Official election predictions - Page 8

Snowflake · 11-03-2008, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scaeagles

The only hope McCain voters has is the poll cited by Alex - 2.1% lead with 8.9% undecided.

I've heard people here say if you haven't decided by now you're stupid (this is a condensed version, of course). I disagree. I think waiting until the last minute isn't a bad idea in such an important election. Goodness knows my vote or lack thereof has changed 100 times.

Sceagles, I do not say any undecided voter is stupid. I simply cannot fathom not having a decision made by now. I cannot fathom a person standing at the booth counting eeney-meeney-miney-moe to figure out who they might vote for at this late stage.

Moonliner · 11-03-2008, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scaeagles

The only hope McCain voters has is the poll cited by Alex - 2.1% lead with 8.9% undecided.

I've heard people here say if you haven't decided by now you're stupid (this is a condensed version, of course). I disagree. I think waiting until the last minute isn't a bad idea in such an important election. Goodness knows my vote or lack thereof has changed 100 times.

The commentators on my morning drive today where citing a study that showed something like 80% voters who are still undecided days before an election don't actually vote.

BDBopper · 11-03-2008, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scaeagles

. Goodness knows my vote or lack thereof has changed 100 times.

I feel ya. I've tried to go early voting many times but my dad turned back every time because of the long lines. So I have changed my mind multiple times too.

Alex · 11-03-2008, 11:15 AM

I think there is a difference between being open to a change of mind based on late breaking information and actually being undecided. I chose to support Obama a long time ago, but I'm open to changing my mind if sufficient new information came to light.

If, at this point, one honestly doesn't know whether, in the absence of new information, they'll vote for Obama or McCain then I wouldn't use stupid (though they might be), I'd assume such a person falls into one three groups:

1. They have somehow managed to avoid learning anything substantive about the candidates and therefore do not have the necessary information for making a decision. This isn't stupidity, it is ignorance.

2. They hold personal views so shallowly examined that they do not have any kind of mental framework within which to judge the merits of the candidate positions. This isn't necessarily stupidity, but it is a lack of curiosity about oneself.

3. They do have an idea of how they want to vote, but it is out of step with what they view as their community (church, geographic area, circle of friends, whatever) norm that they can't pull the trigger on committing to it. This could be a closet Obama fan in a deeply Republican house, a resident of the Castro who kind of likes McCain, etc.

Though there is, of course, the group of the "pushover" which may be closest to stupidity. People who always agree with the last person they heard speak.

Kevy Baby · 11-03-2008, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

If, at this point, one honestly doesn't know whether, in the absence of new information, they'll vote for Obama or McCain then I wouldn't use stupid (though they might be), I'd assume such a person falls into one three groups:

Although I may be classified as group 1 (ignorant), I am still not decided for basically two reasons: 1) I HAVEN'T put as much thought/research into as I want and 2) From what I DO know, I do not like either candidate. For example, I do not like Obama's tax plan: saying that it is okay to raise the taxes on the "rich".

It won't come down to a coin toss in the voting booth, but I truly still have not made a final decision (though I do have a preference at this point).

Though, since this is a "Prediction" thread, I stay with the prediction that I made several months ago: that Obama will win.

ETA: I made my prediction on February 5th that it would be McCain vs. Obama with an Obama victory.

BDBopper · 11-03-2008, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

Though, since this is a "Prediction" thread, I stay with the prediction that I made several months ago: that Obama will win.

ETA: I made my prediction on February 5th that it would be McCain vs. Obama with an Obama victory.

Wow. It was very interesting reading that thread in hindsight.

innerSpaceman · 11-03-2008, 12:00 PM

I am still undecided at this point.

I want Barack Obama to be president and I believe he will be. He's sure to win California's rich electoral vote pie, so I'm free to vote for someone else in minor protest ... but I haven't quite decided whether I will bother ... and I suspect the decision will be made in the voting booth tomorrow morning.

Yet I hardly think I've been a disinterested or retarded citizen this election season.

Gemini Cricket · 11-03-2008, 12:08 PM

Tomorrow night. Are we going to post election reactions as the votes come in on this thread or will there be another one created?

Kevy Baby · 11-03-2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

Tomorrow night. Are we going to post election reactions as the votes come in on this thread or will there be another one created?

I am concerned for iSm's health if another election thread is started.

Gemini Cricket · 11-03-2008, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

I am concerned for iSm's health if another election thread is started.

What if each person opens a thread of their own and then posts what they feel there?

j/k

11-03-2008, 11:15 AM	#4
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	I think there is a difference between being open to a change of mind based on late breaking information and actually being undecided. I chose to support Obama a long time ago, but I'm open to changing my mind if sufficient new information came to light. If, at this point, one honestly doesn't know whether, in the absence of new information, they'll vote for Obama or McCain then I wouldn't use stupid (though they might be), I'd assume such a person falls into one three groups: 1. They have somehow managed to avoid learning anything substantive about the candidates and therefore do not have the necessary information for making a decision. This isn't stupidity, it is ignorance. 2. They hold personal views so shallowly examined that they do not have any kind of mental framework within which to judge the merits of the candidate positions. This isn't necessarily stupidity, but it is a lack of curiosity about oneself. 3. They do have an idea of how they want to vote, but it is out of step with what they view as their community (church, geographic area, circle of friends, whatever) norm that they can't pull the trigger on committing to it. This could be a closet Obama fan in a deeply Republican house, a resident of the Castro who kind of likes McCain, etc. Though there is, of course, the group of the "pushover" which may be closest to stupidity. People who always agree with the last person they heard speak.
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11-03-2008, 12:00 PM	#7
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	I am still undecided at this point. I want Barack Obama to be president and I believe he will be. He's sure to win California's rich electoral vote pie, so I'm free to vote for someone else in minor protest ... but I haven't quite decided whether I will bother ... and I suspect the decision will be made in the voting booth tomorrow morning. Yet I hardly think I've been a disinterested or retarded citizen this election season.
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11-03-2008, 12:08 PM	#8
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	Tomorrow night. Are we going to post election reactions as the votes come in on this thread or will there be another one created?
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