Military Poll Finds Troops Wary About Obama

[LarryO1970]

Six out of 10 active-duty service members say they are uncertain or pessimistic about President-elect Obama as their commander in chief.

Read more here ...

Clinton cut the throat of the military through cut backs ... what will Obama do?

[LiveToShoot]

When I was in...

...we were very uncertain or pessimistic about Billary.

Those feelings of yesteryear for Billary are dwarfed by what I feel toward Obamatard...

Also, read deeper in the article and find the subliminal brain washing propaganda that are in support of current conditions and activities...

[LarryO1970]

During my first term, I served with Clinton as the POTUS...

Anyone remember Mogadishu?

Anyone remember Riyadh?

Anyone remember Khobar Towers?

Anyone remember the U.S.S. Cole?

... The list goes on and on and on...

Anyone remember just how deep he cut the throat of the military?

I can only hope any pray that Obama does not do the same ... unfortunately, the female Clinton is now going to be the Secretary of State. We'll probably head right down that same road and become a paper tiger.

Does anyone have a realistic clue about what Obama is going to do with us in uniform?

Larry O

[troy2000]

Originally Posted by LarryO1970

[]Does anyone have a realistic clue about what Obama is going to do with us in uniform?

Larry O[/B]

No, but it doesn't stop them from talking anyway, does it?

And this poll was completely worthless, because it wasn't a random or scientific sampling of the troops. It was a write-in poll. No serious pollster considers write-ins useful for anything but entertainment.

If you read the article itself, instead of reading articles about the article, it says this in the middle: "The responses are not representative of the opinions of the military as a whole. The survey group overall under-represents minorities, women and junior enlisted service members, and over-represents soldiers."

It goes on to say that only 13% of the respondents were Democrats. I seriously doubt only 13% of the military overall is registered Democratic.

And in spite of that, if you read the actual article instead of just reading about it, you'll find the responses weren't nearly as black and white as headlines make it seem.

2008 Military Times poll: Wary about Obama - Army News, opinions, editorials, news from Iraq, photos, reports - Army Times

[LarryO1970]

... sure Troy, it is only a non-scientific sample. Are you suggesting that is is not even close to realistic? It all depends on how it is perceived.

... given the FACT I am around the military and in the military, I hear the comments on a daily basis. The military is worried, and with damn good reason. I don't need any scientific or non-scientific poll to tell me any different.

Larry O

[jerry]

I did not analyze nor read the poll. However, from my perspective, yes military people are worried. I get to talk to people all over the world who have the pulse of thier people at hand. I really don't need a poll.
Submitted with respect to both of your opinions and beliefs. Just reporting the facts, just the facts Ma'am.

[Rambo]

Back when I was in, no one wanted to be overheard saying anything political for fear of repercussions from above. Your Commander-in-Chief was just that. If you didn't like him, you kept quiet, or lied.

[LarryO1970]

Rambo ... it is what it is. I'm merely stating what is happening in real life regardless of what a poll says. They can be manipulated too... it all depends on the opinion of the writer, publicist, etc.

What I believe is what I experience, not what someone writes.

... I'd venture to guess that of the veterans here, at least 3/4 of them are worried about what Obama will do to the military.

Larry O

[jerry]

I remember that too Rambo. Mainly in peace time. Military members wont change how they do thier jobs. A comander in chief is a commander in chief with checks and balances. The interesting thing now days is the education level of the average enlisted troop. I would say they are much more aware of thier social and political surroundings.

[LarryO1970]

I agree Jerry ... the military troops are not as dumb as certain politically affiliated people believe. Just ask SENATOR John Kerry.

Larry O

[troy2000]

Larry, the article itself admits that the results aren't representative of the military as a whole. And even with the poll respondents being skewed toward older, white, male, Army soldiers, they still only got a sixty percent majority to back up their claim that the military as a whole is worried. I'm willing to bet that if you actually did a representative survey of the military as a whole, the majority are adopting a wait-and-see attitude toward Obama.

I won't claim they're wildly enthusiastic about him, but the average attitude is probably a lot more balanced than you would think just by a quick overview of this particular article. Might I suggest that very few younger people in the enlisted ranks are going to speak freely around you (or around other non-com's who feel as you do), if they disagree with you?

When I was in the Navy, the views one heard about the Vietnam War, and President Nixon, would have been drastically different if you listened to only the officers and senior noncoms, and ignored the seamen and junior petty officers.

[troy2000]

Originally Posted by LarryO1970

I agree Jerry ... the military troops are not as dumb as certain politically affiliated people believe. Just ask SENATOR John Kerry.

Larry O

Given that they were part of the vote that foisted the Shrub on us instead, I'm not sure they're as smart as some would like us to believe...

[jerry]

This is way beyond my intellect already. I usually don't put a dog in this kind of fight. I graciously bow out to go about my business.

