.
13. Jeremiah | December 23rd, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Those attacks, as horrendous as they were, could never have destroyed the United States, as feared by Leo and others. That’s just a fact.
All it would take, Diana, is 3 strikes in the right locations to destroy the United States.
Take the blinders off!
~ Jeremiah
14. Jonathan | December 23rd, 2007 at 7:31 pm
Obama never stated nor implied that he does not wear a flag pin on his lapel because he hates his country.
Here’s what Obama said:
Any mention or implication of hatred or contempt for his country? Didn’t think so.
Try using some critical thought for once, Leo.
15. Diana Powe | December 23rd, 2007 at 7:40 pm
Jeremiah,
You have very little confidence in this country if you think that even the total destruction of any three American cities would “destroy the United States”. The United States government spent decades planning on the continuity of the country after a nuclear exchange with the USSR which had thousands of warheads, as does the current Russia. Sorry, try again.
16. Cory | December 23rd, 2007 at 7:57 pm
The way the democrat party has gone I don’t think I could ever vote democrat. If they ever returned to the the old school democrat party of the mid 1900’s I think I could bring myself to vote in that direction.
As of right now even though there are republicans in this very presidential race that I just do not agree with nearly any of their policies.
17. Cory | December 23rd, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Sorry. I wasn’t very clear on the last statement. I meant to say even though I disagree with some of the republican presidential candidates on some very key issues I would still vote for them because I just do not agree with the democrats on nearly any issue.
18. NeoClown | December 23rd, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Jeremiah,
Obviously you were overwhelmed by the attacks of 9/11. Your mind and your spirit were broken and you live in a constant state of terror. That’s okay buddy. It sounds like you have post traumatic stress disorder and you need to get some help. Just Google PTSD and you will find some help. Good luck.
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat. More about PTSD »
Signs & Symptoms
People with PTSD have persistent frightening thoughts and memories of their ordeal and feel emotionally numb, especially with people they were once close to. They may experience sleep problems, feel detached or numb, or be easily startled. More about Signs & Symptoms »
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19. Jonathan | December 23rd, 2007 at 8:11 pm
First, explain to me which president was it that had OBL cornered in the mountains of Tora Bora, but backed off and attacked the wrong country? That would be President Bush. People like me haven’t forgotten 9/11, but it appears our Great Leader has.
Second, I would like to applaud Diana’s dignified statements at 7:24 p.m. and I would like to add that my family’s love of America is self-explanatory. People like me and Diana don’t have to answer to your rhetoric .
20. Jeremiah | December 23rd, 2007 at 8:43 pm
NeoKook,
Thanks, but not thanks. Since you know so much about the disorder PTSD, I assume you’ve received treatment before. Well, that’s good, maybe now you can go see a psychologist and find out what all else is wrong up there…This is, if he finds anything to work with.LOL.
I choose to stay sober, life is far more worth the living when one’s senses aren’t dulled by the neuro-toxins that guys like you snort through a glass tube, destroying your every brain cell.
First, explain to me which president was it that had OBL cornered in the mountains of Tora Bora, but backed off and attacked the wrong country?
Jonathan,
What about your hero Bill Clinton and his key advisor Sandy Berger head of National Security, when the door was opened wide to Bin Laden long before President Bush ever even mentioned running for President.
All he had to do was say the words, and Bin Laden would have been detained brought to the U.S., put away, and we would have had him. What did he do, he chose to play politics, the way most of you Democrats do.
Life is no game my friend.
and I would like to add that my family’s love of America is self-explanatory.
You’re sure showing it my friend, in your blog especially, that is riddled with filthy language, and your possessive hate of all that is good and Christian.
People like me and Diana don’t have to answer to your rhetoric .
Then why are you talking?
~ Jeremiah
21. Retired Spook | December 23rd, 2007 at 8:55 pm
While I don’t share Jeremiah’s fear, I do share his concern. I’ve stared death in the face more than once, and I’m not afraid to die. The choice of converting to Islam, being subjugated by a bunch of Islamofacists or dying would be an easy one. Quite frankly, I’m more afraid of the Christian Wrights of this world than I am of anything the Muslim world can throw at us.
There seem to be two schools of thought on America’s future. Some say America’s best days are behind her. I subscribe to the belief that, with the right leadership, America’s best days are still ahead, and that my children and grandchildren and their decendents will live in a better world than we do. I don’t see that world coming to pass, though, under the leadership of any of the current crop of Democrat candidates.
22. Jonathan | December 23rd, 2007 at 8:59 pm
I don’t believe that my language is of any of your concern. If you have a problem with the way I write, then don’t read my entries.
I have no problem with Christianity (i’m growing up in a Christian household, thank you very much), but it’s religious fundamentalists like you who tick me off.
23. Diana Powe | December 23rd, 2007 at 9:01 pm
Retired Spook,
I also hope that America will be on the upswing. However, Leo’s statement was about the “very fight for our survival as a nation and as a people”.
24. Retired Spook | December 23rd, 2007 at 9:15 pm
Diana, I suspect Leo’s statement contained a grain or two of hyperbole. As you noted, nothing short of an all out nuclear war would likely destroy this country. I can, however, picture some plausible scenarios where this country would not be a fun place to live, particularly the “blue” areas of the country. I’m glad I live in a bright red part of the country. If push comes to shove, we’ll be the ones who’ll rise up from the ashes.
25. GOP4ME | December 23rd, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Diana,
You are engaging in a very clever game of verbal gymnastics. Just what do “you” mean by “destroy this country”? You are a good student of your tutor, Slick Willy.
