Bucks
Ed Howard’s Del Val College Presidential Poll
Dear Friends,
Good morning. Last week, I ran an informal poll at Ed Howard’s class at Delaware Valley College. The former Bucks County State Senator occasionally calls me to have rambling conversations with his “pupils.” All of them are above age 60, I’d guess, and most of them live in Bucks County. They are very informed and opinionated…just the kind of people I love to be around. Most of all, they are opinion makers…they will influence friends and neighbors on Election Day, November 6.
Ed calls the class, “Local government, the growing monster in your back yard,” or “Monster Class” for short.
Ed wanted the class to focus on the Presidential candidates so I put together a quiz. But I just couldn’t stop with the national scene…I had to find out about what they were thinking at the local level. After all, voters choose their Bucks and Montgomery County Commissioners this year.
Fifteen said that they were registered Republicans, 10 Democrats, and two Independents. “Do you usually vote the way you’re registered,” I asked? Eight responded yes, five said no, and 14 replied, sometimes.
Twenty of the 27 responded to this question: “In the Bucks Commissioner election, will you vote for two Democrats, two Republicans, or one of each?” Nine replied Democrats; six, Republicans; and five one of each. The vast majority was planning to vote “Yes” on the $87 million bond issue referendum for open space by a margin of 21 to 3.
Their answers to the national questions were fascinating.
Here are their presidential preferences: Democrats- Hillary Clinton, 4; John Edwards, 2; Barack Obama, 6; and Republicans- Giuliani, 5; McCain, 4; Mitt Romney, 3; and Fred Thompson, 0. The class was evenly divided…12 were leaning to Democratic candidates; 12, Republican.
I asked them to prioritize the national issues. Iraq was first followed by national security, immigration, national health system, social security reform, and education. The class also mentioned gun control, changing the national election process, political reform, environment and global warming, conservation and individual rights.
Ten of 18 think it’s time for an independent candidate to win the presidential election. But only 9 said they’d vote for New York City Mayor Michael Boomberg if he ran…15 wouldn’t.
“Do you favor staying the course in Iraq until democracy goals are reached,” I asked? Six replied yes; 20 said no. Six favored withdrawing troops from Iraq immediately; 3 in six months; and 10 in 12 months.
I asked the class about national service. My version of national service is every teen, age 18 or graduating from high school, would choose between non-military service (such as hospitals, park service, peace corps, etc) and military service for two years, no exception.
I believe that every teen would be a better citizen having served her/his country; would be more involved in community activities and be more focused when going to college. Twenty agreed with me; 4 did not.
I asked them for whom they’d vote for congress next year? Congressman Patrick Murphy won narrowly, 11 to 9.
Ed Howard asked about the public TV series on World War II. “How many of you watched it,” he asked? All the hands went up except two, and both of them had experienced combat.
I commented that in World War II, every city and hamlet was connected to the war. But in the Iraq war, there's a disconnect. “Why,” I asked?
“It’s not a legitimate war,” one lady responded.
“In the Vietnam War, America had the draft,” another answered. “Every family was connected because their sons were being drafted.”
“If we had faith in the government, we’d be connected,” one replied.
“We were lied to,” a man quipped. “There were no weapons of mass destruction.”
Who will win the presidency next year? There are five, three-month cycles ahead. You know what this class was thinking in the first quarter. Will their allegiances change in the next 15 months? Probably.
The class was acutely aware that they live in volatile Bucks and Montgomery counties. Southeast Pennsylvania is the most crucial voting district in Pennsylvania…maybe the U.S. if the vote is close.
The class was clearly angry. Is the nation angry? Is Bucks County angry? Stay tuned.
Sincerely,
Charles Meredith