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October 14, 2004

The debate through fresh eyes

Daughter #3, Heather (the one that gave me more grey hair when she announced she was going skydiving) has never been much interested in politics. While she listens to issues and follows current events, the mechanics of government, campaigns and debates have left her cold.

This semester she's taking a poly-sci course. Suddenly, politics is something she has to pay attention to, not just because of a Presidential election but because her professor says "thou shalt."

Last night she watched most of the debate with me. She's not so much the demographic of the Great Sought-after Undecided Voter [an aside here: do not miss Michele's hilarious stream-of-consciousness take on Undecided Voter], than she is just a new voter.

"Mom, I'm hearing both of them state what they say are facts, statistics, but the numbers don't agree. Who is right? How do I know?"

Following politics and issues long enough, I realized I took it for granted that I would hear all the facts offered and I either would know much of those stats upfront, or I'd go look them up afterwards.

"Sweety, remember that quote from Mark Twain? About 'lies, damned lies and statistics?'"

Heather laughs.

"Well, don't take any stat offered up at face value. Try and remember the ones that impress you most, make note, then do some research afterwards. And that goes for both sides."

Are you surprised I'd say that? That I wouldn't be telling her to take GW's side no questions asked? I respect my daughter enough to give her not only my opinions and why, but to try and give her the tools to go out and learn for herself. I want her to respect how I got to my opinions and I want her to form her own based on rationality and reflection.

This was perfectly illustrated when it went to the same-sex marriage question. She was annoyed at both Kerry and GW for being "against gay marriage." She sees nothing wrong with it.

"I think they should be allowed to get married."

"Why?"

Heather looks at me, because she knows I support same-sex marriage, wondering where that came from.

"Because it's mean not to allow them to be together."

"Heather, this is not about meanness, and no one has said gay people can't live together, set up housekeeping, make contracts to cover medical or inheritance. And you just heard the President say that all people must be treated respectfully and be free, as adults, to live how they want. We are talking about changing the law of the land. Give me reasons to change it."

"Uh, well ... I don't know."

"Well, do you believe in polygamy?"

"No. Not at all."

"Why not? If you're going to change the law for gays, why not for groups of people who want to marry?"

I explained to her this was something she needed to learn in regards to issues, to really reflect upon the reasoning that leads to whatever conclusion she has on an issue. It could be same-sex marriage or it could be abortion. Which brings up ...

She hadn't heard it before, but she was shocked and horrified that Kerry supported partial-birth abortion. She had listened to his "altar boy" comments and she just couldn't square it with his then refusal to outlaw (in her words) "that really sick stuff."

And that was what it came down to. Heather was impressed by GW's clear answers and sincerity. She thinks Kerry was a "phoney" because even she, as a neophyte political observer, saw how Kerry kept contradicting himself. She also felt he was so "down" on everything, how "awful" life was in America and that annoyed her. She like GW's upbeat enthusiasm and what he said he wanted for the future.

And she absolutely melted when GW talked about Laura.

"Oh mom! He loves her! That's just so cool."

She gave her patented "Heather" look when Kerry attempted to answer the same question ... she pulls her head back, one eyebrow is raised, her lip curls and you know she's thinking "Who the f**k are you trying to fool, fool?" She then looked at me and just shook her head.

"That was just ... just ... pathetic."

So, for me this debate was not only interesting from the debate itself, but because I got to experience with a young adult who is just getting her feet wet in the political sphere.

UPDATE cross posted at redstate.org.

Posted by Darleen at October 14, 2004 08:30 AM

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