I just got off the phone with my 86 year old grandmother-in-law. It's her birthday today and she just told me who she is voting for.
My grandma-in-law is great! She is very Catholic (7 children), very traditional and very funny. She is always telling very inappropriate (in the gross sense) stories at the Thanksgiving and Christmas table. She was a nurse in World War Two and at 86 is sharp as whip. She has ALWAYS voted Republican. As the granddaughter-in-law, I would never broach politics at the dinner table but in 2006, I went to Christmas Dinner at her house and discussed politics.
It started innocently enough. The family discussions that gradually drifted to politics. The casual question of "Who are you voting for?" and then the loud mouth super liberal daughter-in-law makes the fatal mistake and asks
"Are you glad that a woman is running this time and are you going to vote for her?"
I think grandma just choked on the turkey.
Grandama: "No!, I will never vote for a woman." she said.
Daughter-in-law looking puzzled asks, "Why not?..."
Grandma: "Women are too emotional! I don't want a commander in chief that suffer's from PMS."
Daughter-in-law: "UMMMM...okay?"
Husband: "Honey, what do you think about that statement?"
Daughter-in-law: (glaring at husband) "I think everyone is entitled to their opinion."
Father-in-law: (trying not to laugh) "But what do you really think about that statement?"
Daughter-in-law: Shoves huge bit in mouth points helplessly.
Mother-in-law: "Are you sure you don't have an opinion?"
Daughter-in-law: (wonder's how evil is this family she married into)
At this point, grandma is voting for McCain or Huckabee and daughter in law is learning a very valuable lesson about keeping her mouth shut at the holiday table.
Fast forward to the New Hampshire Primary
Yes, you guess it...Hillary Clinton getting teared up. While you all were debating the merits of it, I was thinking "Great, now grandma is NEVER voting for a woman, EVER!!" And yes, forget the black guy!...
Today..
Today is grandma's birthday! She is 86 year's old. My husband and I just called to wish her a Happy Birthday. And guess what, she is voting for Obama. YES, my 86 year old Republican grandma is voting for the black guy. I almost had a heart attack. I asked why? She said she just really likes his message and is telling all her friends to vote for him. I felt like crying.
I hope this is it. I HOPE for change!!!