This is my first diary, since there are so many great writers and thinkers here that I’ve been shy about putting something up myself. Please pardon me if its format is unconventional (all block quote). The email parts seem to say it all. I’ll bulk the intro part into a few paragraphs like the FAQ says (and add tags), just to try to follow the rules. Note: I changed the title once I saw how little of it showed in the diary bar!
I haven't seen much written about write-in voting, or about encouraging write-in votes as a strategy. It seems, at least to my politically not-very-savvy eyes, as though it might help to address some issues that drive potential anti-Obama voters.
These issues might include racism, Republican partisanship, and (possibly) the desire to vote for a woman at or near the head of the ticket. The basic strategy I call WITV -- Write In The Vote -- and it could be utilised in the form of a viral email or as a phone/door-to-door/water-cooler-conversation talking point. I plan to do some canvassing and will try it out, myself. Here is my thinking on this strategy, if you're still with me (if not, have a good day, good night, or good rest-of-your-break):
I know many conservative and Republican voters. Even amongst the ones who are sick of the current administration it seems like a good many would not want to vote for a Democrat (maybe especially not for an African-American Democrat). Perhaps unfortunately, many of this type of (often male) voter would consider it unmanly not to vote at all (because "A real American Man always cast a ballot on Election Day!"). Polls for Sen. McCain have shown a low intensity of voter excitement. This makes me think that at least a few of these voter-types might be open to an approach that encourages write-in voting for an alternative, appealing, candidate.
I have also met at least one potential PUMA voter, devastated and angry by HRC's loss of the candidacy, who might be persuaded by a similar argument. The basic text could also easily be rewritten as a call to women who really wanted to vote for a female candidate. I’ll take a shot at that, below.
So as a general question: Might this be a way to address racist and/or sexist and/or blindly partisan issues in an individual voter, indirectly? Not saying that "You must vote for (African-American-Democrat) Obama," but instead helping to show the person that they have an Obama-free alternative other than voting for McCain/Palin? A vote not cast for McCain/Palin is a vote for Obama/Biden, no?
A cheap shot? Gutless? If we can't tell the racists and extreme partisans to go sit on a tack, what kind of Democrats are we? Well, IMHO, if Obama can win the election, it will do more to reduce racism and partisanship, in the fullness of time, than any amount of arguing with unresponsive voters before the election. And reduce the stress of trying to make a hard sell when an easier one will work.
This first email part originally had a short (and poorly-spelled) introductory paragraph purporting to explain that it was "...from a registered Independant (sic)" who liked a particular Republican politician "...so some people might think I'm a Republican. Maybe that is why I have this email." Then the rest followed, as is.
The Right to Write-in Group
PLEASE SEND THIS TO FIVE OF YOUR REPUBLICAN OR INDEPENDENT FRIENDS!
Dear Friend,
If you think that President George W. Bush has been a good Republican leader, stop reading right now. However, if you think that he has abandoned traditional Republican goals such as fiscal conservatism, the right to personal privacy, and keeping American as free as possible of “foreign entanglements” — and if you are concerned that Sen. McCain will continue the failed Bush Administration policies) or are concerned about the extremist religious beliefs and lack of experience of his new running mate, Sarah Palin — please read on.
The Right to Write-In Group is convinced that a McCain/Palin Administration will continue the policies of the Bush Administration, or make them even worse. Since Senator McCain, whom we honor for his service to our nation, has voted with the current administration up to 95% of the time, this is not guesswork or soft-headed Liberal thinking, it’s fact. Back in 2000 he was a maverick and could have been a great Republican leader — a Real Republican — but since then he has shown that he is more interested in winning the presidency by joining the Bush Administration than he is in sticking to the stands that made him the choice of many of us eight years ago. If he does win, continuing these non-Republican policies for the next four years will damage our country, and our Grand Old Party, perhaps beyond repair.
We hate to say it, but also believe that Senator McCain’s choice of an unvetted, inexperienced governor of a state whose pursuit of earmarks ranked first in the nation shows that he values winning the election more than he values running an honorable campaign. Even worse, he has shown that he values winning the presidency more than he values the long-term military and economic security of our nation.
If you are like us, you probably don’t want to cast your vote for a Democrat. But casting your votes for Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin is not “really” voting for Republicans, so we have a suggestion that we hope you will consider.
