Post-Debate: Undecided GOP Voter Leaning Towards Edwards
By Bill W. Wednesday Nov 28, 2007 1:16pm
During the post-debate show last night, CNN's Erica Hill asked her room full of undecided Republican voters for a show of hands to see if any had settled on a candidate and there was a lot of shaking heads but not one hand raised.
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But what really made the moment special was one undecided Republican voter who thought she 'may' have finally decided:
Sharon: "I think if the Democrats have John Edwards, I'd vote for John Edwards." ... "I had thought about Giuliani, I had thought about Mitt Romney, also Fred Thompson. I don't care for his TV shows but you know, I thought maybe him being an actor that was just a persona and it's not."
I'll take a wild guess that wasn't exactly the answer any of the GOP contenders wanted to have broadcast to the masses, especially not Frederick of Hollywood.
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I haven't quite let go of the possibility of Gore throwing in his hat, and have been warming to Obama lately, but there's no doubt that John Edwards would be an extremely formidable candidate in the general election. And the clip shows exactly why. In many ways he's the Republicans worst nightmare
Wonder if they cooked her and ate her yet?
Yeah, me love some of that "Giulian-o."
thank you dear;
May I have a slice of your apple pie?
I love real americans.
I think Edwards' chances may be better than some folks realize
My vote is going to depend on the first few early primaries. Whoever beats Hillary, I'll be giving them my primary vote.
Not to be overly cynical.....but any chance she was an Edwards "plant"?
Edwards rocks on trade
I think that woman may be one of the most damning arguments against Democracy I've heard in a long, long time.
this is killing me, Kucinich is the man but i can't support him, which defaults me to Edwards. i am no racist but the USA is not going to have a black prez. i'm sorry. it ain't gonna happen. and Hillary, forget it.
I'd vote Ron Paul if Edwards doesn't make it, and I am a socialist!!! But better we shrink this evil government than let it eat us up. He can't keep us from helping one another, but he might get us to defund the military industrial complex.
No IRS.....yesssss!!!
My immediate reaction exactly.
We're doomed.
In the words of the immortal Nelson from the Simpsons...HaaHAAAA!
Time for Secret Agent Malkin to rev up the old minivan again...that woman needs to be investigated!
I have a hard time believing that any on-air event involving a room full of Republicans or Democrats for that matter wasn't staged.
Stevenovitch @ 7:
Damning argument against democracy...not so much...damning evidence of the -2 watt brain activity of the GOP base...oh my yes.
Guess she wasn't from Virginia.. So much for loyalty oaths...JD
She thought about "Guiliano" and Mitt Romney. Maybe some Fred Thompson, but wait, she doesn't like his television shows so she can't vote for him. Funny, I am beginning to think the 60% of Americans that don't vote are the smart ones.
I saw her last night - missed the Edwards comment but overall she just succeeded in depressing me about the state of the electorate.
She's "thought about" the media-nominated GOP frontrunners, but she can't even pronounce Giuliani? The deciding factor on Thompson is something about a TV show? What was it that attracted her to Edwards? I'm guessing "progressive, thought-out approaches to poverty and health care" ranked somewhere on the list below "nice hair" and "winning smile". (Saying this as an Edwards supporter myself, mind you).
This kind of voter is why I'm terrified of Mike Huckabee.
My first thought was, "Damn, so those are what those morons look like." Not an impressive bunch I have to say. So damn shallow... No wonder they are such easy sheep for the big Gov/Media to pick off.
Question Blog @ 8:
Two pea-in-a-pod bumperstickers here:GIULIANI? NO! and HILLARY? FORGET IT!!
Alternet Ron Paul Article
lewisnclark @ 1:
You should - he's not running. Why can't people get that?
...Fred Thompson. I don’t care for his TV shows but...
Do the math: What would she have said had she really liked his TV shows?
Jesus, this is the average US American, world.
"Bin Laden" just released a new tape, just in time to knock the republican debate off the hot topic list. What a coincidence!
I was watching this with my girl friend and she said "Where did they find these people? Did they clean up some homeless people out behind CNN's studio and put them in this panel?"
Chris H. @ 17:
I feel like I've been snookered into voting all these years.
DocG @ 22:
Because we really like him! (Sigh.)
carsick @ 13:
Too late she's already screaming that the woman was a plant. She's even getting top of the page listing on Drudge. The cheerleader is livid.
Mark @ 25:
$%^& you Mark!
Homeless people are either crazy, drug dependent, extremely anti-social or all of the above.
The sheep you saw last night have mortgages, and kids in school, and an addiction to MsM and a fear of thought. The sheep you saw last night ARE the USA.
These are the people who's hometown factory has closed down, yet they vote Republican.
Their kids are coming home in plastic bags yet they vote republican.
They wave the flag of freedom but use the "N" word freely.
They are proud of their Irish, German, Italian, Polish, Czech or whatever heritage...but keep those damn wetbacks out of their county at all costs.
mark that was a thoughtless comment, please realign your brain.
C. Montgomery Burns @ 27:
why??
because he rolled over when it counted?
because he was all about NAFTA?
because he won a Nobel Prize? (I like that!!)
because he is against the war? (I bet if he had been Presisdent after 9/11 he would have attacked Iran as well!!)(when he was VP him and Bill bombed the FUCK out of Serbia!!)
You ought to have to take a test on current events to be allowed to vote.
-Juliano
*Iraq...sorry!! I was excited!!
Question Blog @ 29:
This post speaks the truth.
Mark @ 25:
It's the Universal Law of TV News: When a non-pundit is interviewed, they will interview the stupidest person in the area.
This isn't exactly accidental, either. They do it to be sure the person doesn't use anything over a fifth-grade vocabulary to keep people from hurting their heads from thinking too hard and changing the channel before the commercials come on.
I wouldn't expect anything more from CNN, a channel that thinks WTO and FTAA protestors "just hate capitalism."
Question Blog @ 10:
I'm also a socialist, and I see Ron Paul as the antithesis of what I stand for. Socialism is ultimately about enhancing the level of public participation in the decision-making process, and Ron Paul wants to snatch the tiny shred of democracy that we currently have in government, and destroy it. He will willingly give predatory corporations even more power then they already do, while eliminating all of the rights and protections that we have worked so hard to achieve. Last time I checked, the public has NO direct democratic control over big business.
Ron Paul is a dangerous man. I would think twice before voting for him.
C. Montgomery Burns @ 27:
What's changed me about Gore is that he is not creating an impression that he wants the presidency or that he would run hard if "begged" to. I have to sit on the sidelines during the primary because non-affiliated voters can't vote in my state, but I will go for either Obama or Edwards if one of them wins the Democratic nomination. I favor Edwards a bit because his current status is an outsider to the Democratic establishment.
hey, hollywood fred, what did the 5 fingers say to the face? s-lap!!
and, might i add, that a ron paul administration would be greatly appreciated by corporations. with the government castrated, they could further their strangle hold on the world. cutting all of the regulatory agencies and govt oversight is, to me, one of the worst ideas since loafed bread. ron paul, nice guy, but his policy ideas send a chill down my spine.
Phantom,
I agree....but I see him as a useful tonic. He still has to work with Congress. But look at his voting record. It's as bad as it is good!!
Alternet Ron Paul Article
This says it all!!
He's not my first choice, but I'll take him over Clinton!!
I live in Dick Gephardt's old district. I got an email from him today asking me to support Clinton...MY ASS!!!
It is a mystery why the people, who are feeling the worst of what the bush administration has done to them, do seem to be the very ones who will most likely vote for one of these republican candidates in 08. I'm hoping that once that voting booth curtain has closed some of them may well vote for a democrat. They may tell their friends and polls they will vote repub, but in the privacy of that booth, it may be different. Let's hope.
greyhawk @ 28:
Okay, maybe she is a plant, but (gri)malkin is a vegetable.
Just like all the rest of the people who asked questions at CNN's farce of a debate last night, this lady had to be a Democrat plant too.
I mean, c'mon, she was the first one to start blabbing. She had her hand up in the air before the CNN person even finished asking the question. Way too obvious.
Ron Paul is not pro choice folks.. That is a huge issue for a lot of people - WOMEN.
Actually, there are more independents than partisans now anyway. Partisans have crossed lines to vote for Kennedy, and others to vote for Ray Gun.
Dismissing questions as plants behooves no one, but maybe Mr. Ed.
“I think if the Democrats have John Edwards, I’d vote for John Edwards.”
BINGO.
>> This is only good under the "I'll take what I can get department."
Republicans seem to flock to strong leaders, because the world is scary and without lots of guns and laws, people are wicked and they will take your stuff and sleep with your dog. Anyone NOT agreeing with that view needs to stay after class.
Now, this pool of voters, vote for people who don't really like popular voting, and do what they can to discourage voters -- which tends to help Republicans win elections. The elite have some sort of image of a meritocracy, where only those who should vote, are allowed to -- because not everyone should be voting (probably, anyone below VP in a business in their minds). Yet, here we have an example of a voting Republican, who probably justifies their world view of not everyone is capable of making good decisions when they vote. If it weren't for people not educated enough to function in a Democracy, there wouldn't BE a Republican party. Democrats do great in states with good education and functioning cities -- can you figure out any possible explanation for Mississippi re-electing their Senator, who is retiring early to spend more time with his lobbyists money/handsome boy-toy?
