Gregory D.

Lee

Read Greg's bio and previous columns here

October 27, 2008

Ask the Troops: Left to Them, It Would Be McCain in a Landslide

It’s no wonder that, in 2000, the lawyers for Vice President Al Gore attempted to have the courts throw out the absentee ballots of Floridian military members when they challenged George W. Bush’s win of the state, which gave him the presidency. Does the military attract patriotic, conservative men and women from all socio-economic backgrounds? Or do military members become politically conservative once they are charged with the nation’s defense?

In its October 13, 2008 edition, the Army Times published the results of a poll of 4,300 readers of Military Times publications, which includes weekly newspapers geared for members of the Navy, Marines and Air Force. The poll asked: “If the presidential election were held today, for whom would you vote?”

The results were consistent among all the services. Respondents from all ranks overwhelmingly supported Sen. John McCain over Sen. Barack Obama. Enlisted people supported him 67 percent to 23 percent, and officers did the same by a 70 percent to 22 percent margin. It was no surprise to me to see that Marines favored McCain over Obama 75 percent to 18 percent. Does that surprise anyone?

Guard and Reserve members favored McCain over Obama 71 percent to 21 percent. Military retirees also supported McCain over Obama 72 percent to 20 percent.

Overall, men supported McCain over Obama 70 percent to 22 percent; women 53 percent to 36 percent.

White service members favored McCain 76 percent verses 17 percent for Obama. Conversely, black service members supported Obama over McCain 79 percent to 12 percent. Sound familiar? Obama enjoys about 95 percent support among black civilians. Hispanic service members from all branches of the military supported McCain 63 percent compared to 27 percent for Obama.

The military is a reflection of American society as a whole. It is not a social experiment. It is the product of a diverse make-up of Americans and offers more consistent equal opportunities for jobs and promotions than any other employer in the nation.

The military respondents were also asked specific questions about which candidate would do a better job as president handling domestic issues, such as education and the economy. McCain wins again, 53 percent versus 33 percent for Obama. Obviously some McCain supporters thought Obama would do a better job on domestic issues, but felt that overall McCain would make a better president.

As with civilians, the war in Iraq ranked third behind the candidates’ character and the economy as the top issues among respondents. In the equivalent 2004 survey, Iraq was the most important issue.

Did the respondents in this survey pick McCain over Obama as a result of Obama’s stated defense policies? Did they realize that Obama wants to shelf the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in favor of allowing gays to openly serve in the military? Did they know that, although Obama is not in favor of returning the draft, he does favor requiring women to register with the Selective Service? He also wants to revisit the restriction on women serving in combat roles.

Obama has long supported drawing down in Iraq, possibly without regard to the current situation on the ground or the advice of his commanders. He is on record of wanting to halt missile defense research. Did these Obama policies influence the respondents of the survey?

Obama wants more troops in Afghanistan. If he becomes president, the first Pentagon briefing will inform him that there aren’t any more troops to send to Afghanistan. Will that prompt him to immediately and completely abandon Iraq and send those soldiers to Afghanistan? Such a move to withdraw troops prematurely, and so close to victory, could dismantle all that has been accomplished, and the respondents of the survey know it.  

Although Obama has criticized McCain for not doing enough for wounded soldiers, 73 percent of the survey’s respondents said that McCain would do a better job as president handling military personnel issues such as pay and benefits. Obama only received 18 percent. Go figure. Maybe soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen realize that Obama’s economic policies will leave little for their families and nation’s defense.

American voters should not be surprised by the survey’s results. The troops have the greatest stake in the outcome of the election.

Gregory D. Lee is a nationally syndicated columnist for North Star Writers Group and an army reserve officer. He can be reached through his website: www.gregorydlee.com. The entire poll can be viewed at www.armytimes.com.

© 2008 North Star Writers Group. May not be republished without permission.

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