When you are approached by an Obama supporter who would like to prostrate themselves before you and to convince you to join the fold, and you will be, do yourself a favor: quickly explain that the ballot is secret for a reason, and that you see no point, considering the current political climate, in discussing the vote you will cast via that secret ballot. Smile. Say, Thank you, and good day.
Then walk away. Do not engage. This applies especially to friends and family members.
September 21, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Yep, at this point, this is my plan. No arguing, no explaining, just a secret ballot.
September 21, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Me too. I have to h/t my mom, because this has been her strategy for every election that I can remember. Smart woman. I’ve been eating crow for her since 1993. Mea culpa, mama! Heh.
September 21, 2008 at 4:49 pm
I tell people we legislate openly and vote privately. If called, I would refuse to answer poll questions. I don’t want my telephone number in the database of an unknown pollster.
September 21, 2008 at 6:05 pm
I guess I’m just contrary. I enjoy telling them “Sorry, I just can’t vote for a racist” before walking away. You can usually hear the head explode after about 5 steps.
September 21, 2008 at 9:20 pm
I don’t engage at this point in an election, but, like CognitiveDissonance, I do rather like to be contrary. Partially it’s my nature, but I also believe that most of us slowly take in radically contrary opinions over days, weeks, or months, and they do have an impact.
So at work I don’t even tell people who I’m voting for, but I drop comments meant to poke at people’s sacred cows. And frankly I like it when they do the same.