The Uncle Theory
Here’s some auntie-uncle gossip from the campaign trail. My nuclear family, all big Bill Clinton fans, voted for Barack Obama in the California primary because we’re suckers for someone trying to do something innovative and idealistic. And my parents never brought up skin color, which is unusual for their generation.
But most of their auntie-uncle circle are in the ring for Hillary Clinton, mainly because of her husband. They say what they really want is for Bill to fix the economy and cut their painful gasoline bills. And Bill’s generic-brand, ‘two-for-one’ pitch appeals to their inherent desi sense of economy. As that old condom ad said, let the good times unroll.
Another friend’s mother said she was voting Hillary because ’she’s a woman.’ My friend, a Republican, explained why she supports McCain, allowing that she wouldn’t mind terribly if Obama won. ‘But beti,’ her mom repeated firmly, ’she’s a woman.’ The Manolo is on the other foot, Ferraro.
Based on this highly detailed and methodologically sound survey, I propose the Uncle Theory for the desi vote in ‘08: people who dress like uncles are more likely to back Hillary Clinton because they’re trailing-edge adopters and they have fond memories of Bill. It’s true. Check with your friends. Take them shopping to upgrade their wardrobe, and while they’re not looking, throw a new candidate on the tab.
on Tuesday, March 11th, 2008, 10:48 pm in Barack Obama, Fashion, Hillary Clinton, Humor, Politics › 
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Manish,
I almost fired off a slightly annoyed response pointing out the ageism and sexism in the post - till i saw the “humor ” tag :-) .Good thing I had not pressed “post ” :-)
Bwahahaah! Totally. Add to that the affection that desis have for Clinton because he loosened up the visa regime for Indians coming to the US, and made a big splashy trip that showed the world We Were Now Somebodies. And they’re buying the two-for-one deal not just because it’s good value but because they assume that it’s still the man who’ll be running things, even if his wife is set up as panchayat head to fill a quota.
SP, not everyone can be so above it all.
Not sure what you mean, Sakshi, but no offence intended. I was pretty happy with Clinton’s visit myself and everyone I know remembers him fondly. And you know how we are with known names and dynasties.
I actually don’t even remember Clinton’s visit, but I guess I had a life as a kid ;) .Standing by itself your comment came across as kind of offensive, but I guess you were continuing in Manish’s vein (though a lot more fiery I must say). My apologies.
Carification: I just checked: the visit was in 2000, so I wasn’t really a kid, but in undergrad. But really, I had no idea Bill Clinton made such a huge impression on Indians.
this is very interesting discussion Manish…
in Jan I invited my best friend A who is a white american and her parents and her entire family for dinner when my mom was there..
Mom suddenly asked all of them whom they will vote for Hillary or Obama or Mccain..
All the ladies - my friends mom , my friend and her sis who are independent american voters said they will vote for Hilllary..I asked them why ..they said they want to support a woman and they are proud to be american women and want to support their fellow woman..
And my friends dad said he supports mccain because he is war veteran..my friends dad is in 70 yrs old..
me and my best friend both have constant discussions about this as Iam always curious about her political opinions..she likes obama a lot more than hillary for his idealism but she says girl no matter what I like, I have to support a woman so she chooses Hillary though she doubts Hillary’s honesty..
I cannot vote but to me Idealism is so appealing like ur family Manish..reason..todays politics is so corrupt whether it is India or here and most politicians are so pessimistic, carrying on same political philosophies for ages..it is tiring and see where the world is going with those philosophies..so to me one should give a chance to an idealist..politics needs to be cleaned up big time..needs some one more optimistic, who thinks of uniting not dividing and someone who just is ready to oppose go offbeat take radical steps break the path.. Idealists are mostly impractical ( atleast in my experience Iam an idealist and Iam not that practical) but idealist dont give up hope and dont give up fighting for right causes and we might keep on fighting but who knows someday we might change the world and the way the world thinks..
I’m neither an uncle nor a safari suit wearer, but I am in the HRC camp. She’s tough, smart, scrappy, competent and
asexual enough to run the Presidency.
Obama supporters are equivalent to the early gadget adapters. They rationalize the
shortcomings by proclaiming the revolutionary change it will bring. And of course they
trumpet the “potential factor” co-mingling with the “unifying force”… balderdash.
Hell, I’m not voting Democratic or Republican in November. It’s going to be a straight Libertarian ticket for me.
Without ranked preference voting, what’s the point? It’ll only play spoiler one way or another. That reform is needed before voting, not after.
Those early gadget adapters are the people that encourage innovation. If all consumers played it safe, you would be stuck with Ambassador Mark 1,2, 3, 4 and so on instead of new models.