NORFOLK
The blue "Obama-Biden" yard signs are hidden in the garage. The Obama bumper stickers are magnets, easy to remove when the husband drives the family SUV to the base. When politics comes up at barbecues and other work-related events, they measure their words.
But a few military wives have stepped out this year to back the Democratic candidate as members of Blue Star Families for Obama.
"There's a preconceived notion that if you're in the military, you watch Fox News and are Republican," said co-founder Amanda McBreen, who lives in Suffolk with her husband, a Marine lieutenant colonel, and their children. "I'm an issues person."
McBreen and two other local members, Vivian Greentree and Stephanie Himel-Nelson, are among about a dozen women driving the national campaign.
Military voters typically are a reliable base for Republicans. GOP candidate John McCain has even deeper ties as a naval aviator revered for his heroism as a prisoner of war.
An unscientific poll conducted by Military Times this month found its readers preferred McCain over Barack Obama by almost a 3-1 margin. McCain held solid leads in every category except black service members.
The voluntary survey drew on 4,290 current and former subscribers from all service branches, the National Guard and Reserves. Military Times noted that its readers are generally older, higher ranking and more likely to make a career of military service.
In Virginia, conservatives can point to a four-decade dominance in presidential elections.
Service members in Virginia favor McCain by almost a 2-1 margin, according to a poll conducted Oct. 1 by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc. The Republican ticket drew a large, pro-military crowd at a rally in Virginia Beach last week.
But in Hampton Roads, several dozen military family members have organized to target military voters through canvassing and phone banks. They produced an online commercial for the campaign, pitching Obama to the military community.
They host Democratic rallies and organize debate-watching parties and meet-the-candidate gatherings.
On Tuesday night, the American and Naval Academy flags flew at the door of Casey Spurr's home in Virginia Beach. Her yard was one of the few with Obama signs in the neighborhood.
Spurr, 29, joined the group about a month ago. It's a long way from her first political experience as secretary for the Young Republicans club at Bayside High School.
Spurr graduated from Virginia Tech, married a Navy fighter pilot and settled down in Virginia Beach. Last year, the couple had their first child. Both her husband and father-in-law are "very, very Republican," she said.
Spurr was motivated to support Obama after her husband received orders for a land-based mission in Iraq when she was seven months pregnant. The Navy is asking more service members to take on such untraditional assignments in combat zones to assist the Army and Marines, whose ranks have been strained by the war. The orders were postponed, but her husband is now overseas.
Spurr didn't hesitate to join the Obama campaign but said she is cautious when talking politics around other spouses.
The strain of the wars is overwhelming young military families, she said. She believes that if Obama wins, he'll redeploy troops and ease the heavy deployment schedules.
"It would have a huge impact," she said.
The Spurr living room is decorated with models of jet aircraft and a framed painting of a World War II fighter plane. About 15 people, most with military ties, shook hands with and listened to Glenn Nye, the Democratic candidate for the 2nd Congressional District.
They peppered him with questions about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the GI Bill, and the stumbling economy.
Himel-Nelson, whose husband recently retired from the Naval Reserve, said liberal politics can strain friendships and stain careers.
"It's sort of like a secret society within the military," Himel-Nelson said. "You know, those Democrats with the secret handshake."
An attorney specializing in government contracting, she said political persuasion can affect government contracts. Her clients often are advised to "stay on the good side" of the contracting officer, she said.
Her husband has generally supported her efforts, she said, with a few compromises - she keeps the Obama yard signs in her garage.
When the women shot their commercial along the street, several neighbors turned down requests to film in front of their homes when they learned the cause, said Greentree, who also blogs for PilotOnline.com.
McBreen helped form Blue Star Families while at Parris Island, S.C. She and her husband had several long discussions before she joined.
Officers are directed to stay clear of politics for fear of influencing the votes of their troops, she said. But she felt that "as wives, we could make a statement."
They realize they have an uphill battle, starting at home. Most are not convinced they have turned their husbands from red to blue.
Louis Hansen, (757) 446-2322, louis.hansen@pilotonline.com
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poltics and the blue
a american person married to the military or not should have the act of freedom to display signs or bumper stickers of who they support it is an american act of speech of freedom which is what the military is pro claiming to be standing for. So if within their own military groups are targeting any military wifes for the fact that they support a democratic and not a republican is discrimination within its own realm. No one should be having to hid signs in their garage for fear of what others do or say it is your right to vote and support who ever you want.
You couldn't be more wrong
Mike. Both Michele & Barack Obama went to college on a combination of academic scholarships & loans, which they just recently finished paying off. Barack didn't even fill out the block asking race on his college application. McCain, on the other hand, got into Annapolis through the ultimate affirmative action program, LEGACY. He was able to attend because of his father & grandfather. A fact he has freely admitted. Read, research, do something, prior to making such wild, false comments. All three got to where they are today through hard work & good timing.
Military Family
I have the upmost respect and admiration for Army & Marine Corp families.
As I stated in my previous post that was not fully displayed. The world in which we presently live in is far different than it was when I started out dating a military member 14 years ago. And in that time it has required that the service our spouses provide this country be adjusted accordingly. Which means longer & more frequent deployments. I am the first to complain about that. But the technology that we have in the present day provides families a means by which to make these extended separations easier. I simply believe that supporting a candidate that would more likely than not be exempt from military service for his questionable connections to parties that threaten our very way of life is wrong. There are countless other facts that should prohibit this man from being Commander in Chief. You know what you got into when you said, I do! Wake up, being away 5 years from your family in a 25 year career is a small sacrifice to protect this great country.
