Comments on: NY Times: San Diego Now Leaning to the Left? http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2004/08/30/nt-times-san-diego-now-leaning-to-the-left/ San Diego News, Chargers, Local News, Etc Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:20:03 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Derek http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2004/08/30/nt-times-san-diego-now-leaning-to-the-left/comment-page-1/#comment-1148 Derek Mon, 27 Sep 2004 19:00:18 +0000 http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2004/08/30/nt-times-san-diego-now-leaning-to-the-left/#comment-1148 Blaire, I work in an industry that tends left and anti-Bush. It surprised me, although not that much, that anti-Bush voters at work would sympathize with each other quite loudly about the trends in this election season, and denigrate policies/party voters, etc., even without knowing how those around them may feel or vote. But they recognize the preponderance of leaners in our group/industry, so they don't care (or use it as a passive-agressive tactic to draw conservatives out of the closet). Accordingly, it would be ill-advised for anyone to park in our lot with a Bush sticker on their bumper. My point is that this type of intimidation you report happens on both sides. You are right, and it is *completely* true that "people motivated by passion are capable of surprising behavior." Blaire, I work in an industry that tends left and anti-Bush. It surprised me, although not that much, that anti-Bush voters at work would sympathize with each other quite loudly about the trends in this election season, and denigrate policies/party voters, etc., even without knowing how those around them may feel or vote. But they recognize the preponderance of leaners in our group/industry, so they don’t care (or use it as a passive-agressive tactic to draw conservatives out of the closet). Accordingly, it would be ill-advised for anyone to park in our lot with a Bush sticker on their bumper.

My point is that this type of intimidation you report happens on both sides. You are right, and it is *completely* true that “people motivated by passion are capable of surprising behavior.”

]]> By: Blaire http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2004/08/30/nt-times-san-diego-now-leaning-to-the-left/comment-page-1/#comment-1135 Blaire Thu, 23 Sep 2004 19:01:05 +0000 http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2004/08/30/nt-times-san-diego-now-leaning-to-the-left/#comment-1135 When I see bumper stickers and lawn signs for Kerry, I think those people are very brave or maybe a bit naïve or foolish. I would be afraid of having my house egged or my car tires slashed by angry conservatives. When I told my cubicle neighbor about my fear, he confirmed that he was nearly run off the road by a large SUV whose driver was screaming at him for supporting Kerry. The man was honking, yelling and driving into his lane in such a way that he had to dodge being hit. Does anyone else feel the way I do? I am very careful at work and in social circles not to mention that I am a Democrat for fear that there will be some backlash or discrimination. In the days before Rush Limbaugh and Fox News, I felt free to express an opinion, but now I don’t talk about politics anywhere outside of my home unless I know how exactly how it will be received. I hate that I’ve adapted to fear. Indeed, even my best friend, a Republican, was moved to tears the other day because she felt people were unfairly criticizing Bush and that if he weren’t reelected, we would all be in mortal and moral peril. People motivated by passion are capable of surprising behavior. When I see bumper stickers and lawn signs for Kerry, I think those people are very brave or maybe a bit naïve or foolish. I would be afraid of having my house egged or my car tires slashed by angry conservatives. When I told my cubicle neighbor about my fear, he confirmed that he was nearly run off the road by a large SUV whose driver was screaming at him for supporting Kerry. The man was honking, yelling and driving into his lane in such a way that he had to dodge being hit.

Does anyone else feel the way I do? I am very careful at work and in social circles not to mention that I am a Democrat for fear that there will be some backlash or discrimination. In the days before Rush Limbaugh and Fox News, I felt free to express an opinion, but now I don’t talk about politics anywhere outside of my home unless I know how exactly how it will be received. I hate that I’ve adapted to fear.

Indeed, even my best friend, a Republican, was moved to tears the other day because she felt people were unfairly criticizing Bush and that if he weren’t reelected, we would all be in mortal and moral peril. People motivated by passion are capable of surprising behavior.

]]> By: Aurora http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2004/08/30/nt-times-san-diego-now-leaning-to-the-left/comment-page-1/#comment-1043 Aurora Sun, 05 Sep 2004 11:09:05 +0000 http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2004/08/30/nt-times-san-diego-now-leaning-to-the-left/#comment-1043 Yes, sdradio.net. I don't visit every day and I wanted to read what you had mentioned here, but by the time I got there, it was off the main page. Either there's no archives, or I just can't find the link. :) Yes, sdradio.net. I don’t visit every day and I wanted to read what you had mentioned here, but by the time I got there, it was off the main page. Either there’s no archives, or I just can’t find the link. :)

]]> By: jennifer http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2004/08/30/nt-times-san-diego-now-leaning-to-the-left/comment-page-1/#comment-1017 jennifer Tue, 31 Aug 2004 16:25:52 +0000 http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2004/08/30/nt-times-san-diego-now-leaning-to-the-left/#comment-1017 I work for the DNC and have found that in even really conservative neighborhoods like Scripps Ranch and Tierrasanta, there are pockets of Democrats that are hardcore Kerry supporters. I've met quite a few Republicans that tell me they'll be voting for Kerry this time around as well. I think it's hard to tell by looking at numbers alone. And with regards to people caring about voting, there's been an enormous response to any political activism in San Diego. I know that at the march and rally in protest of the war this past Sunday at Balboa Park there was a huge turn out. It was amazing to see just how many people are voicing their opinions. This Administration has really helped to make people aware of their involvement in politics and in the way their city/state/country is run. I work for the DNC and have found that in even really conservative neighborhoods like Scripps Ranch and Tierrasanta, there are pockets of Democrats that are hardcore Kerry supporters. I’ve met quite a few Republicans that tell me they’ll be voting for Kerry this time around as well. I think it’s hard to tell by looking at numbers alone. And with regards to people caring about voting, there’s been an enormous response to any political activism in San Diego. I know that at the march and rally in protest of the war this past Sunday at Balboa Park there was a huge turn out. It was amazing to see just how many people are voicing their opinions. This Administration has really helped to make people aware of their involvement in politics and in the way their city/state/country is run.

