Active duty? y/n–Yes
a. If yes, are you stationed at a “hot spot “ like Iraq or Afghanistan–No, I am as cold as they come. Paris, Texas, Recruiter detail. I did my turn in Iraq.
Who you endorse–I am leaning toward Obama. I really don’t know why other than he seems to be the best of the three. Not that that is saying much. I do believe that it will be hard to withdraw from Iraq and that the timelines the Dems have set forth will be changed after the Change of Command. Look at Nixon, hell, he ran twice on ending the war. If the Dems win, I really believe that the same thing will happen. OTOH, my job will be a lot easier if Clinton does win, at least in the short term. )Until she sees that we can’t withdraw 90 days after she takes office, or whatever timeline she has set now.)
As to the post about the appropriateness of this thread: Yes, we do have to support whoever is CiC, but we can have an opinion on it. There is nothing wrong with that.
Air Force
Hon '99 (still a Defense Contractor though. Not in a “hot spot”…unless a “bunker” in Nebraska is a “hot spot”.)
The Libertarian candidate (unless it’s Gravel or a loony, in which case the Constitution candidate)
Military people remember their oath to serve and protect and know they are supposed to obey the orders of their superior officer, up to and including the CIC. They know that it doesn’t matter whether they like the people who outrank them (ask any military person and they could probably rattle off a good half dozen names of officers or upper NCOs that they hated with a passion). I served from 84 to 87 (the Army offered a three year tour at the time) so I was around for Reagan’s “We begin bombing in five minutes,” speech. I knew guys who voted for Mondale and were proud Democrats but also knew that they still had to follow whatever orders came down the pike.
I started this poll because the news report did not jibe with what I experienced when I served nor in my conversations with friends, families, associates and others who either are serving or have served in the military. Sure, I’ve met quite a few who hate Bush/Cheney with their false reasoning for getting us into Iraq as well as the poor management of the occupation (myself included). But the majority of the current and former military people I have met have been Republicans, or at least conservative Democrats (ala Leiberman supporters) and the military always seemed to be more of a Republican institution because you can pretty much guarantee that Republicans will not cut military expenditures, even during peacetime.
In a way, I am sort of surprised by the number of military people here who are leaning towards or are firmly endorsing a Democratic candidate. But I am also not totally shocked given the more liberal slant of this board.*
Thank you all who have answered and again, thank you for your service and/or the service of your loved ones. Sacrificing your safety, security and stability and enduring the hardship of being separated from friends and loved ones is miserable and heartbreaking and you need to be reminded more often that you are appreciated.
*Not that there’s anything wrong with liberals. Some of my best friends are liberals and they lead fulfilling lives as organic farmers, health food store operators and abortion providers.
I think this is an exceptional situation where there are two factors in play. Reagan inspired the military and Bush the 1st won his little war with little loss of life to the US military. So the military folks support them. Clinton was a draft dodger (legal type like Quayle and Cheney) and cut the military more than most presidents. Bush the second did not appear to serve honorably in avoiding Vietnam and has screwed up nearly every aspect of this now long war and has asked too much from the volunteers, so the sure military support that Republicans normally get is missing now. McCain is likeable and served with much honor, but he has the Bush baggage dragging him down.
The other factor is that Obama appears to be a person that can motivate the public like Reagan and Kennedy did. This is appealing after 7 years of Bush slaughtering the English language and not being inspiring and Slick Willy’s spiel that did not play well with those that leaned at all right.
I know Obama has inspired me more than any candidate since Reagan.