Conmans Mom
Conmans Mom, this is not about complaining about deployments, and you seem to be questioning the dedication of younger spouses' commitments to supporting their husbands' careers. How disrespectful can you possibly be? What this is about is that many military families are serving year long (or worse) deployments back-to-back with very little dwell time. This is a new military and far different than anything that has happened in the 12 years that you say you have been a spouse. If you read farther down the posts, one wife clarifies that her position is not about complaining about her husband's deployments, but having empathy for the families in the Army and Marines who are facing far greater obstacles than any other service. Perhaps you could exercise some of the same empathy for those outside of your own service and drop your "poor me" attitude.
Wow
Carolyn and myself have never agreed until now.
I am a democrat who does not support Obama.
All candidates aside; why is this issue not being paid attention to? It is a cornerstone of our democracy.
Much Ado about Nothing
No one forces the military wives into voting one way or another. Its their choice. This is just another pro-Obama article, with a slight twist. The Pilot will be churning these out regularly up to election day.
politics is getting more and more disgusting
This ACORN fiasco is unbelievable. Someone please tell me why I don't hear any of the Democrats complaining about it. If they have and I don't know about it, please direct me to who it might be.
MilitaryFamily
I stand corrected on who started Blue Star Families. I still think it is too similar to Blue Star Mothers of America. We can agree to differ on their 'right'.
www.bluestarmothers.org NON-POLITICAL
Re: censored again
I'd love to know why I am being censored when I follow the posting guidelines? Unfortunately, there's no way to ask....
Yea, that would be nice. I believe it's abuse of the "Report abuse" function and lack of resources to actually check them. They don't seem to be very committed to providing a good experience to their users.
Pathetic Really....
I am a proud Navy wife of more than twelve years and cannot believe the complaining that I see from wives these days. I too understand what a strain deployments can cause having gone through six. Two being surge deployments in support of War on Terror. One deployment required my husband to be away at the end of my long awaited first pregnancy. Father and son did not meet until he was five months old. Its a huge burden but one that we have all choosen knowing whom our significant others employer is. But in this technologically advanced time we have nothing to complain about. Our very first deployment there was no email. Letters took on average two to three weeks to arrive. Phone calls were made on landlines. Did our Grandmothers or Great-Grandmothers whine about there spouses being away, no they raised there children like a strong woman does and did the best they could with unconditinal support of this country. These days emailing is common place and phones calls are becoming that way. If you feel your communication with your spouse is lacking during deployments - try harder! While I am the first to admit I hate deployments and create a fuss when I hear of one coming, I
Yeah...
I agree with Ira!!
The way I see it, it's a 50/50 shot that the elected president will come through for Americans. In any case, we're taking a gamble regardless of whether the president be Republican or Democrat...
Listen, Actually listen
to a sermon of Rev. Wright or others of his ilk & you will realize nothing anti American is actually in the speeches. Obama had to distance himself because too many people didn't take the time to fully investigate what was & is often discussed on many Sabbaths across this nation. People would be harping on it even more than they are, if he hadn't done what he had to do. Rev. Wright isn't anti American. He twice served this nation, as a Marine & Navy man. If you don't believe me on the subject of his sermons, perhaps former Republican Presidential candidate, Mike Huckabee can. He says the same thing. Remember, Huckabee was once a pastor.
Censored again....
I'd love to know why I am being censored when I follow the posting guidelines? Unfortunately, there's no way to ask....
Then why the division?
"Dems love America too!!!"
Anyone who votes based on a color or a party has no love for this country. It is this very thing that is our largest obstacle to success. Democrats have shown themselves to be no better than republicans in prior races.
Put your team banners away and educate yourself on the issues. Not empty promises made by candidates.
Kudos to those who practice their
First Amendment Rights!
Some of the views expressed here sound better suited for a totalitarian state. The veiled threats, ridicule and scorn are beyond reproach.
Educate, don't denigrate!
No sir
"Powell was kept in the dark. He was not an architect, he was used."
If you believe a person of his rank was able to be kept in the "dark" then it is you who has a convenient memory. Him as well. He knew the situation on the ground there better than anybody. Anybody.
Erosion of REAL American values
This is a bunch of hooey! There is no "secret Democrat society" that I have seen in the military. I came accross Republicans, Democrats and independents, and no one was chastised for their views. If someone's husband makes them hide their signs in the garage, that is an issue in their marrage. Military members dedicate their lives to defending the principals of this great nation, and should be able to vote, support, and display sticker/signs for anyone they wish!
Short Memories
People have short memories of the last Democratic president who only eroded military benefits and substantially impacted the military's capabilities. Standby to standby if we get another democrat for president.
More like "tissues" driven
These Obama folllowers are supporting a potential commander in chief (and his associates) who will look at their husbands as rapists, murderers and infidel occupiers.
If you want to know what Obama thinks about the defending America go here:
http://moneyrunner.blogspot.com/2008/09/obama-flip-flops-on-missile-defense.html
How many of them lived in the military during Clinton, when our military families were treated with disrespect, military members lived in poverty conditions, without the medical provisions they have now and when military families had no support.
Its a world of difference now under Bush. I am one that will be grateful for all he has done for the military families.
Military wives have always had political opinions, but personal opinions were held in check. Why? The military is loyal to the country, not to a party.
Those rules have obviously been jettisoned by those who didn’t like them. Typical of a liberal. Rules apply only if they agree with them.
Astounding Article
I am astounded.
In my 25 years of military service both as an enlisted man and as an officer, not once has anything I (out of uniform) or my wife said or did about a political candidate make one whit's difference in a perfomance evaluation or even at a social occasion other than elicit some lively conversation. If it has, I recommend that whomever it was that was affected file formal complaints with their chain of command and contact their congressman or senator and complain.
If it's just rampant paranoia i.e. what you "think" might happen - ladies, get over yourselves. Freedom to express our political views as a private citizen is one of the reasons that the military exists and
WE all know that.