I have a Hillary Republican neighbor

[proud2BlibKansan]

I have a neighbor who is a lifelong Democrat and one of the few Democrats here in my neighborhood. We have been neighbors 15 years and have occasional conversations that inevitably turn to politics. We share progressive values. The last time I saw her she thanked me for the anti-war sign I have in my yard.

Our kids are best friends. They are grown now but still very good friends. Her son has always told me his mom is crazy and I have always said well she is a good progressive in red state hell so she can't be too crazy.

Then just a few minutes ago I ran up to the store and noticed a campaign sign in her yard for a Republican candidate. Here in Kansas, we have two kinds of Republicans, moderates and conservatives. I call them sane and insane. My neighbor's sign is of a sane Republican but a Republican none the less.

So I ask my son what's up, is her husband a Republican? And he says no, Mom, she was a HUGE Hillary supporter and hates Obama. So she decided to register as a Republican and put every Republican campaign sign in her yard she could get her hands on.

This is especially interesting since she lives in a high profile house on a busy corner lot and I have asked her many times in the past if I could put a sign for a Democrat in her yard. She always said no, she didn't like signs in her yard. So I didn't push it. I am working for another neighbor who is running for state house and he understands she doesn't want a sign but he believed he could count on her vote. Now I guess not.

So it finally hit home with me. I just told another friend yesterday that I believed these Hillary supporters who refused to support Obama were a small but vocal minority and I didn't think they were a threat to his candidacy. But now I don't know since it has hit so close to home for me.

So what about you? Do you know any Hillary Republicans?

[Gman]

1. Hillary for VP

will fix that.

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. Yes it would but Obama is running on a CHANGE platform

and Hillary isn't change.

[dysfunctional press]

33. except that then a lot of obama supporters willlose interest.

don't these hillbots understand how bad a mcain scotus will be for women?

talk about your sore losermengals...

[saracat]

2. I am so pleased you are volunteering for a state house candidate.Thank you very much . More than

anything, they need the help this cycle.

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. You are welcome

You know the benefit is you get to ignore a lot of the more intense issues at the national level :)

[saracat]

12. I have in fact noticed that many who are really intense don't participate in local politics

which is a shame as that passion could be really much more productive in those races. That is something the GOP seems to understand better than we do. But things are getting better. We are going to do great this year!

[unpossibles]

3. no, although I do know a couple of people who probably voted for Hillary illegally

but they are and never will be anything but Republicans (who call themselves Libertarians, of course)

[mrreowwr_kittty]

7. When I was volunteering in TX, there was a man who proudly told us he was doing it.

He said he had every intention of voting for McCain in the general, while sporting a Hillary button on his shirt.

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. How was it illegal?

[unpossibles]

23. by Ohio law you are not supposed to vote in the primary for someone you do not actually support

a fifth-degree felony in Ohio.

Ohio Revised Code 3513.20 Effect of challenge to voter at primary, states in part:

“Before any challenged person shall be allowed to vote at a primary election , the person shall make a statement, under penalty of election falsification, before one of the precinct officials, blanks for which shall be furnished by the board of elections, giving name, age, residence, length of residence in the precinct, county, and state; stating that the person desires to be affiliated with and supports the principles of the political party whose ballot the person desires to vote; and giving all other facts necessary to determine whether the person is entitled to vote in that primary election. The statement shall be returned to the office of the board with the pollbooks and tally sheets . . . . “

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/3513.20

Of course, good luck actually doing anything about it.

It cracks me up (sort of) how rightwingers go on and on about the law, such as complaints about illegal immigrants or drug laws, etc., yet will not hesitate to break laws if it suits their purposes.

Then again, they don't seem to like actual Democracy unless the Right wins, as evidenced by them finding no fault in our CIA operations the past few decades and our foreign policy. Who cares if the Left is more popular - gotta win.

[proud2BlibKansan]

24. Oh yes now I remember that being discussed here a few months ago

Here in Kansas, we can change our affiliation whenever we want. So we can register as Republicans to vote in a primary and then change to Democrat to vote in the general.

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

4. one-issue voters

are, by default, deluded conservatives. Any "progressive" that launches on a vitriolic campaign because his/her pet issue isn't being addressed the way they want it to, is either not being true to him/herself, or they're conservative.

