Why do so many people say they voted for the president when they didn't?

[daniel green]

http://www.slate.com/id/2220803/?from=rss

[daniel green]

Nah, I think maybe embarrassed, though.

[daniel green]

Actually, if you merely read the first paragraph of the article (based on the two newest national polls), it says that ppl like the President so much, they even say they voted for him when they didn't! :smile:

[Lady_Jean_La]

I wonder if the same thing happened in Iran? Ahmadinejad effect. :confused:

Or maybe it is the reverse Bradley effect which some predicted. People who would never vote for a black man want to hide it. :confused:

[Brat2002]

If you're responding to me - and it's not clear that you are - I would suggest that you are making my point.

"They're stupid".

BO relies on this type of constituency, IMO.

If they claim to have voted for someone when they didn't, they are simply liars or dillusional. Or they want to pretend to be a part of what they see as popular. Or some might not like being accused of being racist for no reason at all. Or you're right and maybe they are just stupid and forgot to vote. In any case, it's really sad that people make things up like this.

[theal3]

People don't want to admit they didn't vote, and after there is a winner want to be identified as having made the winning choice. IMHO As the article points out it was the case with other Presidents, too, after election surveys. But the gap here seems to be wider than other ones.

[Lady_Jean_La]

If they claim to have voted for someone when they didn't, they are simply liars or dillusional. Or they want to pretend to be a part of what they see as popular. Or some might not like being accused of being racist for no reason at all. Or you're right and maybe they are just stupid and forgot to vote. In any case, it's really sad that people make things up like this.

Some people just like to have fun with pollsters. :hat:

[FurthurBB]

If you're responding to me - and it's not clear that you are - I would suggest that you are making my point.

"They're stupid".

BO relies on this type of constituency, IMO.

So you think he got all Bush's votes? Somehow I doubt that seriously. IMO

[daniel green]

I wonder if the same thing happened in Iran? Ahmadinejad effect. :confused:

Or maybe it is the reverse Bradley effect which some predicted. People who would never vote for a black man want to hide it. :confused:

To compare the US to Iran or our free elections to the voting in Iran is, truly and utterly unreal. Frankly, it is insulting to our country.

As to your second point, why, it's wrong on the facts and the assumption is, well, really disturbing. Thankfully, it's 21st century USA and more Americans voted for the President than for any other presidential candidate in history.

But, I am quite disturbed by this post.

[LisaM22]

http://www.slate.com/id/2220803/?from=rss

cause I think many realize they would of voted for him had they not been tricked into fearing him

[daniel green]

cause I think many realize they would of voted for him had they not been tricked into fearing him

I think the numbers are fascinating. The polls show and have shown that 10% +/- more Americans approve of the President and like him than on election day.

[theal3]

To compare the US to Iran or our free elections to the voting in Iran is, truly and utterly unreal. Frankly, it is insulting to our country.

As to your second point, why, it's wrong on the facts and the assumption is, well, really disturbing. Thankfully, it's 21st century USA and more Americans voted for the President than for any other presidential candidate in history.

But, I am quite disturbed by this post.

Iran's millions of hand written ballots, could not have been hand counted in 3 hours!!! and some areas had more votes and citizens. People are protesting the voting process, rightfully so.

I agree with your post.

[History Buff]

IMO they're afraid of being called racist.

[rowstreeter]

http://www.slate.com/id/2220803/?from=rss

An interesting article, and I think there's plenty of explanation given even within the article. Self-selection, people who voted for a winner are more likely to take part in polls, people who are disgusted, angry, or have little sophistication in political issues often refuse to be polled.

[YoYo]

Some people just like to have fun with pollsters. :hat:

I second this. :patriot:

[baltoman99]

If you're responding to me - and it's not clear that you are - I would suggest that you are making my point.

"They're stupid".

BO relies on this type of constituency, IMO.

Ah, so now the personal attacks? You're calling those of us who support Obama stupid? Is that what you're saying?

Stupid to me is those who today still insist Iraq was a fair and just fight.

Stupid to me is those who today still insist the WMD's still exist.

Stupid to me is those who today still think more children should not be insured and applaud George Bush vetoing SCHIP expansion several times.

Stupid to me is those who today still think women shouldn't be paid equal money for equal work.

The list goes on and on.