[troy2000]

Originally Posted by jerry

This is way beyond my intellect already. I usually don't put a dog in this kind of fight. I graciously bow out to go about my business.

I'd say you honestly stated your opinion of the situation according to what you've observed, Jerry. While I may not totally agree with you, I don't think you were saying anything irrational.

[LiveToShoot]

"I graciously bow out to go about my business." -jerry

Very wise approach I do believe, and an approach I need to return to taking,...

...so as to avoid the bait and attack trap that's used in much of the debate over some of our forum topics.

[troy2000]

Originally Posted by LiveToShoot

"I graciously bow out to go about my business." -jerry

Very wise approach I do believe, and an approach I need to return to taking,...

...so as to avoid the bait and attack trap that's used in much of the debate over some of our forum topics.

Haven't seen any victims of bait and attack lately, LTS. But I've seen a few people paint themselves into a corner, if that's what you mean by trapped...

And every now and then, I run into someone who lets his alligator mouth overload his parakeet arse...

[LarryO1970]

... something about your baiting people Troy? No way...

... just like I said in post #8, I believe the men and women I serve with over a militarily disconnected man who does not know the people I work with.

...we are concerned ... whether you believe it or not. You need to understand there ... Mr. Troy ... that not only do I read these stories regarding what we in the military believe about Obama, but I live this also. You ... do not.

[troy2000]

Originally Posted by LarryO1970

... something about your baiting people Troy? No way...

... just like I said in post #8, I believe the men and women I serve with over a militarily disconnected man who does not know the people I work with.

...we are concerned ... whether you believe it or not. You need to understand there ... Mr. Troy ... that not only do I read these stories regarding what we in the military believe about Obama, but I live this also. You ... do not.

Larry, I have no doubt you're honestly expressing your viewpoint, and that of those around you. But I've been there, and I don't think the service has changed that much...the opinions expressed amongst themselves by senior NCO's are not necessarily those of their entire branch of the service from top to bottom, much less of all the other branches. In particular, if you believe your E-2's and E-3's think exactly the way you do, and so do the younger ranks in the other branches, you may be in for a shock.

If you read other polls, you'll find there's been a significant swing in the political affiliations and voting preferences of military personnel over the last four years--even the older, white males. Yes, the Republicans still outnumber the Democrats, but not by nearly as big a margin as they used to.

The last time we saw a comparable trend was during the Carter Administration, when it was going the other way. It looks to me like the pendulum is swinging back. If Obama doesn't screw things up, we'll probably have a much more politically-balanced military by the time he gets out. If he does screw up, the trend will reverse yet again...

[LarryO1970]

Troy ... I'd be a fool to think that the E-2's and E-3's all think identical to the way I do. I know they do not. I do, however, know that most (this means not all) of the people I serve with are very much concerned about Obama and the typical role that Democratic Presidents have had on the military.

Troy ... do you believe polls can be manipulated just as the news and votes? Don't believe everything you read. Attempt to listen to the people serving instead of a politically charged columnist or news source.

... just what does this mean to you ? :"The responses are not representative of the opinions of the military as a whole. The survey group overall under-represents minorities, women and junior enlisted service members, and over-represents soldiers."

... is this supposed to say that only the corn fed Midwest white male was asked? Is this also to say that race is the primary reason for support? Gee, I thought that "minorities, women and junior enlisted service members" actually were soldiers? WTF over ?

... funny, I was never asked, nor was anyone I know. After serving 15+ years, I know people around the globe...

[troy2000]

Originally Posted by LarryO1970

Troy ... I'd be a fool to think that the E-2's and E-3's all think identical to the way I do. I know they do not. I do, however, know that most (this means not all) of the people I serve with are very much concerned about Obama and the typical role that Democratic Presidents have had on the military.

Troy ... do you believe polls can be manipulated just as the news and votes? Don't believe everything you read. Attempt to listen to the people serving instead of a politically charged columnist or news source.

... just what does this mean to you ? :"The responses are not representative of the opinions of the military as a whole. The survey group overall under-represents minorities, women and junior enlisted service members, and over-represents soldiers."

... is this supposed to say that only the corn fed Midwest white male was asked? Is this also to say that race is the primary reason for support? Gee, I thought that "minorities, women and junior enlisted service members" actually were soldiers? WTF over ?

... funny, I was never asked, nor was anyone I know. After serving 15+ years, I know people around the globe...

Those aren't my words, Larry. That's a direct quote from the Army Times article you're waving around. Try actually reading it.

The Army Times didn't go out and do a balanced survey; they simply asked their readers to write in. And yes: the majority of responses did come from older white males...who strangely enough, were mostly in the friggin' Army, not the Air Force. After all, it's the Army Times, Larry.