Some Outdoormen to Consider Backing Kerry

[BUSHOUT]

Some Outdoormen to Consider Backing Kerry

By JUDITH KOHLER
Associated Press Writer

October 18, 2004, 2:07 AM EDT

DENVER -- Bob Elderkin's vote would appear to be a sure bet for President Bush on Nov. 2. He is a hunter, part of a conservative-leaning group of outdoorsmen that is 38 million strong and avidly supports gun rights.

But after backing Bush in 2000, Elderkin and some like-minded outdoorsmen say the Republican won't get their vote again because of his environmental policies.

"I can't vote for Bush knowing what it's going to be like the next four years," said Elderkin, a retired Bureau of Land Management employee in western Colorado where natural-gas drilling is booming. "With John Kerry, it's an unknown. As far as Bush goes, it's going to be `Katie, bar the door.'"

rest here

[JUS]

1. real outdoorsmen care about the environment

they will back Kerry...

[12ss1kp]

5. !

exactly

[madrchsod]

2. you can`t hunt or fish anything

if they are all poisoned. the dam fish in this country are mutating into some wierd species. male fish producing eggs and other very strange mutations....

[demokatgurrl]

11. Exactly, I heard an outdoorsman on the radio months ago

saying he was against Bush because due to his environmental policies, there would soon be no point in having guns because nothing left to hunt.

Mind you, I am not at all pro-hunting, but it's a good point- we tree-huggers aren't the only people who want the environment protected.

[sandnsea]

3. Especially fishermen

Hunters are still choosing their guns. But fishermen know logging hurts the rivers and streams. Most fishermen I know went Democratic a while ago and are strong Kerry supporters this year. But it's good we're getting them to start thinking. They all know their guns aren't the same thing as guns in the inner city, they've just gotta have their heads kicked a little bit to make them realize they've been duped.

[Maddy McCall]

4. Yeah, and some outdoorswomen, too.

:hi:

[Morning Dew]

8. LOL, yes - hunters and anglers

This particular woman doesn't prefer to be called a fisherman.

[bleedingheart]

6. Many hunters are environmentalists by default

however the right wing has tied environmentalism to less than "macho" behavior...but finally the haze is lifting...and these guys are seeing the light.

[bemildred]

7. Some chickens reported considering vote for Col. Sanders.

What a bunch of lemmings.

[farmbo]

9. "Some?"...how about half?

Any true sportsman/woman who enjoys hunting and fishing for its aesthetic setting, and who actually wishes to eat what they kill or catch, will be supporting Kerry.

On edit: too harsh

[KittyWampus]

10. My Dad & His Best Buddy LOVE Fresh Water Fishing

but through them back cause they're contaminated.

He was a life-long teacher.

He has TWO sons on disability for the rest of their lives...

And yet he STILL votes GOP.

IMO, for a lot of guys it's the perception of the GOP as macho.

[maxsolomon]

12. tree huggers + hook & bullet = kerry victory

everybody out west wants a functioning biosphere.

kerry's gun shooting has had an effect.

[daleo]

13. Interesting how "outdoorsmen" means hunters and fishermen

Why doesn't hiking, etc. qualify too? Backpacking gets you way out in the outdoors, while a goodly portion of hunters think shooting at stuff from the cab of the truck constitutes a hunting trip. At least I have seen plenty of that around here (Alberta Canada) in my lifetime.