I work in Alpharetta, Georgia in a very Red area. I just went out for lunch to get the emissions tested on my car. Took it to a place where, when you walk in, the first thing you notice is a copy of the Ten Commandments on the wall.
Outside: Old white man who is testing my car sees the “GLBT For Obama” sticker on the back of my car.
“That sonofabitch better win!” says he, with a smile.
Maybe there is hope. Of course, I’m sure he didn’t know quite what the GLBT meant.
Thomas
"Giblets for Obama?"
Because who doesn’t like some tasty gravy with your President elect?
spud
I’m sure he didn’t know quite what the GLBT meant.
You never know, he’s into tailpipes after all.
Foxhunter
Now Michael, you know they don’t say ‘sonfabitch’ here in Georgia. They say ‘sumbitch’. Didn’t you pay attention to ‘Smokey & The Bandit’??
I’ve been pleasantly suprised at the number of Obama signs/nods to my stickers here on the opposite side of the perimeter.
South Metro is also a little *red*, at least in my area, and this morning there were Obama/Biden sign holders at every corner. Folks were honking horns, terrorist fist-pumping, and waving…it looks to be a truly wonderful day.
How was the P’tree City race?
Josh Hueco
GLBT = Grey Poupon, Lettuce, Bacon, Tomato
jakester
I’m pretty sure it’s guacamole. Mmmmm, guacamole…
Michael D.
@Foxhunter: Finished it in 1:27. Great. The trails were terrific and you had a lot of nice scenery to distract you. I am doing the Atlanta Half Marathon on Thanksgiving Day.
Ugh.
Dennis - SGMM
From a comment over at TBogg’s place:
JL
The repubs in my district, No. Fulton, are noticeably grumpy. I view that as a good sign.
lorri
Maybe he does know what it means. Lots of straight people have gay family members. Have you seen the video of San Diego’s Republican mayor declaring his last-minute support of a measure supporting gay marriage? It’s quite moving:
Foxhunter
@Michael D.:
Good luck in the Turkey Trot MD. It’s a good race…the wife and I have done it a few times. It’s a zoo at the Turner Field finish, so if you are meeting up with anyone, gameplan it first.
Tsulagi
You have a “GLBT for Obama” bumper sticker on your car? In Georgia? If you go driving in the rural countryside, I hope you’re packing a turbocharged V12 under the hood.
passerby
Michael, that’s great to hear.
And you know, I’m coming to learn that here in Chattanooga, where the Chattanooga Times Free Press endorsed Obama on Sunday, there’s a good number of Obama supporters.
A couple of weeks ago I was manning the Obama HQ (one of two in Chatt). I thought it would be just me and the phones. But, I was amazed at the number of people coming in to get signs, buttons and pamphlets. I was delightedly busy and plenty of people lingered to chat about the election.
People are waking up/ have woken up.
Exciting times.
Also, internal polls in LA indicate a virtual toss up in what is assumed to be a very Red state.
Bootlegger
GLBT-Gilbert. The dude’s name is Gilbert, but everyone calls him Gill.
In all seriousness, I’ve noticed a dramatic change in the South, not to a majority yet, but the demographic/generational shift combined with better education is having effects.
I read a story over at Salon about an older black gentleman in NC who had someone help him in the booth because he had trouble reading. It was his first time to vote.
Foxhunter
@passerby:
Just stay out of Sticky Fingers BBQ by the aquarium. Republican propaganda all over the walls. Pics of McSame and the Shrub. Went there a couple of weeks ago wearing an Obama tee and I was treated like I had a third eye.
But, I still love Chattanooga. :)
Michael D.
@lorri: Re; The video – I posted it here a couple days ago.
Michael D.
@Foxhunter: No worries. I live a mile away from Turner Field. We’ll meet up at home.
LaurenceB
At my precinct in Alpharetta this morning I walked through the parking lot and counted one McCain bumper sticker, seven American flag bumper stickers, one "support the troops", and zero Obama stickers (my wife and I walked).
So, yes, by my un-scientific count, Alpharetta is probably McCain territory.
