There isn't a lack of enthusiasm. More like a wariness of the crazies.

As long as the votes for Obama are there, I really don't much care about the lack of signs.

We do have Obama signs out but I stop short of a bumper sticker on my car. I do not want the thing keyed and that is what they love to do around here.

share of wingnuts moving in. Hate radio has made people act vehement and hostile in public places. I've heard people yelling about 'Democrats!' in my very liberal neighborhood in restaurants.

I call those of us who quietly support Obama 'closet Obamanistas' and it is such a relief to get that wink or nod and then get to talk if someone picks up on what one is saying. I support your not posting the signs because anyone who has read DU this year has seen the acts of intimidation visited on Democrats, even at their homes.

The hatred if much worse than it was in 2008, and the wingnuts have gotten away with a lot and it's emboldened them to act worse. Don't tell these people what you think, just be sure to get out and vote and make your voice heard.

who these stealers of Obama signs support!

There been four years of a constant barrage from fox, limbaugh HateMongers to Rev up the HATE.

The hate factor has been boosted by the constant blare of hate radio over the last few years. It has emboldened the crazy right that had learned to be more tolerant. Now we have new generations of right wing nuts that have no idea what we accomplished in the past concerning tolerance and bigotry. The right wing radio fanatics have committed ugly crimes on this country. I hold them responsible.

there are other factors but if I had to pick ONE main reason--it would be Hate Radio.

And this was in a Democratic part of a Democratic state.

Crazies are everywhere.

I live in ruby red Idaho and totally understand your reasoning. To be honest, I decided I could do more good supporting the President by giving to the national campaign. I also donate money to races that are in play and swing state races.

Yard signs on my block aren't going change any minds.

I live in blue dot in a red state so I can get away with a car magnet and yard sign (or have thus far at least). I feel grateful and fortunate for that. I suspect that if I ventured too far out of town, I'd get harassed for it, at least, in one way or another.

But yard signs aren't important. Voting is. And you got that part taken care of so don't sweat the rest!

and this is exactly why I have no stickers on my car or yard signs. The people around here scare me. Besides family, the only people who know my political leanings are a couple of co-workers who support Obama. Even most of my family is part of the blinded-hateful conservative crowd. The only sane person is my father. He leans conservative, but he is quick to point out bullshit and he is open minded to other viewpoints. We have friendly debates on topics, but that's as far as my political discussion goes around here.

I'd love to show my support for Obama, but there are some hateful, racist, crazy conservative nut jobs around here.

Even in the south, in my experience, there wasn't the insane hate from the fringe there is now. The Teabaggers being recognized, and permitted to spew their hate is a goodly part of the rise in "active" nuts.

This insanity keeps a lot of Dems hiding their political affiliations. Not just by not putting out a yard sign, but also by not debunking their talking points, registering voters, and just generally being politically active.

It's what they want, to keep us "in our place" and intimidated. It's really not that different from what they've always done to intimidate minority voters in the past.

They're political bigots.

I feel for you, and I understand where you're coming from.

I'm just not aware of Democrats vandalizing Republican signs and keying their cars because of their bumper stickers. Democrats seem like they're less prone to this type of activity whereas Redneck Republicans seem to be predisposed to commit criminal acts to further their cause or to destroy their competition.

- you'll find that it's done by both parties. No matter who does it, it's wrong. Personally, I don't put up signs as my neighbors don't need to know my political opinions. I express them in the most important place possible - the voting booth.

I do employ similar tactics to Republicans in regards to signs but only if they are on public property as they technically are placed there against the city ordinance which incidentally isn't enforced. I employed what I consider a fun cool tactic last election and I'm doing it this election. I drive around late at night and when I find a Romney/Ryan sign I pull alongside it and with one quick tug its in the back. Last election I got 20 signs off of major highways. This election I'm up to 5. My wife even enjoys coming along with me. Now some people may think that is a dirty tactic but believe me in the town I'm in Obama signs are vandalized constantly and rarely seen in public so I consider it equal payback especially as they are on public land. Last election I put Obama signs in place of the Republican signs and many disappeared but a few stayed up quite a while. If more progressives were more aggressive I believe we would drown out the right wing BS machine quite easily. We're just too polite much of the time.

- given that they, too, would be in violation of the city ordinance?

From my post above that should be obvious to you. The city ordinance is just an excuse I can use to legally cover my actions.

- I guess the good news is that you'll at least admit it. Congratulations!

