We keep hearing about how the Bradley effect may change the outcome of the presidential campaign. Some believe Americans are just a bunch of secret racists. I’m not buying that. Sure, in a country with 300 million people there are racists. There are a lot of “ists” out there. They probably cancel each other out.
What I haven’t heard much about is the effect the P.U.M.A. voters will have on the election. I happen to be related to a few. I don’t know if they call themselves P.U.M.A.’s, but after the coverage of the Democratic primaries they were disgusted. They were angry at Hillary Clinton’s treatment by the media and the Obama campaign. They started watching Fox News and realized that Fox wasn’t so bad after all. They started hearing the other side and found they’d rather hear both sides of an argument or issue. They are voting for John McCain.
I don’t know how many of these voters are out there, but I do know they are motivated to defeat Barack Obama. They don’t agree with John McCain on everything, but neither do many Republicans. They like Sarah Palin. Recently one of the P.U.M.A.’s posted an open letter to Republicans, telling us not to be defeatist. I get their point, many Republicans and conservatives are acting like this race is over.
I wonder, how many P.U.M.A. voters are out there? Are they lying to pollsters? Will they make the difference in this election?
Thankyou,
I would love to see the polls by both camps, but I must say the distortion in this year’s election has already been publicized, and unprecedented.
I have been following IBD/TIPP and comparing it to the trends I see in various states, and I have to say it has internal validity.
The Midwest region, the most critical, shows McCain gaining ground and in recent days there have been only a few points difference. More importantly, unlike the South and West, where the undecideds are 7 to 8 %, the Midwest shows undecideds at approx. 12%. If these represent largely the “hidden” Dems who will vote for McCain by at least 3 to 1, then I think McCain stands a very good chance. This is is why I was asking.
I also read, much to my surprise that early voting in California (of all places) showed a dead heat. Of course Hillary won this state, and if this is any indication of what’s to come, Obama is in a lot of trouble.
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http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=968
Well, here’s one poll that states 18% of Hillary supporters will vote for McCain. Unfortunately the poll cannot address who is willing to state accurately their support. Just like one of the posts above, many Hillary supporters declare support for the Dems to pollsters, so the percentage could be much higher.
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Even the pollsters don’t understand what’s up. Drudge had something up but I didn’t get a chance to look at it. I think people may be surprised on 11/4!
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I voted for Hillary, I have since 1972 for dem. Not this time, I have talked to everyone i know to vote for McCain
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I am proud to see so many Americans put country before party. I could not wait to vote so I voted early. I am an indpendent that leans Republican and I just wanted to say -go get em P.U.M.A s. I am proud to vote along side you.
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If the “PUMA” surge really does result in a BHO defeat on November 4th, I think that all of us out here that vote “Conservative” but hold very very strong liberal views on social issues (personally my wife and I think it’s nobodies business what sex two adults who want to get married are, and we are pro-CHOICE to a fault meaning that we believe that that sort of decision should be solely in the providence of the woman and be her choice, but we don’t endorse the practice we just accept it as something a woman should have the right to CHOOSE if she feels it’s best for her or her family) are going to have to give the DNC a second look (at least once you kick H. Dean out).
We’re pro-gun, pro-free speech, pro-family, pro-business, anti-tax, luke warm on religion and just as scared of the Far Right as we are of the Radical Left. We don’t trust the Government to do anything but build roads, defend the country and we hope they waste as little of our money as possible (but we’re realistic about that and know that a “dollar mindful federal government” is a pipe dream.
We held our noses twice and voted for Bush. He let us down (never met a spending bill he didn’t feel like signing apparently) on some things, but at least the nation didn’t lurch to the left too far.
So if you PUMA’s save us (the Voters) from ourselves on November 4th and send the “One” back to IL so he can heal the planet (or at least clean up the Great Lakes) in his spare time. Then seize control of your party and push them back from the brink of utter insanity. There are a LOT of Moderates out there that will listen to what the DNC has to say. We’ve been waiting for a long time but so far very few of the “major” players in the DNC seem credible on the issues that matter to many of us (taxes being the biggest).
Just our thoughts.
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Thirty plus years straight Arizona Democratic voter PROUDLY mailed in early ballot for McCain-Palin. Sorry, Dumbocrats, you no longer get my votes or my money.