On the other hand, I canvassed door-to-door in South Atlanta over the weekend in an Obama t-shirt, and was treated like a rock star. Unsurprisingly, lots and lots of enthusiasm in the black community.
As JL mentioned, lots of grumpiness among the many, many Republicans I work with. Good sign!
Foxhunter
@Michael D.:
Lucky bastard…(WRT living near Turner). Have fun.
KCinDC
Here in DC, Sticky Fingers is a vegan bakery, with great cinnamon buns.
Michael D.
In other news:
cain
@Michael D.:
Michael,
Great news! Score!
cain
Foxhunter
@LaurenceB:
It’s been amazing how dejected the Republicans seem in Georgia, based on my own un-scientific sticker count. It seemed like in 2000-2006 every other vehicle in the state had a ‘W’ or ‘W…still the President sticker. Now…..nothing. Hardly a nod to McCain/Palin other then the occasional stray yard sign. No concentration even in my suburbia hell.
Punchy
What’s the diff between Gay and Lesbian? Serious question.
Foxhunter
@KCinDC:
ummmmm….cinnamon buns.
Here in the bible belt, Sticky Fingers is a BBQ joint run by a trio of frat daddies. Good food, wrong politics. At least they server Stella and Sweetwater.
Dennis - SGMM
Palin, speaking to a crowd in Reno, Nevada, today, said of McCain: "Send him on his last mission!"
Josh Hueco
@Punchy:
I’ve always wondered that too.
Foxhunter
@Dennis – SGMM:
And yesterday Palin said we’re at war with Iran
Dumbass all around. To two-thousand and twelve bitches!!
Rachel
I agree. I’m a devoted reader (though this is the first time I have commented) who also lives in Alpharetta (the part that is in Forsyth County) and I have been pretty amazed by the levels of support for Obama. Every time I have shown up at the volunteer office it has been packed and the parties to watch election coverage at a local bar are invariably out the door.
I also find it very interesting that the early voting in my area involved standing in long lines. When I went last week there was over an hour wait and a number of people on their cell phones asking about possibilities for voting D when almost all of the local races are Republicans running unopposed.
Today, when my father went to vote, there was no line at all. I wonder how the enthusiasm gap is going to manifest in Georgia, especially area that have historically been almost rural, but where the population has been ballooning with young professionals.
Though, having said that, I should also point out that someone covered by Obama sticker with a Nobama one while I was in the gym last week. Tensions are running high.
Cassidy
Lesbians can be hot?
Dennis - SGMM
@Foxhunter:
Let’s hope that those who are calling her the future of the Republican party are correct.
Foxhunter
@Dennis – SGMM:
That would be fine by me. I don’t think four years of Cliffs’ Notes could make her a better candidate for a national office.
Of course, the SCLM has already started the meme:
‘What if: Clinton v. Palin 2012’?
Like Atrios seems to always say, ‘Please kill me’.
The Moar You Know
Fixt for public safety purposes.
Dennis - SGMM
It would be the only time in my life that I’d wish to be deaf.
Punchy
Another Q for the smarties here:
OK, the US Consty says Pres must be 35, US born citizen, etc. So, does that extend to the Vice, too? Could McCane have chosen The Schwartz to possible grab Cali?
If those qualifications do extend to the Vice, what about the 3rd in charge (Speaker of House, right?)? 4th? Where does it end?
Screamin' Demon
I have a lesbian friend who calls herself a gay woman.
TheFountainHead
The strap-on.
(totally unserious answer)
The Moar You Know
@Cassidy: Boy, are you in for a massive disappointment.
The Moar You Know
@Punchy: As far as I can tell, it doesn’t extend to the VP – but the VP would be unable to take the job if it came open.
Plus, picking the Governator might well have lost the GOP even more California votes than it already has. He’s polling about even with "dogshit on your shoe" these days.
Face
Golf clap where one is deserved.
Go read it and check out her GOP SOP line line "Misunderstood! Victim! Just kidding!". Fuckers.
Josh Hueco
@Cassidy:
Yes. They. Can.
Mnemosyne
Speaking of Prop 8, as I was driving to work at an insanely early hour, there was a small group of "Yes on 8" people waving signs at the freeway entrance ramp.
