Bush Loses a Lifelong Republican

[GreenPartyVoter]

My parents, like all parents who grew up in New York, live in Florida. They have voted down-the-line Republican in every election since they came of age. Despite their shared Catholicism, they couldn't stand John or Bobby Kennedy. Don't even talk to them about Ted. They still believe Nixon got a raw deal. Needless to say, they supported the Bush brothers in their respective elections, George for president and Jeb for governor.

But a funny thing has happened on the way to the 2004 election. George Bush is managing to do what no politician has done before him -- drive my mother and father and others like them from their well-worn seats on the GOP bus.

"I can't vote for him,'' my father said as we sat in the Florida room of their adult-community condo. I nearly dropped the bottle of beer I had pressed to my forehead. ("What, you're hot?'' my mother had asked. The air conditioning was indeed on, as she assured me it was, set to a frosty 80 degrees.)

"He completely underestimated how the Iraqis would respond,'' my father said. We generally avoid politics when I visit. I'm from the gay-marrying, war- protesting, Michael Moore-loving republic of the San Francisco Bay Area. We tend to limit our current-events discussions to the Giants' chances in the National League West.

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0709-08.htm

[cthrumatrix]

1. I see many folks here in Florida say..."they made a msitake" in *'s vote

2000...not again.

These poll numbers are bullshit. Just look at the fact that the guy can not go to a "un-handpicked crowd".

The polls are close so e-voting can steal the votes....that's the shame of it...people despise this man.

[Protected]

2. I'm still trying to convert my grandparents

They're also lifelong Republicans and Catholics. I think the only thing keeping them on the GOP bandwagon right now is the Church and the tax cut they got but didn't need.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. Welcome to DU, and keep working on them!

[underpants]

4. Even in good ole Richmond Va I have seen few bumperstickers or yardsigns

Now mind you I live in what could be called the Republic of Richmond 70% black and the rest are pretty much LIBERALS but still even going to the mall (I have twice recently) I haven't seen a lot of W paraphenalia around.

[swag]

5. Congratulations. Me, I'm sending my dad the Tom Clancy/Zinni book

Dad loves Clancy, hated Clenis.

But the Clancy/Zinni book is sure to persuade my father to vote Kerry.

[gollygee]

6. My dad, a "Regan democrat" won't vote for Geo. W.

Kerry is the first democrat he'll vote for since Carter. He votes in Florida too.

YAY

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. Welcome to DU *wave*

[shoelace414]

8. This isn't the first time

I've heard stories like this. the staunch publicans are.. not so much anymore. but how many Gore voters are flipping to Voldemort?