OCTOBER 16, 2008 11:24PM
Pint-Sized Pundits: Kids and the Presidential Election
Rate: 22
In what is feeling like the longest election year ever, we’ve heard plenty of adult commentary about the presidential election, but what do kids have to say? I’ve collected some snippets from two of my own children (ages 8 and 12) as well as a couple of borrowed kids (ages 8 and 10). As you can see, kids and adults are really not that different:
On Gender Bias in the Democratic primary:
Son #3: “My class had a vote for who we wanted for president. Barack Obama won because there’s more boys than girls in my class. All of the boys voted for Barack Obama and all of the girls voted for Hillary Clinton.”
Son #3: “Mom, what’s a Republican?”
Me: “It’s a member of one of the political parties in our country.”
Son #3: “Oh.”
Me: “Why do you seem so sad?”
Son #3: “I thought it was one of the guys from Star Wars.”
On learning of loved ones' political differences:
Son #2: “Mom! Guess what? My best friend is a Republican. What do I do now?”
On Sarah Palin, while watching the vice-presidential debate:
Son #3: “Gosh, Mom – She sure talks a lot. How does she BREATHE?”
Son #2: “Is she running for governor of Alaska?”
On Joe Biden, while watching the vice-presidential debate:
Son #3: “That guy must brush his teeth a lot. He has the whitest teeth I’ve ever seen!”
On watching John McCain during the presidential debate:
Son #3: “Why is he calling us his friends? We don’t even know him!”
On who’s in the lead:
Son #3: “Obama must be winning. I saw eight yard signs in a row.”
On the economy:
Son #3: “I don’t get it. Why don’t they just give everyone $200.00? Then everyone will be rich.”
On why you need friends in tough times:
Last weekend, I attended a “meet and greet” for a local Democratic candidate. The event was held at a friend’s house, and when I arrived, her daughter and two of her friends, all of whom I knew well from my children’s school, were standing at the edge of the driveway. They waved at me as I approached the driveway. One of the girls walked up to me and proclaimed, “I’m not a Democrat,” as if it was a secret she’d been keeping and just now had to confess.
My friend’s daughter put her arm around her and patted her shoulder. “It’s OK,” she said. “I’ll still be your friend.”
Uh-oh. No election is worth breaking a little girl's heart. I put my arms around all three girls in a great big group hug. I told Ms. Non-Democrat, “I will still love you no matter what you are; whether you are a Democrat or a Republican or purple or green or blue. You are still the same person on the inside.” She smiled at me, relieved, and then skipped to the back yard with the other girls.
When it comes down to it, it’s the people who matter. Not the Party.
Here are a few of his snippets:
On the VP debate -
"why do people in political campaigns always use awkward metaphors?"
"Joe Biden kinda looks like a Republican, doesn't he?"
On people, I'm right there with ya. I have two whole posts up right now on Loving Republicans in response to the Open Call.
This is what my son came out with a few days ago. I'm not even sure it's appropriate to share this, but he's six, what can I say?
"Mom, do you know why I like Barack Obama?"
"No, why?"
"Because he's black, and I like black people."
"Oh!"
Then, in a whisper: "Well, really he's brown, but we're not supposed to say that."
Ha! What do you say to that? :D
Lisa - I love your 9 yr old! Any child who can recognize an awkward metaphor gets high praise from me.
Marple - Your son's comment had tears coming out of my eyes from laughing so hard. Thanks so much for sharing it!
I love kids!
The other day, we were out walking, and my daughter saw an Obama sign in someone's yard.
Suzie: Mommy, look. Those people are McCain voters.
Joey: No, Suzie, that's an Obama sign. See? O-Bama. It begins with an O. McCain begins with an M. MMM-Cain.
Suzie: O'Cain?
I thought Joey's head was going to explode. But a few minutes later, he asked, "Mommy, is Mr. McCain that lady's grandpa?"
Me: What lady? Mrs. Palin?
Joey: Yes. He's her grandpa, right?
I just smiled and told him no.
Oh, the times they are a changin'. My dad - A former Reagan Democrat turned independent - is "considering voting for Obama."
Amy - it sure is easy to get caught in the partisanship. The great thing about kids is they have such a fresh way of looking at things.
Meredith - that is too funny about "Aunt Hilary". Too bad that the whole thing with Spider Man didn't work out. We'd probably be in much better shape right about now!
Angrymom - With kids ages 2 and 5, I'll bet you have an absolute ton of things to write about. Those younger years are the best.
Christian - thank you so much for such a lovely comment! I do hope that one of these days our country can get back to being united instead of divided.
Annie - you're a much better mom than I am. I wouldn't have been able to resist the grandpa question.
Mary - One thing that separates Obama from politicians in the past is how he's been able to engage youth in politics. How wonderful that the 11 year old you spoke of was so involved. All that my kids do is make commentary!
Diana - I am seeing quite a few life-long, hard-line Republicans switching sides this election. All we needed was 8 miserable years, I suppose.
Lisa - Thank you so much! No one was more surprised than I to see my post on the cover, but I'm very grateful regardless. :o)
On the other hand did anyone hear what Howard Stern did on his show a few days ago? One of his people when out on the street and asked people who they were going to vote for. 3 of the 4 said Obama. He asked them why and listened to their answer. He then used the positions of the other person and asked them if they supported him because of A or B, both of which belonged to the other person. He then asked them if they thought the pick of (the other persons VP choice) was a good pick and would they make a good VP. Yup, they liked the wrong VP choice as VP.
It was a funny skit until you realize these people sounded like they might actually vote.
From the kids, I understand and educate, but what do you do when grown people are that (insert your favorite term here)?
Scruffus - Thank you so much!
TimidView - I agree that the additional snippets that people have posted in the comments are wonderful. Maybe if we keep tuning in to the kids during this election, we'll end up on the other side with some modicum of sanity remaining. Good for you for hugging grandma.
catnlion - I did not hear Howard Stern but I know what you are saying. They are probably the same people who truly believe that Obama is a terrorist.
I really hate people like that. It almost makes you want some sort of a poll test, but that has more problems than it would solve, but they scare me.
There is no way on God's green earth that I would vote for Obama, but that is based on my beliefs and his statements. That should be the on things that makes you decide who to vote for.
While he has some "friends" who are terrorist, and he had a racist preacher I don't see where that should be part of the decision process unless he actively took part or supported their activities. I know I'll never be able to run for office if that is part of the decision process of people. I know I have some "friends" who are out there and I'm sure if you took an inventory of your friends over the last 30 years, you will have a couple also.
BTW, he's not a muslim either.