The "silent majority" scares me

[mathwhiz]

I remember the Friday night before Pennsylvania when Obama got that ungodly sized crowd in downtown Philly. What was it 35,000, 45,000? His internals were showing a 2 point race and he was optimistic to the media saying the race would be a lot closer than people think.

Then the "silent majority" spoke.

[pnwmom]

1. Do you know what "silent majority" originally referred to?

Dead people.

I know this from an obit about 100 years ago. One of our relatives joined the silent majority.

I'm not concerned about the "silent majority" by either definition -- I'm more concerned about voter fraud.

[patrice]

2. me too!

They are the type of people who won't interact with others on political issues, even if you happened to knock on their door, or talk to them on a phone bank. They also won't do due diligence on their own responsibilities to studdy the issues and make a decision. They're passive. And when it comes time to vote, the sum and total of their "thinking" will be whatever they've heard from whatever corporate media outlet they find most comfortable and/or entertaining.

[southerncrone]

3. They scare me, too....

Because they are silent mainly because they are too ignorant to speak knowledgeably about ANYTHING. True lemmings following anyone with a shiny object into the sea.....

[TwilightGardener]

4. Yep--the actual primary results were often a slap in the face compared

to the state polls. I'd think to myself, WTF? Who ARE these people? Were they lying to the pollsters? Do they just head down to the voting booth and play eenie-meenie-miney-moe with the levers?

[KharmaTrain]

5. Engage...Don't Fear

Fear makes you weak, makes you avoid making hard decisions or taking tough stands. Fear is what repugnicans hope Democrats feel...makes it so much easier to intimidate them. Sorry, no fear on this end.

We see the "silent majority" in the polls...the right track/wrong track and their opinions on a majority of important issues...health care, Iraq, education...almost every one shows Democrats are the majority and always a vindication for me when I go out and talk with people when I canvass or phone bank. Avoid and fear at your own peril...it gives your opposition a clear shot...and again a reason Democrats got themselves into such a hole we are starting to work our way out of.

BTW...Obama won Philly quite handily and crowds are not voters. It's nice to see 'em, but this isn't a popularity contest and many are paying attention to slightly more important things right now...like keeping a job, feeding a family, staving off the debt collector...the election is a long way away.

I've long believed that most voters don't really engage in an election until the final 10 days and then they do a gut check. On election day, they'll check their pocketbook or personal situation and that's how they'll vote. If things are good...then things like abortion or flag waiving or gay marriage becomes an issue (a luxuary), but when things are bad, it brings out the need for a change...and, assuming the economy stays a prime issue, this bodes very poorly for the GOOP.

I refuse to fear...the truth sets you free.

Cheers...