My Repubican husband, who voted for Obama before, helped me understand.
In a discussion yesterday, our middle daughter asked my husband, who I can best describe as a liberal Republican, "Who are YOU voting for?" He declined to answer and we picked up the conversation a little later. I knew he was leaning toward Obama again, but also knew he was conflicted. So, I asked, "What do you think about the two plans for Medicare and Social Security?" He answered that he wants those programs to remain intact because they are not retirement programs, but insurance against poverty in old age. He added that Wall Street wants its hands on that money, but that you never know how volatile the market will be, and you can't trust Wall Street anymore.
I asked another question: "What do you think about unemployment?" He answered that we need more and better paying jobs here. This gave me an opportunity to discuss tariffs, and then to ask him why he thought company owners were against them, and he answered that they can make much more of a profit.
Finally, I asked him what his views were on the military (he is a former army airborne ranger). He said he wants a strong military, but that we spend way too much money for things we don't need, to line the pockets of defense contractors.
I said, "I think the reason you're conflicted is that you've always identified yourself as a republican, but the republican party has morphed so much that it no longer represents YOU." He heartily agreed.
So, later on we talked with our daughter again, and he said to her, "In the end, I have to vote for the smartest guy in the room, and that's President Obama. He has done so many good things, and his heart is in the right place."
And so, even though it pains my sweet husband of 31 years to see the republicans offer no option for his republican soul, the Commonwealth of Virginia has five out of five members of our family voting for Obama this November 
= new reply since forum marked as read
Our youngest, who is 20, will cast her first presidential vote this year
I have a hard time talking to Republicans because I get so angry. (My dad makes me crazy!) I admire people who can discuss things with them calmly, and make them look at some hard truths about their party.
I know the Dems aren't perfect (except the ones on DU, of course 
, but I am constantly amazed at how many people vote Republican, even when--as is usually the case--it is against their own best interest.
