ABC's: It's "surprising" the troops like Obama

[JackBeck]

by John Aravosis (DC)

Read the title of this article from ABC( http://abcnews.go.com/WN/story?id=4244798&page=1 ) . Why is it "surprising" that our troops in Iraq support Obama? Now, while the article itself doesn't go so far as to call the results "surprising," its author, ABC's Martha Raddatz does say that "the military is generally a more conservative group." Really? May we see some proof of this, rather than just repeating GOP talking points? To ABC's credit, they're doing a story showing that the troops like the Dems, but still, some facts to back up the assertion that the troops tend to be Republicans would be nice, and relevant.. Why is it "surprising" that our troops in Iraq support Obama? Now, while the article itself doesn't go so far as to call the results "surprising," its author, ABC's Martha Raddatz does say that "the military is generally a more conservative group." Really? May we see some proof of this, rather than just repeating GOP talking points? To ABC's credit, they're doing a story showing that the troops like the Dems, but still, some facts to back up the assertion that the troops tend to be Republicans would be nice, and relevant.

http://www.americablog.com/2008/04/abcs-its-surprising-troops-like-obama.html

[Madam Mossfern]

1. I'd say that since the troops tend to be younger

that logically, by trend, they would be more likely to support Obama.

[JackBeck]

10. The generation under 70-something

tend to support our next president.

[bobbert]

2. whoa, I just went through a deja vu reading that

[SunsetDreams]

8. lol me too deja vu

I thought I had lost some time somewhere...... he he

Anyway, I'm not surprised they would like either Clinton or Obama at this point...they are worn out, and they want to come home.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. The troops USED to be more pro GOP

partly propaganda, partly Vietnam

This generation will be more pro dem because it was the GOP that broke the Army's back

But upper level officer corp tends to be more conservative and trend GOP... because they get more toys.

Now having been a navy wife I get it... the nuances that is... but the media has a hell of a time understanding that the military is a reflection of the country. (For the record, so do many on this board)

[JackBeck]

15. Hopefully, they finally recognize which party doles out the most abuse. n.t

[DJ13]

4. Why is it "surprising" that our troops in Iraq support Obama?

Its surprising to a facist pro-big business news corporation like ABC that their chosen candidates (Clinton, McCain) arent doing better.

[JackBeck]

16. Ahh.

I can now go to bed satisfied.

:yourock:

[cooolandrew]

5. We got a positive story it's a blessing these dayss. I'll take.it.

[napoleon_in_rags]

6. Its pretty widely accepted that the officers tend to be conservative.

I've heard that a lot, and it fits my experience. I'm sure Bush has made a few new Democrats however...And everything else about Hillary/Obama aside, I can see the appeal of a strong young black guy over an older women seen as "marrying into her power" in the tough military culture.

[ColbertWatcher]

7. And so it begins...

...the GOP-controlled media start with the propaganda.

"Everyone wants to drink a beer with W."

"The democrats don't have a plan"

"The military support the GOP"

All lies repeated until the frightened and confused believe it without question.

[JackBeck]

17. For the most part, I agree with your assessment.

But this story is different, once you read past the headline.

I posted this because I heard a story the other day about how ABC could only find ONE McLame supporter while interviewing troops about their presidential support. And then this story about Obama leaked out from that investigation.

[ColbertWatcher]

18. I heard that too...

...I'm just saying that this is the first trial balloon for the GOP-manufactured meme that the military doesn't support anyone but their boy, McSame.

Which is bull.

[JackBeck]

23. You got that right.

:thumbsup:

[Beregond2]

9. Does

anyone need proof that the military has tended in the past to vote Republican? That has nearly always been the case, except when a draft was in place. It makes sense, since Republican administrations have generally favored military spending over all other kinds. If you doubt it, take a look at the political leanings of highly military cities like San Diego.

[dansolo]

13. Military spending for toys

Not salaries, or VA care.

[Cha]

14. Right..but 6 years of bush's

nightmare in Iraq should be a clue to even the m$#$$$m that the miltary might be opening their eyes as to who really cares about them.

[Cha]

11. Isn't the m$$$$m the last

to know anything? From the military posters here at DU I can see they like Obama quite a bit and have gone out and canvassed for him in Texas and Mississippi.

[crankychatter]

12. 60 years of service in my immediate family

father, brother, myself and both sons...

Kucinich Delegates, tyvm.

[Orsino]

19. "The military is generally a more conservative group."

And yet, when you abuse them horribly for years, send them to kill and die for nothing, destroy their families, hide their broken bodies away from the world, then dump them on the street, they generally vote against you.

And if you feign surprise at these things, they'll stop watching your "news," too.

[Bucky]

21. I agree. That's why they're supporting the candidate who wants to conserve their lives

Turns out both Democrats support the Constitution too, another thing in need of conserving.

[Bucky]

20. I think we should all be proud of our troops for having the guts to support a Muslim for president

[BeyondGeography]

22. They want to get home alive...go figure

[redqueen]

24. What? You mean they're not buying that whole "support the troops" thing anymore?!

:wow:

How could this have happened?! After all the GOP has done for them!

[NeedleCast]

25. The Miliary Generaly Is More Conservative

However it's also a very pyramid shaped organization with a LOT more young people than older people and there's no question that the youth pull strongly for Obama. That, counted with the fact that a Republican administration has put them in harms way in a compelte disaster of a war and it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that Republicans can no longer count on the military as a strong block in their favor.