This lady was thinking about Fred Thompson -- but his character acting, seemed to bleed over into who he was... what? I think I need to try some peyote before I could follow this...
Thanks forever, lady, for mentioning that Edwards looked better than any Republican, but please, keep quiet about how you came to that decision. I expect it probably has more to do with hair care products than how he plans to insure more Americans with Medicare.
Overall, I think that this Republican "debate" -- more of a beauty contest for paid-to-play Business executives, was what the term "LOL" was invented for. "Yes, Repubs, Am in UR Base, stealing UR Voterz."
I'm a forward looking person. And I have to thank the NeoCons and their Republican dupes for the past entertaining two decades. I was worried America was running out of things to feel really strongly about, and really dumb things to make fun of. This string of corrupt, not-gay, preening and arrogant know-nothings that they are trying to rule the world with, or at least feather a nest, are going to provide decades of comic relief. The only question is, who is going to play Colonel Klink and who will be Schulze (Alberto Gonzales) characters.
Stevenovitch @ 9:
Agreed, Americans are pathetic people. Fat, stupid and dumpy looking. This is not a left right issue. America as we knew her is done. If dumpy fat people like her are used to persuade other dumpy fat americans we haven't a chance. I am moving if Ron Paul does not get elected. I don't want to be around during the death throws of this bloated carcass formerly known as the Republic of the United States of America. Ain't Democracy grand? Pathetic.
pissed off patricia @ 39:
Patricia,
It's a mystery to me why anyone struggling right now would believe that any of the Democrat candidates are going to do anything better for them. We're already seeing how hollow their promises were from one year ago.
Dennis @ 41:
>> What are the chances of having 10 Republicans off the street, and one considering voting Democratic? Pretty high, actually. It isn't the softball questions that are the problem is it? Are there so many Republican voters, who are standing in line, dying to speak to a candidate and ask him; "How did you get to be so wonderful and tough on crime?" "What's your favorite passage from the bible?" "How will you stop Democrats from taxing us more?"
It's supposed to be a challenge to the candidates -- not an exercise in cheerleading. I think they must have done a great job screening out people with common sense to get the softball audience that the Republicans have received so far.
Anyone who threatens to move, because their candidate who doesn't have the brains of a walnut fails to win, I say good riddance.
“I think if the Democrats have John Edwards, I’d vote for John Edwards.”
Can it be any clearer? Helloooo???
She thought about Giulian-o, Romney and Thompson but now leans Edwards. Okay, she's not thinking, she's not reading, she needs to go back to watching tv and stay home on election day. This is not about choosing a date or who you might want to marry.
I refuse to believe that any one of the Dem. candidates would be as bad as this bush administration has been. If they were that kind of person, they would most likely be Republicans.
jmac @ 50:
You just don't get it do you, jmac???...Jeez. "This is not about choosing a date or who you might want to marry." That's exactly what its about for most Americans. We just need to put up the right "date". (hint: She wouldn't "date" a black, a woman or a short friend of Shirley McLane...Hmmmm.)
Said it before, I'll say it again: Edwards is the only one who can win.
13 carsick
Have you been strapped to the roof of Romney's car too?
ysbaddaden @ 48:
That is not a threat. I sincerely feel that way. I am already making plans my friend. This is a very dangerous situation and these types of people are held up to convince other stupid people that it's OK to be stupid. Sheep to the slaughter. Some people really should not be allowed to vote. Most women in fact. It's pretty simple actually. We can't all be super models on the cover of Vogue. Perhaps it is time to consider the idea that some people just don't have what it takes to process critical life changing information. why should i have to submit myself to unthinking people like the woman in this video. It's simply wrong and I am tired of paying for it. And before you snipe back at me...how much do you pay in taxes? Perhpas you are jsut lke this woman. Perhaps you should not even be allowed to make comments? :)
ellobo @ 56:
Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out...Buh Bye.
when the media is asking questions like which candidate would you like to have a beer with, some people see the election as a popularity contest rather than take it as seriously as it should be taken.
Edwards is good. I would like to see if he has a broad appeal to other Republicans. I also wonder why the woman likes Edwards. Democrats should be looking at that.
lewisnclark @ 1:
Obama wants to EXPAND the unConstitutional "Faith-Based Initiative." He's a worse DLCer than Hillary.
#56 "Some people really should not be allowed to vote. Most women in fact."
Speechless over that remark
Johnny2Bad @ 57:
Folks, if you want to get a good glimpse of the American electorate, ride public transportation in any big city for 45 min. You'll get off thinking maybe there should be some qualifications for voting.
