Article: What Makes People Vote Republican?

I found this linked to Michael Shermer's "Skeptic Magazine" site. An interesting article that goes beyond our usual notions and prejudices. Longish, but worth a read:

http://www.edge.org/documents/archive/edge256.html#haidt

there are "traces" of pharmaceuticals in our water.

for Mac n' Hack?!! WTF?!

It's one of the reasons our rational arguments and common-sense policy talk don't make much of a dent in hard-wired Republicans, even when the truth directly contradicts their "reality." It's also one of the reasons I respect much of Obama's rhetoric (and Biden's, for that matter) over the past few weeks. He is reaching into the emotional centers of the argument and pushing buttons that connect with people's gut feelings. Some voters -- especially independents -- may never look in detail at his policies and positions, but their minds will rationalize reasons for supporting the things they identify with emotionally.

not policy wonk debates. Republicans figured this out decades ago. Democrats use to do that but many have forgotten it. My political hero, Gov. Brian Schweitzer of Montana, understands the storyline meme. He did his own study of right wing talk shows and figured out their game and has been gaming them ever since. It helped him win Montana's governorship and is sending him into the national spotlight.

both parties are at fault for the mess. They don't see or refuse to see the differences between Republicans and Democrats. My opinion, these folks are really Repubs calling themselves Indpendents.

The other reason I think people, specifically my non-political junkie frieds, have voted Republican is because they use American Idol standards to judge the candidates and they take without question the corporate media's meme about candidates. In 2000 and 2004, the traditional media helped the Repubs label Dems weak on national security and the low info voters bought it hook, line and sinker.

Even though I'm no fan of Bill Clinton, in 1992 he had the right idea about setting up a war room to immediately respond to right wing attacks. While Perot helped him into the White House, Clinton's aggressive response and willing to challenge Republicans point by point in their attacks gave him the image that he could defend himself and thus defend us. Looking weak hurts Dems and costs them elections. Looking strong in the face of attacks and parrying those attacks creatively and effectively helps Dems win elections.

And point that feeling towards us

:shrug:

DUzy material!!!

:hi:

:)

... it's the truth. :shrug: (You've obviously met some of them.) :silly:

:hi: :hug: :loveya: