The Mood of Voters: Men Are Fuming, Women Despairing

[RamboLiberal]

Source: NY Times

It is not exactly the year of the angry man, but it may be something close to that. A recent New York Times/CBS News poll found a striking difference in the way men and women say they are going to vote come November.

Men say they are going to vote for the Republican candidate rather than the Democratic candidate in their district by a margin of 45 percent to 32 percent. The numbers are nearly reversed for women with 36 percent saying they will vote Republican and 43 percent saying they will vote Democratic.

Ever since 1980, when Ronald Reagan inspired more men than women, the difference in the way the sexes vote has been a critical part of American politics. Women have been more likely than men to favor Democratic candidates, an advantage Democrats have come to count on. Women also historically outnumber men when it comes to showing up at the polls.

But this year may be different. Even though women are still more likely to vote Democratic, the poll suggests they may stay home this year, giving more of the decision-making to men by default.


Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/21/us/politics/21poll.html?hp

[Deep13]

1. Why are we men so goddamn stupid?

Not all of us, of course, but perhaps most of us. I think we are afraid that any kind of real compassion for others is believed to be effeminate. That Christian culture of homophobia has done a number on us.

[Moonwalk]

10. It's not stupidity, it's a need to feel empowered....

I very much feel for men who want to support their families, feel like they can control things, feel like they can get results and be proud again. Our culture, rightly or wrongly, still burdens men with the expectations of being the hero. Of righting wrongs and making the world safe, of defeating the forces of chaos and imposing order.

A man who can't do this feels like he has failed. So it's no surprise when the Democratic message seems to be "wait your turn..." that is, stay in line, we'll get to helping you, vs. Republican message of "Take back America"--meaning, come up to the front, demand what you want and we'll give it to you.

The need to feel like one is in control and in power trumps any logic or thinking. One goes after the surface message rather than examining it (an examination which would show that it's hollow). This, alas, is human nature (neither male nor female) to want immediate solutions rather than hanging in there long term. We put our faith in magic and miracles and those who promise magic, miracles and instant cures. We don't want to listen to those who speak of long term, hard work, or solutions that might not be perfect cures to our problems. Even if they're right and those promising the miracle cures are taking us for a ride.

[Deep13]

11. Good observation. Thanks. nt

[defendandprotect]

14. It's an emotional reaction, rather than intelligent understanding of what's really happening ...!!

[Deep13]

16. Well, that supports my "goddamn stupid" premise. nt

[defendandprotect]

22. Emotions shortcircuit thinking .... results in same thing -- "stupid" --

[Vidar]

24. Good explanation.

[movonne]

13. I think that many men want to keep women under their thumb...especially

right wing types..

[McCamy Taylor]

20. Society allows men to get mad---but not sad. Women are allowed to be sad---but not mad.

A man who cries is a sissy. A woman who shouts is a bitch.

[Deep13]

21. That's true. nt

[BillH76]

23. It's not stupidity. It's the doctrine of "individual responsibility."

Republicans emphasize self reliance and individual responsibility. This appeals more to guys, who have been enculturated with this ideal. Guys have to say "I screwed up." Women can say "things didn't go right." The Democratic Party recognizes that sometimes things don't go right, so it appeals more to women.

[nevergiveup]

2. Men vote with their penises

and women vote with their hearts. Don't ask me what this means as I have no clue but it is probably as good an explanation as any.

[Capitalocracy]

4. Lever? Punch ballot? Touch screen?

I'm sorry, the visual is just too goofy :P

[Deep13]

12. Make an X with a big pencil. nt

[Art_from_Ark]

25. Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus

Men are made of snakes and snails and puppy dogs' tails
while women are made of sugar and spice and everything nice

No doubt there are more totally unscientific explanations :crazy:

[Frustratedlady]

3. Men are probably upset about the tax issue, for one.

I agree that women vote with their hearts and are generous in their compassion for others. I think women are better at spotting those who enhance their credentials. I can't see any women that I know ever voting for Palin or O'Donnell, as they would have already discredited them through their idiotic statements.

Women are more interested in results, not rhetoric. Don't tell us how great you are, show us.

[COLGATE4]

5. I think in general that women don't tend to be as quick to anger

nor to rely on anger as the first reaction to irritation. Men are irritated for all the reasosns we can name - health care is a terrible drag on everyone (those who have it and those who don't), the possibility of job loss for those who still have their jobs is very real. Enough to bring out a lot of incohate anger to which the response is "somebody's going to pay for this". The 'somebody' is us, the Democratic Party which many people (including myself) believe we didn't do enough when we had the momentum to get things done. Solution - 'Throw the bastards out'. That's my contribution to pseudo-psychology for the day.

[Tunkamerica]

19. women aren't as quick to anger?

introduce me to those women.

[Jim_Shorts]

6. JUST PLAIN STUPID POLL

What Was the sampling? 50 men & 50 women ? Where was it conducted ? A republican district? What was the question? If you were given free prophylactics would you vote republican ?

[Demeter]

7. Democrats Don't Sell White Male Privilege as a "Birthright"

the GOP does.

[lunatica]

8. Anyone who believes these polls is an idiocrat

How many election years do people have to go through to get it. It's 90% bullshit. Everybody saw Obama losing and he won by a landslide. Was America ready for a black President? Well, duh! It looks like America was fucking ready. Except for the lunatic teabaggerati fringe who are a fraction of Americans. And if they didn't have Palin to stir the shit they'd be pretty quiet too.

[happygoluckytoyou]

9. so long as they are home cooking, and not masturbating, the GOP will be happy

[BrklynLiberal]

15. THIS woman is both despairing, and FUMING!!! But I sure as hell am going to vote!!!

NOT VOTING IS NEVER, EVER, EVER the answer...even if one has to hold one's nose when voting..DO IT!!

Men and women have died for centuries in order to ensure that we can vote...to relinquish that right without even a whimper...
THAT is the biggest act of treason!!

[Deep13]

17. Bring a friend if you can. nt

[BrklynLiberal]

18. Will do. I lalways make sure to tell anyone who will listen, that if they do not vote, they better

not complain about the results!!