Ok, I know, I know its been ages since I last posted in here,so I must beg your forgiveness! Following my last post Asia’h Epperson Departs, here's where we're at with regards to the political front in the US.
Well, John McCain picked Sarah Palin as his running mate and things have been moving along nicely. Here's some of the things that are being said of her:
“She empowers a lot of women,” says Mrs Goral. “I like that she’s a brand new mother, and that she has the courage to stand behind her pregnant daughter. She relates to working women. For all of us who have children at home but have to go to work every day – she has given us a sense that we can still do it and can still be an excellent mum.
“Sarah Palin is a role model. She’s made me more likely to vote Republican.”
It seems white women who voted for John Kerry back in 2004 are now deserting Obama en masse.
Mount Clemens, in the heart of Macomb County, where the pollster Stan Greenberg first identified the phenomenon of the “Reagan Democrats” – the working class, socially conservative, traditionally Democratic whites who deserted the party for Ronald Reagan in 1980. It is fair to say that this critical swing group now has a new name: Palin Democrats.
This area which is 93% white, has one of the highest unemployment and home repossession rates in the country. It will play a major role in determining who wins Michigan in November. A swing state that no Republican has won since 1988 and its where Obama is vulnerable this year. Nearly all voters appear to be still undecided. Disturbing for Obama was how many people who were leaning towards him now lean away since Sarah Palin entered the race.
It lends weight to a poll last week that showed white women leaning away from Obama and toward Mr McCain, since Sarah Palin’s arrival on the national scene.
Stephanie Parker, 23 - a single mother in Mount Clemens’s Main Street – voted for Kerry and was drawn to Mr Obama. “Palin’s made a big difference. I think she’ll do us great. She’d be awesome. What she stands for is fantastic.” What does she stand for? “I couldn’t tell really. But I love her.”
Jennifer Zvara, 22, a single mother who voted for Kerry said: “I’m undecided but leaning more towards McCain because of Sarah Palin. It’s a women thing. She’s just a very powerful lady. She’s one of us. This race is about the running mates – it’s not about Obama anymore.”
Obama’s aides argue that Sarah Palin’s conservatism and her opposition to abortion even in cases of rape and incest will alienate most white women. And what about those Sarah Palin Thongs? Yet all here said while they were concerned about those views, they were willing to overlook them.
In recent presidential races, poltical pollsters strive to name the voter swing group they believe will drcide the election. White women are considered pivotal in close elections. In 1996, Bill Clinton targeted “soccer mums” assiduously. In 2004, “security mums” helped President Bush getn re-elected. Now, the group most closely watched by pollsters has been named the “Wal-Mart moms”! White everywoman who juggle work and children wanting a Democrat in the White House but not yet sold on Obama. In Sarah Palin, they have sudenly found a soulmate on a presidential ticket.
Tammy Pore, 31, said she'd decided to vote for Obama and had backed Mr Kerry 4 years ago. Now, she is “extremely undecided” but leaning toward Mr McCain. “I think Sarah Palin is a great choice. And there are some of us who have certain worries about Obama’s faith. I wouldn’t say he’s not a Christian – but maybe he just has a diferent belief.”
Another young mother, who did not want to be named, said: “I’m a Republican. But I would have voted for Obama if he’s picked Hillary. We really want a woman in the White House.”
Debbie Perfilly, 49, said: “I’m really undecided. I’m flip-flopping. I’m going back and forth. But Sarah Palin, yes, she’s made a difference. She’s young, female and strong.”
Last month, before Sarah Palin was picked by McCain, Mr Greenberg returned to Macomb County. He conducted 6 focus groups.
“Barack Obama has yet to close the deal with many white, working-class voters who normally vote Democratic,” Mr Greenberg concluded. Macomb’s Reagan Democrats, he added, are “refusing to dimiss their worst fears - that he does not love America or even might harbor a secret agenda.”
Sarah Palin is giving them all the more reason to reject Obama.
So there you have it folks, some political murmurings amongst the celebrity gossip of the here and now!
Celebrity Gossip
Friday, September 12, 2008
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