As An Ex Pat RI'er How Is Obama Doing In RI?

[bdamomma]

could someone tell me how Obama is going to do in RI?

Just asking.

[gaspee]

1. I haven't heard much

Though I did just learn that Michelle Obama's brother is the basketball coach at Brown. I didn't know that.

The Clintons have many friends in RI, but there has been a HUGE voter registration surge - and about half of them are 18-25.

I would guess the polls showing Clinton up 15 are a little off.

No one I know is even talking about the election. But then again, I run in a crowd more concerned with how they are going to pay the bills than how they are going to vote.

When I try to point out that the two are actually related, I get blank stares.

[bdamomma]

2. oh jeez, that is just sad.

that no one is talking about this primary, but again, there are many who are concerned about their own welfare than the state of Rhode Island or even the state of the country, too bad as an ex-pat being on the outside looking in, the country and the state of conditions in RI do not look good at all. We got to fight back.

[gaspee]

3. I think that

the economic level I'm talking about -- the lose the apartment and how to feed the rugrats level -- makes people feel they have no stake in the election.

It's one of the reasons I wanted Edwards so badly - at least *he* acknowledged these people exist as more than people to beat up for making so-called "bad choices" in their lives.

The reality is that the people I know at the bottom of the economic ladder typically work two jobs and work a lot *harder* than the people who so virtuously make a lot of money and aren't a "drain on society"

Heating and electric costs this winter are out of control, not to mention gas prices. RI doesn't have very good mass transit so gas prices really impact people.

I don't know -- I guess if I hung around a different crowd, the election might mean more.

Most of these people I'm talking about are blue collar whites and most of them, if they vote, are voting Clinton.

[bdamomma]

4. so those going with Clinton are going with the status quo,

you know I was for Edwards too, and I did vote for him in the Primary by absentee ballot, I am just curious if Edwards gets any votes.

[gaspee]

5. Actually

Most of them are racists. More so against Hispanic than African American, but still...

Wonder what I do and where I meet these people?

Deliver the ProJo. We line up at 1:30 in the morning, waiting for the papers to get there so we can deliver them. For most of the people, this is a 2nd or even third job. We stand around shooting the shit while we wait.

I get a lot of insight into people I wouldn't normally hang out with.

[bdamomma]

6. well, good luck with the Primary and I hope in a way the Obama

wins.