Social Conservative Democrats Could Sway the Election to McCain-Palin
In the aftermath of Senator John McCain's announcement of choosing Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate, there is one argument as to why Palin was a poor choice that really sticks out for me. That argument is that she does not support women's so-called "right to choose" and therefore she will not appeal to women voters, and especially not Democratic female voters.
That argument is flawed. Surely if Palin is against abortion she's not the only woman in the country to have that belief. There are many other women in this country that are very strongly pro-life. Furthermore, the insinuation that all women who identify with the Democratic party are automatically pro-choice is also a dangerous assumption to make. Have we forgotten about the Catholic vote, or even though those who believe that it is up to God to choose who lives or dies? As much as the GOP likes to portray them at times, all Democrats, liberals, and progressives are not godless heathens. Just as all religious people are not Republicans.
Sarah Palin may not appeal to hardcore feminist Hillary Clinton supporters that subscribe to the notion that pro-lifers are really just trying to control their sexuality and make them second-class citizens, rather than being concerned about the life of unborn children. Anyone who believes that would probably never vote for Palin or anyone on the GOP ticket.
That aside, Palin will still have appeal with plenty of other women, some Democrats included. The pro-life issue may seal the deal for some female voters, one way or another. As many pro-choice women there are out there, there are just as many pro-life women in this country that will definitely be giving Palin a look.
As sad as it may be, a majority of US voters choose who they'll be voting for based not on the issues, but rather on who their friends, family, and co-workers are voting for, or who they can relate to.
Looking at the "who would you most like to sit down and have a beer with" factor that clearly worked once with President Bush, Palin might have an edge. She's not a woman groomed from a young age to enter politics. She played basketball in high school, goes to church, was in beauty pageants, hunts, and has described herself as a hockey mom. She's a career woman, but she's also got five kids. On the approachability factor, she's got Joe Biden and Barack Obama beat hands-down. I'd even go as far as to say she's got an edge on their wives, Michelle Obama and Jill Biden.
McCain has polled at about 12% of crossover voters from the Democratic Party earlier this month. If he is able to increase this number with women who may still be upset by Hillary Clinton's treatment by the media in the primary season he may be able pull out this election. Another factor that may give the Democrats nightmares is the fact that Ralph Nader has been polling as high as 8% in some critical swing states. Anti-war voters, seeking to end the Iraq war and are not pleased with the Democratic Party's inaction on the topic they pledged to fix in the 2006 Congressional election, could be a horrible combination for the Dems.
Will Dems not happy with the Obama/Biden ticket cross the party-line? Will Palin swing the all-important middle American suburban vote the GOP's way? By selecting a female running mate, McCain may have taken more votes that Obama-Biden had been counting on as they have dominated the polls with the support of females before Palin was added to the mix. It will be interesting to see how the candidates fare in the next set of polling with Palin having been added to the GOP ticket. Even if McCain/Palin can gather 10 to 15% of what Hillary Clinton pulled in the primary (especially in swing states that are high populations of social conservatives like Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania) the Democrats may have a major problem on their hands come November.
Comments
Disaffected Senator HRC Supporter
I am a die-hard Senator HRC supporter. Governor Palin cannot be seen as a token candidate with little experience in a year where the Democrats have forced an inexperienced, unqualified, zero to nothing in a suit on the top of our ticket.
The choice is clear-experience McCain versus abject lack of experience Obama or Soetero or Dunham or whatever alias he is now using since he moved back from Jakarta.
In addition, newsflash all women are not concerned with their uterus when they enter the polls. Many of us are concerned with: taxes, education, homeland security and most certainly not voting for the affirmative action candidate that has run amuck and set we African Americans back 200 years-Barack Obama.
I have spoken with more than 400 Senator HRC ladies and we are all voting for McCain and there are more of us are out there. Do not listen to the MSM, we HAVE defected the Democratic Party-well at least until 2012 when we can vote for Senator HRC for President.
Finally! A Voice from the Rest of Us.
It is absolutely insulting that the media makes blanket statements (direct or indirect) about what is important to women...as if we are all of one mind and one value system. If this isn't indicative of the sexism that permeates our culture, what is?
For the first time ever, I am voting Republican. Yes, I think that Clinton was treated poorly; but, that isn't my reason. I was open to Obama but was turned off by his approach, EXTREME liberalism, and backpedaling. I'm from the Chicago area, and I know about Obama's service and voting record. Sorry to say...I'm not impressed.
This registered-Democrat woman will vote for McCain in November.
Puma for Palin
As a strong HIllary supporter and strong supporter of abortion rights, I'm cheered by the instant reaction of many women this year when the Roe card is played. Many of us have just instinctively said, "You can't bluff us with that any more! We won't be led around that way!
It's ridiculous that our wombs should be political footballs for either or both sides. And it's ridiculous that for some women the only practical 'birth control' seems to be abortion. Why in blazes do so many women need it? The money that goes to lawyers and politicians on this issue -- could have developed better contraceptives long ago.
Hillary this year echoed what Bill said in the 90s: "Abortion should be safe, legal, and rare."