PUMA POWER
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LC – unfortunately, the ideas of the Republican Party are much more radical and call for more drinking of the cool aid than the dems. I am a registered Liberatarian, and until the Republicans get out of the Social Conservative movement, and get back to fiscal conservative and more rights (aka abortion), and keep religion out our our lives, they are fighting an uphill battle.
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another puma, yes i am man, but would not vote for obama under any circumstance. mccain palin all the way
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Jack-are you a single issue voter? Many of us on the right believe (despite our personal or religious beliefs) that issues like abortion should be left up to the states and not the federal government. But, if an infant survives an abortion do you not believe that infant deserves rights? How far do you want to take these “choice” rights? If a mom at 9 mos pregnant becomes depressed do we kill the baby for the sake of the mother?
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I came here earlier to address your question about PUMAs. I am actually more conservative than a liberal, but I have had the opportunity to become a part of a large group of Dems, Repubs, and Independents that share ideas and are motivated to being more active than just a blogging site. We try to post only facts that can be followed up. There are many men and women. Yes, probably more women, but our men are very strong in their advocation of the truth as the rest of us! Many PUMAs have prior military experience, others are small business owners, and there are those of us that work for living in different industries.
Our common goal is to correct what is wrong and to fight for our Nation. If we have to rebuild both parties, than that is what has to be done. This election will not be the end of PUMAs, but a continuation of our goals! Pray for all of us that we can be strong in the days to come, expecially if B. Hussein gets elected.
Thank you for your nice site. God Bless You!!
McCain/Palin08
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TX-Thank you and good night!
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I was a former PUMA (like 70 plus of my fellow Clinton supporting friends), but after Palin’s nomination, most of us changed from not voting or voting for McCain to voting for Obama. She really was the worst pick for McCain–she may have solidified the ultra conservative right wingers in the Republican party (most of whom would never have voted for the most liberal senator anyway) but what her selection also did was to galvanize lots of moderate liberals and pushed them in Obama’s direction. This is reflected in the polls as well–before her pick, only about 1/2 of Clinton’s supporters were going to vote for Obama but now, about 85% of former Clinton supporters are firmly in Obama’s camp. I saw this happening before my eyes in mid to late September.
Palin’s selection pushed moderate Dems and Independents in Obama’s direction. That was a big gift to Obama! Dumb move on McCain’s part to think that women would overlook Palin’s ultra right wing extremist stances and vote for her just because of her chromosomes. Also, after Palin’s display of absolute ignorance and incoherence, I saw lots of independents moving toward Obama. Why didn’t McCain vet her? Now, McCain’s people know that Palin “knows virtually nothing about national and international issues” and that she’s a “whack job,” but where were these perceptive aides when she was chosen?
Too bad for McCain–the pick of Palin has tarnished his reputation forever and doomed his campaign. She’s finished too. He should have stuck to his centrist values and chosen someone like RIdge or Lieberman.
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Myself, my mother and my grandmother, all three of us are former Hillary voters in Arizona. We all sent in early voting ballots for McCain. The MSM is trying to say AZ is now leaning to Obama….not from what I’ve seen!
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Many voters are not researching the candidates enough. Character does count and Obama has a lack of it ! He promised to accept public campaign financing and then he voided that promise.No other presidential candidate in our history has received so much donation money.His associations are scary and he has little experience in foreign policy and probably could not pass an FBI security clearance. Obama promises and his flock drinks the Koolaid ! He does not have presidential stature in my book.
Biden said it best in the primaries ” Barack Obama is not qualified to be president of the US .”
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I’m completely sadden by some of these comments. I really think that if there’s a giant effort to repay the DNC for not nominating Hillary then you will see the end of the DNC. It’s really interesting that Democrats who lie to pollsters about Barry and think that the next time all Democrats will rally around Hillary is wrong. If we suffer through a McCain/Palin administration, we won’t go back to the DNC. I have been voting for 22 years, and I will just throw in the towel. There will be millions. If you don’t want to vote for Obama, vote for McCain; however, lying to pollsters is extremely sickening your overrall cause will be lost in the end.
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I and millions of other Democrats wont’ be afraid to tell pollsters the truth the next time around. The base of the party who have been reliable over the years will simply leave the party. I respect Senator Clinton, and I even admire her even more now, but if all of this is true, I will not vote anymore. The Democrats including Sen. Clinton are going to find it very hard to win without there most reliable voters. They will simply evaporate. Guaranteed!!!
