My Conversation with a Repub

[ethereal]

On my office smoke break this morning, two older gentlemen were discussing the Coburn/Carson debate on Meet The Press Sunday morning. I bided my time, smoked my gert as I listened to them. One went back inside, and the other stayed outside to smoke another. I asked him what he thought about the debate, and he shook his head sadly. "I thought Kerry kicked Bush's ass," he said sadly. "I couldn't believe how stupid and ill-informed Bush looked."

This gentleman was probably mid-50's and pretty well-informed about politics. We talked for about a half-hour, on topics ranging to everything from peak oil, Iraq, gun control and WMDs to nuclear proliferation. I tried not to phrase things in a combative or
overtly-Kerry manner. Rather, I agreed with him on the (few) Bush strengths he mentioned, then said, "But I was surprised to learn from Kerry that . . . "

For every negative Kerry comment he brought up, I had a counter and something to point about our pResident's poor choices and record. By the time we left, he shook his head. He said, "I can't see voting for Kerry. I don't feel he will keep us safe in our beds at night. But I'm embarrassed to vote for Bush after seeing his poor performance in the debate." He thanked me for my input and said that I'd given him a lot to think about.


Thanks, DU, for keeping me so well-informed. I don't know if I converted this nice, polite, true-Conservative gentleman. But he certainly has a LOT to think about in the next 25 days until the election.

[BlueEyedSon]

1. The FEAR safety FEAR issue FEAR FEAR is all FEAR they FEAR have left

which is huge mound of BS anyway, I can't wait for the media & the public to figure that out!

[JuniorPlankton]

2. Keep it up!

If the guys just stays home on Nov 2 it's a victory for you :)

[meegbear]

3. Question:

What's a gert? :shrug:

[ethereal]

5. A *Gert*

is a cigarette. :)

[asjr]

4. You handled that very well. He probably is a Republican from

way back. The party now is so totally different. The party at one time had meaning. Now it is the party of Mean.

[ethereal]

7. He seemed bewildered

about how things could have gone so wrong. When I suggested that perhaps the problem was that Dubya hadn't had anyone disagree with him in four years, I could see the light dawning in his eyes. I pointed out that this is the most secretive (mis)Administration in the history of our country, and that B*sh hasn't had to face any crowds or answer any questions that weren't pre-screened and hand-selected throughout this whole campaign.

He just shook his head, and said he saw a side of the President that he'd never seen before. Poor guy looked totally discouraged and disillusioned. He kept saying how negative Bush came across--that he "wasn't the Bush I thought I supported."

I will say that I am already hearing echoes of the RW meme that "B*sh was just tired" as an excuse for his performance. This gentleman said it several times, but didn't seem to be all that convinced.

If nothing else, Kerry's performance has opened up a LOT of eyes to the fact that the Emperor really *is* buck naked without two brain cells to rub together. Is anyone else practically jittering with excitement for Tuesday and Friday's debate? Cannot.wait.

[RoyalWickedness]

8. keep working on him, ethereal...

You never know, you might get him to actually change his mind, and, worst case, as someone else pointed out, is that he stays home on voting day.

[phantom power]

6. Great demonstration of how well the GOP does it's job

People now have a very very hard time believing that a Democrat could be better for national security than a Republican, even when the evidence is staring them in the face. The GOP worked hard, and spent a lot of money, to define the image of their party (and ours). It obviously paid off.

I supposed it's also just an artifact of human nature. We all like to believe that we're evidence-driven, but we all tend to reject evidence that doesn't agree with our preconceived notions. It takes multiple observations to change a person's mind.

I hope that Kerry continues to make Bush look as bad as he actually is. Maybe three repetitions will be enough to change a lot of people's minds.

[ethereal]

9. Kerry's Senate Record

was something he brought up--that three years ago, Kerry voted to make regular hunting rifles outlawed under the assault weapons ban. This is a totally redneck state, and dem Okies luv their guns.

I am pretty well-read on election issues (obsessed, my spouse might say), but I don't know a lot about Kerry's past Senate record. I tried not to sound too know-it-all, but I think I took him somewhat aback, that someone so much younger than he would know as much or more about these election issues and could actually rebut his claims.

He also mentioned that Brad Carson (OK Dem running for Senate against a Rethug nutjob) got an *A* rating from the NRA, so this is clearly a hot button for him.

Does anyone have any suggestions about how I might counter his claim that Kerry will take away all our 2nd Amendment rights if he gets in the Oval Office?

[merh]

10. Isn't Kerry a hunter?

Did you check his website for any links that might help? It is pretty thorough.

Great job. Thanks for the post and your patience and wisdom in talking to this guy. :hi: Welcome to DU.

[phantom power]

11. I know that Kerry recently made at least one speech in which

he promised to never take away hunting weapons. He is a hunter himself. As I understand it, he was presented with a very nice shotgun at this speech. I forget who gave it to him. Maybe a gun manufacturer?

I think Kerry's position on this is pretty clear, but the Democratic party in general is going to be a weight around his neck, as we have a reputation for opposing all gun ownership. When a guy like Rush Limbaugh tells a rural hunter that Kerry will take away their guns, it's easy for them to believe it, regardless of whether or not it's true.

It would benefit the Dems hugely to change their image on this issue. We need to recognize that it will take years to undo the marketing efforts of the GOP, but we should make the committment.

[DemsUnited]

13. A young Kerry spokesman said a few days ago

that Kerry would never take away our second amendment rights because, the way the economy is going, we're all going to need a shotgun & fishing rod just to put food on the table.

[kimchi]

17. What a great response!

Kerry seems to have some really gifted and energetic people working for him. Let the young dude speak more often!

And welcome to DU!

[DURHAM D]

12. Do you think Carson will win the Senate ?

I lived in Oklahoma for many years - saw Meet the Press yesterday.
Coburn was having a conversation within his own head - not the people at the table. He is a pure psycho.

[johnnyrocket]

14. Kerry can't keep us safe!?!? How the hell did THIS meme proliferate...

it makes NO sense, Kerry has common sense and truth on his side...I don't understand this BS about not protecting America crap.

[cheshire]

15. It earns you a big gold star for remaining cool enough to talk. Hi5

[Catherine Vincent]

16. What is it with repukes thinking Bush* will keep them safe?

How gullible!

[mahina]

18. Well done!

On security, I think Kerry's work on BCCI fighting terrorists is strong.

And support for first responders. And the fact that 9-11 happened on *'s watch.
That they got tons of red flags and ignored them. Because the whole * administration is incompetent.

Good going on keeping things unemotional, I have a little trouble doing that. I wish I could stay neutral, it works better!

[CrowNotAngelGRL]

19. At least you

gave him something to think about. That's a start!! You should talk to him more about the economy, enviornment, etc. Especially if he has kids, grandkids, etc. And don't forget about the debt. :) Hopefully these next few debate's will also help change more people's minds. :) Especially in state's that are weak Bush. There are quite a few of them and Kerry isn't far behind (like a few points or so).