Why are Repubs you know abandoning Bush?

[TruthIsAll]

Poll question: Why are Repubs you know abandoning Bush?

I could ask for 100 more reasons, but this will do for a start.

[sundancekid]

1. this begs for an "all of the above" or "other" where we can fill in

[richmwill]

2. Other

My father, a lifelong Republican and Vietnam Vet, told me that he will not be voting for Bush this year (he's not voting for Kerry either, he's going to "sit this one out"). His simple reason is, "Bush blatantly weaseled his way out of service in Vietnam- at least Kerry went there!".

He doesn't like what Kerry did after he came back from Vietnam (throwing medals- even if they weren't his own, testifying, etc.), so that's why he's not voting for Kerry. But hey- at least it's one less Bush vote, right?

[the Kelly Gang]

4. it's good news..can't you gently explain to him that Kerry helped

end the war and thus saved countless US lives..and that he was brave for going against mainstream thought.. even if your Dad didn't like it it demonstrates courage and conviction.

[cheshire]

3. Yes all of the above is the true choice.

[LTR]

5. Iraq pissed off a lot of people

I know a few people who thought invading Iraq would be tantamount to opening a Pandora's box, especially when the economy is in sad shape.

The economy and the deficit have also bothered some Repugs I know.

[sangh0]

6. Because Bush* has lost people's trust

and not becuase of the Iraq lies, though that was a big part of it. It's the whole package - tax cuts, deficits, unemployment, health care costs... . all of it.

[sadiesworld]

7. The medicare drug bill and the deficits/debt.

[livinginphotographs]

8. None of the above.

I'm trying to get my mother to at least vote libertarian (there's no way she's going to vote for kerry), but it's not happening. I just told her about stealing the election in 2000, the lies that lead us into war in Iraq, and the purple-heart band-aid thing at the RNC, and she's not budging.

Sigh....there's only so much you can do. I did get someone else to commit to voting for Kerry this week, so at least I'm doing something helpful. I was talking to an African-American woman living in the housing projects that didn't have strong opinions either way. So I did my part....

[GOPAgainstGW]

16. Didn't you hear all voters for Bush-Cheney have to sign a draft card!!

See if that changes her mind!

[mfritz]

9. It's Iraq

I generally avoid talking politics with my friends becasue I take it way more seriously than they do. I recently talked to my one friend that is an avowed Republican - ditto head and everything. He won't vote for Bush because Iraq is such a disaster. He was against it from the start and before the war we enjoyed discussing why it was such a bad idea. Now that's become a horror show neither of us likes to talk about it, even though we were right.

He won't vote for Kerry, he's too loyal to the Republicans, but he won't vote for Bush. Same with his brother (even more right wing than he is) and mother.

[Raster]

10. it's the incompetence, stupid.

[TA]

11. They realize he's a DIP-SHIT for invading Iraq

[expatriot]

12. I don't know any Repubs who are abandoning Bush... sorry to be pessimistic

I have a neighbor who is supposedly pro-union but backs Bush and is a Republican. I tell him, beg him to vote his interests and he knows the Democrats have his back on the economic issues but is convinced that Bush is the only choice because of the war on terror. I try to reason, but you can't with some of these people.

[NicRic]

19. Same here ,in fact,

I have a friend that I just found out is voting for bush . This person voted for Clinton and Gore .When i asked why he would vote for bush ,who i added is lacking upstairs (did'nt say it so nicely) he replied yes but he has smart people around him ,and he cant stand Kerry cause he talks out of both sides of his ,well you know what. I just cant believe after being lied into a war ,and all the other B/S we here from bush, that the media has actually gotten people to believe Kerry is a big flip flopper and dishonest ,and bush is the truthful leader, excuse me while I throw up .I told my friend to stop watching FOX news and go rent the video Fahenhiet 9/11. The scary part is I live in CA. Hope this is'nt happening to often ? Time to break out the attack dogs was yesterday ,and every day we wait is another day we lose another vote. Last thing i said to my friend who has a 5 year old boy, was I bet you would'nt be voting for bush if your son was old enough to be drafted !

[oasis]

13. My Pet Goat. That got 'em. Failure of leadership in a snapshot. A

7 minute snapshot.

[H2O Man]

14. My brother-in-law is a republican

and he campaigns against Bush-Cheney for all of the reasons you listed. I suspect that there are more moderate republicans with children who are near or at draft age who will not vote for Bush. I say this because my brother-in-law tells me about how the party has a strict, although almost unspoken code, where you always support the official line. But he says there are other people who, in private, say that Bush has betrayed their ideals with the war and the massive spending programs. They laugh about how everything -- and I mean everything, from their golf games to fuel -- can be written off on their taxes. And a lot of them know it's wrong. Bush is out of control, and his greed is consuming the fabric of our society. Many republicans know this.

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

15. The one that I know

was in WW II. He wasn't in combat, so does that mean he's not a vet? I'm confused about that. Anyway, he told me that he was against the Iraq war and he resented how the Republicans demonized the French. I get the impression he thinks the Bush Jr. gang and the current group of Republicans are immature and stupid.

[Cheswick2.0]

17. they aren't

time for Kerry's folks to start a massive voter reg drive amoung young women and stop depending on volunteers to do it all.

[Ladyhawk]

21. Some never will, friend.

I think Bush could admit to being the anti-Christ and my family would still vote for the bastard.

They like his policies. Sigh.

[Catfight]

18. Bush embarasses them when he speaks and his credibility problem. nt

[Crunchy Frog]

20. I have one friend who is

an older gentleman and a lifelong (decades) Republican. He recently switced his party afiliation to Democratic because he hates Bush so much.

I don't know exactly why he hates Bush. I only know that when you bring up anything political with him, he launches into a huge tirade about how much he hates Bush, after which, he anounces in a tone of proud defiance, "I'm a Democrat now".

I have never heard him go into the reasons why he hates Bush, I just know he does.

I was frankly surprized to learn that he was a Republican at all, since he doesn't seem the type.

Added: I also have a neighbor I've spoken to. I think she's and Indy and not a Repub. She told me that she voted for Bush last time, but will be voting Democratic this time.

She told me that she usually tries to vote for the smarter candidate!?!?!

I didn't question why she had thought Bush was smarter than Gore, just glad she's not voting for him this time.

[IndianaGreen]

22. Outsourcing

That is the reason all the Republicans I know are voting for Kerry, except for a couple of fundies that think GAWD wants Bush as President.

This election is about JOBS, JOBS, JOBS!

[tedoll78]

23. None of the above.

I'd fit it into a general voting choice as follows:

"Size of government/deficits/spending"

Fiscal wrecklessness.

[Jack Rabbit]

24. The Republicans I know who are abandoning Bush

I know several, and it is for many of the above reasons, so I can't pick one. Most prominent of these are lies about Iraq and the dismantling of the Constitution, but also (not named here) Bush's fiscal irresponsibility. It is no better idea to cut taxes like he is doing and allow the government to spend money like there is no tomorrow than it is to raise taxes and allow the government to spend money like there is no tomorrow.

[liberal N proud]

25. I know several elderly that converted because of Medicare

But every time I think that I have one converted to Kerry, something happens, another smear or someone on the other side is reeling them back in.
I will not give up until they have voted!
I will be talking truth with them until I am sure they have cast their vote, the I can do no more. You can count on a barrage of email and phone calls will go out from my house on Nov 1st and 2nd.

[JohnnyCougar]

26. where is "spending like a liberal"

i know a few conservatives angry because of this...