Today, I converted a Republican

[Coexist]

he really wanted to prefer Obama to McCain or Huckabee, but the label he had defended for so long was hard to give up.

We had a nice conversation. He is voting for Obama.

He seemed relieved, relaxed and happy when it was over.



I feel good!

[I Vote In Pittsburgh]

1. How did you convince him?

*takes out notebook*

[Emit]

8. It's all in the eyes...

:rofl:

[The Doctor.]

22. "These aren't the Republicans you're voting for".

[Coexist]

15. I was actually handing out Obama buttons, and he approached me

he asked, in a nice way, "why should I prefer him to my candidate?"

(what follows is not an exact conversation, just as close as I remember)

I (wrongly) assumed he meant Senator Clinton. I began, "Obama and Clinton are close on a lot of issues.."

He interrupted, "I support McCain, I would prefer Romney, well actually, I just want a Republican, I would even take Huckabee."

Now at this point, his voice was flat, and he had approached me, so I figured maybe he was looking for an out. I remembered a Kos diary I had read, I don't remember the Diarist's name, but he mentioned that Dr. King and Gandhi always believed in hating the act, not the person, and arguing against the act, not the person, and presenting the person with a way to separate themselves from the act with their dignity intact, presenting a graceful exit.

So I mentioned that after being taught to feel an automatic aggression to any ideas that came from the other side for so long, we need to find our way back to appreciating good ideas, no matter who comes up with them, and do some good for the American people, not a particular party.

He asked if I really thought Obama could do that.

I went on a spiel about Obama's tenure in the Illinois Senate, and how when he found a good idea, or came up with a good idea, he worked it with both sides to get it passed (using death penalty reform as the example) without watering it down until it was totally ineffective and just a photo op instead of real reform. I mentioned how he often gave up the credit and gave it to a Republican if that was what it took to get things done.

We went back and forth. His body language changed, his voice changed. He went from flat and disconnected to more animated. Maybe I flatter myself, but I think he was happy to have been offered a smart way out.

(No, he was not hitting on my, I am an old married lady with three kids)

In the end, he smiled, all the way to his eyes - and said, "you know what, I'll catch hell from my buddies, but I'm sold. How much are the buttons."

[Cha]

17. Yeah, not all repubs are dyed in the

wool limpbaugh addicts! Good job, Florida!

[RuleOfNah]

19. "presenting the person with a way to separate themselves from the act with their dignity intact"

Thank you. I wish I could do that reflexively...

[I Vote In Pittsburgh]

24. He couldn't have asked a better person

thanks for the reply

Psychology is my minor, and you really nailed the response.

[Coexist]

26. wow - thank you.

you just made my day!

[calimary]

27. Wow - GREAT work!

Just GREAT!

My problem is still that I have so much anger toward all things Republican AND republi-CON (there's a difference). So I really have to struggle to get to the wisdom and kindness and gentility you used here.

VERY smart and VERY well done!

Go get us another one!

[lligrd]

2. Good Job nt

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

3. I Converted Someone From Huckabee To Obama Weeks Ago. I Was So Friggin Proud.

She kept coming in each day telling me how she was trying to really learn about the candidates this time around. I told her that was good and gave her some tips. The next day, I was shocked to learn that she said she took my advice and after looking at all of the candidates, she was going with huckabee. I laughed really hard and went on my litany about Huckabee and why that was a horrible choice. She said she had been to his website and it seemed to be in line with what she wanted. But I schooled her a bit more and told her it should take more than just going to their campaign site, and to put in a bit more due diligence. I gave her a couple more ideas on how to proceed as it relates to truly finding positions. A few days later, right before the jersey primary, she told me I'd be proud, that she took my advice, did a lot more digging, found out a lot more about the candidates, and is now firmly for Obama. I gave her a high five and told her I was proud of her. Those moments always make you feel so damn good, don't they?

[scheming daemons]

6. WTF? In 10 other threads the past few days, you are clearly a Hillary supporter...

...

[KAZ]

11. You're missing the point of OMC's post. n/t

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

13. I Support Both. I've Made That Clear A Gazillion Times. You Really Need To Pay Attention Pal.

For real. You see what you want to see. That's called warped or narrow perception.

I support both our candidates and am proud of both of them. So when you say 'clearly', I guess you were actually saying that you have no idea what you're talking about.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

18. Oh, And Another Thing:

Even if I WAS a firm Hillary supporter and against Obama, you'd have to be out of your friggin mind to think for a second that I'd let the petty primary battles take priority over turning people onto the side of the DEMOCRATS going into the GE than the republicans. use your head sometimes, will ya?

[Divernan]

23. And ONC also very nastily ridiculed someone who retold a personal experience

which is what OMC just did.

[casus belli]

9. The best way to convince someone is to let them believe they arrived at the decision on their own.

There is a big difference between gently steering the conversation toward points you want people to get, and hammering it into their heads. I've found that when the lightbulb turns on of their own accord, its not easy for someone else to shut it off.

edit: PS...you did well :)

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

14. Exactly What I Did. I Always Have Faith That When Someone Opens Their Mind Objectively And Seeks

out truth on their own, they end up realizing Democrats are the best choice. That's why I was a bit disappointed when she mentioned Huckabee, but I didn't give up. I realized she hadn't gone far enough yet on the issues and research, so I convinced her to do more. I was prouder than hell when she told me I was right and that I'd be proud, because she's voting for Obama, and I gave her a high five for it. She also confirmed to me that after super tuesday, she had in fact voted for Obama.

[Coexist]

16. they really do!

they give you a little hope, don't they.

Good on you!

[Arugula Latte]

4. Good job!

Plus, now you get a toaster! ;)

:toast:

[Lost-in-FL]

5. That's a great accomplishment

It's hard dealing with them. My coworker still think he's a Muslim which is untrue (not a big deal to me but he is a christian fundie) and will give away lots of money on welfare.

[lapfog_1]

7. Excellent!

I feel certain that we can convert 5 or 10 percent of Republicans to our cause... without compromising our core values. We tend to think that all repukes think and talk like their surrogates (pundits, show poodles, politicians)... and they really don't. Most are feeling quite bewildered at what their "party" has become over the last 7 years... and don't really like it. Takes a lot to switch parties.


Good on you!

[Redstone]

10. Good for you. And I'd sy the same if you convinced him to vote for Senator Clinton.

Redstone

[existentialist]

12. Good for you.

As I stated in an earlier post today, if this is a real campaign, and it is, every vote will be fought for.

[DesertFlower]

20. my husband says i converted him.

i said "no the lousy job the repubs are doing converted you". he registered as a dem and voted for obama.

[Yael]

21. So many are willing to give our ideas a chance.

THAT is the GW Bush legacy.

Thanks for sharing!!

[Raine]

25. That's GREAT

you done good! :bounce:

[calimary]

29. Yes it is!

Another kick!

[my3boyz]

28. Great job! nt