Talking to family members I can tell you the trouble Obama Is up against

[Robbins]

Inside my family I can tell you all first hand about people who will accept anything they are told about Obama.

I heard plenty of times today the old Obama Is a muslim talk and wants to destroy the US economicly for muslim.Keep talking about
muslim ties yet Ignoring any Influence his mother and Grand parents had on him.Obama's father left when he was 2,and his stepfather was married to his mother between ages 5-10.Yet people who spread these stories neglect to tell people by all acounts both his father
and stepfather were not strict muslim when they met his mother.

I heard today saying If Obama Is reelected there will be depression.

I have heard today about the birther BS as well as claims Obama got foreign aid to go to Collage.Suspposly some judge Is suspose to
make a ruling about some birther case June 18 or some those who keep spreading the birther BS story claim.

Some are believing Obama wants to raise taxes to pay for socialized prgorams,and believe health care reform Is some big government program.Somebody should tell Liberals and real Socialists this.

Some even spreading the story that It Is Obama who wants to take away SOcial Security,Medicare,Medicaid,Veteran's benefets and SSI.
And saying Obama Is hurting businesses.Some are too willing to believe anything said about Obama.

It's amazing here In Missouri Obama and Romney are In dead heat according to polls.

You know what some Liberals and Democrats here In Missouri have to deal with by supporting Obama.

[JI7]

1. Obama and Romney in a dead heat in polls in Missouri seems like good for Obama

[elleng]

2. We're all concerned about the b.s. being spread.

Watching interview now, on C-SPAN2 BookTV, Barack Obama:The Story, by David Maraniss. Tell them that IF the're interested in FACTS, they should read the book.

[Tennessee Gal]

3. If they are computer literate, you should send them to snopes.com

to find the truth. Snopes investigates rumors, etc.

Or you could use Snopes to print out the facts for them.

[steelhead77]

27. Discredit the truth tellers

I used to cite Snopes to these people, then an email went around from the wackos that Snopes was funded by George Soros. Now, even tho most folks have no idea who Soros is, and it a totally false claim, they've effectively discredited the main source of debunking Internet rumors. That's a big part of the wingnuts strategy (and it also worked very well in Germany in the 1930's); discredit the truth tellers so there is no credible source for keeping these people honest.

[Squinch]

28. Same here!

I sent my rabid Fox consuming cousin to snopes on a ridiculous story. She said, "Who believes Snopes? They're not fair and balanced."

Shoot me now.

[monmouth]

4. I'm sure you corrected them on all points....n/t

[Robbins]

9. At this point

It Is hopefully without starting arguements.In past I pointed the facts he's not a muslim.I have attacked the birther BS and sent email
trying to point out the reality of programs.Like the fact Social security,Medicaid,SSI,Veternas benefits,and Food stamps protected from
automatic cuts and trying to point out reality of health care reform.

In one email I was forwarded some suposed secret service agents are claiming Obama hates the military(by the way these people are bashing all democratic presidents and have kind words about Republican presidents which alone should tell you something) and that
Michelle Obama hates everybody that Isn't black.Did these people forget Obama's entire mother's side of family are white or mixed?
His half white half Indosian half sister Is married to Chinese Man(Obama has joked his sister looks like Selma hayek back In 2008)

They don't even deal with reality In some of these AntiObama emails.I don't say much anymore to avoid arguements.I have been
asked If I changed my mind about Obama and me saying no doesn't make me popular at family events.

Today I keep hearing about blaming Muslims for problems like violence and denying the Holocaust.Now some are wanting to blame
muslims for anti-Semic actions In the Country.And oc course they claim Obama Is part of that.

Let's be honest because Obama Is black some are willing to believe these crazy things.His father being from Kenya helps fuels these
crazy conspiracy storys of him not being born In hawaii despite the fact at the time In 1961 a birth announcment was In the paper
and both a Republican Governor and attorney general In hawaii have said his birth certifacte Is legit.I don't know how these foreign aid as student come from since he went to collage In the US.That's another BS claim which Is why now they are demanding to see his collage transcripts now that many except hardcore birthers and those willing to believe the claims they are emailed don't take It seriously.

[Aerows]

24. Republicans don't deal in reality, period

They make up their own based upon their fears and whatever they think will bring them gain.

Trying to deal with them rationally is like trying to talk a bully out of hitting you. The only language they understand is might. To them, you either have it or you don't, and if you don't, they intend to take whatever you have.

It's bully mindset. They aren't ashamed of it - they glory in it.

[xmas74]

37. They're bashing all Democratic presidents

and they're from Missouri?

Ask them whatever happened to pride in their state and its native sons and daughters, then send them over to Independence. I live in Missouri and that argument will often shut them up for a bit.

