Last week, I wrote a diary about how my girlfriend of five months told me she voted for Bush. I tried to explain how, despite her moderate-left views, she wound up making such a grave mistake and then used the story as a segue into a discussion about clinching the votes of swing voters. The overwhelming response led me to believe that a number on this site are still interested in exploring what makes Joe and Jill beer can tick. Please follow me below the fold as I introduce you to my next swing voter specimen, Uncle 'Bob'.
My uncle currently lives at the extreme Northwest tip of Pennsylvannia. He started his life in Erie, served in the Korean war, moved back to Erie to work for the postal service, and recently moved to the 'country' shortly after retiring. I have little to nothing in common with him except that we voted for the same guy in 2004. Allow me to explain.
- He has tons of guns and brags about his days as a marksman in the army. He keeps a loaded rifle next to his door and a shotgun by his bedside, for protection he claims because he lives in the middle of nowhere and can't rely on the police to protect him.
- He's racist. I'm betting a lot of you have relatives like this and you know what I mean-the kind of guy who makes you feel uncomfortable as he rants on about everyone different than him. I don't know if it's for shock value or whether he truly believes it but I tend to think it's a little of both.
- He's homophobic. Again, I think enough of you have relatives like this that I don't have to elaborate.
So by all accounts, this guy sounds like a Republican. I'm betting a lot of you are thinking something to the effect of, 'I don't care what he is, I don't want the vote of a gun loving racist homophobe.' And I can't say I completely disagree. The big tent must have limits. A line must be drawn but where and how? Please try to keep an open mind as I tell you about the other side of my uncle.
- He's an environmentalist. He lives on 12 acres of mostly wooded land. People have made offers to buy segments of his land but he refuses to sell because he doesn't want anyone cutting down the trees. He started a windmill company to get people to begin taking advantage of alternative sources of energy. He loves wildlife, especially wolves and has pictures and books about wolves all over his house.
- He hates Bush. At my grandmother's funeral this fall, he ranted on for half an hour about how Bush would go down in history as the worst president ever. There are two things that piss him off like no other:
A. Gas prices. He is convinced that Bush's buddies are gouging people at the pumps. He is furious about gas prices and Bush's connection to the oil industry.
B. Iraq. He thinks we were lied into war and that again, it's all about making money for Bush's buddies and contributors.
3. He's pro-union. He's always been a worker and values organizing. Before he retired, he was the type who wanted to work his 40 hours a week and spend the rest of the time doing what he enjoyed. He was never interested in getting rich or keeping up with anyone. He wanted to be left alone in his off time so he could fish, watch sports, and go places in his camper.
So he's complex and can't be painted with the broad strokes that most of us on this site can't help but use. And he voted for our guy, but barely. The follwoing are my best guesses as to why my uncle almost did not vote for Kerry:
- Kerry sounded educated and elitist. My uncle does not have a college degree. He speaks in gruff man-speak and Kerry may have seemed condescending or out of touch with who he is.
- Kerry's image was that of weakness. It wasn't just that the Republicans capitalized on the flip flop thing, though that was likely part of it. It was more the idea that Kerry catches a football like a pansy and gets manicures and has perfectly combed hair and a billionaire wife. My uncle didn't want to vote for a wimp and Kerry appeared weak. He didn't want to be put in the position of having to support someone who so many people believed was weak. Voting for Kerry may have made him question his manhood.
These are only two reasons and maybe there were more, but I believe they are at the core of why many conflicted white male swing voters decided to go for Bush. The perception was that he was the tougher of the two, the one they could relate to, the one who seemed not to waver. The issues went out the window-he was a man and Kerry was an elitist wimp. My uncle voted for Kerry, I believe, because he informed himself about some of the issues and has deep working man roots. Even so, it was a tough decision for him.
So in the end, do we even bother to work for the votes of people like my uncle? I think we have no choice. The greater good is to get a Democrat elected. My uncle's apparent hatred of Gays and minorities and love for guns isn't deep enough to get him to stop voting for the party that champions equality, civil rights, and gun control. As ill as it makes me, we need him in our big tent, even if we may have to plug our ears while he spouts his crap.
So how do we make sure more voters like my uncle and girlfriend vote Democratic? I'm learning more and more that perception is more important than reality. In the coming elections, depending on the psychological and underlying needs of the country, our candidate must play and look the part.
Rove made the last election all about terrorism. In a time of fear, people want someone strong and decisive to make them comfortable. Bush appeared strong and decisive. Kerry looked weak and indecisive. Reality went out the window. The issues went out the window. Truth lost to perception. I believe that in the following elections, perception will again trump truth.