The numbers of your traitorous leftist kind that are currently suggesting President Bush is “destroying” this country are legion. I have no doubt that you share that belief also.
Why do you think the Islamists attacked the World Trade Centers, the Pentagon and potentially the White House? Quite simply to bring this country to its knees.
You could easily destroy our economy to devastating effect on the country as a whole. Is that “destroying the country”. There are many of us who would say yes.
Or does this country need to be a smoking crater before you would agree that we have been destroyed? I am certain this is your definition of destroyed as it best protects your seditious tenancies. Frankly, your position is sophomoric in the extreme.
I can, do and will continue to question your patriotism. If we had relied on people like you a couple of hundred years ago we would still be paying taxes to Queen Elizabeth.
democRATS! what are they good for? Nothing! Say it again!
26. js | December 23rd, 2007 at 10:12 pm
I think they know what it would take to get me to vote Democrat.
They have been doing it for a while, we all know.
I would have to die first.
27. NeoClown | December 23rd, 2007 at 10:13 pm
(Ed. Note: Comment deleted - grossly insulting)
28. Kahn | December 24th, 2007 at 12:19 am
I think I understand what Leo meant by fighting for survival.
It is now a crime to transport a bottle of water onto an airplane. It might be a bomb.
Speech can be classified and restricted at least nine different ways I can think of off the top of my head.
Our military is (again) despised by a sizable minority of the the nation.
Violence against conservatives is acceptable because we deserve it.
Mega-rich billionaires want taxes on the middle class raised to sooth their consciences.
It’s OK to kill pre-born babies that you can’r prove are not human.
Freedom of Religion now means freedom FROM religion in public.
Many people do not believe that you have the right to keep a weapon to defend yourself. Maybe they would like to adopt the medieval English laws restricting the right to own a long bow to nobility only? Leftists in Canada recently proposed banning knives (yes). And leftists here recently claimed that .50 caliber muzzleloaders were designed to shoot down airplanes and should be banned. Well, I guess we know what a problem planes were for Daniel Boone.
Some people want us involved everywhere. Some people want tariffs. Some people want wealth redistribution. Some people socialism. And don’t even get me going on the Republicans.
Some people think we’re evil. Or that we invaded for oil. Or that we torture. Or that we should bury our head in the sand. Others say screw that and kill our enemies whenever we get the chance.
Gay rights? Or moral dilemma? Or what? You’ve seen the arguments here.
Yes - we are in a fight for survival. A fight for our identity. But it’s not with Bin Laden.
29. Diana Powe | December 24th, 2007 at 1:05 am
GOP4ME,
Despite your hate-filled rhetoric directed at me personally, I hope you have a Merry Christmas.
30. Christian Wright | December 24th, 2007 at 6:44 am
Our country was destroyed when citizen sovereignty was lost in 1886, when corporations were declared “persons.”
31. Diana Powe | December 24th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
As they say, often it’s not the crime, but the cover-up that comes back to haunt you.
Source: http://rawstory.com/news/2007/911_commissioner_No_doubt_we_asked_1224.html
32. FmrMarine | December 24th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
# 4
a$$clown
Ross perot gave us slick willy for his first term,
The republicans handed it to him for his second by running a non winner as a reward for his party loyalty.
gore LOST, in SPITE of massive rat voter FRAUD, and the disenfranchisement of 95% of our military vote.
gore won in the inner cities, the modern day plantations the rats have formed to keep those existing there on the govt. teat.
gore LOST in 95% of the counties in the country.
As far as a 2006 “massive” defeat i believe the pubbies had the majorities only by a slim margin, a couple of seats either way could have changed the results.
I would NEVER under ANY circumstances vote for the demoncRATic party.
33. plainjane | December 24th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
1. First and foremost: The democrat must put America first
Done: Instead of wasting another trillion dollars in Iraq; let’s use the money to solve social security and health care here in the United States, we will invest in our children’s education, put money in our bridges and roads, we will balance our books and not leave future generations to pay the massive Chinese debt.
2. National security is serious business. Quit screwing with it.
Done: Democrats will not run political ads saying a vote for a Republican is a vote for your death and the destruction of the Untied States. No more lies to the American people. We will follow our laws and stand by our treaties.
3. The democrat must quit showing contempt for America and that for which it stands!
Done: We will stand by habeas corpus, those who out our intelligent agents for political purposes will be jailed, wiretapping of citizens without the proper warrants will not occur, the Justice Department will be blind and investigate crime base on its merits and not base on party affiliation, the President will uphold the laws; not be above the law.
4. Don’t tell us what our problems are. We know what they are
Done: Illegal immigration is not a political wedge issue for bigots, it is a problem that can be solved. Because of the Senate filibuster, only the President, as commander in chief can end our involvement in Iraqi, this problem can only be solved by a Democratic President on 1/20/09
34. SEW | December 24th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
“Done: We will stand by habeas corpus, those who out our intelligent agents for political purposes will be jailed, wiretapping of citizens without the proper warrants will not occur, the Justice Department will be blind and investigate crime base on its merits and not base on party affiliation, the President will uphold the laws; not be above the law.”
Jane, take your medications.
35. Diana Powe | December 24th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
SEW,
Stop being willfully blind.
36. SEW | December 25th, 2007 at 7:56 am
Diana, Take your medications. BDS. Jane’s quote describes Billary, not Dubya.
37. SEW | December 25th, 2007 at 8:23 am
Diana, Stop being delusionaly blind.
38. Women Health Plantations&hellip | February 22nd, 2008 at 6:48 am
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