I had a throw-back to my long ago teenage years.

[TomSlick]

My ninety-three year old father survived the Depression in the rural Arkansas household of a widow with eight children. He has always only voted Democrat.

He asked at Sunday lunch who I was supporting in the Democratic primary. I allowed that I remained undecided. He replied that he was supporting "the Mayor." Surprised, I said "Buttigieg?" He snorted and said, "No, the Mayor of New York!" I suggested that Bloomberg was only a sometimes Democrat. To which my father replied "Well, at least he ain't a (improper word for gay men deleted).

Suddenly, I was a teenager forty-plus years ago arguing politics with my too socially conservative father. Before I could stop myself, I told him his homophobia (a term I had to define) was sinful and ignorant. (I ought not have snapped at a ninety-three year old man who is slow to overcome his "raising." Despite his raising, my father has never tolerated racism or racists. However, he can't quite get over the homophobia.)

I'm having to fight committing to Mayor Buttigieg just to spite the old-man.

[leftieNanner]

1. My Dad probably would have had the same reaction

Perhaps not the same terminology. He would be 107 if he had lived (died at 94).

I think Mayor Pete has been a great addition to this primary season, but I believe that there are a lot of voters out there who have the same attitude that your Dad does. Sad but likely true. I hope some day that a person's sexuality or gender identity or any of that personal business won't matter in our elections. I just don't think we are there yet.

Just MHO.

[Mr.Bill]

5. I agree.

Sadly I think we are way underestimating the percentage of people, even Democrats who will not vote for a gay candidate.

I can only imagine what Trump will call him in a debate scenario.

[democrattotheend]

6. A lot of people said that in 2008 about the idea of a black president

And there are some who say it now about a woman president too. These concerns are not illegitimate but screening out candidates based on diversity is not who we are as a party. I haven't decided who I am voting for yet (I probably won't get much choice by the time my state votes anyway), but I refuse to not vote for someone because they are gay, or female, or old, or Jewish, or Asian, or any other diverse characteristic that may cause some people not to vote for them. Most of those people will vote for Trump anyway.

[TomSlick]

7. I fear you are correct but it rankles.

I keep telling myself that being rankled is a poor basis for a decision.

[bluewater]

2. In many ways, we are all products of our formative years.

People try to be their best, but society leaves a deep impression on us and sometimes it's hard for us to overcome that.

Both you and your dad sound like decent people from here. Maybe he will come around more yet, you never know.

Thanks for sharing.

[blm]

3. Yikes

[George II]

4. Sounds like one member of my family. But I still love him! I remember talking to my mother...

...in 2008. At the time she was 91 (she lived to 94), but her medical issue was advancing dementia.

First, I should point out that my parents were "progressives" years before that term was even used to describe Democrats. Staunch Democrats who fought for progressive issues as early as the 1950s/1960s.

Anyway, were were talking, and she asked me who I was voting for. I told her Barack Obama. She looked at me like I was crazy, and said, not kidding, "I can't vote for a black man for President." I was floored and shocked!!! Then I realized that she wasn't all there. Thankfully my sister filled out her absentee ballot (Obama) and sent it in.

Sorry I took this off track, but your story reminded me of that.