[uponit7771]

5. There should be some boilerplate comments to say about these storys like Obama also has 3rd ar

...arm too or something of the sort to give contrast to people willingness to believe anything about Obama

[csziggy]

12. No - don't tell them about the third eye Obama has in his forehead!

Then they'd really get crazy with what they say about him!

[Mz Pip]

6. Those folks didn't vote for Obama in 2008

and they aren't going to in 2012. They are still going on about the same stuff they did in 2008.

They couldn't convince 69,000,000 people in 2008 that their BS was true.

Missouri went for McCain IIRC in 2008 but not by much.

Obama could lose this election but not because of people who didn't vote for him the first time. He'll lose because people who did vote for him the first time end up staying home.

[Robbins]

19. 2008

nadar may have cost Obama Missouri.His percentage was higher than the amount Mccain won by here.

back In 2008 I was flooded here In Kansas City with calls Including those from missouri conservatives out of state to support Mccain.

Obama's standing In Missouri 1 point lead by PPP and 3 down by RAS says a lot of Romney's weaknesses.

When fall gets here what are people going to do when the choice Is a muslin(according to them) and a Moman which Isn't really
a branch of christinty.Romney's embrace of far right now helps with leaders .

I also hear about how illegal Hispanic Immegrants take away jobs and benefits.Yet many Hispanics come to this country to get a better living.And one of these days i wish some wouldblame those who actully hire the illegals.Plus I hear how Blacks just live off wellfare.People need to also accept the reality there are actully more whites than Blacks on welffare.

Some talk about Obama disrespecting the miltary yet he gets more money from service members now that Ron Paul Is out.Those who are actully In service don't think he disrespts military.

A good showing by Obama In Missouri reguires strong turnout In kansas City and St Louis city and Country.Students coming out In
Columbia and hopefully Romney's moman ties hurting In other areas.

[siligut]

7. It is surreal, I have to check myself to make sure I am not the one being brain-washed

It is beyond me how people cannot see what the teabaggers and mega-church Christian preachers are trying to do to this country. Intelligent, educated people, who are not wealthy, who vote Republican, just astound me.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

8. I don't know about your family

but I think some people are just looking for any excuse to be against Obama. Even if they had witnessed his live birth, they would want to see his birth certificate because it lets them hide the real reason they hate him.

[Skittles]

10. I say it is racism

seriously, what else could explain the sheer stupidity?

[xmas74]

38. It's somewhat racism here

but not all of it. Some of the crap being spread here in Missouri (including the birther crap) is wrapped in a cloak of patriotism. Around the military bases people are eating it all up with a spoon. (I know-I live within a short distance of one.)

That,and a few conservative politicians are attempting to put the blame of the economy on the WH instead of where it belongs. They're blaming the lack of jobs directly on DC and all those in the White House, knowing that at this stage people are looking for anyone to blame.

And in 2008 we were basically abandoned in parts of Missouri towards the end of the campaign, which still upsets people. We were dropped in the more rural areas in order to focus on other states.

[tawadi]

11. 1. Full ignore. 2. Trash can this thread. eom

[obamanut2012]

15. .....

[panader0]

16. Umm.... the OP is talking about his/her relatives, and what we are up against.

Reread it.

[DCBob]

13. RW talk radio.

They are spreading misinformation, exaggeration, and outright lies 7x24. Many believe it because thats all they hear. Its a huge problem that we need to deal with somehow.

[freshwest]

22. The voices are in their heads! And there's fear put there, too, to get it refreshed daily!

[Baitball Blogger]

14. Sounds like we have an in with this group.

If they're in favor of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Veteran Benefits and SSI., then it's just a matter of finding a way to reach them through commercials.

[Dawson Leery]

18. Some of this is racism.

Some of this is the result of right wing hate radio.

[proud2BlibKansan]

20. There is no convincing some people. I refuse to worry about winning them over.

I have a family member who won't vote for Obama, regardless of any conversation I have with him. So it's just pointless.

[Yavin4]

21. Your Family Members Are Racists

If someone doesn't like Obama because they disagree with his policies, then that's fine, but when they harp on the Muslim, Birther, etc., they are flat out racists. They're not happy that an African American is president of the U.S., and they're hiding behind these fantastical stories.

[Robbins]

23. I don't disagree with you

Here In Missouri there Is long history of using the n word when It comes to Blacks.Some are willing to accept these claims.

I am starting to see a parlell with the muslim talk to how the right wing used to use Communists as boogeymen for anyone against them and for all the problems.

My grandfather who died In 2008 who worked his life as truck driver and teamster who 99 percent of the time voted Democratic
would be very upset with the attacks on Unions and would see Romney for what he Is.My grandmother who died In 2011 used
to have saying about some of these antigay stuff as well as other things Republicans want to do saying "It's not right" about antigay
attitudes among other things.We had a family member who was Gay die of Aids so that can affect some attitude on gays.