No, we're not stupid. We know what's right and what's right isn't the way of the Right. :rolleyes:

[Lady_Jean_La]

Iran's millions of hand written ballots, could not have been hand counted in 3 hours!!! and some areas had more votes and citizens. People are protesting the voting process, rightfully so.

I agree with your post.
Some research will reveal the same type of thing has happened in the USA. There is a reason people joke about dead people voting in Chicago and Texas. imo

[Lady_Jean_La]

IMO they're afraid of being called racist.That is the simplist and most believeable explanation. jmo

[baltoman99]

That is the simplist and most believeable explanation. jmo

Simplist and most believable to whom?

Sorry, that excuse is just a cop out. Nothing simple or believable about it.

It's funny how some just want to offer up any reason no matter how inane. :rolleyes:

[Tracian]

How so?

Are you honestly going to sit there and tell me that race does not factor into the presidency?

Why, pray tell, was this election marked with such historical connotation then if it were not for his race?

The media brought up the Bradley effect. Why was that? Because it was thought that people would say they were voting for Obama because they didn't want to appear "bigoted".

Did you miss all those threads?

JMHO :rolleyes:



Just by reading here, I see many people referred to as bigots, or something along those lines if they disagree with Obama. Jeananne Garafalo on CNN said point blank anyone that participated in the Tea Parties were racist.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/back-story/2009/apr/17/liberal-actress-says-tea-parties-were-racist/

[Lady_Jean_La]

There is nothing in the article that even says who they polled -- so how would race be the simplest explanation? He won and some people thought the would lose because of his race. :confused:
The people who thought he would lose because of his race were very wrong. I never believed them. imo

[Lady_Jean_La]

Simplist and most believable to whom?

Sorry, that excuse is just a cop out. Nothing simple or believable about it.

It's funny how some just want to offer up any reason no matter how inane. :rolleyes:Me. I speak for myself. jmo

[Lady_Jean_La]

How so?

Are you honestly going to sit there and tell me that race does not factor into the presidency?

Why, pray tell, was this election marked with such historical connotation then if it were not for his race?

The media brought up the Bradley effect. Why was that? Because it was thought that people would say they were voting for Obama because they didn't want to appear "bigoted".

Did you miss all those threads?

JMHO :rolleyes:

Great points!

Odd that some claim it is historical but nothing to do with race. :confused: (Or gender.)

[daniel green]

There is nothing in the article that even says who they polled -- so how would race be the simplest explanation? He won and some people thought the would lose because of his race. :confused:

It's just silly to think that race has a thing to do with the polling (not one, but THREE new national polls). Simply ridiculous.

Thankfully, it's 2009 and we are living in post-racial politics in the US.

[Lady_Jean_La]

"For many supporters, the X factor was attractive, even inspiring. Obama represented a new generation, a break with the past in black and white politics, and a chance to heal the nation's wounds, whether racial or political. For many others, the X factor was unsettling, threatening, bound up with the dark side of racial politics," Mr. Wolffe writes.

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/16/obama-and-racial-politics-in-the-modern-world/

[Lady_Jean_La]

That makes sense to me. The Progressives have infiltrated the school systems in the last 50 years and have fundamentally changed what children learn and how children learn. History has been rewritten by Progressives so that todays graduates have no understanding of the Constitution or the Founding of the Republic.

They are trained to believe that the country was founded by a bunch of rich racists. They are trained to believe that diversity is more important than unity and that separation of church and state means taking God out of the public square.

Children are trained to pass exams and no longer are taught critical thinking or taught the classics so they can gain context surround the history of the US in context to the rest of the world.

Children are taught that education is the only thing that defines you as a valuable person who is thoughful or intellegent and that individual responsibilty is bad and that the collective is more important than the individual. That Government is the solution and not the problem. They are not taught the difference between Liberty and Tyranny, but that the Nanny state is the only way they can succeed.

Children are taught that their self esteem is more important than flunking a class because they didn't work hard enough, or that competition is wrong, so everyone gets awards when only a few earn them. Grades are no longer used to measure effort because its too judgmental...blah, blah, blah

Makes perfect sense that products of a progressive education would vote for a progressive politician.

