toxic
11-03-2007, 08:58 AM
Friday night I watch a Hart Focus Group meeting from Richmond Virginia.
It was 12 Republicans being interogated to determine underlying issues, political desires and perceptions of candidates.
The people's occupations were substitute teacher, pharmacist, retired mantinance manager, insurance underwriter, ...
Interesting points:
1) Some of the people didn't know who the 2nd tier candidates were (Huckabee, Tancredo, Hunter. Paul, ...). Remember, they knew they were going to a Republican Focus Group to ask political questions.
2) They barely could determine what the candidate's intended position was, much less analyze if he could/would actually perform.
3) About half were adamently against socialism, especially the retired maintenance worker who was collecting Social Security, on Medicare and had probably had higher wages when working due to union influence. :)
4) Overwhemlingly, these people related to Fred Thompson as a father (or favorite uncle) figure.
5) If one of the candidates were going to stay at their home, they also picked Fred Thompson, because he was "homey" and not intimidating. So they want someone stupid and slow.
6) There were some strong adverse feelings about Mormonism. They didn't really consider Moromons to be normal Christians. They acknowledged it won't matter in the general election, when they figured the choice would be between a Republican and Hillary.
7) Several wanted someone who was very Christian and moral, because the country was "Founded as Christian". Yet, others were not going to judge Giuliani because of his few wives.
8) One lady said, she would vote for Gore if he was running, because she thinks Global Warming is underrated by all current candidates.
9) They did want someone who could speak well. They thought Bush was probably smart, but didn't come across that way.
10) They want someone who will make a decision and stick to it, but not be quite as stuborn as Bush. They kinda like Bush's unwavering attitude.
11) They are clearly, fearful people. They actually think their lives are in imminent danger. They would say things like, "Nothing else matters if you aren't alive." It seems that they actually believe that someone is going to nuke them!!!! :)
12) One guy who was most fearful (Insurance underwriter), said he didn't really care about abortion and gay marriage, because that wouldn't really affect his live. He believed terrorists coming across our open borders would impact him directly.
13) They didn't care about the economy, but recognized in Virginia things are going quite well. Lots of government contracts.
14) A few times people quoted the Bible or reference their opinion was due to scripture.
Hey, you would think it would be a bore, but it was really entertaining to see what these people actually thought.
I'm pretty sure that if this is a crossection of America, then we are totally doomed.
:panic :panic :panic :panic
It was 12 Republicans being interogated to determine underlying issues, political desires and perceptions of candidates.
The people's occupations were substitute teacher, pharmacist, retired mantinance manager, insurance underwriter, ...
Interesting points:
1) Some of the people didn't know who the 2nd tier candidates were (Huckabee, Tancredo, Hunter. Paul, ...). Remember, they knew they were going to a Republican Focus Group to ask political questions.
2) They barely could determine what the candidate's intended position was, much less analyze if he could/would actually perform.
3) About half were adamently against socialism, especially the retired maintenance worker who was collecting Social Security, on Medicare and had probably had higher wages when working due to union influence. :)
4) Overwhemlingly, these people related to Fred Thompson as a father (or favorite uncle) figure.
5) If one of the candidates were going to stay at their home, they also picked Fred Thompson, because he was "homey" and not intimidating. So they want someone stupid and slow.
6) There were some strong adverse feelings about Mormonism. They didn't really consider Moromons to be normal Christians. They acknowledged it won't matter in the general election, when they figured the choice would be between a Republican and Hillary.
7) Several wanted someone who was very Christian and moral, because the country was "Founded as Christian". Yet, others were not going to judge Giuliani because of his few wives.
8) One lady said, she would vote for Gore if he was running, because she thinks Global Warming is underrated by all current candidates.
9) They did want someone who could speak well. They thought Bush was probably smart, but didn't come across that way.
10) They want someone who will make a decision and stick to it, but not be quite as stuborn as Bush. They kinda like Bush's unwavering attitude.
11) They are clearly, fearful people. They actually think their lives are in imminent danger. They would say things like, "Nothing else matters if you aren't alive." It seems that they actually believe that someone is going to nuke them!!!! :)
12) One guy who was most fearful (Insurance underwriter), said he didn't really care about abortion and gay marriage, because that wouldn't really affect his live. He believed terrorists coming across our open borders would impact him directly.
13) They didn't care about the economy, but recognized in Virginia things are going quite well. Lots of government contracts.
14) A few times people quoted the Bible or reference their opinion was due to scripture.
Hey, you would think it would be a bore, but it was really entertaining to see what these people actually thought.
I'm pretty sure that if this is a crossection of America, then we are totally doomed.
:panic :panic :panic :panic