[quakerboy]

25. I gotta be honest

Anyone who is going to believe the Obama is a Muslim stuff is very likely beyond having a rational conversation and changing their minds based on pertinent facts.

my observation is that most of those for whom that is an issue are evangelical christian. And by a twist of fate, they have been hearing from their preachers for decades about how Mormons are a cult. So if the Obama is a Muslim thing is going to be in a conversation, then so is the Romney is a Mormon thing. Let their own propaganda bite em in the arse.

[Zen Democrat]

26. Racism is the whisperer of lies. Racists didn't vote for Obama in 2004, and won't again.

[demgrrrll]

29. I live in Missouri too. What is your point exactly? Your family is against Obama?

Don't worry. I firmly believe he will win even if your family does not like him and will not vote for him. It is amazing that they are in a dead heat. Look at the Missouri map, a sea of red with the exception of St Louis and K.C. It is amazing that they are tied. He did not win Missouri in 2008. As I recall the race was a little closer than predicted though.

[xmas74]

39. Put a bit more focus on the college campuses in smaller towns

and Obama will win in the more rural areas. In my town the bigger push towards the end of the election was from the McCain camp and little was heard from Obama. Get more of the small town college kids involved in the campaign again and he'll hold up just fine, even in some of the rural areas.

Or play the RW talk radio game and point out how grand the new LDS temple in KC is and how they'll never be allowed to walk in there unless they convert. Make some offhand comments about Rnomey, tax breaks, and Salt Lake City and watch their heads explode. I know I've already heard the comments at work about how "we chased them out once and now they're taking over!"

Maybe it's time to feed into the paranoia.

[Happydayz]

30. Ok, but how is Obama in trouble because of racist who will never vote for him?

Why is it amazing that in Missouri Obama and Mittens are tied in the polls? If anything that is a good sign for Obama, because Obama didn't win Missouri in 08 and its a traditional red state. I would never want to have a debate or conversation about President Obama with anyone(including relatives) that believe in the Muslim, birther and he wants to destroy America racist lies. Obama, isn't in any trouble with these people, because they were never going to vote for him in the first place.

[coalition_unwilling]

42. Absolutely. It means that Romney has not solidified his base. That's the first

cardinal rule of politics, i.e., solidify your base before moving to the center. If Obama is competitive in Missouri, that tells me that Romney has yet to consolidate his base and is having to play defense. Really good news for Obama.

[AverageJoe90]

45. Agreed completely. nt =)

[Moostache]

31. East Kansas is a lost cause...

I live here (for now...at least until I can find gainful employment elsewhere) and I cannot stand it. The majority of people outside of the population centers (St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia) are redneck ignoramuses that are ill informed, proud of it and unwilling to even THINK about who is feeding them lines and at what price.

God help us all if East Kansas is the barometer of the nation now....

[coalition_unwilling]

43. Are you conflating and confusing Kansas and Missouri???? I don't

follow. Kansas has long been a 'lost cause.' If Missouri is still a toss-up this late in the season, it means Romney hasn't sewn up his base yet. Translation: Obama has this in the bag.

[Auntie Bush]

32. All my siblings and their families think just like your family.

Thank God all my children are Democrats.

My right wing brother sends me those emails all the time. I check out Snoops and send him the truth. The last time I proved they were just lies and propaganda they also said Snoops was owned by Soras. That just took the cake. I give up.

[Mojorabbit]

35. I have relatives like that also. I have given up trying to have a rational discussion with them. nt

[tex-wyo-dem]

33. Seems more than a bit...

Contradictory that they say Obama want to raise taxes to pay for social programs (a bad thing to conservaidiots) and in the same breath Obama wants to take away Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, etc (also a bad thing to conservaidiots). WTF do they think these programs are anyway? Some sort of corporate sponsored and funded privatized benefit? Sheesh!!

[coalition_unwilling]

44. Kind of like those signs that say "Keep the government out of

my Medicare!"

[snot]

34. I still can't fathom why Dem pols ignore how allowing media consolidation has harmed them.

[Cali_Democrat]

36. Thank god my family isn't conservative in any way

I don't know how I would handle conservative family members. It must get to be annoying.

[Speck Tater]

40. Public service announcement: There is NO cure for STUPID!

What the Republicans have mastered, but the Democrats have yet to figure out is how to talk to stupid people, because if you don't win over the massively stupid, you've lost the election.

(Hint: You don't win over the massively stupid with logic, reason, Snopes, truth, or reality. The massively stupid don't really care about any of those things.)

[MjolnirTime]

41. Sounds like they're morons.

[yellowcanine]

46. If they are in a dead heat in Missouri that is good for Obama.

Obama lost that state to McCain in 2008. Romney should be up by 10 points at this point, having just clinched the nomination.