Who Gets The Troops' Votes?

ABC News:

ABC's Martha Raddatz asked American soldiers in Iraq what issues are most important to them when looking at the presidential candidates.

Though the military is not supposed to engage in partisan political activity, these soldiers spoke out about their personal endorsements, and their opinions are likely to matter. In 2004, 73 percent of the U.S. military voted for a presidential candidate, and officials believe it may be even higher this time around.

PFC Jeremy Slate said he supported Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., because of his stated intention to pull out of Iraq right away.

"That would be nice," Slate said, "I'd like to be home, yea."

SFC Patricia Keller also expressed support for Obama, citing his representation for change.

Spc. Patrick Nicholls from Eggawam, Mass., pointed out that many soldiers on the frontlines frequently think about their families back home.

"We think about how our families are doing back home. That's a major concern, like how the economy is doing, also as well as where we're going to be in the future. Because really, truly, what we consider we're doing, we're doing a valuable job, we want to make sure that the efforts we make are appreciated."

He suggested he was too engaged in Iraq to keep up with politics back home. "I haven't really been following it too much since we've been over here, ma'am," he told Raddatz. "So, don't really know which issues are too important to me right now. ... I don't know who's running, ma'am."

Lt. Leah Wicks said that, tied into concerns about her family's welfare, were concerns about the economy, "where we're going to be in the future."

Read the whole story: ABC News

Comments

[Bystander]

The article reports selected anecdotal conversations with some of the troops. I guess I missed the poll numbers that support the writer's implicit message that many / most of the troops support one or the other Democrat candidate.

[mrdontplay]

The real idiot in this whole thing are those morons over at moveon.org.

Instead of focusing on all of the crimes committed they instead wanted to name call.

Idots.

The sad part of this is that somehow we are supposed to believe that a general alone is in charge of this war?

Who is the POTUS his assistant?

[Grannysue]

How sad that so many will say, the troops want to stay in Iraq and WIN, win what? What they want is to be out of that god forsaken mess and home with their families. it's obvious the Generals want to stay, they want more stars, the troops simply want to stay alive and get home. Unfortunately, the GOP uses the troops for their campaign backdrops and to initate more WARS, the troops are tired overdeployed, under paid and stressed to the max. Yet, when they do come home all they can look forward to thanks to the Bush so called "administration" is high unemployment, housing forclosures, no college money or very little, and PTSD besides broken marriages and kids who don't know them. So, they gave all to their country and their country including John McBush who voted against the new GI bill gave them the finger! And they wonder why recruitment is down.

[NoiseSevere]

I have an uncle in the military that was very conservative before he went over to Iraq. He's now supporting Obama.

Most members of the military that I know are either supporting Obama or Ron Paul.

[BrooklynLager]

Obama and Ron Paul are the number 1 and 2 recipients of campaign money from military members.

[vippy]

But our media is surpressing all that goes against their way of thinking. We call that
the NAZI Era 60 years later.

[riverhouse]

One soldier "leaning toward Hillary" with all the others supporting Obama makes it pretty clear that Hillary's vote to put them there is not endearing to these soldiers. It's clear that the one they most trust to do the right thing for them is Barack Obama.

[A Meat Beetle]

river:

You may be right, but keep in mind that this was simply a conversation with a handful of troops, not a scientific survey that could accurately show trends or give us any idea of feelings among military personnel as a whole. In short, there is nothing "clear" in indicated by this article.

You are 100% correct that Senator Clinton's vote helped put them there (as did votes cast by John Kerry, Jay Rockefeller, Byron Dorgan, Tom Daschle, and Ben Nelson, all Obama supporters, which apparently gives them a pass on answering for THEIR votes), but in the time Senators Clinton and Obama have served together in the Senate their voting records on issues pertaining to the military have been virtually identical. Both have voted time and again to give Bush a blank check with which to fund his war. What actual concrete evidence is there (other than words, which coming from the mouths of career politicians like Clinton and Obama, are worth their weight in air) that things will get better for our troops with Obama in the White House? What is there in his actual Senate voting record that demonstrates a substantial difference between himslef and Clinton? Just asking as someone who doesn't support ANY of the three major candidates (I don't trust them).

None of the Above '08!

[harriscrl3]

Its cause they see the surge is NOT working. They see its NOT a good idea to get in the middle of a civil war between different factions. they see what the BBC poll shows that the Iraqi people want them out. They are NOT welcoming them with flowers. Bush is a LIAR.

Carol

[rmreddicks]

It would be interesting to see a break down of the views as to National Guard, Reservists, and regular forces.

[BrickSykes]

The travesty here is the number of troops who will die before sanity returns to America.

(By the way: That's my old outfit, the 2nd Infantry Division. I was in when they were based at Fort Benning, GA, right before Viet Nam got hot)

Brick

[atila]

Our soldiers are true heroes but they are human beings too,and at this time if we ask them to stay in Iraq they'll do it,but inside their hearts and minds they just want to come back to hug their families an have the chance to see their kids grow......

