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Milkman

The polling data is saying otherwise. Especially after the recent issues with the GOP and the military.

What polling data have you seen, Brits. Go check it out.

GWB got the military vote in 2000 because of "pay raise" promised to people in the military. He needed the overseas military vote, in particular in Florida.

Check out the polling data for this election.

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Military men are dumb, stupid animals, to be used as pawns for foreign policy

Milkman

Hillary supporters have shifted to Obama post-convention, according to Gallup:

Bugs

I saw a poll the other day that had McCain something like 60-40 ahead of Obama with the military. But I did not both posting because I figured that was a foregone conclussion. Looking today I can not find the link. But the Rasmussen Report has McCain up 56-37 in a recent poll:

McCain seen to have an edge with military members | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com

An interesting note on Obama/McCain in the military is that I have seen several reports that Obama has been given more cash by those in the military but McCain has more support in the voter booth.

A few other tidbits from the same article:
And on the flip side:
I am not saying there not out there, but I have never seen a poll that had Obama ahead in regard to voters in the military when compared to McCain for president.

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Bugs

The ex-Clinton supports are certainly lining up behind Obama, and I don't think anyone doubted that Obama would get the majority of her supports to vote for him. The only question was how many would McCain to be able to pull. Right now things are certainly looking better for Obama on this front than they were a few weeks ago.

Milkman

[quote=Bugs;745610]I googled today and noticed the 56-37 numbers. The numbers I saw included retired military, and people who previously were in the military.

I am looking for polling on active duty military. Active now, both inside the US and deployed overseas, of course.

I'll keep digging.

I expect McCain to get the majority (more than 50%) of the active duty vote perhaps, but some polling data I've seen (if it was accurate) was surprising in the Obama had strong numbers.

The military vote is one of the many pieces to the electoral victory puzzle.

sabang

What percentage of the US is in the Miltary then?
I thought U had more folks in jail.

Milkman

This is from wiki, but I'll trust this number.

Active 1.4 million

Reserve 1.4 million

Total population of US is 303 million (including children/infants).

So, 2.8 million out of 303 million is what %?

I'm not good at math.

Currently I am pretty sure there are just over 1 million people in federal prison, state and local jails. No source here, so someone can google if they want.

raycarey

Lorenzo

yes, the jail vote .......... even more Obama support

Texpat

McCain is a retired Navy captain. That earns him a few points among the military folks. Regardless of year or candidates or platforms or issues, the military leans generally toward conservative republican for one main reason.

Historically, GOP presidents give higher pay raises than Democrats.

Norton

Agree based on my experience.


Not sure but I believe for several years military pay raises have been based on average % increases in civilian wages? A bill passed by Congress recently will adjust military pay based on a percentage of the defense budget from 2008 onward. Congress granted a 3.5% across the board pay raise for 2008.

As reported by the Army Times, the Bush administration opposed the 3.5% increase stating a 3% increase was sufficient. The 3.5%, 2008 pay raise bill passed without veto.

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/0...ehouse_070516/

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AntRobertson

^Didn't Bush also make several cuts in pay rates? I vaugely recall hearing something along those lines.

Norton

I don't think so. I would doubt it. Pay raises were pretty much a rubber stamp for the last several years. You could be thinking about veterans care. Even with that I don't think there was any significant cut backs but would have to do a little "fact" finding. Except for the objection to the 2008 pay raise, (mentioned above) which may have some merit, Bush has been pretty good to the military.

AntRobertson

^Yes you're right sorry, I remember now is was not pay rates but benefits of some description.

bkkandrew

You can't vote if you are in jail...

bkkandrew

Britmaveric has never checked facts before giving everyone his opinion. I don't see why he would start doing so on this topic...

pai nai ma

And a conviction for many crimes carry with it the loss of voting privileges.

Milkman

Only felonies, I believe. Convicted felons cannot vote in elections.

attaboy

The problem is the chickenshit Congress makes appropriations to programs mandatory so they can shirk the responsibility of hammering out a budget. The military is one of the few places where discretionary cuts can be made so the troops suffer.

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Bugs

Yes, it felony convictions that carries along with it the loss of voter rights - amoung a few other civil liberties as well.

But there has been a push to change this. And in some states felons can get the right to vote back.

There are tons of possible links in regard to this - here is one:

Locked out: Ex-felons struggle to get voting rights restored