Yes, I do actually know several friends or acquaintances off the top of my head who pulled the proverbial lever for him in '08 and are now solidly opposed. The #1 cited reason has typically been "I can't believe I voted for that guy".
Do they have a specific issue, though? Like, maybe they voted for Obama in 2008 because they were super-pissed that we had invaded Iraq for what turned out to be no reason? But now other issues are piling up to counterbalance that?
I really couldn't say, in terms of anecdotal experience, I'd really doubt most people share their opinions on Iraq with me quite as frankly as they would most people, also I generally tune out such conversations or change the subject. It wouldn't surprise me though. People are often single issue in terms of what got them passionate about politics, and just kinda pick up the other party views on an issue, if that snaps they often snap with it, and leave. Others just get ground down in some fashion, it's very individualized.
Basically, I'm trying to think of reasons that would cause an independent or moderate to vote Democrat that have changed in the last 4 years to make them vote Republican.
You're over thinking this, most people who voted for Obama aren't hard blue, especially in the swing states which is pretty much all that matters. Many effectively were voting against Bush, not for Obama or even necessarily against conservatism. If Romney wins, a lot of people who voted for him will have done it to vote against Obama, not out of a deep respect for Romney or a devotion to the GOP platform. There are true blue defectors, and will be this time, but but if Obama loses it will be because hemorrhaged mods and indies, and for a lot of them they vote either off of 1) General pos/neg feeling toward a given candidate, 2) general peer-pressure effect, 3) they are mod but have one or two issues they very aren't mod about, and candidate X was on the right/wrong side. In terms of non-mods who flip sides, it's really all about the individual .
The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.
- Albert Einstein
King of Cairhien 20-7-2
Chancellor of the Landsraad, Archduke of Is'Mod
- Albert Einstein
King of Cairhien 20-7-2
Chancellor of the Landsraad, Archduke of Is'Mod
This message last edited by Isaac on 16/03/2012 at 03:33:56 AM
can *any* republican pose a challenge to obama in november?
14/03/2012 04:06:59 AM
- 1191 Views
Yes, absolutely.....
14/03/2012 04:12:30 AM
- 643 Views
"anybody but obama" is not a winning strategy
14/03/2012 02:28:23 PM
- 619 Views
It can definitely work.....don't compare 2012 to 2004.
14/03/2012 02:44:39 PM
- 490 Views
this is why it will be 2004 all over again if romney is nominated
16/03/2012 02:22:26 PM
- 530 Views
It sure as Hell is, as long as the candidate is moderate
14/03/2012 03:04:10 PM
- 735 Views
Did you vote for Obama in 2008?
14/03/2012 03:47:55 PM
- 489 Views
Yes I did. If Romney is the candidate, I will vote Romney this year. *NM*
14/03/2012 08:39:41 PM
- 334 Views
Strongly qualifying your statement really weakens the "anyone". *NM*
14/03/2012 10:14:45 PM
- 348 Views
The statement "anyone but Obama" can be a rallying cry, but only for the right candidates.
16/03/2012 01:47:48 AM
- 644 Views
somehow i don't see romney having much credibility versus obama
16/03/2012 02:16:32 PM
- 523 Views
Spoken like a true Obama partisan
16/03/2012 04:18:21 PM
- 542 Views
actually, i did not vote for obama in 2008 and i won't this time either
17/03/2012 01:02:09 PM
- 569 Views
Sure, if Israel hits Iran and Obama looks weak.
14/03/2012 04:56:23 AM
- 649 Views
i think iran/israel is probably the biggest issue at the moment
14/03/2012 02:25:29 PM
- 650 Views
I would put serious money on an Israeli attack before the election.
14/03/2012 02:56:55 PM
- 642 Views
I know that I would consider voting for Romney
14/03/2012 01:05:47 PM
- 620 Views
If you will pardon an impertinent question: Why?
14/03/2012 03:26:01 PM
- 595 Views
Because Obama is a complete and utter failure.....
14/03/2012 03:44:14 PM
- 536 Views
Again, I get Republicans voting Anybody but Obama, but not how anyone can be comfortable w/ Romney.
14/03/2012 04:06:14 PM
- 670 Views
Pre-convention only the incumbents favorability ratings matter much
14/03/2012 01:19:04 PM
- 629 Views
obama is not popular, but at least he has the ability to organize a national campaign
14/03/2012 02:18:04 PM
- 574 Views
No, the democratic party does, so does the GOP
14/03/2012 03:16:31 PM
- 648 Views
That's true- despite how divisive the primaries seem, the GOP will unite behind the winner
14/03/2012 03:44:16 PM
- 667 Views
Re: That's true- despite how divisive the primaries seem, the GOP will unite behind the winner
14/03/2012 03:59:25 PM
- 597 Views
Actually, my experience has been a lot of libs mean it when they say they will not for anyone.
14/03/2012 04:19:46 PM
- 459 Views
I don't want to grossly over-generalize but there are distinct trends to party demographics
14/03/2012 06:04:09 PM
- 680 Views
I was thinking no, and here's my rationale:
14/03/2012 03:41:21 PM
- 555 Views
Much as it pains me to agree with trzaska, he is absolutely right in this case.
14/03/2012 04:21:43 PM
- 766 Views
Interesting. So you guys are basically saying I'm right, but it might not matter
14/03/2012 04:53:48 PM
- 625 Views
Yeah, pretty much, and I would even say that is the trend in all Dem vs. Rep elections.
14/03/2012 04:59:30 PM
- 659 Views
Yes and no
14/03/2012 06:23:47 PM
- 752 Views
Conservative cookies nomz. But I think you missed my main point...
14/03/2012 07:02:10 PM
- 601 Views
Conservative cookies nomz. But I think you missed my main point...
14/03/2012 07:09:24 PM
- 518 Views
And the cookies are not a lie... at last night's meeting, we had Thin Mints
15/03/2012 09:51:30 PM
- 633 Views
Yeah, I just meant perception
16/03/2012 02:39:30 AM
- 626 Views
Re: Yeah, I just meant perception
16/03/2012 03:32:07 AM
- 553 Views
One day Republicans and internet trolls alike will learn not to say weird shit to people like me.
15/03/2012 12:30:17 AM
- 704 Views
I like this post.
15/03/2012 08:40:07 PM
- 578 Views
I don't mean to disrespect your seal, but it looks more like a cat. *NM*
15/03/2012 08:52:26 PM
- 221 Views
You've obviously never heard of a kitten seal, Mr. I-Write-An-Animal-Blog. *NM*
15/03/2012 09:38:47 PM
- 338 Views
Maybe it's a leopard seal. That someone put a cat-ear band on. *NM*
15/03/2012 10:07:46 PM
- 235 Views
Does it matter if they do? At this point, does it matter who is president? Probably not.
16/03/2012 02:11:45 AM
- 694 Views