In a smoke-filled bowling alley in Wyoming, Michigan, Laura Burns unofficially acts as the Wednesday women's league spokesperson: "I'm leaning toward McCain," she says. "But I'm leaning toward the old McCain."
In the wake of news that General Motors will shutdown its metal stamping plant here and leave close to 1,500 workers unemployed, Burns' comment is especially revealing: voters in traditionally Republican Wyoming continue to favor McCain, if not enthusiastically.
The plant closing dropped like a bomb last week, and as Karen Pennock of Wyoming says, there's still plenty of time for the dire economy to influence the polls. "I think it's gonna affect a lot," she said. Pennock, a Democrat, had previously supported McCain, especially after the Palin pick.
"I was all for Sarah Palin because she's got everything I think that people can relate to," Pennock said, "but John McCain hasn't really put anything forward." Meanwhile, she says, "We're losing the middle class."
Although the majority the women I spoke with are supporting McCain, their reluctance and -- above all -- dissatisfaction is unmistakable.
"People are angry and they want a change," said Burns. "Overall, I just think people are angry."
The anger in the room was palpable, and directed at both parties.
"Not one person can get you in this much trouble," said one woman, who asked not to be named. "This took a whole mess of people."
I asked her bowling team what they thought of Sarah Palin. The response was mostly enthusiastic, but one of the woman's face had ballooned, her lips tightly pursed, eyes wide, as if holding an explosive secret.
"No comment?" I asked.
"No comment," she said, exhaling sharply. She shook her head and laughed, but it was obvious she had more to say.
"Really, no comment?" I asked. "Really?"
She threw a hand down on the table. "I think she'd make a good friend," she said, nodding sarcastically. The table erupted in laughter. "She could come bowling with us."
"Throw one back," exclaimed another.
Not everyone was laughing, though.
"I don't think you want to hear what I have to say," another woman told me. She didn't respond well to a second try.
"No," she said forcefully, "I mean it."
Does she not get that it has been the policy of the Republicans to dismantle the unions, give everything to the corporations on the belief of trickle down economics, well I would like to as her how that has worked out for her?
The person in charge of the US needs to be smarter than me--a lot smarter than me! How many people voted for George Bush thinking he was a good guy? Who wanted to have a beer with him? I recall many people voting on the grounds of his personality rather than his smarts! What a mistake that was.
George Bush doesn't know what it is like to make the paycheck last to the end of the month. Yes, I know this isn't about Bush, but I would hate to see anything "Good Guy" get into office because someone wants to have a beer with them. I am frightened for this country!
I quess it takes some people a longer time to realized things. They have all been brainwashed.
I left in 1975, entered the military, and upon my discharge settled in Arizona and rarely went back. Over the past decade have I made 3 trips back and it's sad. The gloom seems everywhere big citie's and the country side. A generation of workers who devoted their lives to an iconic company and now find their hopes dashed.
My mother is one who worked at GM for over 30 years and never called in for a sick day. She wasn't a union member she worked in administration. After retirement she moved to Arizona and every year like clockwork she'd receive a benefits pkg reducing benefits. This last pkg gave her a slight raise and told her GM would no longer be involved with her medical benefits - she was on her own - as her health was crumbling at 78 years old, the company she devoted her life to turned their back on her.
Something should be done to aid this state in their dispair. If we can bailout Wall Street and the million dollar a year people we should have something, some kind of plan for a state that had so much to do with middle class development throughout
I hope your mother finds a way to have peace and health.
Good Luck
The anger in the room was palpable, and directed at both parties."
Pathetic bunch of losers. This is the "real America" we're supposed to worship and emulate?? They're being lowered in a coffin and still can't vote their way out of a paper bag!
Inquiring minds want to know.
The Dem party believes "a rising tide lifts all boats"
Pay attention the next time you witness these natural events.
To see the Rep theory at work: Stand in the rain and see how long it takes raindrops to fill your bucket.
To see the Dem theory at work: Stand at the seashore as the tide is coming in and see how long it takes for your bucket to float higher.
Now all we need is a lot of Dem voters to bring in the tide!
And then there are those who, although they can't bring themselves to vote for a Democrat (especially a black Democrat), will find that they can't vote for the Republicans either. And I suspect that most of these will simply stay home due to a lack of enthusiasm for either ticket.
Eh, but what do I know!
Just remember what Barack said when his crowd was booing McCain: "Now, now, we don't need that. We need you to go out and vote!"
JFK