Looking for the 'Other' 30 Percent of American Voters at a [Toby Keith] Concert

Real Clear Politics ^ | July 19, 2007 | Stuart Rothenberg

[2ndDivisionVet]

“Wish I Didn’t Know Now” — Toby Keith song (1994)

While most people spent Saturday evening reading or watching television at home, chilling out at the movies or partying with friends, Athanasios Genos (yes, that’s his real name) was working.

Marine Cpl. Genos wasn’t dodging bullets on combat duty, though it’s true that he has been in Fallujah, Iraq. Instead he spent his most recent Saturday evening in Bristow, Va., about 35 miles southwest of the nation’s capital, manning a Marines recruiting table at a Toby Keith concert.

Keith, one of the brightest of stars in the world of country music, drew more than 20,000 fans to the Nissan Pavilion, and Genos, a public affairs specialist in the Marines, joined a handful of other Marines posted just inside the venue’s gate as thousands of music fans poured in.

The placement of the Marines’ recruiting tent — which included a pull-up bar for those wanting to test their strength and a few tables on which sign-up sheets sat for those seeking information about joining the Marines — surely tells you something about the crowd.

While I didn’t take a survey of attendees, it was pretty clear that I was surrounded by the “Other America,” the 30 percent of Americans who still say they approve of the job that President Bush is doing.

[pissant]

Very cool. Toby may be a dem, but he’s a patriot.

[Huck]

Toby may be a dem, but he’s a patriot.

Does not compute. Error. Error.

[Natchez Hawk]

Toby is the best country musician to emerge in the past 20 years—he is a cultural force; not some short-term “political hack of the moment”—which of course, everyone with an agenda wants him to be.

[CindyDawg]

I thought about going to one of his concerts next month. The tickets were around 250. No artist is worth 500 dollars IMO:’) That said, I appreciate everything he does for the troops for free.

[Volunteer]

Toby just rules.

[CindyDawg]

He just thinks he’s a democrat:’)

[visualops]

Athanasios Genos (yes, that’s his real name)

Odd qualification on the name. It's a good Greek name, and not unusual at all (for a Greek anyway).

[visualops]

That’s just a rather silly vacuous article.

[ishabibble]

I just love Toby Keith and I have always known that he did not think Iraq was a good idea. NEVERTHELESS, there he is doing all he can for our guys and gals, my son has seen him twice and he literally tries to reach each and every troop on his USO tours. Toby sees the truth of the situation, but I do wonder...why didn’t he perform at Al Gore’s Global Flatulence? Being on hand to personally witness that fading Cameron Diaz and her mental case drug rant would have been worth it!

[afraid]

He sucks.

[fish hawk]

I love Toby but there is not a entertainer alive that I would pay more than sixty or so dollars to see, NOBODY.

[PhiKapMom]

Toby supported Pres Bush both times and here in Norman supports Dems and Republicans based on their agenda. He lives about 1 1/2 miles from me and allows candidates to put signs in his pasture which is at a crossroads.

If you ever get a chance to go to one of his I Love this Bar and Grill — go! It is really neat and food is very good. I love the one in OKC with all the flags from Iraq and Afghanistan where he has visited.

[CindyDawg]

I’m cheap. I figured the good seats would be no more than 50 dollars. I was shocked:’)

[Kimmers]

Neat story, thanks for the post....

[oneamericanvoice]

You lucky guy! Toby Keith!

He’s such a patriot that I can’t believe he’s still a Democrat. Of course, it’s probably like Zell Miller. Maybe one day Toby will wake up. Then again, we don’t know where he stands on other issues.

I’m going to the Freedom Concert next week. Montgomery Gentry, Michael W. Smith, and Lee Greenwood! Plus, I heard that Fred Thompson is going to be there!

[oneamericanvoice]

Vacuous to you. Funny that you took the time to read it and make a slam.

[visualops]

At least I can read and comprehend. My comments were about the article, and that was my opinion of how it was written. It was not a comment on Toby Keith.
And, if I hadn’t read the article, it would have been rather pointless and dishonest to comment on it anyway.

[oneamericanvoice]

even Bush’s supporters tend to keep quiet, more than a bit disappointed by the war and by his administration’s overall performance. Bush supporters aren't disappointed by the war. They understand the need for it. Nor do they see the administration as the disaster that the liberals have drummed into the American people. It is far from it with two countries freed, two countries with free elections, a booming domestic economy, passage of lower taxes, the appointment of two conservative judges. The closest thing I saw to a liberal message at the event was a Ben & Jerry’s “Lick Global Warming Campaign” ad on the giant video screens that flanked the stage. "The closest thing I saw to a liberal message..."? Ben and Jerry's is a Liberal company, if not downright Leftist, even though Ben Cohen is no longer with it. The message "Lick Global Warming Campaign" is ludicious. Hopefully, Toby had no control over the vendors at his concert, otherwise it is very telling. I really like Toby, but fully admit that we don't know where he stands on other issues.

[yldstrk]

Hank Williams Jr rocks.