Any advice on helping redneck relatives with this year's election?

[fatherofcaitlyn]

My father-in-law and I were picking up a new water heater for my house and politics came up.

I mentioned John McCain's stance on the First Amendment via the McCain-Feingold amendment and starting a third war with Iran while bankrupting the US on its second war with Iran.

I mentioned Obama is a big government liberal who wants nationalized healthcare, reduced military entanglements in the Middle East and won't re-up Bush's tax cuts.

His response: Obama is a Muslim, Muslim sympathizer and won't swear in on the Bible.

Ugh!

Thoughts on elevating the argument with him other than:

1. Obama has been part of a Christian church for 20 years. (My father-in-law hasn't stepped foot on holy ground except for weddings and funerals in the 9 years I've known him.

2. Not wanting to nuke an area does not equate to sympathizing with its inhabitants who have no real ill will towards you.

3. The US isn't a theocracy that requires people to swear in on a Bible. A person could swear in on the Koran, the month's issue of Hustler or Dick Cheney's left nut.

Thanks in advance.

[pittpizza]

Don't let him vote!

And this did not need it's own topic, you could have posted it in the Obama v. Mccain thread.

[ElwoodCuse]

Obama is a Muslim, Muslim sympathizer and won't swear in on the Bible

People that are dumb enough to believe this kind of stuff usually can't handle concepts like logic and reason and facts, and no amount of them will change their minds.

[mykevermin]

If you can't change his mind with the facts of the world we live in, in early November, offer to take him to the polls - and then remind him it's on Wednesday morning. ;)

[JolietJake]

People like that can't be reasoned with. The reason being, that reason means nothing to them.

[Tybee]

Dealing with the same ignorance with my in-laws, all rural southern evangelicals. I respect their adherence to their values, but not to the point that I'll tolerate blatant ignorance about Obama being part of a "Muslim sleeper cell," secretly hating America and hoping to bring it down from the top, etc. That's mostly my sister-in-law, who didn't go to college (barely graduated H.S.) and has never held a job outside of raising her three kids. Most of what she spouts comes directly from her pastor. Of course, her favorite pastime is gossip, so it doesn't surprise me that that extends to politics.

The rest of the family is more phlegmatic on the subject, and won't get drawn into a debate, but is of a similar political persuasion. And they hate McCain about as much as they hate Hillary and fear Obama, so there is really no horse for them in the race. Huckabee was their last hope. I suspect there are a lot of evangelicals out there like them, people who will either figure out a way to overcome their aversion to McCain, by some miracle find things to like about Obama (as some more moderate Republicans have), or, most likely, just stay home come November.

Thankfully, my wife and parents are capable of intelligent political discourse. My dad's a Republican, and we've long had disagreements politically, but we've always been able to talk about them in a rational and respectful way and often find common ground, especially on social issues.

[Sarang01]

Dealing with the same ignorance with my in-laws, all rural southern evangelicals. I respect their adherence to their values, but not to the point that I'll tolerate blatant ignorance about Obama being part of a "Muslim sleeper cell," secretly hating America and hoping to bring it down from the top, etc. That's mostly my sister-in-law, who didn't go to college (barely graduated H.S.) and has never held a job outside of raising her three kids. Most of what she spouts comes directly from her pastor. Of course, her favorite pastime is gossip, so it doesn't surprise me that that extends to politics.

The rest of the family is more phlegmatic on the subject, and won't get drawn into a debate, but is of a similar political persuasion. And they hate McCain about as much as they hate Hillary and fear Obama, so there is really no horse for them in the race. Huckabee was their last hope. I suspect there are a lot of evangelicals out there like them, people who will either figure out a way to overcome their aversion to McCain, by some miracle find things to like about Obama (as some more moderate Republicans have), or, most likely, just stay home come November.

Thankfully, my wife and parents are capable of intelligent political discourse. My dad's a Republican, and we've long had disagreements politically, but we've always been able to talk about them in a rational and respectful way and often find common ground, especially on social issues.

I'm an Old School Libertarian in my family so I'm more the odd man out considering my parents are Democrats.
As far as I'm concerned I consider VERY little different between all 3 candidates so I feel little guilt voting for Ron Paul. I almost hope Hillary loses Ohio and Texas then wins the primary via Superdelegates, i.e. the primary being decided behind closed doors. I think with that happening the Dems may be fractured enough to vote for Paul and Nader. Hopefully I could get a slew to vote for Paul. Maybe seeing enough people going for Paul the old Republicans would vote for him instead of McCain.
I would like to see the Moderates follow suit but I don't know what would happen.
edit: Even if Hillary really wins the primary via states she CAN'T win the Presidency. If she does it's because she cheated PERIOD.

