I would like to tell you why I truly believe Kerry will win and actually win big. I am sorry to bore you, but I feel a little of my background would explain why I think my view is a little different from most on here. I do not consider myself exactly stupid, but I am uneducated. I grew up in a poor working family. I was married at 16, had 3 kids and we worked hard to educate the kids...school-wise, common sense-wise and world-wise. Because of our early socio-economic problems and our young married ages my husband and my sphere of influence consists mainly of family.
Now, for why I know Kerry will win. As I said I am uneducated, but I am smart enough to know we each live in our own bubble in this world. My bubble consists mainly of my very diverse and large extended family. On my side, NO ONE is voting for Bush. The extreme cases include the Evangelical sister-in-law who doesn't believe in dinosaurs because it doesn't fit in with her theological views. Although she breathlessly awaits Armageddon, after re-reading Revelations, there is a question if GW is the anti-Christ. She will not vote. My niece, who is a lovely person but has a hard time processing thoughts, is voting for the first in her life and is excited about it. Her and her husband are the poster children for working poor (3 jobs between the 2 of them, no healthcare, still qualify for food stamps). An Uncle and his clan (26 voters) who lives in the mountains of PA, catch and eat their own food, love their guns, love their God and hates their gays and most are barely literate are strong anti-Bush votes. My gay cousin who swears even among her most conservative friends, no one can tolerate Bush's hate filled agenda. Then the more normal (questionable) family on my side all either supports Kerry strongly or are very strong anti-Bush. My husband's side are all mostly very well educated and there is one Bush supporter, which is totally hate-based (Bush's Israel policies).
My oldest child's bubble: Works as a school guidance counselor for special needs children (translates, kids most likely to go to jail and one autistic class). Within her school all are strong Kerry or very strong anti-Bush, but more surprising are her kids parents. She does home visits and has been continually surprised at the level of interest these parents show in this election. Most will vote and all will be for Kerry. Her husband's family are mostly all strong Kerry including his Idaho-living Libertarian sister who hates everything Bush has done in the four years. The exception in his family is the still-fighting-the-civil-war-Uncles' that live in Georgia.
My #2nd child's bubble: He is a lawyer for a legal aid type organization, who is the smartest person I've ever met. He holds licenses in both FL and PA, graduated valedictorian from undergraduate school and summa-cum-laude from law school. Needless to say, all of his co-workers are strong Kerry supporters, and among his clients, many, many will either be voting or trying to vote this year, most for the first time. His friends, and wife's family do not have one Bush supporter. He has also assured me that Bush has been so horrible there will be a waking of the sleeping giant effect, and since he IS the smartest person I know, I have to believe this just on his word.
My #3rd child's bubble: 21-year-old college grad who has literally traveled the world. His latest travel included about 3 months running an NGO in an African refugee camp. He also volunteers in various churches working with the homeless and tutoring kids (bless his agnostic heart). Some people say they have a million friends, in his case I think this is true. I would not be surprised if some people on this blog know him. He and his friends are the epitome of an "unlikely voter". They will be voting in droves this year.
All this is anecdotal, but consists of many and varied types of voters.
This is my first dairy and I am strong enough to know my limitations, so please if anyone reads this give me feedback; like if this was stupid and I have to stop wasting people's time and I should stay with lurking and never try to put my thought on paper again.
[editor's note, by housesella]****I am overwhelmed at the reponses to my first diary. As for my kids...We have been incredibly lucky and through the years I have learned most of what's important from them. Don't get me started because individually or in mass I can talk about them for hours.