It's amazing what people base their votes on!

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

A friend called me this morning with something she wanted to tell me.

"I'm sorry," she said, "but I'm voting for Kerry and Edwards."

I asked her why she's sorry. "Well," she said, "you know I always vote Republican, but..."

She trailed off. I said I didn't know she ALWAYS voted Republican but I knew she voted for bush in 2000. I asked her what made her change her mind.

She said she's been reading the newest issues of Time and Newsweek. Then she said, "There are all these just ADORABLE pictures of them in there. Kerry leading his wife out onto a stage, Kerry leaning against his wife's back for a nap, Kerry playing around with the Edwards' kids and I LOVE Elizabeth Edwards more than I can possibly say."

I was officially gobsmacked. Very happy she has decided to vote Kerry/Edwards, but based on adorable photographs? I pressed further.

She said, "You know, I don't really see too many pictures of bush with his family. And almost none of Cheney with his. And even when you do, they look.......posed. Not real. But Kerry and Edwards and their families seemed very real to me. Just like normal families who love each other."

Wow.

Just wow, nothing else to say. I told her I agreed and we went on to other topics.

Isn't it amazing?

P.S. She's not a very political person and doesn't keep up much with "the issues".

[OSheaman]

1. Unfortunately . . .

this is the decision many people make when it comes to deciding for whom to vote. It's depressing.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

2. I found it rather scary

I mean I am glad she is voting for Kerry, totally glad. And she admitted she's working on getting her husband to vote for them, too. He usually just votes the way she does.

But based on some cutie-patootie pictures? If that's what works, get a bigger corps of photographers around those people and snap away! Especially little Jack and Emma Claire!

[tom_paine]

5. It IS scary.

One wonders if the Amerikan People have the starch and the will and the critical thinking to even appreciate freedom, let alone have the fortitutde to take it back from the thugs who stole it.

[emulatorloo]

6. That is scary! But what the heck, send her some

pictures of the drunken twins to seal the deal.

[lukasahero]

7. Not necessarily

Pictures are worth a thousand words, right? Well, if * is going to play the "values" card then show us the pictures! We've got ours and they're turning heads.

I know it seems frivolous but maybe she really did think that these are real families who might understand her life because she finally saw the pictures. That's not a bad thing in my opinion. (Besides - I'm all for whatever works! ;) )

[trotsky]

13. I'm with you.

I don't think this is a bad thing. Politics confuses a lot of people. They vote for the candidate they "like" better. In 2000, that worked against us because of the old who-would-you-rather-have-a-beer-with stupidity.

In 2004 it's our advantage. People know that * is an arrogant my-way-or-the-highway asshole, and when they see pics of Kerry and especially Edwards with their families, it really contrasts well.

Let's take votes wherever we can get them, shall we?

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. Well, score one for us. I guess. *lol*

At least the Kerry/Edwards marketers will be happy to hear their plan is working.

It's too darn bad Dennis K doesn't have an adorable family too. Might have boosted him a bit.

[calico1]

4. Although I am glad she is voting for our side

it really amazes and disturbs me to think what people base their voting on. The whole country could go down the toilet but if they they could picture one candidate more at their backyard barbecue more than the other, if one candidate just has a "look" they don't like...whatever, that makes up their minds. The issues don't matter to them. Intellectually, our country is sinking fast.....

[arcane1]

8. Roger Ebert described this phenomenon perfectly:

"This isn't choosing a president, it's casting the lead in a sitcom about the presidency"

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

10. I know, exactly

she's come a long way. She used to be a rabid, foaming at the mouth boosh supporter, but apparently the war and the economy (she was laid off after 20 years with her employer and they treated her and her peers like crap in the layoff, too and now she has a lousy job with far less pay) has done a number on her. She pays enough attention to know a war is on, it isn't going well and the economy isn't good. And she's experienced the bad economy first hand.

I guess all that PLUS cutie-patootie pictures (that phrase was hers, by the way) is enough to make her say "OK you know what? I'm voting for the cuter, warmer looking, more photogenic people who don't scowl and smirk all the time."

Whatevah works. But still sad.

[mdmc]

9. most people don't care enough to vote

and then some care enough to vote, but really don't care.

A buddy told me he would only vote for Bill Bradly (the NJ Net star and NJ Senator). He was a republican "cause he wanted to be rich, and the GOP look out for the rich". Silly! I'm glad he doesn't vote.

I take about 15 non political friends to vote. They hate it.

[napi21]

11. My DIL said she won't vote for Kerry because he looks like

Jay Leno! Now, she does support Bush, but of all the stupid reasons not to vote for someone!!!

It really is mindboggling when you hear some reasons why some vote as they do.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

12. Geez

just show her the latest copies of Newsweek and Time. If it'll work on my formerly foaming at the mouth bush supporter friend, it'll probably work on your daughter in law!!!