[VanillaGorilla]

"no real ill will towards you"

Iran has no ill will towards the US? What color is the sky in this world you live in?

[Dead of Knight]

Obama is a Muslim, Muslim sympathizer and won't swear in on the Bible

People that are dumb enough to believe this kind of stuff usually can't handle concepts like logic and reason and facts, and no amount of them will change their minds.

Sadly, this. Just make sure he doesn't vote.

[pittpizza]

"no real ill will towards you"

Iran has no ill will towards the US? What color is the sky in this world you live in?

No, most of em don't.

Even the ones that do probably have a good reason; probably some blowback from stupid shit we did over there, decades ago or days ago.

[E-Z-B]

Your father-in-law sounds like a typical Republican, OP. If he needs help, then they all need help.

[Ikohn4ever]

tell them to get there bright and early on Nov 5th to be the first to cast their ballots

[ElwoodCuse]

"no real ill will towards you"

Iran has no ill will towards the US? What color is the sky in this world you live in?

Sound and fury signifying nothing

All hat no cattle

Talk the talk can't walk the walk

etc.


Iran and its government can go on and on about the Great Satan, it's the buzzing of flies.

Is this what we've come to? Not that long ago ill will was "in 15 minutes your whole country could be wiped out."

[fatherofcaitlyn]

"no real ill will towards you"

Iran has no ill will towards the US? What color is the sky in this world you live in?

Leadership, yes. People (great unwashed masses), no.

Blue.

[Tybee]

I'm an Old School Libertarian in my family so I'm more the odd man out considering my parents are Democrats.
As far as I'm concerned I consider VERY little different between all 3 candidates so I feel little guilt voting for Ron Paul. I almost hope Hillary loses Ohio and Texas then wins the primary via Superdelegates, i.e. the primary being decided behind closed doors. I think with that happening the Dems may be fractured enough to vote for Paul and Nader. Hopefully I could get a slew to vote for Paul. Maybe seeing enough people going for Paul the old Republicans would vote for him instead of McCain.
I would like to see the Moderates follow suit but I don't know what would happen.
edit: Even if Hillary really wins the primary via states she CAN'T win the Presidency. If she does it's because she cheated PERIOD.

I voted for Nader in 2000 and have regretted it ever since (not that it made a lick of difference in Georgia, where Bush won by a landslide).

I respect your determination to vote outside the two party system, but I frankly have zero respect for Nader and Paul at this point.

[speedracer]

The man is your father-in-law. Don't even think about trying. College buddies, yea, but not someone you're tied to for eternity. Anyone that honestly believes that Obama is a secret Muslim (as if that's a bad thing...?) cannot be reasoned with in a positive way. I know it sucks, one side of my family is the same way.

Cut your losses.

[RAMSTORIA]

youre all fools! obama is a closet muslim, i have proof!!!!!!!11

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/7996/oaif9.jpg

[Mike23]

I've frequently been a canvasser for Canadian political campaigns, and what I've found most effective is polite conversation and genuine sincerity. When people disagree, a polite question on why they do and then promoting how your candidate excels in that area is the best way to get them across.

That's not to say they will; many people are completely set in their ways. But they will appreciate the sincerity of your work and willingness to listen, and in many ways become more open to your candidate.

[level1online]

For dumb asses:
Tell'em McCain-Fiengold had a secret clause to cancel Nascar.

For the evangelicals:
Tell'em McCain is the direct descendant of Cain from the Bible's Cain and Abel story.

For the militant:
Tell'em McCain's nickname in the military was "songbird", known for his loose lips and sassy hips.

[mykevermin]

youre all fools! obama is a closet muslim, i have proof!!!!!!!11

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/7996/oaif9.jpg

Obama played Mola Ram in Temple of Doom?

woah.

[Mr Unoriginal]

Obama played Mola Ram in Temple of Doom?

woah.

http://www.indianajones.dk/Webside/Billeder/Indy-side/Hvor%20er%20de%20nu/Short%20Round.jpg

McCain, cover your heart!

[BigT]

youre all fools! obama is a closet muslim, i have proof!!!!!!!11

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/7996/oaif9.jpg

[satire mode on] Sources close to Hillary have told me that Obama dresses up in his Somali Warlord outfit each weekend and uses his ancient Somali cane to beat random children. Later, he gets his ideas for policies while doing ancient tribal peyote. He also plans to be sworn in on the Qur'an wearing this same outfit...
[/satire mode off]