Posted on 12/01/2003 11:19:05 PM PST by Badray
Tonight was different than most of my evenings. I've spend many evenings involved in political discussions, but this one was at a (Wesley) Clark for President meetup. I was in the belly of the beast. One non-FReeper friend met me there, but soon left saying that to stay would just be 'too painful.' Perhaps I should have followed him out the door.
But, I didn't. And here, to the best of my recollection is what transpired over the next two hours.
MeetUp.com
I had heard about the meeting tonight from an announcement in the local paper and since it was close by, I decided that I wanted to see who supports Wesley Clark and why. There was lots of good news for the ABC (anyonebutclark) people. Ranging from poor planning to poor turnout, the meeting in my estimation was less than successful although they were thrilled with the turnout.
The meeting was in the middle of the restaurant - not in a private room - which didn't allow for them showing a video that they brought. They made reservations for 20 people and had 9 people show up including me. This was there 3rd meeting in this area (Pittsburgh Metropolitan) and they were happy to have 9 people. (Sidebar - at our 2 Toomey meetups thus far, we have had 20 & 22 people). The people themselves were very friendly. There was a teacher, 2 lawyers, an HR manager, a retired chemist, and 2 or 3 homemakers among them.
When we introduced ourselves, they all were ecstatic about being able to vote for Clark. I, in the interest of (almost) full disclosure, told them that I wasn't committed to any candidate yet and wanted to see why Clark was their choice. I didn't go into more detail at that point. They were happy to have an opportunity to try to 'convert' me. Little did they know they my agenda was to highjack the meeting and to see if it was possible to convert them.
One man who was pretty serious about the whole thing kept trying to get them to move into talking about the tactics, strategy, and logistics of campaigning. I kept asking questions and moving them away from anything substantial.
They all thought that Clark was extremely intelligent and getting better at his responses. D'uh. He's had a lifetime and two months. Thrilled at doing so well on the Letterman Show, I deflated that balloon by telling that Letterman never asks hard questions.
They talked of the last two debates and were pleased that the 9 dwarves are not attacking each other, but going after Bush. I countered that they haven't distinquished themselves yet either or shown enough difference between them to make a decision. That's why I had such a hard time trying to decide between them .
I was asked if I would vote for Bush if I couldn't find an acceptable democrat or if I would sit out. My reply was that if I found none of them acceptable, I might vote 3rd party. They cringed at that, remembering the 2000 Florida election where Nader cost algore the race. (Except when Bush stole it) When the serious guy told me that sitting out or voting 3rd party was ineffective and tandamount to voting for the incumbent, I replied that my vote was too important to cast for someone or something that I didn't believe in. That warmed the cockles of their heart even if the didn't get me to say that I'd vote for anyone to get rid of Bush.
That was their main focus. I asked who their 2nd choice would be if Clark was no longer in the race. Almost in unison, the answer was ANY ONE just to get rid of Bush. They really hate the man. Many of you know that I have not been his biggest fan, but their hatred is almost pathological in it's intensity.
When they started to attack Bush on Iraq and repeated all of the talking points of the DNC, I couldn't take it any longer. I raised my voice and told them that I voted reluctantly for Bush because I couldn't stand algore and although I wasn't pleased with a lot of Bush's policies, he was, and is right on Iraq and the overseas WoT.
The one lady lawyer started with Bush stealing the election. I stopped her immediately and told her to read up on the Electoral College and she would understand how our system works. Besides, none of the recounts showed algore won. I think that I really took them by surprise, because I was quite adamant.
They started on our soldiers dying for Bush and oil and Halliburton, yada, yada, yada. I responded that the war was just and it was the right thing to do. They shut up pretty quick when I told them (it's true) that my God-child's husband was just killed there last month.
My work was almost done. One couple got up to leave and then everyone did. They never showed the video that they brought. They gave it to me in the hopes of winning me over. I left without blowing my cover. I must be a better actor than I thought.
In conclusion, I doubt that, without lobotomies, there is any hope of converting any of these people. They really believe the democrat crap. I was treated courteously throughout and although I wasn't totally honest with them, I tried not to outright lie either. I am unsure of who gets my vote next November.
One bright spot, when I mentioned Hillary, there was almost a spontaneous expression of hope that she would just go away. As a candidate, they all thought that she had too many negatives and drew the most intense reactions and that she could sink the democrats chances of taking back the White House.
That's just it. The Dem liberals are NEVER happy. Many of them have been angry since 1968 when they demonstrated at anti-war rallies during that campaign, and many of them have obviously NOT let it go and are now raising their [flower] children to be angry.
It must be Freudian. When I first read that, I thought that it said Stalinists. Not much difference though, I guess.
"Interesting report, and I like your style. This is something I also have done,and would do again. You learn so much more by going "undercover", so to speak."
Thanks. Next time, please post a report. I almost didn't post this, thinking that no one would be interested. Was I surprised?
Tempting, but the first Wednesday I'm always busy. Tomorrow, I'm showing the JPFO film called "Innocents Betrayed" to about 20 people.
Aah, the delights of gun control. Not!
The light of truth causes them to scurry like cockroaches when the light comes on.
Yeah some tolerant bunch, those leftists.
I know plenty of arrogant loudmouthed democrats. I don't discuss politics with them and don't let onto my political party. I know for a fact that I would instantly become an outcast just judging by the response I get to mentioning some names (even an entertainer like Lionel Hampton in a apolitical discussion).
I have some conservative friends and I don't question my belief system.
The politically correct left does a lot to stifle dissenting viewpoints (you may need to go to the re-education center if you don't see things their way). Just like the Shrews on The View will gang up on a token conservative guest, I've seen it time and time again where libs do the same to someone they learn is a conservative. Instantly you can be made to answer for a whole list of "crimes". Any effort to refute the charges/hype/myths can just lead to a dropping of that subject and a new topic of "shame" being presented. This happens rapid fire (again, I reference the View example, search FR for some transcripts). A conservative cannot "win" the argument with these people because there is seldom if ever a concession of any point; just a pecking party on the one who is different.
Your opinion. I don't think Clinton did any better or worse than Bush or Reagan, and lying under oath about screwing an intern (in my opinion) is not the worst thing in the world, and certainly not anything to be impeached over.
Now tell me what Bush has done to merit their hatred. They don't like his policies because they believe that he is a right wing zealot. Guess what? My anger, but not hatred, stems from him being way too far to the left for my tastes.
Well, he is a bit arrogant and he has told lies...for example, do you remember that he said he signed a patient's rights bill in Texas? He never did; he refused to do so. The governor of Texas is so weak that the Texas legislature can pass a law without the governor's signature. That's fine. I just don't like that he lied about it. I also don't like the fact that he took only fifteen minutes to review the record of someone about to be executed (his predecessor usually took a couple of days) and that the only person whose sentence he commuted was a serial killer. I lived in Texas the entire time he was governor and I was not impressed; I did not support Bush in the 2000 election and would have preferred Mc Cain, who I feel is a man of principle. Bush reminds me of a fraternity boy.
As for their hatred of Bush, well...call it revenge.
Their hatred doesn't even make sense. He has given them more of what they want and they don't even know it.
That's the same thing they said about conservatives during the Clinton era.
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