]]> By: Joe Crawford http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2004/08/30/nt-times-san-diego-now-leaning-to-the-left/comment-page-1/#comment-1016 Joe Crawford Tue, 31 Aug 2004 15:14:38 +0000 http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2004/08/30/nt-times-san-diego-now-leaning-to-the-left/#comment-1016 Which site Aurora? SDRadio.net? Which site Aurora? SDRadio.net?

]]> By: Aurora http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2004/08/30/nt-times-san-diego-now-leaning-to-the-left/comment-page-1/#comment-1015 Aurora Tue, 31 Aug 2004 13:11:30 +0000 http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2004/08/30/nt-times-san-diego-now-leaning-to-the-left/#comment-1015 That site doesn't seem to have any archives. :( That site doesn’t seem to have any archives. :(

]]> By: Susan Myrland http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2004/08/30/nt-times-san-diego-now-leaning-to-the-left/comment-page-1/#comment-1014 Susan Myrland Tue, 31 Aug 2004 04:15:00 +0000 http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2004/08/30/nt-times-san-diego-now-leaning-to-the-left/#comment-1014 According to pollsters, La Mesa doesn't vote with East County. We are considered "the eastern 'burbs" and generally vote the same as the City of San Diego. On a walk around my neighborhood tonight, the bumper sticker count was Kerry 3, Bush 1. According to pollsters, La Mesa doesn’t vote with East County. We are considered “the eastern ‘burbs” and generally vote the same as the City of San Diego. On a walk around my neighborhood tonight, the bumper sticker count was Kerry 3, Bush 1.

]]> By: Joe Crawford http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2004/08/30/nt-times-san-diego-now-leaning-to-the-left/comment-page-1/#comment-1013 Joe Crawford Tue, 31 Aug 2004 00:27:07 +0000 http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2004/08/30/nt-times-san-diego-now-leaning-to-the-left/#comment-1013 (Just read the NYT article) Pretty cool read. Quotes from Mr Hedgecock himself! I actually chuckled at the quote about him filling in for Rush when Rush is "in rehab." (Just read the NYT article)

Pretty cool read. Quotes from Mr Hedgecock himself! I actually chuckled at the quote about him filling in for Rush when Rush is “in rehab.”

]]> By: Joe Crawford http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2004/08/30/nt-times-san-diego-now-leaning-to-the-left/comment-page-1/#comment-1012 Joe Crawford Tue, 31 Aug 2004 00:15:08 +0000 http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2004/08/30/nt-times-san-diego-now-leaning-to-the-left/#comment-1012 I feel like it's just a natural moving of the pendulum back from the right -- things have been so divisive, I think more people who were not really being very active politically are being more "vocal" -- at least in a bumper sticker sense -- but I know plenty of people who think Bush is a lock-in. I'm excited to see more people who seem to actually care about voting - regardless of their political stripe! I feel like it’s just a natural moving of the pendulum back from the right — things have been so divisive, I think more people who were not really being very active politically are being more “vocal” — at least in a bumper sticker sense — but I know plenty of people who think Bush is a lock-in.

I’m excited to see more people who seem to actually care about voting – regardless of their political stripe!

]]> By: Derek http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2004/08/30/nt-times-san-diego-now-leaning-to-the-left/comment-page-1/#comment-1011 Derek Mon, 30 Aug 2004 23:01:37 +0000 http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2004/08/30/nt-times-san-diego-now-leaning-to-the-left/#comment-1011 Just checked that PDF linked by route66 (thanks!), and interestingly, of the small cities in our county, Del Mar (like La Mesa and Imperial Beach) is about equally divided between registered Republicans and Democrats. It would be interesting to do an informal drive-around survey of La Mesa and Imperial Beach to see if the same W-prevalence exists in equally divided areas. (That is to say, is it of more political significance to see a Kerry sticker in University Heights or Hillcrest, a W sign in El Cajon or Carlsbad; or(!) a W sign in Del Mar, a Kerry sticker in La Mesa.) Great topic, Ivan. Just checked that PDF linked by route66 (thanks!), and interestingly, of the small cities in our county, Del Mar (like La Mesa and Imperial Beach) is about equally divided between registered Republicans and Democrats. It would be interesting to do an informal drive-around survey of La Mesa and Imperial Beach to see if the same W-prevalence exists in equally divided areas. (That is to say, is it of more political significance to see a Kerry sticker in University Heights or Hillcrest, a W sign in El Cajon or Carlsbad; or(!) a W sign in Del Mar, a Kerry sticker in La Mesa.)

Great topic, Ivan.

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