Possible military vote surprise?

[Cassandra]

A friend told me that her friend's stepson has returned from Iraq and she's had a chance to speak to him. Although he has always been very conservative, he refuses to vote for Bush this year, will support Kerry, and that none of the soldiers over there that he knows are voting for Bush.
A few days ago, someone posted here that military ballots will go through the Pentagon, rather than being sent to the states directly. This may be why. Fortunately, this wouldn't effect any soldier who's already home.

[AIJ Alom]

1. Why are the votes going throught the Pentagon ?

I think we should demand receipts for our soldiers.

[mconvente]

2. I'm hearing this too

I've read some newspaper articles outlining a surprising trend for military troops. Most troops, even if their situtation is not too good, will stick behind their commander in chief. However, that is not happening this year. In fact, I've heard reports of quasi-exit polls of soldiers that say 75% will be voting for Kerry.

[ochazuke]

3. 75% for Kerry!?

And the "security moms" are sitting home worried that only the shrub can keep them safe.

And in ten years, president Jeb Bush will send mom's kids off to die in Uzbekistan or wherever. You'll see yellow ribbons on the back of the replacement for the Hummer, a new 5 MPG armored SUV based on the chassis of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

4. Kerry has proven he will protect his troops in combat

Whether commanding his boat or protesting the war, troops know Kerry is good on his word.
This is like money in the bank.

[magnolia]

5. I met a guy recently....

...15 years in the Air Force currently stationed at Langley AFB in Virginia. He says that everyone on the base hates Bush and is voting for Kerry.

[ItsMyParty]

6. I keep reading about this and don't know why Dem leaders are

not screaming all over the airwaves about it. Apparently, there are two things - or two proposed things - going on. One involves this sending through the Pentagon and the other has something to do with having to give up their annonimity on the ballots (i.e., their superios can readily tell who voted for whom----now if that isn't a one way ticket to the thick of the battle, I don't know what is). This kind of shit has to be blasted by Kerry and the Dems. There is no reason this has to be screwed around with even if it means it takes a week to know who won the election. ALSO, just read to day that "overseas" (this means other than soldiers) ballots will be "late"---now what the hell does that mean and does it indicate that they will be disqualified. Something stinks and our party has to get on it or this is how they will steal this thing.

[City Lights]

21. Yeah, where are the Dems on this?

What rationale was given for needing to change the rules like this? Is the Pentagon planning on "correcting" thousands of ballots before counting them? :tinfoilhat:

[Senior citizen]

22. No tinfoil hat needed, DesertDem.

The Pentagon is in bed with the defense contractors, not with the troops.

[Baileyb]

7. Same with my Squadron

About 75% of us are most definatly voting for Kerry. Most of us hate Bush and would never vote for him even if he is the commander in chief.

[mzmolly]

8. Welcome to DU Baileyb!

:hi:

I am encouraged that the military is waking up. I only hope your votes are counted.

[AlCzervik]

10. Welcome Bailey!

I ahve a question for you, do you know what the troops think of Bush when he shows up for one of his "The military loves me" photo-ops?

[jmowreader]

17. I'm not Bailey but I'll answer that

Officers love these kinds of things--they always have. "The President came to MY BASE!"

The troops don't enjoy the mandatory police call--pick up EVERY CIGARETTE BUTT and make sure to dust all the rocks--painting rocks and every other damn thing the Army does to prepare for a VIP arrival.

[txindy]

11. Glad you're here!

Welcome! :hi:

Good news about your squadron! Thanks for sharing with all of us.

[Bandit]

12. Did your squadron get to see F9-11?

What is the reason for such a change in attitude? In 2000 most Military were solidly behind Bush*.

[Baileyb]

14. Most People

Most people in my squadron think * is an idiot and do not want to vote for him. And about the Photo Ops. I do not know what other people think but I personally think that those are a joke. He says one thing and does another.

[newyawker99]

23. Hi Baileyb!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[ArkDem]

9. I'll bet Kerry get 90% of the military vote.

[molly]

13. Did you see the newsclip of the soldiers returning?

they looked befuddled - not happy and grinning - they are afraid they are going BACK.

[Cassandra]

15. For all we know...

they may have already been told they're going back.

[marlakay]

16. My air force kids voting for dem he's an officer too!

and well paid, voting for the right reasons. They are smart kids both have degrees and their comment is Bush is stupid!

[CANDO]

18. Cousin's son in Air Force two weeks ago registered Democrat !!!

He is just back in Germany after six months at Bahgram Air Base in Afghanistan. I've had some lengthy e-mail exchanges with him and he admits to originally being gung-ho pro-*, but not any longer. He says there is a strong and growing anti-* movement among his fellow airmen. When he told me that, I sent him a link to register to vote and shortly thereafter he let me know it's done and he registered Democrat. Also his father(my first cousin) says he will absolutely not be voting for * this time. He got taken in by the NRA over guns in 2000. BTW, we are in the battleground state of Pennsylvania.

[AntiCoup2K4]

19. I can't wait until FAUX News decides that "overseas military ballots"

...really shouldn't be taken seriously after all.

[opstachuck]

20. they probably respect kerry for actually putting his own life...

on the line the same way they're doing. i guess it's not too surprising, although i generally think of the military as being pretty conservative.