With all the new contraceptives (some of which HILLARY got approved), we ought to be able to PREVENT unwanted pregnancy; let's get together and spend our energy on that. If that's Palin's focus -- then power to her.
Hillary supporter for McCain/Palin
Democrats are not a one issue party, and the abortion issue is tossed around mostly by men to keep women in line!! This is insulting, we hated the way Sen Clinton was treated, actually we hated the way both Clintons were disrespected during the primaries. The DNC was totally silent about sexist remarks and media misogyny, until their chosen candidate or supporters misjudged a statement as having a racial tone, only then did they speak up.
This movement is about much more than Hillary, now. It's about the intimidation, unethical behavior, and downright fraud that was perpetrated by the Democratic Party, we will not condone it by voting for their unqualified candidate and YES WE CAN vote for McCain if we want to, and his VP choice made our decision that much easier! It was a very smart move!
AGREE WITH LOL
I DON'T CONSIDER MY SELF A DEMO OR REPUB AT TIMES I FIND MYSELF AGREEING WITH BOTH SIDES ON CERTAIN ISSUES. BUT AFTER WATCHING THE REPUB CONVENTION LAST NIGHT IT ALMOST REMINDED ME OF A KKK RALLY!! SORRY TO SAY BUT WATCHING THEM I DID NOT FEEL AS IF THE PARTY WAS OPEN TO ALL ETHNIC GROUPS. THEY DID NOT TALK ABOUT KEY ISSUES THEY CONTINUED TO DOWN GRADE BARACK OBAMA, LIEBERMAN IS JUST TRYING TO FIT IN SOME WHERE AND HE IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST LIARS. THE REPUBLICAN PARTY LOOKED LIKE AN ALL WHITE AFFAIR AND I THINK THATS HOW THEY LIKE IT. PALIN IS NOT AN ISSUE FOR THE DEMOCRATS SPECICALLY DUE TO HER CONSERVATIVE BUT HYPOCRITICAL VIEWS. SHE IS BASICALLY FORCING HER DAUGHTER INTO A MARRIAGE SO THAT IT MAY LOOK MKRE PLEASING TO SOCIETY INSTEAD OF TELLING HER DAUGHTER OK YOU SCREWED UP BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO SCREW UP THE REST OF YOUR LIFE BY MARRYING THIS YOUNG BOY. YOU CAN BE A SUCCCESSFUL SINGLE PARENT!! IT WILL BE HARD BUT IT CAN BE DONE.WOMEN VOTERS PLEASE DO NOT BE FOLLED NY THIS REPUBLICAN DISTRACTION REMEMBER THE REAL ISSUES AND PROBLEMS THAT THE US ID FACING AND REMEMBER THAT SHE WILL ADD TO THE PROBLEM AND NOT BE PART OF A SOLUTION.
LOL
It's funny how democrats can turn on their own principals when they do not get what they want. I love it, and bunch of die-hard Clinton sheep switching parties. It truly shows the weakness of the democrat parties and the so-called principals it chooses to hold.
Social Conservative Democrats and McCain-Palin
As if nobody else ever has, McCain 2008 - and that includes Republicans. And Hillary supporters are far from sheep - where did you ever come up with that bunch of bull? We supported her because we're NOT sheep and refused to "fall in line" behind The Fraud.
PUMAs for Palin has a really nice ring to it. Instead of being a Democrat, I'm now a New Democrat Party member (this group was just started by PUMA Pac) and was a volunteer/Rapid Responder for Hillary during her historic and heartbreaking primary campaign. I'll happily vote for McCain-Palin, being a Centrist and not a knee-jerk liberal. If Roe v. Wade wasn't overturned during Bush, chances are it isn't going to be under McCain-Palin. The Big Fraud Nobama can try to scare women on this non-issue as much as he wants - it won't work.
Puppet in Lipstick - What Next
McCain again showed poor judgment and no impulse control in choosing Puppet Palin. She's desperately seeking power and lacks the qualifications for the office she currently holds. Sad, really. But, given that he didn't seek treatment for melanoma until it was almost an inch across on his face, I guess he doesn't have good judgment --- a frightening quality under the circumstances. At 72 he seems out of touch - recently suggesting his wife would fit in as a contestant in a topless beauty contest in South Dakota (reported by the UPI). What next? Scary.
Hillary Supporter for McCain/Palin
I was leaning toward McCain before the Palin pick. I can't say that I agree with Palin's conservative views. But, I can not tolerate Democrats (or Republicans) not counting votes (FL & MI); caucus fraud (reported in almost every caucus state); superdelegates; the silence on the part of the Obama campaign and DNC on the sexist treatment of Hillary; the Obama campaign not even vetting Hillary after she won 18 million votes. They let the media sharks feed and never said a thing. In contrast, the RNC has been all over the media for their sexism directed at Palin. This year, I've got to make a break with the Dem Party and see what a woman can do in the White House other than coordinate the Easter egg hunt. Sorry, Dems....you failed us each and every time. You never stood up for your esteemed colleague and now I can't stand up for you.
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