Parade Politics

We went to the 4th of July parade here in our small northern Virginia town. I love the way such institutions usually include politicians marching down the parade route, waving and smiling to voters no matter how hot it gets. It is a sign of American liberties that we don’t have to kiss up to our rulers–our rulers have to kiss up to us!

Anyway, Virginia is one of those battleground states, a toss-up that will help determine who wins the presidential election. There are many polls, which are inconclusive. I will offer political observers a bit of evidence from the parade. When the Democratic Party contingent came by with their cool cars, pro-Obama signs, and supporters handing out Obama tracts, NO ONE CLAPPED. The crowd was pretty boisterous otherwise, with everybody applauding each float and firetruck and antique car. But when the Obama people marched by, an ominous silence accompanied them up and down the parade route. I felt embarrassed for them. I at least waved.

Now when the corresponding group of Republicans with their pro-Romney signs marched by, there was some applause, though it seemed notably unenthusiastic.

My impression is that, based on the parade sampling, Virginia voters a aren’t wild about Romney, but they like him better than Obama.

We’ll see how that stands up on election day.