They got NO — zero — honks or waves that I could hear. Not one.
I was tempted to flip them off, but I just frowned hard at them instead.
syl
@Punchy/Moar
Amendment 12: "But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States."
DonnaInMichigan
I live in a predominately republican area…..small farming community here in Michigan.
I’ve never EVER seen the turnout in our area…EVER. And I have lived here all my 50 yrs.
There was 200 people in line today. I overheard conversations that even though they have voted Republican, this year they are going for Obama.
That McCain and the republicans turn their backs on them this year. And that this is their message back to them. And the number ONE reason why they won’t vote for McCain? Sarah Palin.
Tony J
Just off the top of my head, I think there’s a proviso that anyone running for the Vice Presidency has to be "eligible for the office of President"*sic. Which would preclude Ahrnult from being a candidate.
Punchy
@syl: Moocho grassy-ass.
Calouste
@Punchy:
VP has the same qualifications as President. If anyone further down the line of succession doesn’t have the qualifications for President, they just fall out of the line, it doesn’t have an effect on the position they are holding.
gbear
Or else a standard lettuce, bacon and tomato sandwich spiked with one of these to hold it together. fabulous!
Davis X. Machina
GLBT? That’s easy: Georgia Large-mouth Bass Tournament.
How’d ya do?
alyosha
@Michael D – that Prop 8 graph upstream made my day. I’m not GLBT, but I don’t want to see my state (California) go backwards. The No-On-8 forces have been late to the game, but apparently it’s been paying off. Even got robocalled by Bill Clinton WRT Prop Hate. Thanks.
CIRCVS MAXIMVS MMVIII
It sure sounds like Arnold has peaked and can go spend time with his family soon. ;)
CIRCVS MAXIMVS MMVIII
Ah, I guess that explains the reason why McCain went to Tennessee last night. Hmmm!
anonevent
The sole purpose of the VP is to take the presidents place. He/she must meet the same qualifications as the president.
Walker
Staying out of a Sticky Fingers is good advice in general if you live in the South. Why have a crappy chain when you can get the real thing?
bago
Snails or oysters?
cmorenc
GLBT = "Gelatinous Lard-Butt Tushes" for Obama ?
Blue Raven
The difference between gay and lesbian is one of visibility based on gender. "Gay" wound up being perceived as a term restricted mostly to male homosexuals, so when female homosexuals started demanding a larger visibility for their concerns back in the 70s, the tendency to see "gay and lesbian" went up. The concerns aren’t significantly different once you get past the ones that are gender-specific, of course, but it needed doing. The community really was male-biased for a while there. When Armistead Maupin had a character in Tales from the City who was discussing gay retirement homes snort and dismiss making space for lesbians in it, he was drawing from reality.
As an aside, being one who is covered by the "B" in that particular word salad, the fact that (speaking very broadly and being very glad of the many women who don’t do this) lesbians are more prone to be actively bigoted against bi women and protest the inclusion more is of course one of the great ironies of being a minority.
Foxhunter
@Walker:
touché.
gmcnorelation
I work in Tucker, GA and am not quite as blunt. Showing that I’m not from around here, I park nose-in in the deck, so all that shows from the back is my blue and yellow "= " window sticker and "01-20-09" bumper sticker. (I cut off "Bush’s Last Day" to be more subtle.) Of course, when I pull out of the space I become more easily defined: "Obama 08" on the front, "Obam-Biden 08" in a driver’s side window and "Vote Democratic" in a window on the other side. I never got the Martin sticker I wanted to add, but maybe that’ll be worth adding in the next few weeks.
Jamey
GLBT = Gay Lettuce, Bacon, Tomato, i.e., a BLT with Arugala.
They test emissions in Red States? I thought they believe that global warming is a hoax.
JWW
Michael,
I find it quite funny that you would say that your bumper sticker would fool somebody into believing they were with you in supporting Obama. It might just be they know exaclty the same thing about Obama! Absolutely nothing.
Step away from your blog and do a little research.
JWW
It also seems none of your normal sperm donors have a retort. Kinda funny when someone here shows any sense.
"Butt" I’m sure they will have plenty too say.