Why people vote for a particular candidate

[fantASTic]

So...there's been a lot of stuff in the news about Clinton and Obama. People are saying that Oprah "betrayed womenkind" because she endorsed Obama; feminists say that voting for Obama means continuing sexism. Do you think it's acceptable to vote for Clinton BECAUSE she's a woman, or for Obama BECAUSE he's black?

[1908Revelations]

Oprah betrayed womankind.....that has me CTFU!! So.....I guess all of the men in America should vote for Obama.

[fantASTic]

It's just weird, because if a woman says she's voting for Hillary because she's a woman, a lot of people think that's showing solidarity for womankind. If someone votes for Obama because he's black, then it's showing loyalty to the community. If someone votes for McCain because he's a white male, then the voter is a racist, sexist pig.

So crazy.

Personally, I've gotten caught up in the Obamania.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

If someone votes for McCain because he's a white male, then the voter is a racist, sexist pig.

Naw, he is just fugly and I couldn't vote for a fugly candidate...

[shinerbock]

I think it depends.

Plenty of people, I'm sure, will vote for Obama SOLELY because he's black, or for Clinton because she's a woman, or for Romney because he's a Mormon.

However, I think others will vote for Obama because he's black and they're black and thus there is a likelihood that they have similar concerns. I think this is more likely in a religious context, especially one that is as close knit as LDS. However, I think it can reasonably apply in gender/race contexts as well, albeit, IMO, less likely.

I'm a white male voting for McCain, but I'd happily vote for Obama or Clinton if I thought they'd be successful leaders who would represent my values and protect the things I care about. I don't, so I'll vote for the old white dude.

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

I think it depends.

Plenty of people, I'm sure, will vote for Obama SOLELY because he's black, or for Clinton because she's a woman, or for Romney because he's a Mormon.

However, I think others will vote for Obama because he's black and they're black and thus there is a likelihood that they have similar concerns. I think this is more likely in a religious context, especially one that is as close knit as LDS. However, I think it can reasonably apply in gender/race contexts as well, albeit, IMO, less likely.

While this is true, you'd think instead of saying "I'm voting for him because he's black", people would say, "I'm voting for him because I support his views on health care / the war / personal freedoms."

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

While this is true, you'd think instead of saying "I'm voting for him because he's black", people would say, "I'm voting for him because I support his views on health care / the war / personal freedoms."

Oh sure, if you're putting it out there, then I believe they're probably voting for him simply because they're of the same race. I'm referring to the overwhelming support among black folks for Obama and Mormons for Romney; the unexplained results and polling numbers. I think it has to be bifurcated somewhat, because those are pretty natural candidates for those respective demographics.

Also, I think another factor is ignorance/apathy, because those who don't know what Barack Obama stands for (paging Susan Sarandon--sorry, had to) probably can't legitimately say "oh, well we're both black and he cares about these black issues that are important to me." Of course, then you get into whether or not they're simply shielding a simple and true response "because he's mormon like me" with alternate support which wouldn't be sufficient for other candidates.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

While this is true, you'd think instead of saying "I'm voting for him because he's black", people would say, "I'm voting for him because I support his views on health care / the war / personal freedoms."

some people are voting for Obama because, he's refreshing, he's clean cut and because...... he speaks so well.....

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

However, I think others will vote for Obama because he's black and they're black and thus there is a likelihood that they have similar concerns. I think this is more likely in a religious context, especially one that is as close knit as LDS. However, I think it can reasonably apply in gender/race contexts as well, albeit, IMO, less likely.

I'm a white male voting for McCain, but I'd happily vote for Obama or Clinton if I thought they'd be successful leaders who would represent my values and protect the things I care about. I don't, so I'll vote for the old white dude.

Are you fugly like McCain is? JUST KIDDING!!!!

I am rather bothered by these "superdelgates"... The term has become popular during this "Election Season"... I am wondering if it will be another "long hot summer" with outside agitators... Like Chicago, 1972...

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

Are you fugly like McCain is? JUST KIDDING!!!!

I am rather bothered by these "superdelgates"... The term has become popular during this "Election Season"... I am wondering if it will be another "long hot summer" with outside agitators... Like Chicago, 1972...

C'mon, if I was THAT ugly I'd vote for Hillary Clinton...

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

So...there's been a lot of stuff in the news about Clinton and Obama. People are saying that Oprah "betrayed womenkind" because she endorsed Obama; feminists say that voting for Obama means continuing sexism. Do you think it's acceptable to vote for Clinton BECAUSE she's a woman, or for Obama BECAUSE he's black?

One can always go suicide voting because they want to see the same ol' BS coming out of Washington

[DGTess]

I'd love to see a woman president - to show that it's not only other countries, with much more immediate (if not more far-reaching) problems, that can do it. I'd love to see one. But NOT this one. This one does NOT stand for a single thing I believe in.

Nor does Mr. Obama.

Both are closer on some issues, but not the issues that I believe will be a priority over the next few years.

Voting for someone because of the genitalia s/he was born with, or the color of his/her skin, is asinine.

Of course, this years' primary caused me to vote for the person I thought would make the least bad Supreme Court nominations. That was all I had to believe in.

Sure would like to vote FOR someone again.

[preciousjeni]

I despise Hillary Clinton. I think she's a horrible human being. That is clouding my vision of her, though I do realize that she and Obama have similar positions.

I prefer all of Obama's positions to hers and I strongly prefer his plans for our foreign policy. However, I am not satisfied with any of the candidates' positions on gay marriage because gay marriage is marriage and should be treated as such.

I'm not a democrat or a republican, but I strongly support Obama. I wouldn't vote for him for his race and I wouldn't vote for Clinton for her gender. I realize that having a democrat in office will cause people in my income bracket to suffer, but I'd rather suffer to provide for less fortunate Americans.

[PhiGam]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

I realize that having a democrat in office will cause people in my income bracket to suffer, but I'd rather suffer to provide for less fortunate Americans.

I like capitalism too much to vote for a Democrat.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by PhiGam

I like capitalism too much to vote for a Democrat.

LOL. Capitalism won't go away. That "universal health care/education" jargon is just jargon.

Or did you mean that you like exploitation and inequality under capitalism too much to vote for a Democrat?

I do not advocate moving too far away from capitalism toward socialism because purely socialist societies haven't worked out that well. I do, however, advocate measures to address the exploitation and inquality under capitalism. We can still have a haves/have nots without this wealthy nation having soooo many people who are struggling to make ends meet.

****

I don't know who I'm voting for yet. Might be a Dem, though. I see nothing wrong with race or gender being the icing on the cake for your vote. As long as you have a cake to put icing on--be able to explain your decision (to yourself) with more than "change and race or gender" rhetoric. Afterall, we are only discrediting race and gender-based decisions now that there aren't only white males to choose from. But that won't stop many whites/white males from voting for a white or white male candidate because it's a safe bet this time around, either.