In most states, it is possible to vote for someone who is not on the ballot, which is called write-in voting, by “writing in” the name of the person whom you wish to vote for. You can do this with “punchcard ballot” machines or with electronic voting machines, although it’s a good idea to ask the poll worker how to do it before you enter the voting booth. Usually, all you need to know is the correct spelling of the person’s name whom you want to write in.
Know your rights as a voter and a “True” Republican! If you don’t want to support a continuation of the current administration’s policies — but you don’t want to vote for a Democrat either, here are some of the candidates we suggest that you may want to cast a write-in vote for. You may have other favorite persons or politicians whom you think would make a great Republican or Independent President of the United States. If so, write them in!
If you are unhappy with Sen. McCain’s support for the Bush administration’s foreign policy and its attacks on personal privacy?
Write in: Ron Paul or Bob Barr, unless they are already on the ballot in your state
If you are unhappy with Sen. McCain’s infidelity or his willingness to knowingly bear false witness in his campaign? Write in: Gov. Mike Huckabee or Judge Roy Moore
If you are unhappy with Gov. Palin’s extremist religious views — such as no abortion, even in cases of rape — and her lack of experience, but would like to vote for a woman?
Write in: Nancy Reagan or Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson of Texas
If you are unhappy with McCain’s lack of support for a viable immigration policy?
Write in: Pat Buchanan or Lou Dobbs
Your rights as an American include the right to vote as you please. This right includes, in most elections in most states, the right to write in a candidate. Exercise your rights! Join us in choosing and voting for a candidate in whom you truly believe.
Sincerely,
The Right to Write-In Group
And here's my quick and dirty rewrite (a woman HRC supporter might do a better job of it, so please feel free if the idea appeals) for a similar approach to women who might be tempted to vote for the Republican ticket due to the presence of a woman on it:
PLEASE SEND THIS TO FIVE OF YOUR FEMALE FRIENDS!
Dear Friend,
If you think that President George W. Bush has been a good Republican leader, stop reading right now. However, if you think that he has abandoned traditional Republican goals such as fiscal conservatism, the right to personal privacy, and keeping American as free as possible of “foreign entanglements”— please read on. This is especially important if you are concerned about issues that have an impact on women, children, and families, such as the right to choose, pay equity, spousal abuse, and support for low-income mothers and children.
We understand that, as a woman, you would have been delighted and proud to cast your ballot for Sen. Hillary Clinton. The Right to Write-In Group believes that you should do just that, rather than casting a vote for Gov. Sarah Palin as Sen. McCain’s running mate.
We are convinced that a McCain/Palin Administration will continue the policies of the Bush Administration, or make them even worse. Since Senator McCain, whom we honor for his service to our nation, has voted with the current administration up to 95% of the time, this is not guesswork or soft-headed Liberal thinking, it’s fact. By looking at the voting record of Sen. McCain and his public statements during the current campaign, which have flip-flopped greatly since 2000, and looking at what we know of Gov. Palin, the McCain/Palin administration would likely:
- Enable the Supreme Court to overturn Roe Vs. Wade
- Resist pay equity for women in the workplace
- Reduce access to birth control
- Reduce access to sex education other than abstinence only
- Reduce the government’s ability and willingness to support low income women and children
Sen. McCain’s own personal history with women does not encourage us to think that he is likely to be sensitive to women’s issues in any way. Sen. Palin is a role model for a strong and aggressive woman in a field often dominated by men, but her actions as mayor and governor include:
- Making rape victims pay for their own forensic rape kits
- Apparently firing, for personal reasons, Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan just as he was working to get more federal money for helping to reduce the impact of violence agains women in Alaska
- A clear belief in anti-choice policies
- At least personal (if not political) support for abstinence-only sex education
Your rights as an American include the right to vote as you please. This right includes, in most elections in most states, the right to write in a candidate. someone who is not on the ballot, which is called write-in voting, by “writing in” the name of the person whom you wish to vote for. You can do this with “punchcard ballot” machines or with electronic voting machines, although it’s a good idea to ask the poll worker how to do it before you enter the voting booth. Usually, all you need to know is the correct spelling of the person’s name whom you want to write in.
Exercise your rights! Join us in choosing and voting for a candidate — and a woman — in whom you truly believe: Write in the name of Hillary Rodham Clinton.
You CAN vote for a woman, without voting against all women.
Sincerely,
The Right to Write-In Group
If any reader has made it this far, I am impressed! I probably won't have the opportunity to respond much to comments (if any), but if anyone has any thoughts on this, it would be interesting to hear them.