Do people's political affiliations ever surprise you?

Question

In the run up to elections have you ever suddenly discovered that people you thought shared similar values actually vote for the other party?

Answer 1

most people i know how different political viewpoints to me so i don't bother discussing politics with them

Answer 2

Seldom - if you listen to what people actually say, you should be able to get a good idea of their politics.

Not everyone does, though - I can remember, back in the 1970s, being taken for a Tory more than once by people who didn't listen to what I said, but did hear how I said it, and jumped to rather silly conclusions.

There are other silly conclusions to jump to - more than one person, on learning I was an Irish Protestant, thought I must surely be a Unionist and fascist.

People also used to be taken in by others' fashion and style sense, and that worked in both directions.  It happened to me once - I was shocked to see a Citroen 2CV with a Tory election sticker.  I'm quite sure the poor little car used to get its own back by breaking down on country roads!

Answer 3

I'm surprised anyone can be a Republican. At all.

Answer 4

No, I was brought up to believe that you should never discuss your political alliances with anyone, so never ask anyone else.

Answer 5

Yes. I try not to get involved in political conversations with some of my friends.  Their lack of ability to view both sides and then discuss, without verbally assaulting another that has a differing opinion.  Then they wonder why I do not want to be around them sometimes.    

Answer 6

Voting tends to be a tribal thing, particularly for Labour voters. Even now, after the worst Government of all time, people would still vote for it again. It's as though they are letting their friends, workmates and family down if they don't. I think we all know people like that. How often do you hear, I have always voted Labour, and I always will? They don't understand that parties can change.

Someone above has reminded me of the worst reason for casting a vote in a particular direction. He looks like a nice person. In recent years there has been a tendency to personalise politics, particular as regards the leader. Surely, it's policies that count. We don't live under a Presidential system.

Answer 7

People in general surprise me all the time. They are totally unpredictable and like the weather. Trying to give an accurate forecast of things to come is a guess at best.

Answer 8

Rarely. Most of my mates aren't interested in politics and if they'd bother to vote it would probably be on some party that wouldn't get elected anyway... just for something to do. Personally I'd make voting compulsory without a very, very good excuse.

No one's in any doubt about my affiliation. And the friends who do take an interest tend to vote the same way... although one's a closet Green but under the Scottish system he can vote for both the SNP and the Green Party.

Answer 9

Young Republicans surprise me.  Generally it takes experience and maturity to make that shift.  

Answer 10

Very much so.

I grew up in a household were no-one ever divulged what their political affiliations were. Even my Grandparents never told each other who they voted for.

(Although my Grandad shouting ' shower of shite' every time the the Tories were on the telly sort of give his away )

Consequently in Adulthood I sort of assumed what other family members voted for. My Mum told me last year that she has voted for the Green Party for the last 15 years... I was floored.

Mr Haz and myself argue all the time about political matters...It's our sport ;-)

It's very disconcerting though when you find someone is voting for a party whose policies are so far removed from your own beliefs. I've not been surprised by anyone on here yet though, everyone who has made their views and affiliations clear are pretty much what I would have thought of them.

Answer 11

Yes.  One of my best friends has decided to be a Democrat and vote for Obama.  I can't understand why.  He's such a conservative about most things.  We agree on just about everything like wanting lower taxes, less wasteful government, actually winning the war on terror instead of giving up, etc.  I think he's bought into the lie that the Republican party doesn't care about the environment.  He's more of an environmentalist than I am.  

I care about the environment, I just don't want the government to dictate what I do or don't do to try to benefit it.  Some things they are pushing are nonsense and some are not bad ideas.  Unfortunatley, they keep pushing the nonsense stuff along with the ok ideas.

Answer 12

It is kind of surprising sometimes, isn't it?  I can't stand to hear some of my friends talk about politics; even though I respect their opinions, hearing them constantly repeat internet rumors about Obama gets pretty tiresome after a while.

Answer 13

Yes sometimes it does but the thing I hate most when I hear people say he looks nice lets give him a chance or we wont vote for him because he looks pompous WTF has looks got to do with who you vote for , beyond my mind set I'm afraid.