I would argue you are a weak dem. We need fighters. I am different than them in that I am fighting for the general good in a one sided wrong way town. yet you find that sad. I see it as your the sad one. Politics is dirty. The skin on the left needs to be thicker if we are to defeat republicans.

Yes, there is an occasional sign vandalized by a Democrat, I'm sure. But there is no equivalency between the hatred and violence expressed by Romney supporters and Obama supporters. There just isn't.

...vandalizing cars is a Rethuglican activity.

I made a decision a while back to NOT put a yard sign out this year. First, I'm reasonably certain it would be stolen (I've had multiple yard signs stolen both in '04 and in '08--these are things I want to keep for prosperity and history, so I don't want them stolen). Second, this election is such a forgone conclusion that it would just be a waste. And yes, I'm aware of all the media-created noise that says otherwise. Trust me when I tell you, it's just that: noise. On election day, everyone will see that this thing was never close and never in doubt.

In fact, whenever I drive through my neighborhood and think about how in '08, it was practically wall-to-wall Obama signs, and now there aren't any, I simply realize that most people are like me. And since most Rmoney voters are what I like to call "fist-shakers" (people who simply can't wait to shake their fist at you and scowl as they shout nasty names at you), and are the type of people who simply MUST display a yard sign, I generally consider a house that doesn't have a yard sign to be an Obama voter.

In my lil Republican town, the yards that sprouted McCain/Palin signs are bare this year.
I know who the Republican/fundie/tea Party people are in this area. There are very few yard signs for either party.
Which got me to wondering so I posted a poll here the other day and the overwhelming DU response was people are seeing fewer and fewer yard signs of either party.
check it out:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251132725

some of these people are unhinged.

We have two yard signs for local candidates out front. We would love to plant an Obama yard sign out there too. The majority of local voters are Democrats but there are some who are rabid racists. My husband doesn't want to invite any unwanted vandalism but we are staunch Obama supporters.

During the last Presidential election I had a bumper sticker taped inside the back window of my car. Some fool stuck a yellow ribbon magnet on my fender while my car was parked in a grocery store parking lot. They incorrectly assumed that I didn't support the troops or wasn't patriotic or whatever his/her pea brain imagined. I had family members serving in Iraq and one of them came back to the states from Iraq in a coffin. This time around I have nothing political on my car.

The scary thing for me is that most law officials in the U.S. are anti Obama big time.
Although most of them definitely will uphold the law. I don't think they are passionate
with regards to squelching the type of behavior mentioned in your post.

If I had an Obama bumper sticker. Some hard ass cop who hates Obama probably wouldn't think twice about giving a ticket to a Obama supporter.

I live in Washington state - and you'd think Democratic yard signs would be safe here, but no, not really because conservatives are becoming progressively more batshit and violent.

A plus side to having Obama signs in the past is that now all the (R)epukes in my neighborhood completely ignore me and are actually quite afraid of me in public places such as the store. They live fearful lives full of misinformation and self-induced and maintained stupidity. You are NOT a coward, it's best not to attract people as stupid as (R)s, sad but true.

These are scary times...right wing crazy folks are getting pissed

Ignorant Hate makes these people do ugly things. I sure as heck wouldn't have a yard sign out.

Thanks for supporting our President in Alabama!

I'm a loud mouthed leftist and I don't back down from anyone. I was a delegate for Jesse Jackson in my precinct in Texas when he ran and had a yard sign for him out front. It was stolen so I put up a new one. A redneck from up the block stopped his truck when I was out doing yard work and asked me if that was my sign. When I said it was he thanked me and told me he worked at the local auto plant and was a UAW guy and he liked a lot of what Jesse had done for unions over the years.

Back when Bush was gearing up for the Iraq war, it was not very safe to be against it in Texas. "We Support our Troops" signs were all over town along with American flags. Remember what happened to the Dixie Chicks? My "Stop The Bush/Cheney War" sign was stolen three times. I finally wired a new sign to the big live oak tree out front. Over the next couple of months as the war began, three different people thanked me for putting up the sign and said they didn't think anyone else in town was against the war because they were too afraid to talk about it with neighbors or friends. One night my door bell rang (very unusual for me) and when I answered the door it was one of my neighbors that I knew and she asked me I had any information about an antiwar march in Austin scheduled for the next week that she had seen on TV. She asked me if it would be safe to go. I told here my wife and I were going and she could go with us. And she did.

I know the political atmosphere is toxic in much of the country, but I also know that there are many people in red states that want to support our President but feel isolated and scared. Any way you can help them (by displaying a yard sign, etc.) feel less isolated is appreciated.

any kind of fearfulness.