I am flipping mad that Obama (among numerous other legislators) rolled over to expose their soft underbellies with the passage of the FISA bill. But I'm still a solid progressive democrat who is going to vote for Obama. And I'm still going to write my legislators and continue to give them a piece of my mind (not Ron Wyden (D-OR) though, he voted against the FISA outrage--Thanks Ron!)

[mrreowwr_kittty]

5. I know one.

She still pretends to be Democrat in public, though.

[orleans]

6. amazing. turncoats.

wait...is the republicon more "liberal" or progressive than obama?

or is this just a bitter move on her part?

her goddess is supporting obama. what would hillary think if she knew the lady in the corner house dumped her party for a republicon?

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. Yes that is what bugs me

I don't know her all that well but I honestly believed she was a progressive. But how can a true progressive support a Republican?

[orleans]

39. they can't. even if the republika is more progressive than the dem

candidate--you would be helping the R's get a majority in the house/senate and THAT is not progressive. that is totally turncoat disaster.

[rox63]

8. Please see this thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6481751

Print out the comparison list and give it to your neighbor.

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. Thank you!

[cags]

13. Yes, My husband!!! Who has never voted for a republican his entire life. I try everyday to change...

his mind.

Hes starting to get pissed at all the email I'm sending him, but I don't care. We have two daughters and I can't for the life of me understand under any circumstance why he could vote against them. Plus his own mother, who he loves dearly, is a lesbian.

We live in TX, and ever since Air America went off the air hes been listening to repub radio stations... its his only option in the car. Hes a talk radio kind of guy. I keep telling him hes being brainwashed, but he really so upset and hurt by the whole Hillary thing

He thinks Obama is a liar... and all this "moving to the center" stuff is just fueling him

[beac]

14. Please send your husband this link:

http://blog.hillaryclinton.com/blog/main/2008/06/29/164949


SHE doesn't want her supporters to vote for Republicans. Her supporters should honor HER wishes, right?

[cags]

16. I've sent him every link there is...LOL He doesn't follow blindly not even for Hillary

[beac]

18. Maybe you can slip him some knock-out drops in his coffee on election day??

Just kidding.

But I find it SO confusing how people think that voting for Pukes somehow rights the "wrongs" they perceive as done to Hillary. I CAN NOT wrap my mind around it.

[cags]

19. I am considering the knock out drops... but I might just get him to not vote at all

[Beacool]

20. Yes, quite a few.

Former volunteers, neighbors, friends, coworkers.......

[Bobbie Jo]

21. I don't believe these Hill/R creatures exist .....got pics? links?

Not that I don't believe you of course. However...Republicans willing to vote for a "close enough" Dem(yes, it's a gender thing..it was working on me too) don't exactly amount to what I would call a sea change. After the last 8 years....well, can't blame them for looking outside their line-up usual suspects that's for sure. I just don't think the handful popping up here and there were going to bring it home for Hillary. Besides....one good FauxSnooze ripping would just bring them back home in the end.

[proud2BlibKansan]

25. I hope you are right.

:)

[EFerrari]

22. The polls say Clinton supporters started going over right away.

There is a small vocal minority and they have to live somewhere. :)

[NeedleCast]

26. I know one

People can get to vested in their political candidates. Passion is good. Blind passion is bad. I'm a big Obama supporter but I don't maintain any illusion that Obama and I are going to see eye-to-eye on every issue. In fact, unless I run for president, it's unlikely there will ever be a political candidate that I agree with 100%.

A co-worker and acquaintance of mine that I talked with regularly at work (until I changed jobs recently) is a big Hillary supporter. We talked politics quite a bit and everything was fine up until the primaries started (when it was assumed Hillary would win in a landslide). Over the course of the next three months, she got more and more distant and eventually stopped talking to me all together (although during March her "talking" to me was more of a constant verbal attack of how much of a scumbag Obama was).

Still, I think your original assumption that Hillary Republicans are a vocal minority is correct.

[skorpo]

27. Someone in Customer Service said...

A HAPPY customer tells 3 people.
An UNHAPPY customer tells 30 people.

[RedShoes]

28. not a single person in my family, sans myself, my dad and my crazy uncle rich

will vote for Obama. And since I am not an ENTHUSIASTIC supporter, I am one nonetheless. I am woefully outgunned at family barbeques, the fourth had my brother passing around an anti-Michelle Obama e-mail that he had printed out.