IMO

Well said and undeniable. :thumbup:

[PoppySeeds]

cause I think many realize they would of voted for him had they not been tricked into fearing him

I don't fear him, I didn't vote for him, and I wouldn't vote for him if I had a second chance.

[Barbara2]

I don't fear him, I didn't vote for him, and I wouldn't vote for him if I had a second chance.

Me too. I didn't vote for him. No fear, no regrets, hoping for the best in spite of the bad start.

[YoYo]

That makes sense to me. The Progressives have infiltrated the school systems in the last 50 years and have fundamentally changed what children learn and how children learn. History has been rewritten by Progressives so that todays graduates have no understanding of the Constitution or the Founding of the Republic.

They are trained to believe that the country was founded by a bunch of rich racists. They are trained to believe that diversity is more important than unity and that separation of church and state means taking God out of the public square.

Children are trained to pass exams and no longer are taught critical thinking or taught the classics so they can gain context surround the history of the US in context to the rest of the world.

Children are taught that education is the only thing that defines you as a valuable person who is thoughful or intellegent and that individual responsibilty is bad and that the collective is more important than the individual. That Government is the solution and not the problem. They are not taught the difference between Liberty and Tyranny, but that the Nanny state is the only way they can succeed.

Children are taught that their self esteem is more important than flunking a class because they didn't work hard enough, or that competition is wrong, so everyone gets awards when only a few earn them. Grades are no longer used to measure effort because its too judgmental...blah, blah, blah

Makes perfect sense that products of a progressive education would vote for a progressive politician.

IMO

Excellent post. :patriot:

[ABC]

I think its like Woodstock With all the folks who say they were at Woodstock, their would have been ten million people there. I actually have never met anyone who admitted to voting for Obama except three who are card carrying Socialist .

[YoYo]

I think its like Woodstock With all the folks who say they were at Woodstock, their would have been ten million people there. I actually have never met anyone who admitted to voting for Obama except three who are card carrying Socialist .

:wub:


:lol:

[ABC]

Since this is completely unverifiable, I'll treat it like I would any tale....
:huh: HUH?????????:huh:

[doctor_J]

I think its like Woodstock With all the folks who say they were at Woodstock, their would have been ten million people there. I actually have never met anyone who admitted to voting for Obama except three who are card carrying Socialist .

I'm just amazed by this statement. It's really unbelievable but I WON'T call you a liar. I just can't imagine such limited circle of acquaintances. I haven't left my house since the election and I've met people who claim to have voted for McCain, Obama, even Ron Paul.

It's probably been pointed out, I didn't read back, but I think one paragraph summed it up. People who did not vote claim to have voted for the winner and a popular president. Most non-voters have the decency to feel guilt about it (not voting).

[ABC]

I'm just amazed by this statement. It's really unbelievable but I WON'T call you a liar. I just can't imagine such limited circle of acquaintances. I haven't left my house since the election and I've met people who claim to have voted for McCain, Obama, even Ron Paul.

It's probably been pointed out, I didn't read back, but I think one paragraph summed it up. People who did not vote claim to have voted for the winner and a popular president. Most non-voters have the decency to feel guilt about it (not voting).
:huh: HUH?????????? :huh:

[doctor_J]

I was just expressing amazement that you have never met an Obama voter, when they make up more than 50% of the voting public.

Then I made a paragraph and commented on the topic. Sorry for the confusion.

[doctor_J]

ABC said she hasn't met someone who ADMITTED to voting for Obama except for 3 socialists.

I don't ask most people I meet, so don't really know how they voted. Those I talk to either say straight out that they didn't vote for him or indicate within the conversation that left me feeling doubtful that they voted for him either.
I know a few family members from other states who say they voted Obama, but where I live, it is a very republican, conservative area.
Believe what you want, but not everyone likes Obama - back on election day and now.
jmo

I'm just saying it strains the limits of believability that someone interested in politics could go thru the entire Presidential election season, without discussing the election with enough people in the real world, not cyberspace, to encounter someone who spoke of voting for Obama. I thought that must require a very limited, very Republican, circle of acquaintances. So be it,,, it's her right to associate with who she likes.

I reed the politics thread. I'm acutely aware that not everyone likes Obama.

I'm not a liberal, btw, or a conservative, by the current perception, although I've mostly voted Republican in the past. That means it's not necessary to load your guns for me. I'm a non-partisan, anti-extremist, who voted in this election for Obama because I considered him the best of the two candidates, not because he was a Democrat.