While I have very strong political views, I also prefer to keep them to myself for the most part. Which is why I don't do yard signs and I don't do bumper stickers. I just prefer to share my opinions more selectively.

I know what you're saying but if my neighbors want to attack me for having a sign out then they can bring it and see what kind of reception they get. I don't blame anybody else for playing it a different way.

there was an Obama sign in our town (right near police station) that was ruined
we have picked it up, and brought it home and are trying to repair it and will put it back out with an added message that a political sign should be treated the same as a flag.

It is a sign of democracy, and to ruin a political sign, or degrade it, or deface it, is the same as if you are doing that to our flag.
(and to think the republicanlibertarianteaparty spews constitution all day long. Yet they ruin political banners and signs and cars bumper stickers. It stinks. It is bullying.)

AND if we get scared and don't do it, isn't that restricting our first amendment freedom of speech?

I completely agree with you when it comes to the expression of views, whether it be through the displaying of yard signs or some other form of political speech, is a sacred part of our democracy. If all I was worried about was people stealing or damaging yard signs I would go ahead and put them out there. I'm worried about things much more serious than that. At the end of the day I have to feel comfortable in my neighborhood. I'm a home owner and I don't plan on going anywhere. I feel a lot better about my kids being out in the yard when I don't have things out there drawing negative attention to my house.

If you hide what you are out of fear of the mob of your neighbors, what is next?
What will those neighbors attempt to do to "keep you in line"

I know in the real world you have to worry about the safety of your family, and your home(a rock that smashes your front window can cost thousands, even with insurance, then the insurance raises the price and it affects you.
Cars can be damaged.
Kids can be ruined for life psychologically

And I don't know the answer, except to vote, vote next time, the time after and hope generation from now it finally ends.

How does one deal with bullies (and not to insult law enforcement, but some of those neighbors are probably friends with the cops, then what? If you report it, one of them will pass it along and it starts even more harrassment with unmerited tickets for litter(which a neighbor will strategically place), etc.

It is like the neighborhoods that force blacks or Jews out now and in the past.

But it is a form of bullying, to say the very least.

And I won't put it in my yard and do know I am risking a brick through my window as my sign is in my front window
(or risk a punch in the face in public (more likely a shot in the back as they are cowards),as I wear buttons.)

BTW, just an aside-with today's things like facebook.
If I write a political note in facebook, it opens the door to being harrassed (and more important the family being harrassed on their site.

One mention of President Obama for President 2012 can affect kids in a way not even realized
(assuming the link of friends is with family members, but the same can be with any "friend" you talk politics, anyone on their list might not be on the same side.

How do we get past this problem?

The other side (the republicantealibertarians,) have gotten almost gang like in their violence and actions, taking it one step beyond "mere" bullying

Do any of them spout the nonsense about the Civil War - how the South was richer than the North and that's all the north cared about, and how the slaves were comfortable and how whites were also enslaved by blacks, so there was equal opportunity? I've heard crap like that from one Alabaman.

I won't have any of it. That is simply revisionist history and I have no patience for it.

we were taught that slavery was not the main reason....that economic issues were the main reason. I was in college in VA when a history professor said otherwise.

But the truth is somewhere in between. The South started the war to protect the institution of slavery, but Lincoln sent in Union troops to preserve the Union...not free the slaves. While there were many abolitionists who hated the institution of slavery on strictly moral grounds, there were also many who hated it for the exact same reason Americans resent the loss of jobs to China and other countries with cheap labor.

from Lincoln's letter to Horace Greeley:

I would save the Union. I would save it the shortest way under the Constitution. The sooner the national authority can be restored; the nearer the Union will be "the Union as it was." If there be those who would not save the Union, unless they could at the same time save slavery, I do not agree with them. If there be those who would not save the Union unless they could at the same time destroy slavery, I do not agree with them. My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that. What I do about slavery, and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union. I shall do less whenever I shall believe what I am doing hurts the cause, and I shall do more whenever I shall believe doing more will help the cause. I shall try to correct errors when shown to be errors; and I shall adopt new views so fast as they shall appear to be true views.

the Secession documents of the various Confederate states.

I contributed a $100.00 instead. It's safer not advertising my political leanings and I'll be voting.

signs were vandalized. Several neighbors around the corner who had signs had vandalism on their property, signs torn down, cars spray painted, even trees spray painted etc. It all took place in one night but luckily for me I had a friend who stayed over because he had car trouble. That night we were in and out of the house, also the street I'm on is busy so I didn't get hit. I'm not putting a sign up this time, I don't need news coverage and the police coming out like what happened to people 4 years ago.