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Another Hillary supporter who is voting McCain/Palin! Even got my yardsign. Still have my Hillary bumpersticker and one that says NOBama just so people don’t forget who my FIRST choice still is.
Country First!!
McCain/Palin
(I haven’t been polled either)
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Just another PUMA here…. now voting McCain/Palin.
In Ohio.
I have voted a straight Dem ticket for 30 years… so I am sure that’s what the pollsters expect of my this year.
I have two sisters breaking ranks as well.
I hope we make a difference.
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I am a pumademocrat from KY!! I am voting for MCain/Palin! Most of my family (a couple are undecided at this time, but I am still working on them) are voting Rebup this election! I come from a Big family! We are all Democrats. Country before Party!! God Bless America!!
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As Murphy says, “PUMAs are the ones nobody was expecting.”
OBAMA can have ACORN stuff the ballot boxes, but they will not come close to PUMAs who will be legally voting for McCain/Palin.
To anyone who thinks Palin is inexperienced, you’re drinking the Obama Koolaid. She not only “talks the talk, she walks the walk.” If Obama doesn’t have his talking points, he’s lost. He is a “front” for the radical left extremists.
I’ve done extensive research into Obama’s background. When I first heard Hillary mention the name Rezko, I thought I’d check him out. What I have found since then is Obama’s relationship with one “shadowy” individual after another.
It’s been documented in the LA Times that Michelle Obama even went to a party thrown by Rashid Khalidi for his daughter’s wedding some month ago. It’s been reported that the Ayers were also in attendance.
Also, Mayor Daley admitted, in a column written by John Kass (Chicago Tribune, 10/11/08) that Obama and Ayers are friends. Daley said to Kass “They’re friends. So what?” So what? So what?
In newspaper reports it was reported that Khalidi supports Obama because “he sympathizes with the Palestinians,” also because “Obama will talk to Iran without pre-conditions.” Although, Iran proclaimed recently they will not talk to the US without their pre-conditions.
There is so much more I have uncovered, but you get my drift.
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Well, I guess all you self-professed former PUMAs who said you voted for or will vote for McCain/Palin belong to the 15% of Hillary supporters who are either voting for McCain/Palin or not voting. Poll after poll starting from mid-September shows a huge tidal wave movement of Hillary’s supporters toward Obama. The latest polls show 85% plus of former Clinton supporters who said they will or have voted for Obama/Biden.
That has been my own experience as well–anecdotal as well as personal. In fact, some of my former Hillary supporting friends have been giving money continuously to the Obama campaign ever since the Palin pick.
The crescendo of support for Obama has picked up lately–ever since the news about how McCain’s own aides are calling Palin a “whack job” and someone who knows “NOTHING ABOUT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES.”
How could he have picked someone like that–it is an insult to the American electorate.
In other words you McCain/Palin PUMAS are CLEARLY IN THE MINORITY!
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I was wrong–latest polls show nearly 90% of former Clinton supporters are now backing Obama, not 85%
http://www.writeslikeshetalks.com/2008/10/10/nearly-9-out-of-10-clinton-supporters-now-support-obama/
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LC – I am not a single issue voter, if I was, as a Libertarian I would be forced to vote for republicans on Fiscal Conservatism. Again, get the wackos out of the Rep party and I would be happy to vote Rep. Ann Coulter and Sarah Palin are not helping the party.
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Jack, then please, vote for Bob Barr. You can’t possibly be a libertarian and vote for Barack “spread the wealth” Obama.
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I’ve voted for the democratic nominee the past four elections. This time around I’ll be voting for McCain/Palin. The left wing of the democratic has an agenda that will be just as destructive as the past eight years under Bush. A McCain presidency will bring partisan gridlock to an end and finally give the American people a government that works.
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I would like to personally thank EACH and EVERY PUMA for their support! Seeing through the Obama “hype” being force fed to us all is of PARAMOUNT importance. I have hope that through this election cycle MANY of us, both on the right and the left can and WILL work for what is good for AMERICA, NOT the power hungry desires of the “fringe” element (that works on both sides of “the aisle”) Again THANK YOU!!
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