She probably will vote for him, but as the lesser of two evils.

That's the problem, is no matter who one votes for, that's usually the motivator.

NicoleK - curious to know who you think would be the greater of two evils in 2012?

I'm not trying to be snarky or anything, I'm just curious as to who the GOP could put out there that would cause you to vote for Obama in 2012? Feel free to just list names, but I'd be more interested to see reasons, too.

I don't know who the lesser of two evils will be.

I'm guessing that this woman is rather left-leaning and that the Republican candidate will be perceived as more right-leaning (whether or not that is true), and thus that this woman will thus see Obama as the lesser of two evils.

I'd vote for a Libby Dole or Gubernator (yes, I know it isn't possible, but say there is someone like him out there, I'd vote for him), but I wouldn't vote for a hard-right candidate like Sarah Palin. For me, it'll depend on the combination of the candidate and running mate. The problem is right now I don't care for the platform of the Dems or Reps, so I may vote third party. Can't say yet.

But my post was addressing the woman in the video.

You would vote for a man who is steering the good ship california straight into bankruptcy? I'm interested in your logic on that one. Is the national economy not bad enough?

What's with the "right wing" shorthand? What, exactly, do you mean?

Do you think Palin is going to establish a national religion or outlaw abortion? Is Huckabee going to bring back the Blue laws and shutter stores on Sunday?

A smaller, less powerful government seems like it would have less of an impact on me, no matter what its leaders believe in.

I think even the disillusioned will be brought along, kicking and screaming the whole way. I wonder if Ms Hart is one of those evil rich people who actually pays for I Won's plans? There's nothing like seeing the government take more than your house and car cost you to make you realize just what you're buying.

I would like to see a candidate who isn't interested in another war, who is against torture, and who wants to go back to limiting the president's power, who is against FISA and spying on Americans. That's not going to be a Dem or a Rep.

I guess my problem with the current govt. is:

Who voted for the war in Iraq? Both the Dems and the Reps!
Who wanted to give massive bailouts to the banks? Both the Dems and the Reps!
Who passed FISA? Both the Dems and the Reps!
Who keeps saying they are against gay marriage? Both the Dems and the Reps!

The difference between the parties is less in what the candidates do than in what their bases believe.

And yes, I am afraid that Sarah Palin will try to make abortion illegal. I don't think she would succeed. I'm also afraid she will give huge handouts to corporations, (but of course everyone does that), attack Iran and then Syria, and make the rest of the world hate us even more, weakening our global position, not to mention driving our debt through the roof. I'm afraid of her nationalistic rhetoric, and I'm afraid she will try to ban some religions (beginning with Islam but not ending there). I could see her trying to force people to her religious views. Force in school prayer, etc.

The government hasn't taken more than my house and car cost me from me. Have they taken that much from you? If so, did you buy a very cheap house and car for your income level?

"And yet--I have not a shred of doubt that she will vote for Obama in 2012. Illusions have a stubborn way of living on."

She'll behave like an abused partner in a relationship: just keep supporting him even though he's a POS.

I think that we should have a parallel election that's entirely fictional for people like this woman. We could run wizards, and dragons, and fairies with magical powers, and if you vote for them, they'll give you special feelings that you can 'celebrate'.

I'm just curious as to who the GOP could put out there that would cause you to vote for Obama in 2012

My dog.

Which isn't to say I approve of the Republicans or am a Republican, either.

Third party, anyone?

@NicoleK - thanks for the response - I wasn't sure whether you were speaking as yourself or on behalf of the woman in the video with your initial statement. Thanks for the clarification and your explanation, even if I disagree with you, particularly on your fears about Palin and religion.

@Amy - re "Third party, anyone?"
Assuming there are no absolutely titanic shifts in the national political landscape between now and 2012, a third party vote would be the same as not voting. In our current system, the only way a "third party" candidate could win is to run on the Democrat or Republican line. Just wondering, would you consider someone like Palin a third party candidate, even if she's running on the GOP line, given all she's done to piss off the GOP?

@Amy - if your dog runs, he definitely has my vote. I have seen no other candidates showing the loyalty and fundamental decency of the Canine-American community.

I have yet to find a single presidential candidate or hopeful that I would for FOR. All my recent ballots and those in the foreseeable future all all strategic votes to keep the candidate I like the least out of office.

Illusions have a stubborn way of living on.

Really. Likke voting for Republicans and expecting a balanced budget. I have been waiting since....well, President Eisenhower.

Velma Hart never articulates exactly what it is that she expects the president to "do for her." But this is the crux of her problem. She's looking for government to take care of her. As far as I can tell, she is disillusioned that Obama hasn't gone far enough in doing just that.

"Palin and Obama are probably quite similar in their lack of qualifications to be president."

But their "lack" is quite dissimilar. Obama is an over educated elitist who looks down his nose at the average man with contempt. While Palin has the advantage of at least governing a small (in population) state, she knows nothing beyond local politics and beauty pageants. She is as dumb as a bag of rocks. Their only similarity is that neither is fit to manage a Burger King let alone our country.

As Glenn Reynolds keeps pointing out, if you don't know who the mark is, it's you.

She seems to have started to have an inkling.

I'm with Alistair, Amy. I would rather vote for your dog than either the Dems or Reps. If the prez just didn't sign anything, congress would be forced to override the 'veto' on everything, thus slowing down the passage of bad legislation. Thus a dog would be a better choice.

I'll vote Libertarian as always. Yes, I know that no Libertarian candidate has a snowballs chance in hell of winning. Don't tell me it's 'throwing away my vote - voting for the 'lesser of 2 evils' is throwing away your vote. If enough people started voting 3rd party candidates, the Dems and Reps would take notice and start changing their policies.
As it is right now, they have no reason to change anything.

The two names bruited about for the Republican side on the talk-show circuit are Jan Brewer (AZ governor) and Rick Perry (TX Governor).

My dream candidate would veto every bill coming out of congress that can't pass constitutional muster.

Essentially -- if it won't pass a judicial review for constitutionality -- it ain't happening.

Brewer would never survive a nationl race.

The only reason she is winning in az is beacuse pf SB1070 and the death of the rancher who was the catalyst for passing it

Allan West.