[ABC]

I'm just saying it strains the limits of believability that someone interested in politics could go thru the entire Presidential election season, without discussing the election with enough people in the real world, not cyberspace, to encounter someone who spoke of voting for Obama. I thought that must require a very limited, very Republican, circle of acquaintances. So be it,,, it's her right to associate with who she likes.

I reed the politics thread. I'm acutely aware that not everyone likes Obama.

I'm not a liberal, btw, or a conservative, by the current perception, although I've mostly voted Republican in the past. That means it's not necessary to load your guns for me. I'm a non-partisan, anti-extremist, who voted in this election for Obama because I considered him the best of the two candidates, not because he was a Democrat.
I have stopped having political conversations with family and friends. The three Socialist in the family got crazed when I criticized Obama at all or touted my support of the Senator and Governor. I would rather have a fun family life with them then arguing over Obama.

[PoppySeeds]

How can you possibly back this up? I am to take your word that you only know two people whom voted for the winning candidate? I don't want to get into the semantics of 'know', but this seems a stretch. it's your story though.


Or it could be that I know a lot of people who voted for him that are now denying it.
Since none of us are in the voting booth with them, I can only tell you what I have heard from my friends.
Personally, I DID NOT vote for him, WOULD NOT vote for him, and WILL NEVER vote for him in the future.
The young couple I know are members of our church, and she is very upset that she voted from him, but her husband is still thinking Obama is going to save the world and give everyone a new house & a car LMAO.

[Re-Poe]

I think its like Woodstock With all the folks who say they were at Woodstock, their would have been ten million people there. I actually have never met anyone who admitted to voting for Obama except three who are card carrying Socialist .

What is a card carrying socialist? Are they from another country?

[lunchlady]

This is a strange thread, IMO. How would you know someone actually secretly voted for Obama if they say they didn't? Is there some poll showing a huge disparity between actual and reported voting? How would you sort that out from how many people actually voted or not?
When Reagan was POTUS I had a hard time finding anyone except a few old people who would admit to voting for him, but lots of people obviously did. The Reagan Democrats helped give Ronnie a huge landslide but I didn't hear many Democrats brag about voting for Ronnie. Go figure.

The Obama honeymoom may be about over but he's only been in office 5 months. I'm sure he's made some mistakes and will make more but he can't work miracles. Someone (I forget the name) has already slipped and tried to blame him for the first bailout, oops that was Bush, so sorry. The problems he is trying to address have been developing for years, even before Bush was in office. I like having a President I feel I can trust and is willing to try something different and values ability over whatever it was that Bush valued.
I know some people are as upset about Obama as I was about Bush, but that's democracy. There's always the next election- go out and support the other candidate in the next election if you don't like Obama. People will be announcing their candidacy in 2010 and that will be be here soon. Pick the one you like and support him or her.

Mensa members? Has anyone actually mentioned being a member of Mensa? Would there be something wrong with being a member of Mensa? I would be proud if I were a member but I'm not and I hardly even hear about them anymore, except for the books they endorse or publish. A high IQ doesn't necessarily give someone any sense or wisdom but it certainly isn't something to scorn.

[ABC]

What is a card carrying socialist? Are they from another country?
No Poe, they are people who actually belong to the Socialist Party in the USA, which issues cards for their members like the YMCA, etc.

[lunchlady]

No Poe, they are people who actually belong to the Socialist Party in the USA, which issues cards for their members like the YMCA, etc.

????????? Do they even exist anymore? The old Socialist Party disbanded in 1973 due to lack of interest and I forget the name of what party it sort of turned into, but they must be a really tiny group. I used to see a four page newspaper in the university district of Seattle but that disappeared long ago.
I've never known a real Socialist and certainly have never seen a card carrried by one. Worrying about the Socialist Party seems very Cold War. I know some folks keep saying Obama is Socialist, but I don't get it. This country is far from socialist, even if you look at Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid and other other social programs. The bailouts aren't socialist IMO. Health care reform is badly needed and fear of socialism doesn't seem like a decent excuse to not do something to be sure more people can get health care.

Nearly half of all bankruptcies are due to medical bills, and some of the people had insurance. I think that's a sign of a bad system.