[MetalCanuck]

This is a fraud, they support Ron Paul by far and he never left the race. Its called media blackout. The Dmes and John MCCain are in the CFR and they are worthless. They will do the same crap that they've always done. The US is bankrupt so don't look for health care and abortion will not matter much to you in another depression I assure you so people better wake up and vote for Ron Paul. McCain still may have a few more skeletons in his closet before the convention.

[riverhouse]

Soldiers of all people live with the reality of the moment. Ron Paul is not a viable candidate and cannot be elected president of the United States. It's absurd to introduce him as a choice for the military men and women who were asked about their preference in a candidate.

[MetalCanuck]

He is viable and the only reason you don't think so is because the media told you that. You have to start thinking for yourself and stop watching tv.

[vippy]

At this point, if we vote for Ron Paul, Hillary will win and we cannot allow that. I, too, would love
to see Ron Paul but the media did a number on him and Kucinich. Those were trying to convince
us they are the candidates for REAL CHANGE.

[MetalCanuck]

But the thing is that Obama and Hillary are the same, they will do the SAME THING. It really doesn't matter. The only things that does matter is that you will choose who you will see on the TV for the next 4 years and I do agree I would rather not deal with Hillary but in the end the same things will continue to happen. Americans really blew it will the opportunity they had in this election.

[Binea]

How about an Obama/Paul ticket ? They agree on the impotant things.Paul would add age and wisdom and Regan dems.. I suspect

[dora rice]

THE TROOPS HAVE 2 THNGS IN MIND. STAYING ALIVE AND BUYING A CAR . THEY CERTAINLY DON'T LIKE LEFTISTS. WHAT THEY REALLY THINK OF MCCAINE IS NOT OFFICIAL. FEW WILL VOTE.

[serialcoma]

As a retired military officer reading your comment I think it's safe to say that you have no idea what our soldiers and sailors want... how could you possibly figure out from your kneeling position under lil' georgie's skirt....

[TiffShelton]

Dora is one of those very nice Hillary supporters that Danbury keeps tell us all about.

Keep an eye on all of her positive posts. They are awesome and a must read. Wink-wink

[TruthBeHeard]

Great remark, serialcoma, and thank you for your service!
I believe that our military will vote in great numbers this year. The question/probem is probably how many of those votes will get counted!

We will never be able to leave iraq without a president with great diplomatic skills who is willing and able to get everyone to the table and negotiate in an intelligent manner, not only the players in Iraq but also the players in the region and in the world.

It seems that there is only one presidential candidate who has those skills and I think that our military recognizes who that candidate is.

Do you have suggestions as to how we could make sure that their votes actually get counted?

Thanks again for your service.

[debwarot]

Unless you yourself are currently serving with our troops in Iraq, you have no idea what they think or feel and for you to state otherwise is ridiculous. It sounds very insulting to them when you say their second conern in life is buiying a car.

I would imagine our troops have a wide array of opinions, just like all of us back here at home. And t, for one, would like to know more about their thoughts.

[riverhouse]

Actually the military does vote in large numbers. The problem is getting the GOP to allow their votes to be counted. I deplore your denigration of the troops to such a simplistic mindset. To say that the military does not have an investment in the future of America beyond the new car models is insulting and ignorant.

[ballewb]

When I was in the Navy, the problem I had with voting was actually getting my absentee ballot.

As far as this article goes, I would like more information about teh numbers of troops spoken to. I just wonder about the truthfulness of an article that includes no mention of a McCain supporter. I'm not saying it could not happen, I would just need more information to actually believe it.

Finally, to dora_rice: As a vet, I find your comments dispicable, insulting, and peurile. However, now as when I was in the military, I defend your right to expression. But do you have to be so rude about it?

[BlackWidowPilot]

Ms. Rice,

from the content of your post alone one must conclude that you are either a relative of Condoleeza Rice, a quack, or a paid "Repedophile" troll.

You remind this independent voter and son of a WW2 US Marine of that old joke about a political candidate who was being heckled at a speech he was giving; someone hissed at him from the audience. Without hesitation the candidate said,

"Only three things hiss; a goose, a snake, or a fool. Please stand up and be recognized!"

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

[Knowbetter]

Sounds like Truman!

[momofsonofwar]

You should join (NOW) and see how it really is over there. I bet my life on it that you would change your mind on that stupid statement of yours.

[trinity]

This was a bit surprising...the military has always been overwhelmingly Republican. No one would ever go one camera and admit you were voting Democrat. It's almost a cultural thing. When I was in boot camp, the CCs made it a habit to bash Clinton/Gore every chance they got, even though he was the CIC (But don't dare say anything bad about Bush). Even if you were not political when you entered boot, you were a Republican when you left. It still very much this way...just go over to a military blog site and say you don't like Republican policies and see what happens...

I think the problem with Iraq is that even if soldiers think that we should leave, they are made to feel like cowards and traitors if they say it. Plus they have the attitude that if we leave, all their friends/family members who have died, have died in vain. They would rather stay in Iraq another 100 years than say that their loved ones died for nothing. That is a very hard pill to swallow.

