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% to 23%, and officers did the same by a 70% to 22% margin. It was no surprise to me to see that Marines favored McCain over Obama 75% to 18%. Does that surprise anyone? Guard and Reserve members favored McCain over Obama 71% to 21%. Military retirees also supported McCain over Obama 72% to 20%. Overall, men supported McCain over Obama 70% to 22%; women 53% to 36%. White service members favored McCain 76% versus 17% for Obama. Conversely, black service members supported Obama over McCain 79% to 12%. Sound familiar? Obama enjoys about 95% support among black civilians. Hispanic service members from all branches of the military supported McCain 63% compared to 27% 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% versus 33% 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 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% 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%. 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.