Americans who can't name 1 Democratic Presidental hopeful are idiots...

[Some Moran]

I'm Canadian and I freepin' know all 9!

[alcuno]

1. Hello Canada. It's likely that they're not idiots, they're Democrats!

One could argue that they're both, but I'd prefer not to. A survey from last summer reported that nearly 70% of Democrats could not name 1 Democratic presidential candidate. I saw a survey the other day that showed that around 50% now know who Howard Dean is.

All we can do from this point forward is improve. I think.

[Pinacacci]

6. My god, I certainly hope there's improvement

In an argument a few months ago with my libertarian/borderline republican mother, I was howling indignantly about this very thing ("How can nobody know who they are?!!!), and she calmly pointed out that the primaries were a long way away.

I am not able to convince her that this adminstration is dangerously scary and we should all be looking at possible replacements for the psychopath in the White House.

[alcuno]

8. Welcome to DU, Pinacacci.

There's hope. As a resident of Florida, my mom voted for *. She's changed her tune. Just ask your mom to keep an open mind and be on the lookout for "Bush fakery" next year before the election.

[Wwagsthedog]

9. Appeal to her libertarian side.

Explain that if she is a true libertarian then she should be anti-war. I have a couple of libertarian neighbors who voted for * in 2000 who are going to vote Dem this time because of the war issue, together with the fact that the idiot and his cronies are bankrupting us. As one neighbor said, "I'm going to hold my nose, gag, close my eyes and vote against my principles but that * has got to go". Hey! A vote for our side by whatever means will help the cause.

[newyawker99]

17. Hi Pinacacci!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[TacticalPeek]

2. The US soldier in Iraq who did the Turning Tables blog

said he once walked around asking troops who was the VP of the US, and about 25% (?) didn't know.

:shrug:

[Faygo Kid]

3. Most Americans can't name Canadian prime minister, either

The ignorance of people about politics, history and the like is something the Karl Roves and Rush Limbaughs of the world pander to. It's Chretien, by the way.

[TexasMexican]

4. Trying to Annex Alaska, eh.

http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/news/city/story.html?id=82172661-2236-499d-bb62-e450b11ba869

:p

[Some Moran]

5. Bushit!

That wasn't the CBC's fault.

[bread_and_roses]

7. I can understand

your dismay, but remember, Americans have less leisure time than the citizens of any other developed country, according to what I read. I am beginning to think also that we are suffering from a form of mass PTSD as a result of the current administration; people just can't cope.

[ClintonTyree]

10. Most Americans.........

are intellectually lazy, uninquizative, and seem to love it that way. They're stick your head in the sand, fingers in your ears "lalalala" people. It's quite evident each and every day I go out the door. The level of stupidity in our country is appalling. These are the same people that vote Republican. They let the Pukes do their thinking for them. All the have to do is listen to Hannity, Rush or O'Reilly everyday and they have what they need to know, or so their pea brained selves think.

[lysergik]

12. Just another case where Ignorance is Bliss. n/t

[Silverhair]

11. Insulting the voters will not win them over.

So here we have another of those threads that insult Joe & Jane Average. Beleive me, come election time, many of those J & Js will be aware that elements of the Democratic Party looks down it's nose at them. It will influence their vote.

And they aren't idiots. They just aren't concerned who the Democratic candidate will be. Usually it is because they aren't a party activist, so they don't have a hand in making that choice. Or maybe their state is so late in the primaries that they won't have a choice as it will be all over by that time. Or they may be Republicans and feel like they don't need to know. Nor is it needful to know all nine as some of them have absolutely no chance whatsoever of getting the nomination. Braun, Sharpton, Kunich, & Lieberman come to mind. They could fold up shop right now.

Anyone who knows all nine names right now is a political junkie, or in the profession, or a reporter.

As the time gets closer, Joe & Jane will start paying more attention.
And they aren't idiots.

[genius]

13. Unforturnately Bustamonte could only name one - Lieberman

I voted for him anyway in the recall.

[OneBlueSky]

14. I don't watch Leno all that often, but . . .

I like to catch his Jaywalking segments whenever I can . . . he takes his camera crew out and asks your average man or woman on the street questions that one would think everyone should know the answer to . . . the rank stupidity that he encounters -- often on college campuses -- is beyond belief . . . I recall one interview with a would-be teacher who Jay asked what countries border the United States . . . "Umm . . . Hawaii . . . and London?" . . . this from a college junior majoring in elementary education . . . like it or not, there's a lot of really stupid and/or uninformed people out there! . . .

[MinnFats]

15. yo, somemoran...ever notice how little Americans know about Canada?

unfortunately i must count myself among them. it's embarrassing...we're practically neighbors.
I do enjoy listening to "As It Happens" from CBC on MPR though.
how is that show considered in Canada?

[elperromagico]

16. Well...

how many people knew the Dem hopefuls in '91? Or the Repuke hopefuls in '99? Or the Dem hopefuls in '75?

Patience, my Canadian friend.

[Scott Lee]

18. Hey, most Americans can't define the Bill of Rights

According to a study done some time ago, when typed up on plain office stationery, mall-goers were asked to endorse the Bill of Rights. Not only did the vast majority of them not recognize them, about one third refused to sign on to them, citing that they sounded too "commie".

Be afraid. Be very, very afraid.

[JI7]

19. but they know all about kobe and scott peterson cases

sadly that's what is considered to be "important news" for many americans.