# Persuading one's friends to vote for Harris **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** kamala-harris\ **Created:** [August 16, 2024, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuading-ones-friends-to-vote-for-harris/1005768 "2024-08-16T04:07:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2024, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuading-ones-friends-to-vote-for-harris/1005768/101 "2024-08-17T13:28:24Z")
I think this is an “all approaches can be okay” situation, at least depending on the circumstances. It’s fine if you don’t think it’s worth your time or energy, and it’s also fine if someone else wants to spend their time and energy trying to change someone’s mind. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2024, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuading-ones-friends-to-vote-for-harris/1005768/102 "2024-08-17T15:05:41Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I’m talking about middle-aged adults today, still displaying hate. My friend eventually got “better”, although not before alienating a son who is a great person. I feel sorry for the guy. I also feel sorry for the son that had to grow up with him as a dad. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2024, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuading-ones-friends-to-vote-for-harris/1005768/103 "2024-08-17T16:43:34Z")
What happens to us as children affects us as adults. Seems like you had a tough experience. The point of being adult is people should learn the correct way to navigate the world. Some are slower to do this. That’s no reason to dismiss them, altogether. Hate and derision never helped anyone. I have hope in my heart that @puzzlegal friendship can be saved and they can find a way to have civil discourse. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2024, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuading-ones-friends-to-vote-for-harris/1005768/104 "2024-08-17T17:23:23Z")
The biggest problem in persuading anyone to vote a certain way is the natural ingrained human rebellion against being told what to do. You can argue for Harris til you are blue in the face but the recipient is likely to think, “This isn’t a decision that arises organically from inside myself, this is a decision someone is trying to impose on me from the outside.” ---
**Author:** ![survinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@survinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survinga)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2024, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuading-ones-friends-to-vote-for-harris/1005768/105 "2024-08-17T18:02:11Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Probably, i should just avoid taking politics. But if i do, any ideas on how i might persuade him to vote for Harris? Or hell, for Kennedy, or for the libertarian. (Is one even running?) If he’s a self-proclaimed “Libertarian”, you can maybe appeal to those instincts by reminding him of the various gigantic government plans that Trump has if re-elected: 1. 10% tariffs on all imported goods. 2. Unleashing our military in US cities as a fake law-and-order play 3. Rounding up immigrants into concentration camps and deporting them 4. Sicking his DOJ on political opponents 5. Running up deficits in the trillions of dollars 6. Attacking women’s reproductive rights 7. Throwing millions out of their healthcare by repealing the ACA 8. Underming elections & democracy worldwide by his support of regimes like Putin & Orban. You might not be able to get him to vote for Harris/Walz. But if he’s a real Libertarian, and takes that small government view seriously, then there’s no way he’d vote for Trump. I think you should challenge his small government sensibilities by reminding him that Trump is a big government guy who is the enemy of Libertarians. ---
**Author:** ![survinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@survinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survinga)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2024, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuading-ones-friends-to-vote-for-harris/1005768/106 "2024-08-17T18:06:20Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Naw, I’m sure that’s not the issue. I think it’s actually a fear of socialism. And regulation. Maybe a side order of not liking “the woke agenda”. But mostly the first two. Then remind him that Trump supports socialism, because Trump is not campaigning to get rid of Medicare & Social Security. When people vote against Dems because of “soshulizm”, I often scratch my head, because these are usually the same people who will value SS/Medicare above all else from our government. And remind him that Trump ran up the most debt of any president ever when he was in office. If fear of socialism is a real thing with this guy, then voting for Trump is not the answer. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2024, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuading-ones-friends-to-vote-for-harris/1005768/107 "2024-08-18T06:11:27Z")
> [@survinga](#): > > If fear of socialism is a real thing with this guy, then voting for Trump is not the answer. Caveat: he may be among those who believe that either Harris OR the America-hating fuckstick is going to be the eventual winner; and that a third-party vote is effectively one for the worse outcome (which, AIUI, he wrongly believes is a Harris presidency). ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2024, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuading-ones-friends-to-vote-for-harris/1005768/108 "2024-08-18T20:38:17Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Yes, every parent of a trans child that I’ve ever spoken to at any length has occasionally messed up pronouns, even those who are wholeheartedly and actively supportive. It gets easier after the first couple hundred times. And it is a huge sign of acceptance at home is making the effort to correctly say the name and pronouns, and to correct oneself when slipping. The suicide rate for trans kids is horrific, and a huge part of being accepted/avoiding suicide is where the home is a safe space even if the rest of society is not. (If it’s not clear, I am the father of a son that came out 3 days before starting high school, who had a therapist and really good medical care at a Children’s Hospital gender clinic, started testosterone at 16, top surgery at 17, legal name and gender change at 18, and had a great first year at university. Pro parenting tip: very few things can not be made better by saying “you’re my child, I love you, I’m with you on the journey.” ) ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuading-ones-friends-to-vote-for-harris/1005768/109 "2024-08-19T08:38:31Z")
