I walk into the break room at work to heat up my lunch in the microwave. As it warms, I stand there idly and glance at the TV. It’s tuned to Fox News, as usual. They’re currently showing Hillary Clinton at a campaign event. Man #1, who is a coworker and a super nice guy, looks at me and smiles.
Man #1: “Are you going to vote for her?”
I’m 99% certain he’s just trying to make small talk and like I said, I like the guy, so after a split second of debating how to enter this conversation, I decide to just keep it simple.
Me: “Yeah, probably.”
I pause. I’m not totally sure how to follow up this statement, and I really don’t want to get into talking points or proposed policy or overall political opinions. I shrug my shoulders and add off-handedly:
Me: “It’d be cool to have a woman as president.”
In retrospect, this was not a wise comment to throw around lightly — partly because it implies that I would vote for Hillary solely because she’s a woman (which is not true) and partly because, well, I live in Texas and work with a lot of very conservative people.
In any case, this statement catches the attention of Man #2, who I don’t really know except for the fact that we cross paths in the hall and in the break room. I present the rest of our conversation without comment:
Man #2: “But what about Carly Fiorina? You don’t like her?”
Me: “…No, not really.”
Man #2: “Why not?”
Me: “…Well, I’m a Democrat.”
Man #2: “Oh…”
He looks thoroughly confused.
Man #2: “But you don’t like Bernie?”
Me: “Well, he’s ok. But I like Hillary better.”
Man #2: “So you’re not a socialist.”
Me: “…Nope. Not a socialist.”
At this point, the microwave thankfully intervenes with a ding. I retrieve my food, smile, and quickly exit the break room.
Annnnnd scene.
I don’t think Bernie is nearly as socialist as he portrays himself to be. I have really wanted to like Bernie but the few times I’ve watched debates so far (like twice…I’m usually all about them but this round they grate my nerves) he’s not impressed me. Hillary has her problems but she’s the one best suited for the job, IMO, too.
It’s really hard/not fun being a liberal in Texas.
Back in 2000 I was a big Nader fan. Voted for him because Gore had no chance against Bush in Texas. As an Aggie, everyone at that time was all gung-ho about Bush. There were Aggies for Bush shirts. I had wished they had Gore or Nader ones and my hub (then fiance) told his mom that and her face could have been one of those cartoon characters that get bug eyes and the jaw drops to the floor. Needless to say I don’t think she could fathom that anyone in Texas would vote any other way!!
My husband typically vote Republican but I still don’t know why because most of his values are liberal. I just think he’s got something ingrained in him to dislike Democrats.
Ok, I could write a political book, so I’ll stop. 🙂
Yeah I would have totally taken that comment as you would have voted for a woman because shes a woman…a lot like SOME people voted for Obama because itd be cool to have a black man as a president…aaaaaaaaaaaaaanyway. I am right down the middle between Rep and Dem. And so much so that I will vote for the person on EITHER side I think is the right person. I have been saying though if the Reps want my vote, they better not put Trump as the nominee. That’s a deal breaker for me. I seriously don’t think they are going to, but man its getting harder and harder to believe that. If it comes down to Trump or Sanders, I will write in Bloomberg :O)
I really wish I could mush different parts of Sanders, Clinton, and Kasich together and make the candidate I really want to vote for. I have a few problems with Hillary, and I really just hate that we have had people with the name Bush or Clinton in EVERY election in the last quarter century. Seriously wrong.
I’m on the same page with all of you!
Misti — yes, it is always a weird feeling to lean liberal in Texas.
June — yes, my idle comment was definitely ready-made to be misconstrued! I understand what you mean about being in the middle. I have voted Republican in the past, and could see myself doing so again if they put forward the right person. Unfortunately, with the way the party seems to be skewing towards ultra-conservative, I’m not optimistic that there will be a Republican candidate I can support in the near future.
Jen – Totally agree. It’s mind-boggling to me that we keep coming back to a Bush or a Clinton.
Better than when a co-worked told me back in ’04 in the break room that he voted for Bush in the presidential election (versus Kerry) because at least his wife knew where her place was: in the kitchen. Politics and work is definitely tricky.