MOUNT VERNON — Same planet, different worlds.
Shirley Fletcher and Nila Leedy are both lifelong residents of Knox County. Both started as Democrats, but over the years, the two have diverged to the point where although they both agree on the importance of the 2008 presidential election, they don’t agree on much else.
Fletcher has identified herself as a Republican ever since supporting Gen. Curtis Le May for president in 1967. In her view, Republican candidate Sen. John McCain is a prince, even if he’s more moderate than she’d prefer.
“He’s about as conservative as we’re going to get in this election,” Fletcher said.
What impresses her about McCain’s background is his military record, something she identifies as being of central importance.
“We’ll always have little wars here and there, sometimes big ones,” she said, adding that she believed McCain would keep America’s military strong. By comparison, she dismissed the Democratic candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, as “a flower child.”
Fredericktown’s Nila Leedy could hardly see things more different, especially when she looks at the conflict in Iraq.
“We’ve lost so many boys over there,” Leedy said.
She added that when the U.S. leaves, the situation will revert to the same internal conflict that has marked the region for all of recorded history. Leedy doesn’t think it is wise for the United States to get caught up in that.
“McCain says we’ll be there till we win? We’ll be there till we’re bankrupt,” Leedy said.
She said she has respect for McCain and his past, but said that all of that is of the past, and that the country has problems which need solutions now. She believes Obama offers a fresh, calm perspective in troubled economic times, while McCain offers a continuance of the Bush administration.
“Can I afford four more years, or even one more year, or even another month of that?” Leedy asked.
Fletcher said McCain will be walking into a mess if he wins, but not as drastic a mess as some suggest. She said the economy suffers from a panic every 20 years or so, and that the government always tries too hard to counter something that will correct itself in due course, making things even worse. She cited books from the 1970s which used much the same language as what is being heard now about “real estate crashes” and “economic panics.” She said only the numbers have changed.
Fletcher said she knows why the country’s in the mess it’s in.
“We borrow on tomorrow,” Fletcher said, adding that people have to take more accountability for their actions. “The economy will sort itself out; I think it’s the military that matters.”
Leedy feels the economic situation is dire. After suffering a stroke, Leedy has been fighting her way back through physical therapy. She said that without Social Security and Medicare, she wouldn’t have been able to afford the physical therapy which is helping her regain her ability to take care of herself.
Fletcher expressed delight with the Republican vice presidential candidate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, and expressed contempt for the media’s coverage of the candidate.
“I think the press doesn’t know how to handle her,” Fletcher said. “She’s like Margaret Thatcher, Mother Theresa and Jackie Kennedy rolled into one.”
She said that Republican Headquarters, where she volunteers, got a lot busier after Palin was added to the ticket, provoking even some Democrats to support the Republican ticket. Fletcher hopes Palin will run for president in her own right some day.
Leedy was skeptical about Palin, citing investigations into allegations of misconduct.
“How can she help us, when she has all those ethics problems back in Alaska?” Leedy said.
She said she felt much better about the Democratic VP candidate, Sen. Joseph Biden, despite his gaffes.
“He’s a good man, even if he does have a talent for opening his mouth and inserting his foot,” Leedy said.
Recent polls that have given Obama a lead don’t faze Fletcher.
“The polls just show you how the hot air’s blowing,” she said.
She thinks it will end up being a very close race, very possibly coming down to the wire in Ohio, where the Republicans are planning a campaign publicity blitz this weekend.
In the end, Fletcher said, for her, it all comes down to supporting the conservative philosophy of less government.
“I want to keep money in my pocket,” Fletcher said. “There’s a limit on how much I want to pay to support my neighbor who’s not working.”
She added that in her opinion, the media tries to elect presidents, but the more subdued tone of conservative voters is underplaying just how many are waiting to make their voices heard by Nov. 4.
“Every move you make is governed by politics,” Fletcher said. “Anyone who claims they’re not conservative or liberal doesn’t know where they stand.”
Leedy’s focus was elsewhere.
“My life is probably three-quarters over,” Leedy said. “I have one philosophy. It’s for the kids. I want to do what’s best for them.”
She paused.
“Forget politics,” Leedy said. “Do what’s right. Get out there and vote, whichever way.”