Here’s a Tweet with info that should get his attention as a libertarian: > > > Acyn @Acyn > **text of Tweet** > > > Trump has now proposed a 20% tariff on all imports and a ~60% tariff on Chinese imports. > > > > No matter what he says, tariffs aren’t paid by the other country. They’re paid by you. > > > > Recent analysis predicts his plan would cost the average family about $3,900 extra per year. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuading-ones-friends-to-vote-for-harris/1005768/110 "2024-08-19T21:56:52Z")
You’re not going to convince someone who is considering becoming a fascist to not become a fascist. The fact that he’s hinting at it means his mind is made up. You need to decide if you want to stay friends with a fascist. ---
**Author:** ![TheTooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/919ad9/32.png) [@TheTooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheTooth)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuading-ones-friends-to-vote-for-harris/1005768/111 "2024-08-19T22:27:05Z")
Where do “Fuck Trudeau” signs displayed prominently on desks (not mine) fall on that spectrum? This business of people not discussing politics at work intrigues me and I would LOVE to subscribe to your newsletter. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2024, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuading-ones-friends-to-vote-for-harris/1005768/112 "2024-08-20T00:17:54Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > The fact that he’s hinting at it means his mind is made up. I don’t know if he is. My husband talked politics with him briefly. I asked, “is he voting for Trump?”, my husband replied, “maybe”. I know he doesn’t like Harris, who he thinks is too liberal. His wife (who is a Black woman and a pediatrician) supports Harris, but they don’t agree on politics. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2024, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuading-ones-friends-to-vote-for-harris/1005768/113 "2024-08-20T00:28:08Z")
You may have gotten used to their beliefs, but you _have_ to ask yourself this: _What would I have thought of these people if they had shown me this side of their personal beliefs ten years ago?_ ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2024, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuading-ones-friends-to-vote-for-harris/1005768/114 "2024-08-20T00:38:49Z")
The reason we are where we are is because people like us didn’t call out racists when we encountered them. We didn’t call out our racist uncles because we didn’t want to ruin thanksgiving, we remained silent when they said ugly shit. We are complicit in their sin. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2024, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuading-ones-friends-to-vote-for-harris/1005768/115 "2024-08-20T16:05:07Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > His wife (who is a Black woman and a pediatrician) supports Harris, but they don’t agree on politics. If his wife can’t convince him, there’s probably not much you can do. If she isn’t trying, she probably knows it’s futile. If he asks for your opinion, there are plenty of good points you can make, but anyone who is struggling with this really has no perspective on the problem. If he has any affection for American democracy, remind him of what Judge Luttig said recently: > “In voting for Vice President Harris, I assume that her public policy views are vastly different from my own, but I am indifferent in this election as to her policy views on any issues other than America’s Democracy, the Constitution, and the Rule of Law, as I believe all Americans should be,” he said. Harris being “too liberal” is simply not something he should worry about (even if true). ---
**Author:** ![Hakushon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hakushon/32/5503_2.png) [@Hakushon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hakushon)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2024, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuading-ones-friends-to-vote-for-harris/1005768/116 "2024-08-20T23:50:22Z")
I have Conservative Jewish in-laws who are Pro-Trump right-wingers. There is no chance of convincing them to vote for Harris, any more than you could talk a Jehovah’s Witness into Atheism. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2024, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuading-ones-friends-to-vote-for-harris/1005768/117 "2024-08-21T01:37:40Z")
My feeling is, what arguments could he make, or anyone else make, that would convince you to vote for Trump? It’s like that, but in reverse. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2024, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuading-ones-friends-to-vote-for-harris/1005768/118 "2024-08-22T17:31:59Z")
I’ll just repeat myself a bit, in a shorter post, given all the replies. If she doesn’t try, she’s guaranteed failure. If she’s willing to try, she should try. And this thread, as I read it, is about how she can try. Not whether she should. Giving up is a guaranteed loss. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2024, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuading-ones-friends-to-vote-for-harris/1005768/119 "2024-08-22T18:13:24Z")
I feel this is the proper thread for my comment. I have been throwing my vote away by voting for the Libertarian candidate for a long time, but an old friend of mine, a good man and ardent liberal, will be dying soon of cancer and I told him I’ll be voting Democrat this year to honor him. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2024, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuading-ones-friends-to-vote-for-harris/1005768/120 "2024-08-22T18:38:07Z")
Hey, thanks, @SuntanLotion . [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuading-ones-friends-to-vote-for-harris/1005768.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuading-ones-friends-to-vote-for-harris/1005768.md?page=7)