U.S. Soldier Support For The Candidates

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“Meanwhile the Center for Responsive Politics issued a report saying that Obama has received more than six times as much money in campaign contributions from U.S. soldiers serving overseas as McCain. And although McCain is a decorated war veteran, antiwar Republican Ron Paul received four times as much in soldier contributions as did McCain.”

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na...0,4376041.story

[alienlovechild 75]

That sounds impressive until you read it was only 134 donors for Obama out of what 120,000 deployed troops? Most soldiers aren't that political but least this time the Democrats may not try to throw out soldier's votes like they did in 2000. Troops aren't that well paid so you'll probably get a far different result with voting because it's free. I believe don't any Democrat has ever gotten numbers like that before so it's highly suspect that donors translate into voters.

A former West Point professor, Jason Dempsey, noted that the small set of contributions from deployed troops at this point in 2008 -- just 323 donations -- should not be extrapolated to form conclusions about military personnel overall. "If, on a bad day, a guy gets that letter that says [his tour has been extended] from 12 to 15 months, that could spur a quick donation and expression of anger," he said. "Donating helps members of the military express their political views privately."

Seeing political activity of any sort among soldiers is notable, Dempsey added. "It's hard to describe how apolitical a lot of the enlisted ranks are. He's worried about other things than following the news."

http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2008/08/tr...ad-give-61.html

Edited August 15, 2008 by alienlovechild