Edited to add: I'm in CA in Los Angeles County along the coast but we have a certain amount of crazies and or racists here too.

I don't put out signs. I have dogs and cats and I would never jeopardize their safety by aggravating the local knuckle draggers with yard signs.

They do no good in this area anyway. I seriously doubt that anyone would change their vote for the non-black guy just because I have an Obama sign in my yard.

I pick my battles and vote.

They don't have anything against black people. Hell, most of them even have a black friend.

They just think that a WHITE MAN should be in the White House.

They have no problem with black people...as long as they know their place.

greater than it actually is. Now that bigoted behavior is no longer called out by the media, the bigots feel they can act however they want. Win or lose, they will get worse, because the media sees them as a source for ratings & doesn't care about the adverse affects on our society.

The media is a huge part of all of our problems.

First & foremost, be safe.

sign "disappear" in the middle of the night last week, we've noticed. I live in a red pocket of an otherwise blue area, and these people are nuts. I am afraid of having trespassers and vandals at my house. Edit to add: I do have a car magnet, though.

Stearns County, MN will give you pretty much the same vibe, only without the water moccasins.

Nobody's sign has ever caused me to vote for whatever was on the sign. I get irritated with the signs littering the sides of the road, and I don't really care if someone isn't voting my way; at least, not enough to stop and confront them about it. That would be counter-productive.

If it's not an invitation for conversation or confrontation, what IS the point? Does anyone really think a sign influences someone's choice?

In your case, it sounds like signs would be an invitation to confrontation; you are smart not to put them out.

As for me, I look at a candidate's words, then record, and make a choice about who to support. Someone else trying to TELL me who to support just pisses me off.

I know how disgusted I am when I see an opponent's sign in a neighbor's yard. I guess I just don't want in incite the same emotion in them...less chance for confrontation, that way.

I would, however, proudly display my bumper sticker if the campaign would send me what they promised when I donated, and it's been on a weekly basis.

But I have several Obama bumper stickers on my car. If someone doesn't like it, tough shit. I live in a blue neighborhood of Milwaukee but am very close to red Menomonee Falls. If someone wants to vandalize my car best not let me see them do it. I am not a big tough young guy and am not usually very aggressive but I would not take something like that lying down.

BUSH sign.

Trespassing and theft don't faze Republicans.

Your vote is your best way to proclaim your support.

I've put a Democratic sign in our yard each presidential election since we moved in our house, but we're in Denver and that is a huge difference politically.

I bought an Obama sign online at his web site - I'm still waiting for it.

My brother is working hard for Obama. He has Dem natl, state and local signs in his tiny yard in a swing state. His house is literally 10 feet away from another house with all sorts of Rmoney & co. signs in the yard. They have been friendly neighbors for over 20 years. One day the neighbor is chatting with my brother in the yard. About all sorts of things. And suddenly she says, "If Obama wins I'm just gonna be suicidal."

She must have had a drifty moment wanting sympathy from him ...or maybe it was just reflexive. (She wouldn't have said this to needle him or anything, it's not a rancorous relationship). My brother said, "Well y'know, that's exactly how I felt when George Bush got in..."

WHY ????????????????????????????????????????

It has voted over 60% Republican in recent elections for state and National candidates. In the last few elections, there have not been any Democratic candidates in the election. There are under two dozen members of the county Democratic, although there aren't closed primaries, so you must be proactive and pay to join. There are few Democratic signs up in town, less than a dozen. Still, over 35% of local residents vote for Democrats, but are mostly in the closet so to speak. By putting up those signs, I feel like I am proclaiming my views for myself but also for the others. I say that even though it seems like everyone else around here is Republican, they are not. You are not alone in this community. I am proud to be a Democrat and maybe in time, you can be too. I live on the main street of town and many people also go by our yard on their way to vote so many of our town's residents or people passing through see our signs.
That said, I am not that courageous. I won't go door to door again after my experiences with the state senate recall petitions.
I hope that you can be proud not to be racist or indifferent in time. I understand though because I was closeted about not being homophobic, like many people around here. Now when someone talks negatively about gay people, I am comfortable speaking up. It might not change their mind but at least it is a statement that not everyone feels this way.

things will get back toward balance and normalcy when Repukes are afraid to display their views. When it's as dangerous for someone to support Romney as it is for you to support the president, we'll be able to get the country back from Hate Radio. Bullies do not stop their behavior until they are carried off to the hospital. That's what is going to have to happen for us to again have a fair chance in this country.