[Ammobob]

WRONG! No one is 'afraid' to speak their mind. But, their commitment to their buddies may override second thoughts on leaving. Of course, almost every troop will say they wish to be home, wouldn't you? Let's see, 10,000 miles from home, in a desert under austere conditions, missing friends and family, missing shopping at Wally World, maybe being shot at, etc. etc. HELL NO! Let's stay!

[VOTER]

"WRONG! No one is 'afraid' to speak their mind."

Duh! Huh?

When did you serve or have you enlisted?

AirForceVet/Vietnam

[happydayz]

Good points...but wasn't it true a few months back that the 2 candidates consistently who received the most military $$ donations were Obama and Ron Paul? That would indicate to me that maybe our military folks feel freer to vote differently, less orthodox, than in the recent past, perhaps?

[GAArmyWife]

I was going to say that. If you think about it, it makes sense that officers would be Republican since their policies benefit them, but I'm sure a lot of the troops are Democrats.

[EspritDeVoltaire]

In my day the lifers were for Nixon and the draftees didn't care because they didn't believe either party would stop it as Johnson escalated the war.

You're right about the emotional blackmail of "dying for nothing", but sooner or later you have to just suck it up and admit they died for nothing no matter how long it drags on and the sooner it ends, the fewer will have died.

[BlackWidowPilot]

IMHO no soldier who serves honorably as best they could under the circumstances dies in vain.

It is the politicians starting with Chimpy "Mission Accomplished" McFlightsuit who have acted in vain, their bid for oil and empire launched and sustained by over 900+ documented lies about WMDs and spurious claims of connections between al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein. It is they who are damned, not those in uniform forced by their oath and code of honor to carry out those orders.

It takes a brave soul to face the hellfire of battle; it takes an even braver soul to say "No, I won't do this! It is wrong!"

Bring our people home from this bloody debacle in Iraq. Bring them home now.

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

[BlackWidowPilot]

serial,

The gulf separating opinions, education, and pay grades between the commissioned officers and enlisted ranks is very profound and real.

The mindset of a graduate of The Citadel or West Point in their 20th year in the Pentagon trying to get funding for a weapon system that will land him a job after they retire with a defense contractor, versus an 18-year-old kid with a GED from inner-city Brooklyn fresh out of Twenty-Nine Palms patrolling the streets of Falluhja is as vast as the galaxy, and I would hope that you would have the good sense to comprehend this simple fact.

BTW, you just insulted the intelligence of an apparent spouse of a serving member of our Armed Forces. Or did you not read the screen name before you posted?

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

[Ammobob]

The Active Forces will overwhelmingly vote for McCain with the Reserve and Guard forces split between Obama and McCain. It is a matter of commitment and attitude towards the task at hand. Weekend Warriors on the most part long for the 2 weeks a year and the weekend every month and the subsequent extra paycheck without the 'bullet dodging'. Active Forces performing the 'job' day in and day out, training, training, training for just this contingency view the commitment much differently. The nature of the beast........

[GAArmyWife]

I think there is a grain of truth in your generalization, but I think you have to give credit to the Reserve and Guard units who are going on 2, 3, 4th deployments just like the Active Forces. This war is bigger than "Weekend Warrior" distinctions...

[riverhouse]

I don't believe that. The military has a greater appreciation of the melt down of military might and stability caused by the foolish war. The US military is there to protect Americans from harm, not to be the play toy of a madman who sacrifices them and the nation to some whacked out ideology having no relationship to the best interests of the military or the America they serve. The highly experienced top brass in the military have been systematically fired or retired because they disagree with the war in Iraq and the threat of yet another foolish war against Iran. I don't believe the active forces, who have taken the brunt of the disaster into their personal lives, will support another nonsensical warmonger.

[Binea]

According to the FEC reports, these are the total number and amount of military donations for each of the presidential candidates*:

Ron Paul: 1160 $249k
John McCain: 438 $83k
Mike Huckabee: 126 $37k
Mitt Romney: 126 $24k
Barack Obama: 443 $76k
Hillary Clinton: 154 $41k

IF you go strictly by these numbers,and by what the candidates are saying about this war and getting out,it's pretty clear that Obama gets the majority of military votes,should he be the nominee.
Lets assume Clinton and Paul are out of the race both are for getting out of Iraq asap ( though you can't believe hillary) add those donations to Obamas,he gets 366 K...now add all the pro war candidates together and you get 144 K

[jesuswazasocialist]

So what did Ron Paul end up doing with all that money anyway? so is he or did he give it back?

[MetalCanuck]

He is still campaigning with it...he never quite.

[MetalCanuck]

ROn has the most support, this is the media covering it up and giving the wrong impression that he quit. He is still in the Race but at a lower tempo. He is just trying to spread the message and hopefully McCain will be exposed as the fraud candidate he is by the fall because the economy could crash and maybe people will start listening.

[SLone08]

I heard Obama has gotten the most contributions from active milary and vets, second only to Ron Paul. That was about a month ago though...