The Global Strategy Group has been saying that, poll after poll, month after month, show that head-to-head -- Dem vs. GOP -- Edwards beats everyone. Both parties.
linky to the data
Actually, we need women like this. The progressives lost them during Ray Gun's union busting, and the old hippy days spooked them.
However, if they're former Dixiecrats I don't want them back.
She was never going to vote Republican. If she was, and decided to vote Dem, she'd go with someone closer to the middle, i.e. Hillary, Biden, etc....
Johnny2bad At 53 I am not triangulated my vote for a candiate based on who I think some idiot might vote for. I suspect you're not either.
Actually, we need men like this too.
The idea that they're too old or too ugly or too ignorant to vote reminds me of how the reichwingers made fun of the elderly duriing the 2000 election aftermath, because they were thrown by the Floridian butterfly ballots.
ellobo @ 62:
Blah blah..."Ron Paul"...Blah blah..."Pay my taxes"...Blah blah, "Hard working American"...Blah Blah, F*ckin Blah.
Why are you still here??? Thought you left...If you're going to go...Go, already.
It's amazing that so many people are taking this upcoming election so seriously, and nit-picking to death the miniscule 'differences' they imagine between tweedle-dum and tweedle-dee.
There are only two important thing to remember about this election:
1. Something other than a republican must be elected.
2. Other than that, nothing matters.
jmac @ 67:
Vote away, pal...The point is we want a lot of those "idiots" to vote Democratic. Duh.
If Clinton fails to ignite and drops out Edwards can claim all the momentum and name his VP before the convention, tough times require bold action after all. He can further name his proposed cabinet, let the right wingnuts cum all over themselves failing to look 1/4 as attractive as a young smart man with a plan and answers. Then the fundies can go spit, right?
I heard that Ruth Bader Ginsburg may retire after the next election, and possibly one other liberal justice. I'm not sure who, maybe Kennedy.
So whoever wins the next election may get a chance to fill two seats on the Supreme Court.
kaT @ 63:
Funny, after having ridden NYC's subway, DC's Metro, St Louis' MetroLink and the HRT bus system in VA about a gazillion times each I've come away with the complete opposite opinion.
ysbaddaden @ 65:
Wah? Huh? Who gives a sh*t?? Votes, Brotha...Votes!
pissed off patricia @ 61:
Ditto.
The 2008 presidential election is the Democrat's to lose. If they nominate Obama or Hillary over Edwards they will fulfill their destiny.
Hillary 08!
Beyond that, WHOMEVER WINS THE DEM NOM, GETS MY VOTE, period.
Why's everyone ignoring Hillary's actual "liberal" voting record? Why is everyone ignoring that it's identical to Obama's? Isn't a voting record as a whole main evidence in how a person will vote?
Question Blog @ 10:
Every time someone begins a statement with I'm no racist but.....what follows is a racist statement.
Actually the reichwingers are probably afraid there are more voters like this one, so the loyalty oaths their trying to start in Virginia will spread.
But if Virginia spreads, won't she not be a virgin anymore?
71 says "The point is we want a lot of those "idiots" to vote Democratic. Duh."
And just who do you think those idiots will vote for? You don't know - they're idiots. I'm voting for Hillary but supporting any Democratic candidate that gets the nomination. And don't come back that Hillary can't win. She won over the conservative upstate NY farmer, she won over bubba in Arkansas, she's got the respect of people like Tom Delay and Newt and the right is scared silly she will win the nomination. They're not scared silly because they think they can beat her.
Freedomboy @ 72:
"Freedomboy" should win a prize for getting these phrases into one comment: "Cum all over", "attractive young man" and "go spit".
Nice work, Fb.
I like Edwards...but I don't get the lack of appeal to the rest of America.
I wouldn't put a 'GOP voter leaning toward Edwards' in the 'undecided' column.
I'd move her from 'republican', to 'sane'.
jmac @ 81:
That's funny...so do I.
jmac @ 81:
That's funny...so do I.
(Hope that looks bettah.)
Edwards/Obama '08! (and '12!)
For the "might be a plant" people. My local newspaper prints a few letters each month from people who claim to be life-long republicans, but have HAD ENOUGH. Plant or no plant, that woman's sentiments are a lot more common then people realize.
adama7 @ 79:
And anyone who would consider voting for Ron Paul and dreams of not having to pay taxes needs to quit calling himself a 'socialist' Because you give socialism a bad bad name. Undeservedly so. And too many people are too stupid to realise a self-proclaimed ANYTHING isn't necessarily believing their OWN hype.
Preacher Boob @ 84: