Hardliners

I just talked to my grandmother yesterday, and the conversation went pretty normal, talking about life after the hurricane (she lives in Houston). Then she asked me if I was registered to vote absintee (since I live overseas).

She told me McCain needed every vote he could to win the election, and not to worry, because there was no way America was going to elect a terrorist radical socialist. She went on a tirade and echoed just about every weak GOP talking talking point. Then she said that while she wasn't so sure about McCain, she got excited by Palin, and even though she couldn't afford it, donated $100 to his campaign.

I asked her if she's been following the news (she's 83) and she'd yes, she watches Hannity and Colmes every day and listens to Rush Limbaugh on radio and wanting nothing to do with "Lying Liberal Media"

Now, my grandmother has always been a pretty hard core Republican. She was a volunteer for Goldwater, and worked for Bush Sr. for many years. And yet, I still didn't expect her to be so completely loyal to the party that had screwed the country for 8 years. I could see her giving her lukewarm support to McCain. I didn't expect my grandmother to sound like Ann Coulter or certain posters on this board who continue to seek new lows in demagoguery.

In her mind, W was a great president, and the Left is the biggest enemy to America there is, and Palin is the future of the Republican Party. Man, my grandmother REALLY likes Palin, and wouldn't listen to any of my arguments that she was probably the worst thing to happen to the Republican Party since the stock crash in '29.


I have to wonder, in 4 years of being expat, have I changed that much, or has the country? How many people think like my grandmother? It really spooked me. I can laugh at the silly toothless morons I see on youtube or TV yammer on about Obama being a radicial Jihadist, but it's really sad to hear your grandmother saying it.