I should let you know that I am one of five, my father is one of seven, and my mother is one of THIRTEEN. I have thirty eight people who are my first cousins, of which thirty three are of voting age. And that doesn't include their spouses, and in many cases their voting aged children Not even my little cousin who just graduated Berklee will vote for him, and this was all pre-FISA. The "I told you so's" have been flooding my inbox.

There are only three of us who will vote for Obama. I hope that will change, but I gotta tell ya, I was way outnumbered on the fourth, and about a half dozen other events.

[Beacool]

29. Interesting..........

Are they all Republicans or were some of them Hillary supporters who won't vote for Obama?

[RedShoes]

30. strong democratic family, except my bro* and always have been. Lots of union folk

I think some will come around but I was very shocked to see how many there were. For the first time, I am in the minority with my family, and a very tiny minority at that.

* my bro SAYS he's a dem, and then turns on O'Reilly and hands out 'Michelle Obama hates white people' e-mail flyers at gatherings. He is the LONE dino. Before that, my Aunt voted for Reagan in 1984. This is the last known Repig vote in my family.

[Beacool]

32. So, I gather that they preferred Hillary and now they'll vote for McCain?

This was not a regular election between two middle aged white guys, both Obama and Hillary have passionate supporters. It was also an extremely close race and neither one would have closed the deal without the super delegates. Therefore, not everybody is ready to move on. I'm sure that some will come around by November and some will not, it's their choice.

[RedShoes]

34. Mostly Hill supporters in Ohio, PA and MD, but prolly about 40% Edwards

and Kucinich. But four of my uncles actually donated money to Obama to say they now regret it, and won't send him anymore. (to be completely truthful, they donated equally to the top three when there WAS a top three, so it isn't like they abandoned from his camp, if you will.

[Beacool]

36. I understand, but going for McCain is a bit drastic.

If they can't see themselves voting for Obama, how about Nader? I know several people who agonized who to vote for after Hillary dropped out and ended up deciding to vote for Nader.

[RedShoes]

41. Oh, a few are going for Nader, and I am sure a few will just not vote at all...

My uncle bob said that he wants to get this straight: "Hillary is unacceptable because she voted for a war, but Barack Obama just HAD to vote for FISA, and that's just peachy keen. So after ALL the indignation for the Iraq War Vote, which we all NOW KNOW we were LIED into, it is just a bon voyage to the fourth amendment? As far as I can see it, kid, I have a choice between phony change, or genuine McSame. At least one of them is honest about where he stands." He brought up the the NYT said Obama is the one running for Bush's third term and said he can't disagree with that. He also said he won't be changing his mind, and that he didn't leave the democratic party, the democratic party left him for corporate greed. (whatever)

(aside: I am not good at html, so what he emphasized on the phone, I put in all caps here, just in case he ganders by here to have a looksee)

[Beacool]

42. The NYT said that Obama is the one running for Bush's third term?

Didn't see that article.

As for your uncle, I can understand his disappointment and anger. I used the word "hypocrisy" on this board many times. There always seemed to be one set of rules for Hillary and another one for Obama. Even now many questioned her vote on FISA and gave Obama a pass on his. I believe that ALL politicians should be criticized when it is warranted. They work for us and have their position of power thanks to our vote. All of them should be held accountable, even our nominee.

[RedShoes]

43. according to him, it did.

But I did not see the article so I do not know. Again, it could have been in one of the anti-Obama e-mail fliers my brother had printed out (collated and stapled no less, I'm sure of the company he works for's dime).

[proud2BlibKansan]

38. How in the world can a Kucinich supporter vote for McCain?

Unless they are insane, that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

[RedShoes]

40. not quite sure HOW, am only sure THAT...yanno?

Again, I am hoping they come around, but some it is just staggering.

[AlCzervik]

31. My sister was here for 12 days, lifelong democrat and her daughter's told me she's voting for McCain

she also could have voted for Deval Patrick but did not, she claims it because he "might cut funding to charter schools" which my nieces go to---don't even get me started on that one but anyhow i'm beginning to think my sister is a closet racist, i can't even believe i'm thinking it but all of what i said coupled with some comments she made while she was here made me wonder about her.

I'm a bit sad and i'm also really angry at her for another reason which may or may not be swaying my judgement.

[lonestarnot]

35. No. I can smell even a the slightest hint of a piglicon. Even the faint smell gags me.

They would not be able to hang around me long for the spewing puke might get on them. :puke:

[undeterred]

37. A lot of Hillary people are bitter

but they're not stupid.