Many of you responded and recommended my diary We Are Out Here. Since I was a dyed in the wool conservative (someone once told me I was to the right of Atilla the Hun), some of you asked me to give more insight into the conservative mindset. I will do my best.
In my experience, these three main points are part of a conservative worldview:
Conservatives believe that they are defending certain values against all challenges. Their view is 'there is an absolute standard of right and wrong, and I am one of its defenders'
Conservatives believe that something that challenges a preconception they hold is somehow suspect information and not to be trusted. Their view is 'I cannot get the straight story from anywhere but a trusted source, and I only trust sources who agree with me'
Conservatives believe that the United Stated holds a special place in the world, and that our way of life and policies, are above reproach Their view is 'I am a citizen of the greatest country in history. America does very little wrong and it is always justified'
More over the fold:
The conservative worldview described above renders a conservative a very difficult target to persuade. However, there are certain lines of attack that can be used. A key is to remember to use a conservatives beliefs against them:
Conservatives believe in order. If you can point out a disagreement between order and their preferred position you can make inroads.
Conservatives value experience and an unwavering stance. This helps explain why many of them still support Bush even after the last 8 years. They believe Bush has stuck to his guns and what he believes in. It also explains why few of them have much regard for John McCain and many of them do not think Sarah Palin is qualified to be president.
Conservatives look down on leaders they see as prevaricating or morally weak. They disdain leaders that morally flawed or who put politics before honor. You can probably fill in the name of the one prominent US leader of the recent past they hold the most disdain for. If you can link McCain/Palin to these traits in a conservatives eyes, you can score points, because McCain actually does put politics before honor and will say anything to get elected, and its easy to point out.
Here are some example conversations I have had:
Me: Did you notice how John McCain ran that dishonest ad about Obama? He said Obama supported sex-ed for Kindergatreners, when Obama was really supporting a bill against adult sexual predators.
Conservative friend: Well both sided are exaggerating. Thats just politics.
Me: Well I always thought John McCain was the 'straight talk express'. Looks like straight talk takes a back seat to politics. Where have I seen that before?
Conservative friend: Well I never liked McCain but Obama scares me.
Me: Why do you say that?
Conservative friend: Watch your wallet - Obama will tax us until there's nothing left.
Me: (evoking the media demon) Have you actually looked into his policies, or do you just trust what the media tells you? Didn't you say you distrusted the media?
Here's another example:
Me: What's your take on the Sarah Palin pick?
Conservative friend: She's the victim of a smear campaign.
Me: (evoking fairness) Well the Troopergate investigation was voted for unanimously by 8 republicans and 4 democrats.
Conservative friend: Well nobody wants to go on record against an ethics investigation.
Me: (evoking morally flawed leadership) Except Sarah Palin. She says she won't cooperate. I am getting really tired of this kind of thing in government. We have real problems to solve. We don't need people who have to spend their time defending their bad acts while in government. And what about her experience?
Conservative friend: Well she has as much as Barack Obama.
Me: I don't think you have looked into it - you should. You cannot honestly tell me you would be comfortable if she were the president.
Aother example:
Me: What do you make of the economy - do you think it's strong, as McCain says?
Conservative friend: Well, I'm doing OK.
Me: (evoking the US is Supreme theme) How could the US put itself in this position to be so dependent on foreign oil? Have we been asleep at the switch all this time? If we could put what we have invested into Iraq into having alternative energy, we would all be so much better off. Do you really think drilling is the answer?
Conservative friend: Sure, I think that Obama and the liberals try to stop drilling whenever they can. They are all in the pocket of the tree huggers.
Me: (evoking a sense of order) Well I think we need a strategy for self-sufficiency, and soon. And I don't think it will happen by itself - there needs to be some planning and order to make it happens. Look up what T Boone Picken's says if you don't want to listen to a democrat. He's a very rich oilman, like Bush, who thinks we should go all out on alternative energy. He agrees Obama says on the issue.
Its not easy. You have to find ways to keep hitting their trigger points, and moving the conversation to where they understand that McCain/Palin and their positions violate their sense of order of the things they hold dear. It will be tempting to challenge them when they disregard the things you believe in, but remember, the key is to get them to see that the positions, statements, and actions of their candidate are in disagreement with their worldview. You may only achieve getting them to be disenchanted with McCain, or you may get more openings. Take what you can get.
You all probably have better arguments to make and can add more to this. I am just trying to contribute some ideas which might be of help in talking with someone you are trying to sway. Jump in with yours.