August 31, 2012
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Survey Says
I usually don’t answer the phone when it says “unknown caller” or other undefined caller. However, yesterday I happened to pick up one in the middle of working out, and answered a “national political survey.” It wasn’t clear which party was behind the call, but I panted my way through answering their questions about the presidential and senate race in our state.
Later in the evening, another call came through that said “Republican Party.” This was right before the Mr. and I were sitting down to a late night dinner of takeout sushi. He had been traveling for a few days, and I had just gotten back from a very loud (and under air-conditioned) PTA event. I was hungry.
I picked up the phone and answered the questions, again, about the presidential and senate race — “Who would you vote for if the election were held today?” My answers were straight forward and lacked emotion.
And then they asked a third question. “How about the Congressional race? Would you vote to re-elect Republican Eric Cantor, or would you vote…..”
I responded with a “HA! Aaaaabsolutely not. I would absolutely NOT vote to re-elect Eric Cantor!”
The guy on the other end of the phone responded by saying, “Well, alright then. Thank you for your time.”
It was an uncharacteristic response from me, triggered by the confirmation that this call was coming from the Republican Party itself. How many people have the opportunity to vote directly against Cantor? Not as many as would like that honor. I intend to exercise that vote to its fullest.
He lives in a neighboring community, less than 2 miles from our home. Family members have met members of his extended family.
A few moments later, as we began to enjoy our dinner, the phone rang again.
“Maybe it’s the FBI. Or Mr. Cantor himself,” said the Mr.
Ha ha. Very funny. I’m sure he’s too busy opposing progress in Congress or developing misogynistic policies behind a closed door somewhere in Washington.
After dinner, we watched some “Daily Show” and “Colbert Report,” – clearly the best things about election season. I can’t wait to hear them talk about Clint Eastwood’s speech tonight. What the hell was he saying?!? The Mr. kept covering his eyes during the speech, because it was making him physically uncomfortable. I commented that it was only one notch better than listening to Kirk Douglas (post-stroke) at the Oscars. Or Dick Clark in his final years of crashing the Rockin’ New Year’s Eve show after Seacrest took over.
We saw Rubio and Romney speak, too. Rubio has a baby face. Romney has a mechanical face. Neither swayed me to support Romney, which is no big surprise.
Have you answered telephone political surveys? Or have you been avoiding the calls?
Comments (8)
I do not wish I had the honor of voting against Eric Cantor, because that would mean I lived in the place that elected him. Ugh.
Clint Eastwood–what were they thinking? Everyone has already forgotten whatever the hell Romney said, but Clint and his empty chair will live on well past election day.
I saw the Clint Eastwood speach on Yahoo, I didn’t think it was all that bad, not because I am a republican but because I am an Eastwood fan. ;-D I just can’t wait until the elections are over… I am on overload, as we all are I guess. Glad to read your doing well!
@transvestite_rabbit - Yeah, I know. You’re used to the liberal left coast. There has been some buzz that Cantor has angered a lot of Republican women….hopefully those ladies will help me kick his butt out of office! Did you hear at the beginning of Eastwood’s speech when he tried to make it sound like so many celebrities were Romney supporters? Like him and John Voight -celebs that are so hip and relevant. The Mr. and I are sitting here about to fall asleep, but trying to wait up to see Jon Stewart rail on that speech. It will be worth it, I’m sure.
@angi1972 - I like Eastwood in certain contexts, but he’s surely not as tough as he used to be! Election season can be exhausting, I agree. Between Facebook, and yard signs, and uncomfortable conversations…..it’s a lot. I usually don’t go political on Xanga, either, but those political surveys apparently got me “in the mood.”
Glad you stopped by – missing your daily blogs since they stopped!!
Because joel is a (R) and I am a (D) (registration-wise, anyway, as I’m not sure I could actually palate being married to an actual republican at this point in the party), we get it from both sides and it is EXHAUSTING. We want to donate to the Obama campaign, but have hesitated because it will mean we get even MORE calls and letters and intrusions on our personal lives. How sad is that!?
@miss_order – The Republican party has changed so very much. Crazy. We just finally opened our wallets to Obama’s campaign AND ordered a lawn sign for Cantor’s opponent. That should get some comments in the ‘hood!!
I answered one in the spring. There haven’t been anymore calls like that since. This is the first time I’m really paying attention to politics. I always voted, but I never bothered to look below the surface before. There is absolutely no way I will vote Romney, and I will likely do my homework all they way down to the local level.
I don’t answer the phone anymore unless I recognize the phone number. Or I’m really lonely.
I didn’t watch the Republican convention. I was on vacation. But even if I’d been home, I wouldn’t have watched it because I just don’t have the patience for listening to people talk for a long time. Too much like church, I guess. I haven’t been glued to a political convention since Bill Clinton accepted the nomination in 1992. I was young and idealistic then. I think I was more capable of paying attention at church, too. I’ll *read* speeches after the fact because I can read faster than I can listen, but listen in real time? Bah. Life is too short. I did catch a snippet of Clint Eastwood’s speech on the morning news while I was enjoying my free continental breakfast at the hotel, and all I can say is, “… what?”