Patriarch of the Unfathomably Conservative wing of my family announced his Presidential preference.

[Buzz Clik]

So off we went this weekend for Conservative Christmas, Part I. This branch of the family is almost strictly blue collar, hard core Republicans. Not a Democrat in the bunch, even among the younger college-aged kids. They're a great bunch of people who are hard working, good parents, and big on family traditions. And whenever we get together, the discussion always turns to politics. I chime in only occasionally, such as when somebody suggested Bruce Springsteen was a socialist. ("He's a pretty decent capitalist for a socialist." "Okay -- he's a hypocrite." I let that one slide...)

Anyway, it's all done with great respect toward one another.

This morning, The Old Man and I started talking about the GOP candidates. I asked him if he liked any of that crowd, fully expecting to be disappointed. To my amazement he told me he could only vote for John McCain. I said, "You've got to be kidding me! When McCain was running against Bush in 2000 you hated him." He replide, "It's a different environment, and McCain's the only one who isn't an idiot, a liar, or a fool." Wow. He surprised every member of the family listening.

As the morning progressed, The Old Man also tossed out another bomb: "Abortion is not a political issue, it is a social issue. Roe v Wade should stand, and the states should never be allowed to touch it. I don't necessarily favor abortion, but it should be a decision between a woman and her doctor. Late term abortions, however, should never be allowed unless the life of the mother is threatened." I damn near died. Every person in the room agreed. I started breathing into a paper sack. We bickered briefly about some issues like notification, parental approval, etc, but the bottom line never changed.

Holy crapoli.


Oh. And now the big kicker: The Old Man also said that he feels that the country is dangerously divided. It must come together very soon, or we risk it all. As such, he announced that if McCain doesn't get the GOP nod but Obama is the Dem nominee, he'd vote for Obama. :wow:

[JohnnyLib2]

1. Maybe there IS hope for mankind!

Recommended, with the hope that we hear more such stories across the holidays. :kick:

[MannyGoldstein]

2. The Flight From Phoniness

I think we'll see McCain vs. Obama precisely because Americans - like your Old Man - have had it with liars and phonies. We've had more than 25 years of liars and phonies in the Whitehouse, and it's been a catastrophe.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

3. It is a different world we live in

Going to be an interesting year.

The old Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times" comes to mind. Frankly, I don't need it but I seem to have no choice.

[Bonhomme Richard]

4. Yeah but when conservatives say come together they mean....

agree with them.
That's why they are conservatives.

[Buzz Clik]

5. No. Not in this case.

Two summers ago, The Old Man and I stayed home for an hour or so while the rest of the family went out to do something. We talked about the war in Iraq, how he felt Iran was the real threat, and other mundane crap. I disagreed with him on everything, and he was really upset. He mentioned that I should get behind the war because we had a marine over there right then, and by God, it's only right. It was a tough, tough moment as I tried to explain how being opposed to the war while unflinchingly supporting the soldiers is quite possible. I was rewarded with a glare.

So, no, today was a very special moment. I really hope the he marks a shift in the tide as we seek to mend the divides.

[Snarkoleptic]

6. I had a similar moment with my father.

We had a wide-ranging conversation at the end of which he said (of *) 'He's not my President'.
I was a very interesting moment and, for good or ill, my wife took it to the logical conclusion by saying 'Maybe, but you voted for him.'.

[Buzz Clik]

7. I'm finding that more and more Republicans have grown weary of defending Bush.

They are eager to move on.

[quiet.american]

8. The minute I read your headline, I knew it would be Obama. :)

Die-hard Republicans overwhelmingly seem willing to vote for him in a heartbeat. I don't know if that's good or bad. :)

[madrchsod]

9. in my republican neck of the woods more people voted for

obama than kerry. there must have been republicans that voted for obama over keyes or they did`t vote at all. moderate republicans who would vote for big mac may not vote for any other republican.

[Cleita]

10. Well....hmmm....maybe some progress except for,

"...McCain's the only one who isn't an idiot, a liar, or a fool". Damn he's all those things IMHO!

[Buzz Clik]

11. Well, he's still in the process of elimination, and he doesn't want to get to zero.

Can't blame him.

[liberalla]

12. I enjoyed that! Thanks for sharing!

I expect there will be a lot MORE of stories like this in the coming year.