If any cowardly right wing bullies can find the nerve to look me in the eye and say something, bring it on. Three presidential election cycles and so far, no one has. The only comments I've ever gotten here in Redlandia are positive ones.

But there are TONS of Romney signs. They're everywhere. My (otherwise nice) neighbors across the street even put up a homemade sign, complete with spotlights so everyone can see it at night, that says "Defend America, Defeat Obama." (For the record, my 8 YO son took one look at it and said, "That doesn't even make SENSE!" Bless him.) My (otherwise very nice) nextdoor neighbors are flying a teabagger sign on their flagpole--well, the co-opted Don't Tread On Me one.

I won't put up an Obama sign. People here are tacitly, and often overtly, racist. While I don't fear my immediate neighbors, I do fear the crazier-assed ones nearby.

About a week ago, a campaigner came to my door to remind me to vote for our county D.A. who is, against all odds, a Dem. I told her I absolutely would, because our local government is too heavily Republican. I told her I was very concerned about it, and she said, "Oh, there are a lot of Democrats around here. We just keep quiet."

I was pleased to hear it, but sad that we have to stay in hiding all the same.

One last thing: Because of the apparent lack of loud Obama support, when he wins, count on the Pugs to shout "conspiracy!" They won't believe that anyone voted for him because we're not as in-your-face as they are.

In 2000, my Gore signs were destroyed.

In 2004, my Kerry signs were destroyed.

Adding racism to the general hatred of Democrats around here, I have not put up Obama signs either in 2008 or 2012. I'm afraid the reaction would go beyond destroying yard signs.

I'm not afraid for my person, but I don't need the heartache and expense of further vandalism.

I also am not big on putting bumper stickers on my cars - I never have - political or otherwise. I know that's odd for a Subaru driver.

We shoot pistols mostly, and most large caliber pistols, toward the woods from our yard, which is in plain sight of anyone who drives by. We also shoot every other thing with a trigger, from shotguns to high power rifles. Then there are the dogs. We have five of them, all of the dogs go over 80 pounds, the largest two are close to 100. No one comes sneaking around out here and no, I do not fear my neighbors. Virtually everyone for miles knows I'm a Democrat and not one of them is stupid enough to try to do damage to my signs or anything else around here. It would be a very very stupid thing to do.

.. have happened more and more frequently in recent years, one literally 15 minutes from our home, we've adopted the same policy. Lots of nice people here, but then there are those that think Batshit Crazy Lady Bachmann is fit to hold public office. No use in drawing a target on our homes.

there are so many other ways to support Obama, other than putting up a yard sign that identifies you as a target (instead of getting the message out - your neighbors ears are closed anyway, so what is the point??)

I live now most of the time in a rural ranching area - red bible belt type place and we are careful about discussing the election - we try to only engage repub romney voters or undecideds with the best arguments we can muster on the fly if we know them to be otherwise stable people. That means not many of them - those kind are already voting Obama (and I've seen some with signs out as well). But even the stable ones are problematic - one told dh the other day that if Romney doesn't win, all hell will break loose, and that we just can't afford to re-elect Obama - he is just a dumb man.

Dumb? Right - must be that whole affirmative action smear, because how can you listen to Obama and believe that? Well, they are low iq, but I digress.

Just wanted to say I support your wise decision to not put up a yard sign where it would do nothing more than possibly bring harm to you and your family. Survival in a tough environment trumps all - esp where the most crucial thing, ie your vote, can still be safely done. Be safe.

They tend to get stolen but probably by someone else who wants an Obama sign.

Don't worry, we'll get him elected!

It wasn't even up a whole day - he put it up Saturday and it was gone Sunday morning. He's in a pretty nice neighborhood in central Florida. Lots of Rmoney signs around though.

It took me a pretty good shot of willpower and a punch in the arm from wife to NOT go driving through yards and knocking over the Rmoney signs. I could have done some very satisfying yard damage (they love their lawns in that neighborhood) but cooler heads prevailed.

It would have been easy - very low curbs....

My bumpersticker says "SUPPORT MILLIONAIRE WELFARE-VOTE REPUBLICON".

This takes the Righties hatred of welfare queens and sticks the label on the rich instead which most middle class Joe-six pack righties dont trust that much anyway.

A county Democratic candidate.

Or for Daniel Boman or Therese Ford?

We are all fairly white, and Congress and local offices are important too. Your local legislative candidate could use some advertising too.